Successful trip update

[Brian Diehl]

Well, I just got back from a 2400 mile trip out to Virginia and back.  We left to go down Friday, Dec 7th and just missed the beginning of the 1" of freezing rain in IL.  On our way back we got caught in the snow/freezing rain mess as we went between Indianapolis and Chicago.  That was the worst part of the trip.  I am really impressed with how well the bus handled the 3 and 4" thick snow/slush mixture on the interstate.  I never got stuck and I never spun the tires except while trying to get into a truck stop.  There were a few hills I was going up in very slow traffic that I suspected I would have been unable to get going again if the traffic were to come to a complete stop.  Thankfully I never had to find out for sure!  There was over 24 vehicles in the ditches during this stretch of the interstate. 

The bus ran great the whole trip.  However, I will be switching over to electric wipers as soon as I can.  I hate the way the wiper system is setup on this bus (the A series).  The wiper spray only worked some of the time even though the pump was getting air.  I'm going to switch that over to electric also ASAP.  I also learned my 5 year old wiper blades are due for a CHANGE!

Now I know why you guys with those 500hp 8v92s just love them.  Having 400 hp in my ISM is simply incredible.  I just turned on the cruise control and let her rip.  It was fun and amazing to go wizzing past the trucks on the mountains.  The torque and power IS addicting.  I'm glad I have it.  This was my first trip in over 30,000 miles of driving with the cruise control system.  "Look Ma, no feet!"

My wife came up to me during one part of the trip and said, "I think there is something wrong back there".  I had a moment, and then asked for clarification.  She said that usually the floor boards are warm from the engine, but with this ISM there is just no extra heat and it was cold in the back where the floor is usually warm.  Speaking of warm, at times while running around 60mph  I could suck the heat out of the engine as fast as it could create it keeping the interior up to temperature.  Only while running at interstate speeds did it stay on the thermostat.  Even heading up the long (7 mile) 7% grades in WV only caused the engine to go up against the thermostat.  The only indication of the engine working was the engine oil temperature would go up towards the water temperature.  Otherwise, the oil temp stayed down around 120, 130 or so.

We have also found out in IN you can no longer buy diesel on the truck islands.  This has something to do with the taxation policies of diesel on the truck islands.  So, if you buy diesel in Indiana you have to go to the RV pumps.  This can be challenging when towing like we did on the way down where you can't back up.  I used to buy in IN because the diesel was cheaper than surrounding states.  This time diesel was over 20cents a gallon more when I had to buy at the RV pumps.

The only actual issue i had was with my vacuum pump switch.  It quit turning off the vacuum pump when it reached its vacuum limit.  So, I had to wire in a switch to control the relay manually.  Any ideas where I could get a replacement vacuum switch?

Finally, here are some pictures from Sunday morning before we left the rest area.

[Fredward]

Brian,
You must be really pleased with the fruits of your labor. I'm sure the power is fun. Also you now know why all the 4 cycle coaches delivered up here come with Webasto or similar auxiliary heater!

I'm curious how you resolved the issue of getting through the gears in a timely fashion when starting out? Is there a way to skip a few on the way up?

Fred

[Brian Diehl]

Brian,
You must be really pleased with the fruits of your labor. I'm sure the power is fun. Also you now know why all the 4 cycle coaches delivered up here come with Webasto or similar auxiliary heater!

I'm curious how you resolved the issue of getting through the gears in a timely fashion when starting out? Is there a way to skip a few on the way up?

Fred

For the most part it goes just fine.  I'm not the fastest off the line, but I really don't care usually as I'm just going at part throttle and letting the engine get me there without burning a bunch of fuel.  If I'm in a real hurry I just floor it and the tranny allows the engine to rev up more and therefore I accelerate a fair bit faster.  Finally, if I really need to get a move on I start out in 2nd and skip shift up to 8th and then go to 9th and finally to overdrive. 

[Tom Y]

Brian, Glad you had a good trip. Did you check the MPG? What kind of elect wipers are you planning? I have some wiper motors to try mounting on mine hopefully in the next couple weeks. But I got used motors, Used bus used motors right?  Tom Y

[RJ]

However, I will be switching over to electric wipers as soon as I can.  I hate the way the wiper system is setup on this bus (the A series).  The wiper spray only worked some of the time even though the pump was getting air.  I'm going to switch that over to electric also ASAP.  I also learned my 5 year old wiper blades are due for a CHANGE!

Brian -

Might I make a few suggestions before you spend a whole lot of money on electric wipers?

1.  Replace the wiper blades - old ones create additional drag on the glass, not to mention the poor wipe characteristics.  This should be done annually, btw.

2.  Thoroughly clean the windshield with soap and water, then squeegie dry.  I like to use Dawn dishwashing liquid squirted directly on a soaked sponge, and lots of rinse water.  Obviously, you'll need to be on a ladder or use some type of extension pole.  Be safe!!

3.  After windshield is dry, apply a couple of liberal coats of Rain-X to the glass, especially over the wiper path areas.  This alone is worth the cost of the product. . .

4.  The windshield washers are virtually useless in heavy rain/snow conditions.  BTDT.  I used to use a safety pin to make sure the spray nozzles were clear - amazing how often they were plugged.  Depending on whether your nozzles are on the breastplate of the coach or on the wiper arms, now is the time to clean them out thoroughly, as well as the feed lines to them.  Test and adjust spray pattern after cleaning.  (Oops, this should come before cleaning the windshield. . .)

Those are the easy ones. . . now:

4.  Disconnect the air feed line to the wiper motors and squirt in some approved lubricant.  Folk have used WD-40, Marvel Mystery Oil, ATF, 3-in-One, all kinds of stuff.  What ever you use, it should be compatible with rubber products and relatively light-weight.  Personally, I've use a food-grade silicone lubricant with good results.  Also helps if you have a helper that can pull the arm off the windshield and move it back and forth while you lube the motor.  Better results that way.  Reconnect the air line when done, being careful not to overtighten the fitting.

5.  Disconnect and remove the wiper switches from the dashboard and lubricate them, also.

6.  Servicing the wiper blades & motors should be part of your fall PM program - when was the last time it was done?


I think you'll find that after servicing them properly, and with new blades, the system works extremely well.  If it didn't, don't you think that the manufacturers would have switched to electric a long time ago?


If you're still not happy, then it's time to get out the checkbook and prepare to spend about a grand for the conversion, after you figure in all the little additional parts you'll need beside the basic motors and switches.  That and your time, of course.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[JackConrad]

Brian,
   When we installed our electric wipers (like Tom, used motors for us also), we installed "wet arm washers". A small plastic fitting/nozzles attaches to the wiper arm, aim the nozzles, and it sprays water all along the length of the wiper blade. These were plumbed to universal electric windshield washer pumps with 1/8" rubber hose, using the OEM reservoir.  Jack

[eagle10]

I used the air wipers on our coaches for over 15 years before changing over to electric. Electric is the best way for me. I used a set from a truck but had to adjust the swing on the arms and it was quite a project as there was no factory adjustment  on it. They are two speed wipers. I kept the air washer system because it worked great. I bought an intermittent switch from J.C. Whitney for $15 and wired it up. I have used them in heavy snow and sleet. ($100 investment)

[JimC]

JACK,
Where did you get the wet wiper arm nozzles?

I jerry rigged some on my blades and they work OK but not great, I could not find any that gave me a wide mist along the blade like you mentioned.

Do you have a part number or a place to purchase, that is next upgrade on my list before leaving the frozen north.

Jim

[prevost82]

I have to concur with the electric wipers ... they are great. I used a single motor out of a hwy tractor and made up a cross linkage so the left and right wiper arms would come together then move apart. The intermittent feature is great.

Glad you had a safe trip ...
Ron

[JackConrad]

Where did you get the wet wiper arm nozzles? I purchased all the components at a local truck parts place.
Do you have a part number or a place to purchase? I do not have any part numbers, but ask for "wet arm" windshild washers.  The pumps are universal windshield washer pumps. I used 1/8" rubber tubing to connect the pumps to the nozzle fittings.  The straight lines on the nozzles are in line with the openings and can be turned to aim the spray.  Jack

[Brian Diehl]

Thanks everyone for the ideas on the wipers.  I'm just going to use the motor out of the truck and the fluid pump out of the truck.  I don't think it will be very easy to adapt the motor for the bus, but I'm going to give it a try.

Tom, yeah, I did check the mpg.  It was 8.7.  Not as good as I had hoped, but much better than the 6.2 I was getting.  I'm still suspicious of a miss, but haven't been able to prove it yet.  I might pickup a few tenths more mileage if I do find a miss and get it corrected.  For now I'm okay with being a little dissapointed on the mileage in exchange for all the power it is putting out.

Jack, thanks for the picture of the wet wiper nozzle.  I have two of those on each arm right now.  Thanks to your picture I don't have to go hunting for those nozzles as I already have them. 

[Tom Y]

Brian, I got wiper motors from a Gruman style bread truck. One motor ran both wipers. I plan to use 2 motors, paid 10.00 each. Three wires 1 hot in park, 1 in low, 1 in high. the park position is ajustable, so they should work well.  Tom Y