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 03-02-2018, 04:09 PM   #41
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
both of my busses have 2 group 31 batteries with threaded posts, i havent seen a somewhat recent bus with anything but threaded posts.. brokedown's 2 8D's are a bit unusual, but 2 group 31s should start anything but maybe a large detroit or 8.3 cummins in cold weather. did any of them happen to snap video with their phones of trying to get the engine started? that copuld tell us a lot by listening to the crank speed and if its trying to fire etc..

-Christopher

cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 04:11 PM   #42
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Ya, O'Reily says they are a group 31-5. $114 ea. Just need to know if the posts are top post or threaded. I'll find that out when they call back.I can have the local store deliver batteries there.
They are 99% likely to be threaded posts. Price seems awful high when I can get those same batteries locally for $69 each (Winder, GA).
Brad_SwiftFur is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 04:13 PM   #43
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur View Post
They are 99% likely to be threaded posts. Price seems awful high when I can get those same batteries locally for $69 each (Winder, GA).
Where at? not all batteries are alike. O'Reilly Super Start batteries are American made, most others are not.
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 04:22 PM   #44
Bus Geek
 
brokedown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
A surprise indeed, but a welcome one.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
__________________
Keep up with us and our build!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
brokedown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 05:08 PM   #45
Bus Geek
 
Jolly Roger bus 223's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Swansboro,NC
Posts: 2,973
Year: 86
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Ford B700
Engine: 8.2
Rated Cap: 60 bodies
My two 8d's are top post but the battery itself is threaded and the post can be removed.
I am getting ready to get rid of my post and go back with the battery bolt mounts because my clamps for the post (from all the brand named local box stores) keep breaking when I get them tight enough to not pull off buy hand.
Heavy duty truck shops sell the heavy duty ones for a heavy price?
Regardless. Why not take the lead/zinc out of the equation and go directly to the battery.
Jolly Roger bus 223 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 07:35 PM   #46
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
both of my busses have 2 group 31 batteries with threaded posts, i havent seen a somewhat recent bus with anything but threaded posts.. brokedown's 2 8D's are a bit unusual, but 2 group 31s should start anything but maybe a large detroit or 8.3 cummins in cold weather. did any of them happen to snap video with their phones of trying to get the engine started? that copuld tell us a lot by listening to the crank speed and if its trying to fire etc..

-Christopher
Two Group 31 batteries have no trouble starting my Cummins 8.3 at below freezing temps.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 08:06 PM   #47
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Have you noticed some people will not be able to get a freezing cold diesel started, while another person can start that same vehicle?
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 08:55 PM   #48
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 513
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3000RE
Engine: T444E w/ MT643
Rated Cap: 84 pass, 40'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
Have you noticed some people will not be able to get a freezing cold diesel started, while another person can start that same vehicle?
My bus has an engine block heater! It also has, according to the line set ticket, one 8D stud type battery.

But it has a battery compartment with nylon rollers, a tray stop and a box mounted. Why would it have all that for one battery?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
__________________
middle aged mom on a learning adventure
2martins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 09:28 PM   #49
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Mine only has one 8D battery, and it has studs too. Wait, studs are the big led knobs aren't they?
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 09:35 PM   #50
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2martins View Post
My bus has an engine block heater! It also has, according to the line set ticket, one 8D stud type battery.

But it has a battery compartment with nylon rollers, a tray stop and a box mounted. Why would it have all that for one battery?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Have you tried lifting an 8D battery?
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 09:43 PM   #51
Bus Crazy
 
david.dgeorge07's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Well this sucks. The school called and said they can't get my bus started. Barely turns over, but won't crank and fire. I told them to do what needs to be done to get it started because I paid for a running bus and am not coming out to pick it up until it is. Bus was removed from service at age out in jan 2017, it sat for a year. If they can't get it running in the next day I'll try and cancel the transaction and be back at the drawing board. Hmm, 4 Crowns in Ca.


Block heater (yes even if it isn’t cool weather) and full batteries and I bet it will start super easy.
__________________
My Build Thread:

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/4-...ner-18205.html
david.dgeorge07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 10:14 PM   #52
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 513
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3000RE
Engine: T444E w/ MT643
Rated Cap: 84 pass, 40'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg View Post
Have you tried lifting an 8D battery?
I have never SEEN an 8D battery. I did watch my brother in law change the battery in my 1983 Honda Civic once. In the 80s.

Also, if I have rear air suspension, does that mean I will be able to USE it to avoid bottoming out? The search function and google are failing me on this one.

We've gotten about 20" of snow so far. Mobi's parking spot is cleared of all but a couple of inches. We'll do it again tomorrow and hopefully that will be it until we get back.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
__________________
middle aged mom on a learning adventure
2martins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 10:33 PM   #53
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2martins View Post
I have never SEEN an 8D battery. I did watch my brother in law change the battery in my 1983 Honda Civic once. In the 80s.

Also, if I have rear air suspension, does that mean I will be able to USE it to avoid bottoming out? The search function and google are failing me on this one.

We've gotten about 20" of snow so far. Mobi's parking spot is cleared of all but a couple of inches. We'll do it again tomorrow and hopefully that will be it until we get back.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
They weigh around 130 lbs

Air suspension can bottom-out like any other suspension, if you hit a bump hard enough.

What air suspension does is provide a better ride and handling.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 11:58 PM   #54
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 513
Year: 1997
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3000RE
Engine: T444E w/ MT643
Rated Cap: 84 pass, 40'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg View Post
They weigh around 130 lbs

Air suspension can bottom-out like any other suspension, if you hit a bump hard enough.

What air suspension does is provide a better ride and handling.
So it isn't adjustable like with the kind on cars to go.over snow berms etc?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
__________________
middle aged mom on a learning adventure
2martins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2018, 03:38 AM   #55
Bus Nut
 
tobeamiss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: NY
Posts: 774
Year: 2002
Coachwork: International
Engine: dt466
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
We've waited a long time for this day to come

I'm really looking forward to your build! After all this time, you know what to do and what not to do so it should go a little smoother for you
Congratulations!!

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
__________________
oh yes she did!
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/to...-it-16557.html
tobeamiss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2018, 08:33 AM   #56
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Upstate, SC
Posts: 278
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2martins View Post
So it isn't adjustable like with the kind on cars to go.over snow berms etc?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
It is to a point. It isn't adjustable on the fly. It requires messing with the valves that set the ride height. Also, I have delt with air suspension in cars. They are severely failure prone. Commercial systems on buses and trucks are way more robust than automotive systems. They're also easier to work on than automotive systems. They are made to be serviced.
ben2go is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2018, 10:00 AM   #57
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by ben2go View Post
It is to a point. It isn't adjustable on the fly. It requires messing with the valves that set the ride height. Also, I have delt with air suspension in cars. They are severely failure prone. Commercial systems on buses and trucks are way more robust than automotive systems. They're also easier to work on than automotive systems. They are made to be serviced.
I had a turbo-diesel Citroen BX back in the day. It's the only car I ever bought brand new.

It has Citroen's legendary air-suspension and had a ride-height adjuster right in the driver's area.

The lever had three positions. Normal, High and Max.

Normal rode at normal height. High raised the car 3 or 4 inches and was driveable. Max pushed the car up to maximum height and was for maintenance.

The self-leveling was so good that the car could be driven, albeit slowly, on three wheels.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 09:48 AM   #58
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
So they call me at 7am their time to tell me they put 2 new batteries in it and it cranked right up and fired and had been purring like a kitten for 20 minutes. I'm now trying to talk them into leaving them in there. The manager is going to speak with his supervisor and get back to me shortly, but he doubts they will give 2 free "expensive batteries". Now to book a flight.
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 09:53 AM   #59
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Good news!!!

Hope they treat you right on the batteries.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 10:03 AM   #60
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
So they call me at 7am their time to tell me they put 2 new batteries in it and it cranked right up and fired and had been purring like a kitten for 20 minutes. I'm now trying to talk them into leaving them in there. The manager is going to speak with his supervisor and get back to me shortly, but he doubts they will give 2 free "expensive batteries". Now to book a flight.
Even if you have to buy batteries at least you KNOW that’s all the “not starting” amounts to. Free batteries would be a nice score though.
RRRVBUS 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


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:54 AM.


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