Mullet's Thunder Bus Build - Page 5

Robin97396 · 01-20-2018, 01:18 PM

My hatch leaked throughout the first winter after I bought it. I got used to stepping around the drip bucket without dumping it over.
The following spring I climbed up on the roof and opened the hatch for inspection from the outside noticing the the knob was loose. I tightened it up and didn't think anything further about it. It took about three days for me to notice the dripping had stopped from the hatch, and it was closer to several more weeks before the bucket went away. Hasn't leaked since.

I like being able to climb out through the roof. I still like the idea of a floor hatch big enough to climb out of too.

Johnny Mullet · 01-26-2018, 06:22 AM

So I live in Amish country here and have a few Amish friends. One of them stopped over while I was working in the bus because he was curious about what I was doing. I showed him around and stuff. He said he would love to help me do the interior woodwork since he is a cabinet builder. We will see what happens.

I also got an order in for some of the needed items for the bus...........

EastCoastCB · 01-26-2018, 06:48 AM

Sounds like you got a good plan!

Tango · 01-26-2018, 09:41 AM

If your friend is anything like the other Amish cabinet builders I have seen...you'd be hard pressed to find a better helper! Excellent!

M1031A1 · 01-26-2018, 06:01 PM

I'm sure you already know this, but whatever you do, DON'T barter..... He'll win every time.....

M

Johnny Mullet · 01-27-2018, 06:20 AM

If the weather holds out tomorrow I will be going on the roof and mounting the (2) 100 watt solar panels, the Fantastic Fan, and the sky light. I got to get them mounted while the ceiling panels are down. to run wiring. I also want to bolts the panels instead of screwing them in, but if I can't easy access the bolts, later then screws will have to work.

EastCoastCB · 01-27-2018, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

If the weather holds out tomorrow I will be going on the roof and mounting the (2) 100 watt solar panels, the Fantastic Fan, and the sky light. I got to get them mounted while the ceiling panels are down. to run wiring. I also want to bolts the panels instead of screwing them in, but if I can't easy access the bolts, later then screws will have to work.

Screws will do, just use some Dicor lap sealant and you won't have any leaks.

Johnny Mullet · 01-29-2018, 09:29 AM

Had a friend come over to help me get the Fantastic Fan and solar panels mounted on the roof. The weather was very good with temps in the mid 40's, sunshine, and no wind. I decided to mount the panels on the passenger side of the bus and later I might add tilt brackets. I can also add 2 more panels on the other side if needed in the future.

The vent went in the center of the bus where the kitchen area will be located. We used an entire tube of lap sealant to make sure there will be no water leaks.

oredigger · 01-29-2018, 11:03 AM

That looks excellent. Nice progress.

EastCoastCB · 01-29-2018, 11:33 AM

NICE, I love it!

Johnny Mullet · 01-30-2018, 06:20 AM

The latest video is also up................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrCD3UVRIb8

Robin97396 · 01-30-2018, 11:35 AM

You dun good Johnny.

Go ahead and insulate the bejeebees out of your bus and you'll be glad you did. It's true what your friend said about these windows. However, many of us have been cutting inexpensive styrofoam panels to place in each window frame which makes a big, big difference. Yes it ruins your view, but you stay warm on those cold days using much less power. The panels actually work equally as well during the summer to stop the greenhouse effect when sun shines through the windows.

I use individual window insulation panels made from 1/2" styrofoam. I also use larger panels that cover three windows at a time (7' long) to cover the window frames. Many of us have also discovered that a full 4x8 sheet of styrofoam insulation sits neatly on the chair rail and covers to the top of the windows.

Yeah, it's a shuffle taking the panels down but it effectivly gets rid of the heat loss or gain.

Johnny Mullet · 02-05-2018, 03:16 PM

Found a great deal on this used apartment sized stove and it's in great condition. I have to get the model number and figure out how to convert it from gas to propane. The kitchen will be one of the best parts of the bus build since we love to cook.

o1marc · 02-05-2018, 03:58 PM

What gas did it run on that you're converting to propane?

Rusty · 02-05-2018, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

What gas did it run on that you're converting to propane?

Probably natural gas.

Conversions of gas appliances to either natural gas or propane involves the changing of internal parts to properly compensate for the differing pressures between the two. Appliances fueled by either natural gas or propane can be converted to run on the other provided an approved conversion kit is available.

Jolly Roger bus 223 · 02-05-2018, 05:25 PM

The manufacturer and a manual is the first start.
Very simple to convert. The orifice size is smaller for propane and if a factory provided regulator is there then the spring in the regulator will need to be changed or the regulator itself.
If you do have a regulator inside and or have to change it then it either needs the ventless type or the regulator vent piped outside.
If it doesn't have a regulator then you will need to figure the proper size and where to stick it.
If you have a solenoid valve for the gas then that is where the spring change will be but it should come with the orifice Kit if ordered directly from the manufacturer.

Johnny Mullet · 02-19-2018, 02:57 PM

Here is the video from last week.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2zFYPx9je4

This week the weather is getting better and I was able to get some more supplies and materials for the build. I am getting all the wiring done this week and will then finish framing and insulating the walls....