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03-12-2015, 07:53 PM
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#1
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 584
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: I.H.
Engine: DT360
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Driving with generator running
I've seen RVs on the road with their generator running. Is there a law against it? Does anyone here do that? I don't have a problem with it but don't know the laws.
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03-12-2015, 09:42 PM
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#2
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 546
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I have done it many times with a conventional RV.
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03-12-2015, 10:27 PM
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#3
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Gonvick MN
Posts: 339
Year: 1975
Chassis: Gillig
Engine: Cat 3208t/10 speed transmission
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Never heard of any law against it.
Done it many times.
__________________
Remove hence to yonder place....
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03-12-2015, 11:27 PM
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#4
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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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No such law in California. I see it all the time.
My Crown bus conversion has a generator that is capable of running while going down the road. It gets its diesel directly from the bus fuel tank. I wanted to do this because I wanted to be able to have one of the roof air conditioners going when it was hot.
We purchased computerized inverter and charger system to connect to our generator. The concept is that when you turn something on in the bus that is electrical, this system figures out what the draw is going to be and then decides whether to pull from the battery bank or turn on the generator. it all happens in a split second. We are told by experts that we can set up the system so that the bus alternator will also be charging the bank of agm house batteries while the engine is running. A big enough alternator putting out over 150 amps will allow up to a 15,000 btu roof top air conditioner to be on without the generator going. This is conditioned on you having a large enough bank of house batteries and a big enough alternator that is set up to be charging those house batteries as you move down the road. My Crown has a 170 amp alternator. Although above the minimum I also know that a bigger alternator would make sure that this double duty does not strain it and reduce its useful life or even worse, burn it up. I am paying for a 250 amp alternator from one of my client school districts. So, I am told by these electrical experts that this will work as follows:
1) It is 100 degrees outside, and I am driving my Crown down the highway and I am hot, sweating like a stuffed pig, and generally miserable.
2) I ask my lovely navigator (also known as She Who Must Be Obeyed) to turn on the front roof air conditioner.
3) She graciously gets up from her comfortably inclined navigator's chair and turns on the front air conditioner.
4) The computerized generator system (ours is from Onan) and its components sense that an electrical demand has hit the system.
5) It instantly checks what is available (shore power, battery bank, generator), senses that the battery bank is available, checks the available charge, sees that the charge can handle the load, and turns on the AC.
6) The system will be constantly checking to see if the battery bank can still handle the load. The AGM battery bank can since it is being constantly replenished by the larger alternator.
7) The occupants are happy and sweat free.
I have been told that this setup will work easily. They also told me that a second roof top AC running at the same time would be out of the question unless I want the generator to come on while moving. Again, it depends on key factors such as a large and efficient house battery bank (we have AGM's), a computerized interface with the generator/inverter/charger setup, and a large enough alternator. We don't see a situation where we would need to turn on the second AC unit while on the move.
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03-13-2015, 06:53 AM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 584
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: I.H.
Engine: DT360
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O.k. Thanks everyone! I'll be running the gen so we can cook, keep the fridge cold, run the bath fans, lights etc.
Great news!
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03-13-2015, 07:38 AM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
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only issue you may have is if it is a gasoline engine
The needle in the carburetor may bounce off the seat causing engine to flood out and die
easiest solution for that would be a dual fuel gas/propane conversion for the carb
this could allow propane going down the road and gas while stopped or propane all the time
Make sure whichever direction you go to install a couple CO detectors
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
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03-13-2015, 09:10 AM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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gmarvel
Only some big coach alternators are able to push a continuous 150 amps +.
If you try that with most alternators, they will burn up.
I would see if there is some way to add a temp prob to your alt, connected to the system management. Or some way of restricting the output of your alt to a safe, continuous output.
I have a few one wire Chevy alternators in the small case form. Some are as little as 50 amps, one is 120 amp, a 160, and a 220 amp. As the ampage increases, the duty cycle drops.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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03-13-2015, 09:36 AM
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#8
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Posts: 592
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Startrans
Chassis: Ford e-350 single wheel
Engine: 5.4 litre
Rated Cap: 12
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Yep, I learned that the hard way with my 150A powermaster POS. By the way, powermaster guaranty is worthless and they will not repair or send you a new alternator. Still pissed about that deal and its been several years now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nat_ster
gmarvel
Only some big coach alternators are able to push a continuous 150 amps +.
If you try that with most alternators, they will burn up.
I would see if there is some way to add a temp prob to your alt, connected to the system management. Or some way of restricting the output of your alt to a safe, continuous output.
I have a few one wire Chevy alternators in the small case form. Some are as little as 50 amps, one is 120 amp, a 160, and a 220 amp. As the ampage increases, the duty cycle drops.
Nat
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03-13-2015, 09:47 AM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 258
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Yeah, that duty cycle is super important. Pushing 150A for a short time to charge a battery is way different than pushing it constantly. Think about it, 150A @ 13.8V is 2000 watts (P = E * I). A 2000-watt generator head looks like the lower-right here. This is designed for continuous duty:
Alternators are great little devices, but they're not magic.
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03-14-2015, 05:46 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: southwest lowsyana
Posts: 542
Year: 1988
Coachwork: ward
Chassis: international
Engine: dt360a
Rated Cap: 65
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ambulance alternators are designed for high output/continuous. but they have their limits also. another note, usually, the higher output alternators perform poorly at lower engine speeds.
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03-14-2015, 09:12 AM
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#11
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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03-14-2015, 11:23 AM
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#12
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vacaville, Ca
Posts: 1,634
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Crown / Pusher
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nat_ster
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Any idea cost?
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03-15-2015, 09:04 AM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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The crowns may already have a variant of this alternator style.
Most class 8 trucks, greyhound buses, big coaches, ect use this type.
They are brushless, meaning only bearings will need changing. They will also have around 5 times the lifespan between rebuilds compared to a little 120 amp, one wire chevy.
I will look into cost.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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03-15-2015, 10:08 AM
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#14
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vacaville, Ca
Posts: 1,634
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Crown / Pusher
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nat_ster
The crowns may already have a variant of this alternator style.
Most class 8 trucks, greyhound buses, big coaches, ect use this type.
They are brushless, meaning only bearings will need changing. They will also have around 5 times the lifespan between rebuilds compared to a little 120 amp, one wire chevy.
I will look into cost.
Nat
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Thats okay, I just thought maybe you had already looked into it, I was asking because the link you provided didn't list a price, when I get to that point I can research, you provide plenty of info thats appreciated already,, Stuart
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03-15-2015, 12:05 PM
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#15
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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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Good information. I am at the point where I need to make a decision on an alternator. I want one that will allow one air conditioner to be on while going down the road without the generator on. I get all the comments about not getting a wimpy alternator. The question is which one to buy?
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03-15-2015, 02:54 PM
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#16
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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I'm going to start looking under the hood of big coach buses and class 8 trucks to see what is common.
Then I will see which one has the best price of the 5 most common models.
200 amps and up is all I'm interested in.
Brushless would be a nice plus, but not needed.
Must have a 100 % duty cycle.
Then I will see if I can score a used one still in working shape.
Last I will take it to the last Alt rebuild shop I know of and have it rebuilt.
After that, it should last for many years.
I will post my findings, but your luck will be different in your geographical regions.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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03-15-2015, 02:59 PM
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#17
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: MB
Posts: 279
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Tomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 54
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Unfortunately I no longer have the link, but as of 1 year ago a 350 amp 100% duty cycle alternator was going to cost between $800-1200
If I remember correctly, it was intended for use In fire trucks.
If you are in the Winnipeg MB area, there is this really cool HD salvage yard across from the Panet Rd. Princess auto store.
They have several fire trucks there with the electrical systems intact meaning that they still have the alternators and SUPER HEAVY DUTY inverters in them. They also have a "wagon" (like one of those covered circus wagons from old movies) that is filled with old HD truck alternators and some old truck generators too.
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03-15-2015, 03:03 PM
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#18
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank's P-O-S
Unfortunately I no longer have the link, but as of 1 year ago a 350 amp 100% duty cycle alternator was going to cost between $800-1200
If I remember correctly, it was intended for use In fire trucks.
If you are in the Winni
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Nice, that's what I would like.
I will find one in a junk yard, or field some where, remove, rebuild, and Bam, pig power while driving.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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03-15-2015, 03:06 PM
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#19
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: MB
Posts: 279
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Tomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nat_ster
Nice, that's what I would like.
I will find one in a junk yard, or field some where, remove, rebuild, and Bam, pig power while driving.
Nat
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Ha! You caught me editing! I got to that part.
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03-15-2015, 03:13 PM
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#20
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank's P-O-S
Ha! You caught me editing! I got to that part.
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Lol
Same happens to me sometimes.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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