Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-15-2017, 12:57 PM   #881
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
The idiot light is part of the charging circuit. If it's burned out, no charge happens. If it comes on when starting then goes out momentarily after starting, the alternator should charge. Could be a bad rectifier or diodes etc but they don't last forever either.
Good luck, let the pro's decipher it.

John

__________________
Question everything!
BlackJohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2017, 02:07 PM   #882
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Depends on the type of regulator in the alternator. Some units are "One Wire" -- all they need is the one "Battery" connection.
And I have now spent hours online, and am still not sure which type mine is.

(With the older type GM alternator -- the one that has been popular with hot rodders for decades -- you convert it to one wire by installing a "self exiting" regulator, also know as "marine" regulator, because this is common in boats. Quick and cheap, and I've done several.)

Anyroad.... This unit failed the bench test, and I ordered one just like it. We leave on a trip in eight days, and there simply is no time to round up the needed parts for converting to the 22SI.

By the way... here is useful information for everyone:
I looked up the price on NAPA's website -- $115 (reman.). At the store, he quoted me $140. So I mentioned the online price. And he said "Aha!" and poked around a bit in his computer, and sold it to me for the online price.
It may help that I'm a regular customer, and always a cordial one.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 03:51 PM   #883
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 4
Generator

In your VERY interesting chronology is the anything about installing a generator? I have to mount a 12500KW gen set under a long nose Thomas bus. Any ideas. Please PM me.

Bruce
BMWTX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 07:35 PM   #884
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
12,500 in a Long Nose? Heck, just pull the engine and drop in the genny. It probably has bigger displacement anyway.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 09:21 PM   #885
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
12,500 in a Long Nose? Heck, just pull the engine and drop in the genny. It probably has bigger displacement anyway.

HA HA!! A friend of mine want to make his bus a transport vehicle for rescue dogs. Trying to figure out/get ideas for genny mounting.

Sorry- did not mean to hijack the thread-I'M out.

Bruce
BMWTX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 11:05 PM   #886
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Most of the 12.5's I have seen are huge. All I can suggest is to start with some measurements to see if it will fit below the floor and still leave reasonable ground clearance. If not, then either cutting through the floor or putting it on a trailer will get it done.

PS..I have seen both options in action.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 11:18 PM   #887
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
One guy put a 10k inside his bus with a sound muffling box built around it. He pulled a trailer and ran the generator in the bus for the AC in the trailer.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 02:38 AM   #888
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Sorry, the only generator I use is a portable one, which I set up outside.
That does not mean I would not like to have one onboard. And a bigger one than my Honda EU-3000. But... not yet.

On the way back from Klamath Falls a couple days ago, a shrill sound began slipping out of the engine compartment, from the area of the (new) alternator.
Good bet it's the idler pulley, which felt rough when I turned it (when the belt was off). Reckon it is next up for replacement, and also the tensioner to be safe; and the water pump, which is surely due.

Snapshot from Klamath Falls last weekend. "Obstacles", my foot. We f-l-e-w thru that gravel-mud-pit-obstacle.

__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 08:12 AM   #889
Bus Geek
 
Brewerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elliot Naess View Post
Snapshot from Klamath Falls last weekend. "Obstacles", my foot. We f-l-e-w thru that gravel-mud-pit-obstacle.
You are coming for 2018 right? RIGHT???
Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race
Brewerbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2017, 09:57 AM   #890
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Alas, too far. $3,000 just in fuel.
But that's my "how to" article at the bottom of the page. Very old and needs updating, but I "have a presence" in Baltimore.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2017, 05:32 PM   #891
Bus Geek
 
Brewerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elliot Naess View Post
Alas, too far. $3,000 just in fuel.
But that's my "how to" article at the bottom of the page. Very old and needs updating, but I "have a presence" in Baltimore.
In that case, I'm just going to leave this here and a reminder that you've got some catching up to do.

https://www.facebook.com/amsoil.inc/...9595824052401/
Brewerbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2017, 04:27 PM   #892
Bus Nut
 
onenationundergoat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Statesville, North Carolina
Posts: 467
Year: 1993
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: International Navistar DT360
Rated Cap: 60
I saw you driving on the interstate out of Sacramento the other day! I told my passenger, hey I know that bus!!!
__________________
My build thread:https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/build-thread-for-haulin-oats-and-goats-11237.html#post113500
A gal, a guy, three cats, two dogs, one rabbit, and one goat, traveling the country together.
onenationundergoat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2017, 04:49 PM   #893
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Yup. Drove to Davis late Friday. Left Davis early Saturday for Oakland, where we participated in the annual PedalFest, held in Jack London Square. Back to Davis late Saturday. Home Sunday mid-morning.

Prior to that trip, I had replaced the fan-belt tensioner pulley, because a noise had appeared on the previous trip, and the pulley felt... not rough, but dry. It spun TOO freely.

Alas, that was not the culprit.

Reckon I will replace the water pump next. That's a good preventive move anyway, as it will fail sooner or later. Better to replace it before it fails.

Next would be the fan and fan-clutch bearings.

I sure hope it is not the new alternator making that noise! LOL
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2017, 12:29 AM   #894
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Millicent made... not just "a" trip to Burning Man this year, but TWO TRIPS!
And this with that chirping noise up front, much of the way.

I brought a new water pump with me, but the noise did not change, and no water leaked out.

Let's see.... She grossed, with the trailer, 33,400 pounds going up there originally.
Then 35,680 coming back the first time.

Coming back the second time, it was only 29,980. This was with nothing but junk bicycles -- 181 of them. They had to be removed, so I volunteered. Hopefully, I can harvest enough parts to make it worth the trip. But I would do it just to help clean up the Playa.

Other than the chirping noise, she never missed a beat.

Except.... The gray-water tank is shifting back and forth a bit -- maybe half an inch -- and the vent pipe has pulled loose. This is easily remedied, but I ought to have checked the bolts once in a while. They have nylock nuts, but 60,000+ miles of travel can shake things loose a bit anyway.

That sort of thing is worth keeping in mind for all of us.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 08:09 AM   #895
Bus Geek
 
Brewerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elliot Naess View Post
They have nylock nuts, but 60,000+ miles of travel can shake things loose a bit anyway.

That sort of thing is worth keeping in mind for all of us.
I hate those things because they work too well. But then the only time I'm removing them is after whatever has rusted as well.

Even after 60k miles they ought not be loose. If for no other reason than the first 30k gave it time to rust and grime.
Brewerbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 11:42 AM   #896
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
I should have pointed out that the bolts and nylock nuts did not loosen. The plastic tank flattened a tiny bit.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2017, 12:03 PM   #897
Bus Geek
 
Brewerbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elliot Naess View Post
I should have pointed out that the bolts and nylock nuts did not loosen. The plastic tank flattened a tiny bit.
Ah ok, that makes sense. Still hate the nylon. Don't know that they are any worse than Loctite tho.
Brewerbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2017, 11:41 PM   #898
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Pictured below is a $650,000 tow truck. And I just made a payment on it.
Actually, Good Sam Road Service paid $866 and I paid $484.
Good thing I was only 70 miles from home, and not on my way to Burning Man or other vital event.

Millicent's engine is pumping oil into the radiator faster than I can pour it in. Close to a gallon per mile.
Perhaps it is "only" the head gasket, but....

So, for now, I have started keeping an eye out for a bus or truck with suitable engine (and maybe stick shift, while I'm at it). Mechanical Cummins 5.9. But if I get a deal on a larger engine, I may be interested. Must be cheap, though.

Most likely, this failure was triggered by the engine overheating severely a few weeks ago. And that was almost certainly caused by the thermostat not having an air bleed hole -- or it is clogged.
After changing the water pump, I failed to fill the system properly. I ran the engine a bit, and let it sit overnight, but there was still an air pocket in there -- about seven quart's worth.
Normally, I would have warmed it up fully, and gotten all the air out, including from the heaters. But it wasn't a normal day, and Peter took off with it as it was. After two or three miles, alarms went off. So he turned around and drove her back. When he pulled up, I could hear it boiling all the way from the house.

Well, Stuff happens. But Millicent will be laid up for a while.
Attached Thumbnails
$650,000 hook 002 960.jpg  
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2017, 09:23 AM   #899
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
OUCH! Sorry to hear that old gal was having hot flashes. Hope the recovery goes well.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2017, 10:21 AM   #900
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,707
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
yeooow!!

hopefully a gasket!!.. thoiugh ive never had a head gasket pump oil into the coolant..
is there oil pressure going into the head on this engine?
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Roof Raise - Building My Own Flat Roof iverSUN Conversion General Discussions 26 02-18-2019 10:41 AM
Roof Raise ~ Cutting Roof ABOVE Windows ?? chev49 Conversion General Discussions 3 12-04-2012 02:07 AM
Roof raise: TMI !! thommassey Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 15 12-09-2011 01:58 AM
Roof raise Rod Conversion General Discussions 1 03-08-2008 05:51 PM
Roof Raise ~ Cutting Roof ABOVE Windows ?? pixemoss Skoolie Conversion Projects 6 12-31-1969 07:00 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.