Jacuzzi Bus

[lapeer20m]

i have some 35mm photos of the roofrack finished on the bus. Actually, they're pictures of the bus from burningman that just happen to have the new deck on top. It's painted bright yellow. Someday i'll post the photo's on here.

The deck is in good shape. I now keep my generator up there. I am pleased with the deck so far. I built it kind of out of the blue without a lot of contemplation. Basically i just ran out of time and money and had to have the deck before my trip to burningman. I'm happy with it. It does it's job, and is very sturdy. Suprisingly i have not had any noticable problems with the roof leaking either. I used self tapping screws to attach the 2x4's and in the back of my mind thought of possible water leakage.

It makes a good observation deck for a few people, but i wouldn't want 30 people up there! It's also a good place to sleep when it's warm out. I put a single matress and springs up there during the time i spent parked in the desert.

[captainkf]

I am planning on building a roof top water system and am curious about the storage drums you made referance to that held your exess water. Where did you aquire them? Are they food grade? Do you think your roof top balcony would support one 55 gallon filled located in a corner? As I am planning on a roof similar to yours. Thanks a bunch. -Richard

[lapeer20m]

the drums i have for my water are not food grade. I bought mine for 5 bucks, and the guy wanted 10 dollars for the food grade drums. He gave me a 50% discount, normal price is 10 and 20 respectively.

they're out there...but i'm not sure where you would go to look for them. The non food grade are obviously easier to find.
There is an old guy in my town who collects them for free and sells them to make a small profit.

are you in mi?

As far as weight.....I could fill one drum allright. If found that when i put two full drums up there the cieling/roof started caving in slightly. I did notice that the bus handled worse than usual with the extra weight up that high.

[captainkf]

Thanks.

No I am located in Alberta Canada now. So your source would not be the most effective for me.

Good to know about the weight causing handling issues. I had thought about placing the water container (whatever it is) on one of the sides, but mabye i'll go with somthing smaller and centre it in the very back middle.

I was considering those 5 gallon water containers that are used for water coolers. I think if I picked up a couple of those, tied them together with a couple of lines of 3/8" food grade lines and then ran a water hose for a gravity shower that might work.

All I am looking to do is create a gravity shower off the back of the bus for washing dogs, bikes and possibly me when boondocking in the summer.

-Richard

[lapeer20m]

how about a waterbed matress on the roof ??

in the summer it would heat the water using solar engergy too!

[captainkf]

Interesting...

I would be concerned about sloshing around and punctures. Birds, friends, weight and low branches in far off places.

But you could build a box for support....

hmmm?

-Richard

[Eric von Kleist]

I've been thinking about roof mounted solar hot water heaters. That black 1/2" polybutylene tubing coiled up tightly would probably make an effective collector. http://www.fieldlines.com has some info on this, but you'd have to search the posts there. I recall that a guy did this for his swimming pool. He was heating a huge volume of water, which was effective, but slow. On a smaller volume, the unit would probably be much more effective. Put the drums under the bus (or down low somewhere) and use a small 12 volt pump powered by a small solar panel.

[lapeer20m]

i'm finally getting around to posting some photos.

The bus is under construction, but i thought i'd start by showing off the new paint job for the ceiling.

[lapeer20m]

here are some photo's of the glass block wall and the stairs not yet completed.





this final photo is one of our lighting expierements...it's difficult to take good photo's in the dark!

[lapeer20m]

i've done more work...but don't have up-to-date photos.

the new floor is in the bus finally! the new walls have been installed, 100% acrylic mirror. The electrical wiring is nearly completed, and the new padded benches have been installed along with new higher quality exterior jacuzzi doors.


i'll try to post new ones before the weekend. The interior project is nearing completion!

[TravelingMan]

The wall looks cool with the lights behind it. I'll be intrested to see how the mirrors look.

[busone]

WOW! that looks awesome. It also looks like a lot of work and $$. The glass blocks really make the look.

[lapeer20m]

i've spend over $2K just since january and too many hours to count !

[captainkf]

Looks great! So is this rig just for your enjoyment or do you book it for events and such? How is the new floor working out? Good luck and keep up the great work! -Richard

[lapeer20m]

no, i don't rent the bus out. if i did that, then i'd be forced to go the commercial vehicle route.

i have taken groups of friends or aquaintanences out on the town from time to time and recieved a hefty donation however.

mostly i just use the bus for fun. it's a great way to attract hot young women !

[captainkf]

I am glad to hear that. It's great that this is all just for fun, I think those are the best projects. Have fun! -Richard

[Eric von Kleist]

Really cool! That glass block idea with the light behind it is very clever. I bet you throw a heck of a party in there!

[lapeer20m]

the bus is prob 90% finished inside. Here are some early photos. I need to work on my photography lighting. It's tricky.......the glass block wall looks best when it's dark with it's blue lights illuminating the block, but that makes the rest of the bus difficult to see....

click here for the entire album of new bus photo's http://www.skoolie.net/gallery2/album11

this first photo is of the mirrored wall and the newly flame-painted ceiling.








better photo's to come......

[lapeer20m]

I also added some 500w hallogen lights to the exterior of the bus. I'll downgrade the bulbs to 250w when i get the chance to make it easier to run them off the inverter. Currently i have the stock bulbs in the units, but i'll eventually purchase some extreme duty hallogens. These things are amazingly reziliant compared to standard bulbs.

[Steve]

All I can say is WOW, it doesn't even look like the same bus inside. You are going to HAVE to bring it to the Iowa vs Iowa State game this year.

It will be Sept 10 2005 in Ames, IA