Ludicrous Speed

[ol trunt]

I'm sure lots of us have run into the same problem with the lights as you did--what a pain in the ---. The factory wiring for my Isuzu/chevy chassis called for the same 2 bulb set up for turn/ dir while my Morris minor TOAD has only one lamp. Like you I tried many variations of relays and ended up just a little short of where I needed to be. That is until I added a fourth relay and an appropriately rated diode (diode on each brake light). That is to say, 2 relays and 1 diode to each brake light. It works great, proper voltage to both the brake light and the turn signal. I'd guess that either the brake light or the turn signal is brighter on your setup? --that is because of the constant voltage from the brake circuit when the brakes are applied "making up for" the power lost through the relays. I have a wiring diagram of all this somewhere on the computer--I have only to remember where I stashed it--I hate getting old! Oh yea, I should mention that with all those relays clicking and clacking it is no problem to remember to turn your directionals off

If what you have meets your needs, great. If curosity is for you what it is for me (a cruel task master) I'll make a conserted effort to retrieve my wiring diagrams and display them here. Let me know.

[TheRainbowBoxer]

@ pip - The limit in the states we will be running in is 65 feet. We will be within that, so I'm not worried. Thanks for the concern.

@ Trunt - I did not notice any dimming of anything. The relays pull almost nothing to activate, and I am using a secondary power source (formerly for the door buzzers) to light the trailer lights.

[chev49]

i have never had a problem running 65' in any state. don't even worry about it, and i have towed trailer with a bus off and on for almost 30 yrs. but, even with a skoolie, you should have all your clearance lights working, as some cops will stop anything that might look like a truck if one if the lights is out.

[lornaschinske]

Originally Posted by ol trunt

... my Morris minor...

Those are such cute cars! A guy in Franklin had two of them for sale. Been for sale for years when we left. Probably still for sale. Adorable but our lifestyle could never allow for a toy like that. So sad.

[TheRainbowBoxer]

It is OFFICIAL! I have a title that says motorhome and plates! $285 total (ouch). Just had to sign an affidavit to get the title converted. It was a breeze!

[lornaschinske]

Just as it should be!

[bansil]

Congrates,I like easy

[gbstewart]

do you know what kind vehicle the hitch was on before you put it on you bus? I want to put on my bus, my frame is 34'' (blue bird)
tks

gbstewart

[Stretch]

No idea where the hitch came from. 34 is a very common medium duty truck size. Some hitches you can flop the end plates over to adjust the width also.

[TheRainbowBoxer]

Ok... I know I have been slacking on here. Been so busy with building the bus and with outings/events we have had. The following couple posts are about stuff that we put into the bus prior to the offroading trip my friends and I took mid June.

I am not too fond of posting pics using photobucket or other services... but will give it a shot since the board quota problem is in full swing.


Installation of the roof air conditioner. Unfortunately, my bus has a 6'2" ceiling height and a 2" deep shroud would seriously encroach upon my headroom. Solution: Put the AC in one of the escape hatches!

Removed the hatch from the bus.


Cut the opening into the hatch for the AC to fit into. I lined the space between the inner and outer skins of the hatch with 2x4s to retain rigidity.


The AC is resting happily on top of the bus. I not only caulked the hatch with roofing caulk, but also ran some lag bolts through the sides to make sure the AC does not fly away when driving down the road. It survived the 400 mile round trip to Haspin with no issues.


The shroud fits neatly up into the emergency hatch and flush with the ceiling!

[TheRainbowBoxer]

I replaced the incandescent dome lights with led cards purchased on ebay (total = about $35).

The dome lights prior to modification.


I had to solder leads onto the cards so that I could integrate with the existing wiring. I know they sell ones with adapters for these kind of sockets, but are we skoolie people or what?!?


I then hot glued the cards into the fixtures after attaching the ground with a self tapping screw.


The lighting before was yellowish and not near as bright.


The lighting now is still warm, but much brighter and less dingy looking.

[TheRainbowBoxer]

We also installed flooring prior to the trip. We used a laminate flooring, which we glued down to the subfloor using glue intended for vinyl floor. It took pretty much a whole day to do. Tip for anyone putting one of these floors in: if a seam is not wanting to close up, put a board against the edge and tap it in with a hammer.



Table saw I bought at a garage sale for $15 or so... it is getting a LOT of use lately.


We used everything we could think of for weight to hold the floor while the glue dried, including empty cat litter bottles, which we filled with water.


This was a tedious, messy job for my wife and I.


Ready to go bowling anyone?

[TheRainbowBoxer]

The last improvement that was done prior to the trip... and arguably the most important

My friend hooked us up with, and installed a pioneer cd player and 4 6.5" kicker brand speakers. Don't have a pic of this finished (will add one later), but it looks and sounds very good.

[TheRainbowBoxer]

Our trip to Haspin acres in Laurel, IN went very well! 4 of my friends and I attended the SteelSoldiers military vehicle rally. We go to look at and play around in the trucks, but it is also a great excuse to take our racing/offroading lawnmowers out for a romp!

The bus, ready for its maiden voyage, towing Stretch's camper. The trip was 400 miles round trip and the bus performed flawlessly.


Base camp established.


Our crazy machines unloaded and ready.


The mower cycle gang

[bansil]

Looks good,do you have a link to those small led cards?

[Tango]

Floor looks great, nice job. And the racing mowers are a hoot but I don't see a single one with a blown, big-block Chevy in it!

[browncrown]

I agree, that floor looks great!

[chev49]

looketh like 82 goldwing

[TheRainbowBoxer]

@ Bansil - Got LEDs at this link --- http://www.ebay.com/itm/221003714713?ss ... 116wt_1396

@ Tango - They are a lot of fun... but I think the 16.5 HP opposed twin briggs might be power enough to get us into plenty trouble ;)

Thanks on the props guys... we have a lot more done, but time's a wasting and I need to get these bunks framed so we can go camping sans tents. I'll post more progress soon!

[eyedeal.ink]

Diggin those LED cards, never seen one with that many LED's.....you guys look like you're having a blast, nice bus!