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07-15-2009, 11:04 AM
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#121
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bus Project
Congrats on the first trip! Sounds like it was fun. How did the batteries and inverter work out?
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Batteries and inverter worked great, however I still cant get you an accurate measurement since we didnt really camp ion this trip, we stayed at friends places and used their facilities to cook and wash etc.
We'll have an actual camping trip on one of the next weekends and then we'll see how long those things can keep us going.
One thing i noticed is that when driving and switching over to housbatteries charge, the AMP meter on my dash will show a 50 AMP + draw and then slowly decline until the batteries are fully charged. It will take about 2 - 3 hours driving to zero out.
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07-15-2009, 11:21 AM
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#122
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Athens, TN
Posts: 58
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: Spartan (I think)
Engine: Cummins BT-6
Rated Cap: 72
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by swinada
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bus Project
One thing i noticed is that when driving and switching over to housbatteries charge, the AMP meter on my dash will show a 50 AMP + draw and then slowly decline until the batteries are fully charged. It will take about 2 - 3 hours driving to zero out.
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It sounds like something is drawing power from those "house batteries". Do you have anything that might be steadily using power during your "off" time? Any battery that has been sitting for a while will gradually lose the charge, but if this happens on a frequent basis, I would run a check with a digital meter to see what is "stealing" my power.
Best of luck!!!
__________________
"Adversity that does not kill you can only make you stronger."
Good Lord! I must be Superman by now!!!
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07-15-2009, 12:02 PM
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#123
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nachtwulf
Quote:
Originally Posted by swinada
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bus Project
One thing i noticed is that when driving and switching over to housbatteries charge, the AMP meter on my dash will show a 50 AMP + draw and then slowly decline until the batteries are fully charged. It will take about 2 - 3 hours driving to zero out.
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It sounds like something is drawing power from those "house batteries". Do you have anything that might be steadily using power during your "off" time? Any battery that has been sitting for a while will gradually lose the charge, but if this happens on a frequent basis, I would run a check with a digital meter to see what is "stealing" my power.
Best of luck!!!
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Nachtwulf I'm not looking for solutions that was just a statement. I know the house batteries are used when not driving, monitors, waterpump, 12 v lights etc.
BusProject was asking how long my battery bank will last and what it takes to recharge etc. that's why that statement was in there.
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07-16-2009, 12:50 PM
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#124
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Athens, TN
Posts: 58
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: Spartan (I think)
Engine: Cummins BT-6
Rated Cap: 72
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by swinada
Nachtwulf I'm not looking for solutions that was just a statement. I know the house batteries are used when not driving, monitors, waterpump, 12 v lights etc.
BusProject was asking how long my battery bank will last and what it takes to recharge etc. that's why that statement was in there.
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I apologize for jumping in. As an engineer, I'm used to solving problems every day, and sometimes I butt in before being asked. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa.
I still wish you the very best with your bus.
Best Regards,
Lee
__________________
"Adversity that does not kill you can only make you stronger."
Good Lord! I must be Superman by now!!!
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10-23-2009, 11:00 AM
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#125
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 575
Coachwork: Thomas
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Chetwynd.... been through there on way to Dawson. Darn right WINDY place. And tiny. And cold. Windy, too.
Did I miss it in all those pages... How did you do the paint job?
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10-23-2009, 05:37 PM
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#126
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: vancouver island bc
Posts: 1,028
Year: 1965
Coachwork: thomas
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 350
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
hey swinada that was a big maiden voyage,ill say! glad it went well good crusin and milage also.So ya got her insured as a rv also thats great! Will be lookin for ya next summer timbuk
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10-23-2009, 05:58 PM
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#127
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seeria
Chetwynd.... been through there on way to Dawson. Darn right WINDY place. And tiny. And cold. Windy, too.
Did I miss it in all those pages... How did you do the paint job?
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How did we do the paintjob? Just with a cheap air sprayer and tremclad paint. (rustoleum) It helps that my wife is kind of artistic when it comes to paint and such. If I would have done it, it would'nt look that good.
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10-23-2009, 05:59 PM
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#128
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by timbuk
hey swinada that was a big maiden voyage,ill say! glad it went well good crusin and milage also.So ya got her insured as a rv also thats great! Will be lookin for ya next summer timbuk
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Who knows maybe one of these days we'll cross path.
Maybe a BC gatering camping weekend should be arranged.
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02-13-2010, 11:42 PM
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#129
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Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Grays Harbor County, Washington
Posts: 173
Year: 90
Coachwork: blue bird
Chassis: International
Engine: Navistar Straight 6 Turbo
Rated Cap: 65
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Been a while since you posted. Just checking on your progress and general well being.....
So.....How ya doing???
Scott
__________________
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the
things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off
the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds
in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain
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02-14-2010, 12:08 AM
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#130
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Doing great, thanks for asking. Of course the snow is under a blanket of snow at the moment, and it will be a few months before we get back to business.
many other things to do this time of the year.
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02-14-2010, 07:36 AM
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#131
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 575
Coachwork: Thomas
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
He's in Chetwynd... where it is summer for a month, spring for a week, autumn for a week, winter the rest of the year. And burried under snow is an understatement. He forgot to mention the winds that whip through Chetwynd. The brutal cold. The skin freeze factors.
Wishing you an early melt!
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02-14-2010, 11:33 PM
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#132
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
we are having an early melt, at least today it was around +5, felt like spring..... will see how long it will last.
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02-15-2010, 10:38 AM
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#133
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: vancouver island bc
Posts: 1,028
Year: 1965
Coachwork: thomas
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 350
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
sounds to me like Seeria has been to Chetwind before Swinada hang in there spring is coming!
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02-16-2010, 12:25 AM
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#134
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lakeland, Florida
Posts: 232
Year: 85
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Ford
Engine: Gas
Rated Cap: 66
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
I know what you guys mean....it was in the 60's today here in florida and i was sorta chilly. hate that winter.
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02-11-2011, 10:55 AM
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#135
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
WOW I haven't been here in a long time. Last year was kind of a short busing season as we had other commitments. But this shall all change this year as we are planning an extended trip. But before that will happen I need to rip out the hot water tank again as we had the misfortune a couple years ago to get an very early 2 days of -20 weather in early October and of course a few days before the planned winterizing of the bus. So the hot water tank is on the fritz and needs to come out.
I just noticed that I never posted any pictures of the finished bathroom so I have to do that too soon.
We are planning to take a 4-5 week trip this summer, my Wife and I would like to cross over to the east coast, basically from coast to coast 7000 km's one way. But the kids say they want to go down south were it is warm and were you can enjoy swimming in the ocean. So maybe we are heading that way.
How are the laws and regulations down south? specifically California, do they have something against skoolies. What should I be looking out for? Do I need special permits or something? Never been to the states before (except once about 20 years ago) so any tips regarding traveling with a skoolie down south would be appreciated.
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02-11-2011, 12:27 PM
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#136
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pueblo Co
Posts: 310
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Safe T Liner
Engine: 3208 turbo
Rated Cap: 84
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
tankless water heater prices have come down lately.
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02-11-2011, 02:01 PM
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#137
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Roswell, NM
Posts: 3,588
Year: 1986
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: 40 ft All American FE
Engine: 8.2LTA Fuel Pincher DD V8
Rated Cap: 89
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by swinada
We are planning to take a 4-5 week trip this summer, my Wife and I would like to cross over to the east coast, basically from coast to coast 7000 km's one way. But the kids say they want to go down south were it is warm and were you can enjoy swimming in the ocean. So maybe we are heading that way.
How are the laws and regulations down south? specifically California, do they have something against skoolies. What should I be looking out for? Do I need special permits or something? Never been to the states before (except once about 20 years ago) so any tips regarding traveling with a skoolie down south would be appreciated.
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From what I understand, you can't take meat across the border. Also I have heard (but don't understand) that you have to prove that you have the $$ to live here while traveling.
From a Canadian Escapee's post
Quote:
Now, I just need to remember to declare the beer I have on board (couple of bottles, so not a concern), the cat food, the onions, and the garlic. I have my passport and the kitties' up-to-date vet records. I have a copy of my travel medical insurance showing I plan to stay for eight weeks. I have cash on hand and updated bank and credit card statements showing that I can vacation comfortably in the US for two months. Am I forgetting anything or I am overthinking this???
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Quote:
To those who've had difficulty at the border, I have to say this: your attitude is much more important than your answers. Even though I thought I had good answers for customs, they made it clear I didn't. But during the whole hour and a half interview process, I was polite to the point of being demure, and always even tempered. I did not get impatient, I was cooperative, I was respectful, I looked them straight in the eye when answering even if I knew I didn't have a good answer, and I always remembered that entering a foreign country is a privilege, not a right.
Within about minutes, I was sure I was NOT going to be allowed through; the customs supervisor was freaked out that I'm a full-timer (I never had to admit that I am, they figured it out). Instead of being judgmental about that, he took me into a private room and asked me to outline some key events--what I was doing before I hit the road, why I hit the road, and why I prefer to travel back and forth to the Yukon in an RV instead of having a fixed residence. Telling him I used to work for the Canadian government processing security clearances and conducting these same types of interviews really changed the course of our discussion. Suddenly I went from being a scary hippy on the road to someone decisive who knows what she's doing with her life and who is well aware of the legalities surrounding my lifestyle. He seemed particularly impressed when he asked if I planned to camphost, straight barter exchange between the site and some work, no money involved, and I replied that camphosting in the US is illegal for Canadians. He might have been playing dumb, but he actually called someone to confirm that!
We had an open dialogue and it paid off. They did search the rig and they did find things that they didn't like that I hadn't considered would be a problem, and they did make me walk back to Canada to dispose of these things (while allowing me to leave the rig parked at US Customs, much less of a hassle) but I cooperated with them and I got to wake up this morning in beautiful SUNNY Washington state.
I love this life.
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Here's the link to her posts... http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=89674&st=0 If you PM her (Rae),I'm sure she will be happy to answer your questions. She just made the crossing this month and I'm sure it's still fresh in her mind!
As for Coast to Coast... we ran 1-20 East to West and had no problems. Rough road, hard to believe that I-10 is worse. We only stayed in public parks and parking lots along the way.
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02-11-2011, 02:23 PM
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#138
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: vancouver island bc
Posts: 1,028
Year: 1965
Coachwork: thomas
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 350
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
swinada! great to hear from you yea its raining here on the island today and im sure its cold up there.Glad to hear you are gearing up for a big trip so im thinkin yer bus is working good we had you on the milk carton list!
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02-11-2011, 02:45 PM
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#139
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by timbuk
swinada! great to hear from you yea its raining here on the island today and im sure its cold up there.Glad to hear you are gearing up for a big trip so im thinkin yer bus is working good we had you on the milk carton list!
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No its not really cold up here right now.+ 5 and sunny, but the weather is very weird, a few days of + weather and then it drop's down to -mid twenties again, and then up again, roller coaster weather patterns.
Who knows maybe this year we actually get to meet somewhere on the road.
weird whats going on, i cant link to picasa pictures anymore, tried to post a few but only get red x's.
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02-11-2011, 02:47 PM
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#140
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern BC Canada
Posts: 538
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Re: Swinada's Bus Conversion progress...
Quote:
Originally Posted by yankeflyer
tankless water heater prices have come down lately.
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No thank you, dont want a tankless. If i could afford a quality one like BOSCH maybe but for sure no cheap China one.
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