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Old 03-02-2018, 12:08 PM   #21
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iceni John View Post
OK, everyone here is breathlessly talking about the highest-tech ways of doing sometimes quite simple tasks (Rube Goldberg, you just can't imagine life now!). That's all well and good, but what's the Plan B for when, not if, electrons cease to flow. Do you have a simple backup to maintain at least the essential services? Too many systems I see here and on other forums have single points of potential critical failure, i.e. bottlenecks where one single failure could cascade to many other places. I think, and it's just my personal opinion, that redundancy always needs to be built in from the start. Aircraft have multiple systems for critical functions, so even a Cessna 152 has a simple magnetic standby compass in case the gyro compass goes tits up, not a good thing in a VFR aircraft. I'm a firm believer in KISS, or at least in Sods Law, or maybe I'm too much of a pessimist/realist. (Pessimists make the best engineers and mechanics because they assume everything eventually fails. You don't want an optimist designing an aircraft or a boat!) I recently even bought a second DDEC II engine computer to keep as a usable spare, because to me the ECM is a critical point of failure that will make me dead in the water if it doesn't work - there's no limp-home mode to keep the engine running without it. Heck, I would have a spare entire drivetrain with me if I could!

John

Maybe I should have a license plate surround that says "Entropy Rules, OK?".
sometimes failure is over-thought... if the electricity fails in my bus I really wouldnt be needing to turn on any heaters,lights, or fans.. the engine wouldnt be running so gauges are of no use.. im not moving so GPS forget it..

just like the Hot-rodders (those of us that used to shave off the door handles).. we had emergency manual releases to get into the doors , hood, etc..

like another post, my house is set up to respond to tablet, google, SIRI, Alexa, email, text,Homeseer(yes thios because it still works without the internet!) and the like for heat,lights, media.. I had someone ask me the other day how I backed up all this stuff in the event the electricity was out... my simple response was "why??.. if the power is off i really dont consider HVAC, Lights, media to be essential.. the DVR for the cameras and the WiFi AP's are backed..."

-Christopher

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Old 03-03-2018, 10:36 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
my digital dash... and the J1939 protocol translation converter whuich gives me better transmission control.

Attachment 19503

-Christopher
I love this set-up...imagine it removable...and keyless ignition...remove the unit and the bus is a big brick

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Old 03-05-2018, 07:56 AM   #23
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One thing I am thinking about is a way to control a solenoid to release my air lock on my coach door via bluetooth.

I am missing that good old plunger style device and cant let the air lock engage or am I stuck with releasing it with a long stick through the driver side window right now.

Still looking for the lunger but would LOVE a techie solution...
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Old 03-05-2018, 09:18 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by PNWorBUST72 View Post
One thing I am thinking about is a way to control a solenoid to release my air lock on my coach door via bluetooth.

I am missing that good old plunger style device and cant let the air lock engage or am I stuck with releasing it with a long stick through the driver side window right now.

Still looking for the lunger but would LOVE a techie solution...
Or a after market keyless entry system...should have all the needed components

Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk
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Old 03-05-2018, 10:51 AM   #25
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Join Date: May 2009
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Year: 1991
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Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
somewhereinusa uses a bluetooth controlled relay board.. air valves are easy to come by.. in fact mosrt of our busses with air systems have or had them to operate the stop sign and sometimes the crossing arm... I saved mine, it was simply a normally closed valve.. ive seen them made in a normally open as well.

-Christopher
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Old 03-05-2018, 11:12 AM   #26
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Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
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Wireless 4-Channel Remote Control Kit - Anzo Usa 851067 - Other Automotive Accessories - Camping World

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074Z5SDG3...a-360267761983
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Old 03-05-2018, 01:08 PM   #27
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I just need to figure out where all these parts are and what does what...

The parts manual doesnt really show very good detail....

Thats what I am looking for though..


Thanks!
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Old 02-05-2020, 08:24 AM   #28
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Join Date: Oct 2019
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Year: 2004
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: MBE 906 Mercedes Benz Diesel
Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
my digital dash... and the J1939 protocol translation converter whuich gives me better transmission control.

Attachment 19503

-Christopher
Can you tell me where I can find a digital dash like that?
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Old 02-05-2020, 08:44 AM   #29
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Originally Posted by Beachvbguy View Post
Can you tell me where I can find a digital dash like that?
looks like its just 2 standard Windows tablets with the Blue Fire app.
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Old 02-05-2020, 09:09 AM   #30
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
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Year: 2004
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Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: MBE 906 Mercedes Benz Diesel
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Originally Posted by WIbluebird View Post
looks like its just 2 standard Windows tablets with the Blue Fire app.
Hmmm, not the solution I have in mind... so, nobody's designed a true digital dashboard for these buses yet?
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Old 02-05-2020, 10:21 AM   #31
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,753
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
Mine is 2 windows tablets with some custom code , an efilive and a silver leaf..

Silver leaf electronics makes true digital dash panels for coaches. They aren’t cheap but are designed to be built in if that’s what you are going for
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Old 02-05-2020, 11:37 AM   #32
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 119
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: MBE 906 Mercedes Benz Diesel
Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
Mine is 2 windows tablets with some custom code , an efilive and a silver leaf..

Silver leaf electronics makes true digital dash panels for coaches. They aren’t cheap but are designed to be built in if that’s what you are going for
Yes, thanks... just exploring options at this point.. haven't pulled the trigger on a bus yet, so it's all just research and possibilities, for now
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Old 02-05-2020, 05:49 PM   #33
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Location: Andrews,Indiana
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
I lock/unlock door, run both awnings and turn on a couple of lights with my phone. Door lock is a linear actuator.
I'm working on controlling safetys for the LiFePo battery bank using a micro controller using data from the internal BMS of the batteries.
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Old 09-08-2020, 04:21 PM   #34
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Can you tell me where I can find a digital dash like that?
Also interested
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