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07-31-2014, 11:54 AM
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#421
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Landlocked... for now.
Posts: 285
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Duuuuude, I like the colour of the countertop. What did you use to glue it down with? Mine's coming up.
__________________
'Tace
Dog is my copilot. As I have no dog, I have no flight plan.
"If all porkchops were perfect, we wouldn't have hotdogs!" -Steven Universe
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10-06-2014, 12:37 PM
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#422
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Amazing work. Has there been any more progress on your build over the summer?
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10-21-2014, 08:35 PM
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#423
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 635
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bookmobile body by Farber
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: Navistar DT466/Alison MT643
Rated Cap: 1
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Some bad news. Very bad news.
For the past 12 weeks I was in the burn unit at Shands hospital in Gainesville. I came home yesterday.
Back in July, I went into the bus to check the new propane system for leaks. I could't smell anything, so I assumed the air was clear. I was inside for a good two minutes before I threw any switches, just in case. Well, apparently, there was a small leak somewhere. When i pushed the igniter switch on the cooktop, the whole place exploded in a flash fire. I watched for a brief moment as the fireball expanded toward my face and body, then yelled (probably saved my lungs) and spun around to the door.
I was burned over about 27% of my body, mostly hands and legs, areas not covered by clothing. I was eventually rushed to Shands where I spent a few days in a coma and managed to survive sepsis. While under the effects of all the different pain meds, I also got to experience a bit of mental illness as I was hallucinating terribly for a few weeks. Everything from thinking corrupt police were trying to kill me to watching a bootleg copy of Godzilla on the ceiling of a South Beach bar—while still in my hospital bed.
As an added bonus, my arms and fingers have developed a somewhat rare form of bone ossification that affects only some trauma patients, leaving my elbows and a few fingers of each hand locked in position. I can't reach any part of my body above the waist with my hands, so I require help with almost everything. My parents and girlfriend are helping out and they are wonderful.
I have a long road to full recovery, but the doctors say that everything can be fixed with time, physical therapy, and more surgery for the ossification. In the meantime, the bus is on hold. Even my photography is off limits until I regain the use of my elbows and fingers.
So, remember to check and double-check your lines for leaks. I wouldn't wish my experience on my worst enemy and I don't want to read about it on this forum.
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10-21-2014, 09:28 PM
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#424
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Posts: 1,793
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: B3800 Short bus
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 36
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Oh no! I'm really sorry to hear this! I hope you heal well, PDBreske...
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10-21-2014, 09:30 PM
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#425
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
That's horrible!! Loving your bus, Get better soon and back on track. All the best.
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10-21-2014, 10:02 PM
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#426
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 471
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Ward
Chassis: Ford B600
Engine: 6.6L Turbo Diesel
Rated Cap: 26
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
I will be praying for you and your family in this time of crisis. I'll also let my friends and family know and do the same. Godspeed on your recovery.
M1031
__________________
We few, we Band of Brothers. For he who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.
- William Shakespeare ("King Henry V")
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10-22-2014, 05:21 AM
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#427
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
So sad to hear of your accident. This kind of thing was one of my biggest fears, being a boat mechanic for over 25 years. Flammable fumes in confined spaces with ignition source is a very bad thing. Thanks for warning everyone here. I sincerely hope you have a speed recovery and regain that which is lost. I will be praying for you for such. Thankfully you have loving peeps there to help you along the way. One cannot imagine having to walk this path alone. From one "Camel" (Gimel (our buses name) is Hebrew for Camel) owner to another, "Get well soon".
Travis
__________________
I am an sojourner in the earth; hide not Your Commandments from me. Psalm 119:19
Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commandments of YAHWEH, and the faith of Yahshua. Rev. 14:12
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10-22-2014, 07:00 AM
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#428
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 546
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Thought and prayers for a full recovery. Never give up!!
__________________
Don and Mary
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10-22-2014, 08:42 AM
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#429
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 227
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Super Coach II, 36 Ft. RE
Engine: Cat 3208T, MT643
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Holy cr@p! So sorry to hear of your accident. It's said in the RV world that owners should have a qualified technician check the propane lines annually. This definitely proves the point, the hard way. I hope you have a speedy and full recovery.
Just before I read your account of your accident, I noticed in your photos that you have your stove top located under cabinets with no vent hood. This is another accident waiting to happen and should be corrected after you've recovered and resume your conversion work. In residential construction, there has to be a range hood above a stove top, and it has to be at least 30 inches (if I remember correctly) above the stove top. Words to the wise.
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10-22-2014, 11:23 AM
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#430
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Almost There
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 87
Year: 97
Coachwork: Me!
Chassis: BB
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Sorry to hear about this, good luck and god speed getting back on your feet.
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10-22-2014, 11:54 AM
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#431
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1,013
Year: 1976
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: Detroit 6-71 Mid-Ship Mounted
Rated Cap: 79 at Birth
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Best wishes my friend for a total and speedy recovery!
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10-22-2014, 02:16 PM
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#432
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Kelso, WA
Posts: 253
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 72
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Dude! Scary **** here man, sorry to hear about your setback, we were wondering why you hadn't posted in a while.
__________________
"That's,. like,.. your opinion, man...." - the Dude.
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10-22-2014, 02:19 PM
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#433
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 160
Coachwork: -
Chassis: -
Engine: -
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
All the best and a speedy recovery!!
Thanks for the call to attention!
thjakits
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10-22-2014, 05:13 PM
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#434
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,436
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
I'll say an extra prayer for your speedy recovery.
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11-10-2014, 07:05 PM
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#435
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 635
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bookmobile body by Farber
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: Navistar DT466/Alison MT643
Rated Cap: 1
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Okay, so I haven't been inside the bus since the accident (haven't wanted to tackle the high first step to get inside with my still-stick-like legs), but I did want to share some pictures of the inside from back in July, before the explosion.
New stove works fine (just don't fire it up when there is a cloud of propane in the air!)
Cabinets painted all spiffy
Attaching the edge guard to countertop
Kitchen finished, minus cabinet doors
Shower interior painted and done
And a couple from more recently:
This is what happens when polycarbonate reading glasses are exposed to a flash fire. Luckily, my eyes didn't end up like this
This is me after about a week in the burn unit. Don't play with fire, kids.
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11-10-2014, 07:28 PM
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#436
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi (Detroit area)
Posts: 1,968
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Eldorado Aerotech 24'
Chassis: Ford E-450 Cutaway Bus
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 19
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
My glasses have saved me from so much flying junk. Very happy that yours sacrificed themselves this time.
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11-10-2014, 07:38 PM
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#437
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 635
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bookmobile body by Farber
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: Navistar DT466/Alison MT643
Rated Cap: 1
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by roach711
My glasses have saved me from so much flying junk. Very happy that yours sacrificed themselves this time.
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As a photographer who's building a bus for the express purpose of traveling for photos, I have to agree. The times when I was in the hospital and on the verge of depression, I would always remember: "At least I can still see." That thought got me through the tough days.
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11-10-2014, 09:30 PM
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#438
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Danville, California
Posts: 345
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: DD6-71T
Rated Cap: 78
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
What a scary accident. i am pleased that the recovery is coming along. Propane is just too darn dangerous. That is why all cooking, heating, hot water,etc. on my bus is coming from electricity. Diesel generator under the bus or shore power. Crap happens and a gas cloud can be the result. I know all of us are pulling for your speedy and full recovery. Your guardian angel was there with you that day. It could have turned out soooo much worse. Keep your progress reports coming.
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11-11-2014, 02:34 AM
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#439
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 722
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: 8.3l Cummins
Rated Cap: 78
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
I am concerned about the backspacing you have from your burner to the rear wall, as well as the head room from the burner to under the cabinet. I can see in the photo with the metal backsplash that it's already been discolored by heat.
Googling some random website about minimum clearances ( http://www.nachi.org/forum/f18/minimum-clearance-30109/) and from my own experience building kitchens, 30" of vertical clearance between range surface and ventilation hood is the minimum. I would hope that radiative heating from an open flame would never exceed 212 degrees F, but based on the coloration of your sheet metal, I imagine it might get hotter than that.
No criticism here, just observations. Please be safe.
Aaron
Quote:
Originally Posted by PDBreske
New stove works fine (just don't fire it up when there is a cloud of propane in the air!)
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11-11-2014, 09:13 AM
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#440
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 546
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Re: The Camel Conversion Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by roach711
My glasses have saved me from so much flying junk. Very happy that yours sacrificed themselves this time.
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Everyone please wear eye protection!
I had a detached retina which leaves me with no real vision in my right eye. Even with safety GLASSES I took a hot fragment of metal in my lower eyelid on my left eye! VERY close call. I should have been wearing GOGGLES and do now.
Cover those eyes, cover those ears please.
__________________
Don and Mary
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