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Old 08-12-2010, 06:58 PM   #161
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Kitchen counter is about 30" high. I used Fiberglass reinforced plastic panels in the shower stall. I would not be able to fit a one piece stall through my front door because I have a rear engine bus. So no back door. Besides the one piece stalls are quite expensive.

The FRP panels are about $27 for a 4'x8' sheet.

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Old 08-13-2010, 02:54 PM   #162
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Well, almost everything I have cut has not been straight. But I used a metal jigsaw blade to cut the FRP. (cuts really easy). And I glued it to 3/8" plywood using a "Liquid Nails FRP adhesive" and then used a bathroom, tub, sink sealant/caulking around the edges and corners to seal it all up.
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Old 08-13-2010, 08:03 PM   #163
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Hello. Thanks. The stove I got is designed to just drop in the counter and screws in on the side. So you basically cut a hole in the counter, drop in the stove and then put screws through the framing of the stove horizontally into the countertop.

I put the propane tanks under the bus. I made a frame for them and ran black iron pipe under the bus and 3/8" copper tubing inside the bus. If you scroll back in my conversion process you will see the propane install.

Hope this helps.

Dan
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Old 08-14-2010, 10:58 AM   #164
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Nice looking build...

Looks like you're picking up some skills along the way...

I know the propane thing was gone over, but you can lay a forklift task on it's side because the way the pick up in the bottle is... The difference is the valve... There are liquid valves and vapor valves... Household stuff like grills, stoves, rv fridge, ect use vapor valved lp tanks... Where as, engines use liquid valved lp tanks... I use the forklift ones in my 4x4 and have a large 38 gallon I'll use for an on board re-fueling station... After talking to the local propane guy, all I'll need is the different hoses to refill either... They will gravity feed from the 38 gallon under carriage one... Just an FYI...

Sorry for the thread hi-jack...

Bus looks great, keep it up...
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Old 08-14-2010, 08:56 PM   #165
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Got the dinette seats paneled. The seat bottom comes off for storage underneath. I screwed 2x2's to the bottom of the plywood to keep it from sliding around. Tested out the stove. Boiled some water very quickly!!

Also started the overhead cabinet face. I was thinking of using oak plywood but that is too expensive. So I am using 2x3's for the frame and I will attempt to make cabinet doors out of 2x3 whiteboards and Luan. Then just probably polyurethane everything.

I used 1" angle iron and screwed it to the original holes for the wire chase covers above the windows. The bottom board of the cabinet will rest on this. I bought 1 1/4" angle iron with holes to attach the cabinet face to the angle iron. The angle iron does not sit perfectly vertical when attached to the roof. I'm thinking I might have to bend it a little once I get the face bolted on. We will see what happens.
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Old 08-14-2010, 08:58 PM   #166
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Continued.
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Old 08-14-2010, 08:59 PM   #167
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

WORKING STOVE!!
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Old 08-26-2010, 09:07 PM   #168
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Thanks DD.

GREAT NEWS!!!! MY SKOOLIE IS NOW REGISTERED AND INSURED!!! I found a local insurance agent that a buddy of mine recommended and they will insure it!!

SWEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Mass you have to type a Affidavit stating the bus has been converted to a "AutoHome" and get it notorized. In the letter you have to state that you have A/C 120 volts, LP, pooper, etc.. etc.. Then you have to title it first, THEN go to the insurance company so they can see on the title it is now called an AUTOHOME and they will insure it. THEN, you have to go back to the registry and get it registered. Whew. Lot accomplished today!



So, back to the conversion. Lately I've been working on the outside screens for the windows. I will have pics of that process up soon.

I also got my 2 house batteries installed! What a deal I found on these!! They are Trojan 12volt deep cycle. One is 195AH and the other is 175AH. I kinda wished that both were 195AH. Hope it won't be a problem. Anyway, the day before I was going to spend about $500 on 2 group 31 floor scrubber type batteries which I found out would not have been even close to 195AH each, I was talking to a buddy of mine who recommended this battery recycling place.

They resell good, used, tested and warrantied for a year batteries. All types. So he load tested them and check voltage right in front of me. I ended up picking up these 2 batteries for $100 each! They are only a year old!

They will sit in the air cleaner housing compartment.
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Old 08-26-2010, 09:25 PM   #169
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

NICE JOB SCUTCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 08-27-2010, 07:45 PM   #170
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

True Smitty. All worked out good.

THANKS BUSFREAK!!
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Old 09-19-2010, 07:51 PM   #171
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Well, unfortunately I lost all my recent posts when the site went down. So I will re-post.

Got the screens finished. Here is how they were done.

Also got the dinette table finished.



First start with 5/16 screen frame



Then, get the corner pieces to connect them. Make sure to deduct 1 1/2 inches from the frame measurement.



Place screen material over frame. Make sure you individually fit each window.



I got the 300' foot roll of spline. It was only 10 bucks.



Push spline in groove in frame with roller. $3 from Lowes



Trim excess material


I used a putty knife to create a gap in between the sill and screen frame for drainage


Completed frame. I siliconed the frames in. You can choose to use the little turn tabs
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Old 09-19-2010, 08:04 PM   #172
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Dinette table. I used 3/4" oak plywood and 7 coats of polyurethane!


Cut and sanded the edges

First coat of polyurethane. What a difference!!

These are the legs I used. They just pull apart so you can drop the table to make a bed. Available at just about any RV supply.

This is the table dropped down to form a bed. All i did was screw a couple pieces of 1x1 strips on lower half of the benches so the table will rest on these when dropped

Here is the completed table.
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Old 09-19-2010, 08:07 PM   #173
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Smitty, WAY more than I intended on spending. It was over $200. I lost count of how many frames i had to buy. Of course if I skinned some windows in the beginning I wouldn't have as many screens to do.
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Old 09-19-2010, 08:12 PM   #174
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Also started the front couches.



End wall framing




Found this strange bug at work. I have no idea what it is.
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Old 09-20-2010, 05:42 AM   #175
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

The screens look really nice, that's how I have been planning to do mine. I'm happy to see that it'll work. Dinette & seating are looking good too!

BTW: It's a giant water bug. (Used to play with 'em at the creek back home when I was little.)
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Old 09-20-2010, 04:52 PM   #176
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

So...you made screens to fit the stock windows, if I'm seeing that right? And nice table. And HOLY COW, that's a big bug.
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Old 09-21-2010, 09:20 AM   #177
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Screens and new table look really nice!
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Old 09-21-2010, 08:22 PM   #178
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Thanks!!
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Old 09-26-2010, 07:24 PM   #179
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Well, I finally found a RV generator about 45 minutes from me. The guy had it listed on Craigslist for $500 with all the manuals! I've been looking everyday for weeks. Boy, these are hard to find in the local area!

Its a ONAN 6500 Watt twin cylinder gasoline Genset. Its the old dinosaur. I couldn't believe the outstanding quality and durability of these units. I also noticed how EXPENSIVE parts are for it! WOW! Parts for my truck are cheaper!! AND IT WEIGHS A TON!! Now its time to start planning the installation. Fun. Fun.





Also cleaned up the interior and took a couple shots. I really don't have any good pictures of the interior. Just random progress pics here and there.



I decided to complete the entry stairwell because I disconnected the jacknife door a while ago to sand and paint the stairs and I figured I might as well finish it up so I can hook the door back up incase I take for a ride once in a while.

I used rubber backed floormat material from Lowes and exterior carpet adhesive to glue it down. Then finished it with aluminum trim.


I have been trying to figure out what to do with this space I have across from the bathroom. I will be using a 24" bathroom door so I have to allow for swing room. But I have about 20" in width that I was thinking of using for some storage. Maybe build a short frame with plywood hinged on top. (almost like underneath bunk bed type storage). Any suggestions? I have about 8 feet or so in length and 20" in width. I'm going to put a fridge behind the dinette seat so that will take up a whopping 19". Seems almost unheard of to have extra room. (Sorry). Ha. Ha.



(Bathroom opening)

Well, thats it for now until I start making progress on the generator install. I'll keep you posted!!!
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Old 09-27-2010, 09:34 AM   #180
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Re: CHANGED AGAIN! THIS WILL BE IT!!

Nice job! Wardrobe closet might be a good idea. I already have 2 45 gallon water tanks under the bed and my house batteries in the air filter housing compartment.

I like that that Sketchit. Is that a free download?
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