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


Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-09-2018, 11:34 PM   #3141
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
I have to say, Christopher, that I think either is a valid choice for all sorts of reasons.

My only reason for posting here is to try to help people make decisions based on accurate information rather than vague assertions.

__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline  
Old 03-10-2018, 09:10 AM   #3142
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
Just as with buildouts, roof raises, insulation and all the rest...the "right" choice depends on what each individual has planned for as use. What is perfect for me and my use will very likely suck for someone else. That's what makes building a Skoolie so great...you can make it any way you want to fit your own needs and wishes.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to any of the building/outfitting options.
Tango is offline  
Old 03-10-2018, 11:35 AM   #3143
Bus Geek
 
ol trunt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,231
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
Well said Tango and it is nice to see differing points of view expressed without rancor. Jack
ol trunt is offline  
Old 03-10-2018, 07:26 PM   #3144
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
Just a friendly reminder of why we are all here Jack.

Meanwhile...think Scoopy Doo...

While waiting on my hydraulic fitting guru, I decided to get out my grinder and play. Cut a hole in the side of the bus...


Just a little one...then...


...added a small scoop to help direct air over the tranny cooler. Had to go all the way to England to find a little one that fit my needs. Will add a small piece of SS screen to slow down rocks and such.



ONWARD!
Tango is offline  
Old 03-10-2018, 08:06 PM   #3145
Bus Crazy
 
plfking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,136
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 34
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post

Just curious.......was that flip-down step standard equipment even back in the 1940s, or did you add it?
__________________
Don

The Busted Flush
plfking is offline  
Old 03-10-2018, 08:12 PM   #3146
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
That one came with the bus and I'm guessing it is probably original. The exact same steps are still available and I bought two more to add. Very stout little suckers.
Tango is offline  
Old 03-14-2018, 04:32 PM   #3147
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
Howdy All --- More tidbits. Put some "Acid Proof" paint inside my battery box and did some minor plumbing.


Note that it clearly states "For Aerospace Use Only". If I get called on it I'll just let them know my travel plans include both me and my bus being taken by aliens.


Got this guy mounted. Note that there is no place for a gravity fill. I decided to deal with that issue differently this time. Always made a mess and got bugs and/or crud in my water that way so I did something different on the inside...


...instead of poring water into a hole on the outside, I'm going with a splitter that will allow me to divert fill water directly into the tank on the inside. I am hoping that copious amounts of Teflon tape will head off any leaks.



ONWARD!
Tango is offline  
Old 03-14-2018, 04:58 PM   #3148
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
Did you ever read the directions on "Aircraft Stripper", fine print will always tell you "not to be used on aircraft."
o1marc is offline  
Old 03-14-2018, 05:08 PM   #3149
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,830
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
Just as with buildouts, roof raises, insulation and all the rest...the "right" choice depends on what each individual has planned for as use. What is perfect for me and my use will very likely suck for someone else. That's what makes building a Skoolie so great...you can make it any way you want to fit your own needs and wishes.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to any of the building/outfitting options.

totally Agreed!.. theres people here that Live in their bus, use them as weekend cruisers or still have all the seats and just roadtrip.. so yes I agree the amount and intended use definitely helps to determine how to outfit your bus!
cadillackid is offline  
Old 03-14-2018, 05:08 PM   #3150
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,830
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Did you ever read the directions on "Aircraft Stripper", fine print will always tell you "not to be used on aircraft."

Just like that grey duct tape.. the WORST thing to use on your HVAC ducts is duct-tape..
cadillackid is offline  
Old 03-14-2018, 05:17 PM   #3151
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
Yeah...when looking back on your build...I hope we can all feel like Sinatra...for better or worse...

...I did it MY way.
Tango is offline  
Old 03-17-2018, 05:50 PM   #3152
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
Just for the record...

I have put three coats (the recommended amount) of the acid proof aerospace paint inside my new battery box...and it takes a loooonnng time to dry/cure. It is about the consistency of honey and it looks like asphalt is the main ingredient. Still plan on adding an ABS liner to try and avoid shorts. It will house a group 34 AGM batt laying on its' side.
Tango is offline  
Old 03-18-2018, 12:40 PM   #3153
Bus Nut
 
Rivetboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Huntington Beach CA.
Posts: 939
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: T/C 2000 28 foot Handy Bus
Engine: Cummins 5.9 Mechanical
Rated Cap: 2
" I am hoping that copious amounts of Teflon tape will head off any leaks."

There is always JB weld...
Rivetboy is offline  
Old 03-18-2018, 09:48 PM   #3154
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW New Hampshire
Posts: 1,334
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
Just for the record...

I have put three coats (the recommended amount) of the acid proof aerospace paint inside my new battery box...and it takes a loooonnng time to dry/cure. It is about the consistency of honey and it looks like asphalt is the main ingredient. Still plan on adding an ABS liner to try and avoid shorts. It will house a group 34 AGM batt laying on its' side.
I didn't know you could lay an AGM down on its side! That's cool.
dan-fox is offline  
Old 03-19-2018, 05:36 AM   #3155
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,830
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
I was always told an AGM could be placed on its side in normal comnditions, but not sure what happens if an AGM over-charges and does have to vent, does the substance turn to liquid inside and vent liquid rather than gasses if the battery is on its side? I didnt look at mine to see if there is say one corner where the pressure-relief vent would occur?
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline  
Old 03-19-2018, 09:18 AM   #3156
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
Good question Christopher --- One to which I do not know the answer. All I inquired about was the side laying position and the maker said "absolutely" with no caveats. Maybe I need to dig deeper.
Tango is offline  
Old 03-19-2018, 10:42 AM   #3157
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
I've had one agm battery fail (shorted cell) that would over charge and "boil". As for venting, the battery just made a hissing noise but because there is no liquid in the battery, it doesn't leak. Just vents pressure.

That was a red top optima.

And yes.. AGMs can be mounted in any direction because they have no liquid in them.. cant spill/leak.
Mr4btTahoe is offline  
Old 03-19-2018, 11:17 AM   #3158
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
Interesting Tahoe. I had been looking at the Optimas but then ran across a whole bunch of really bad recent reviews. Seems they moved their manufacturing to Mexico a few years ago and have had nothing but major problems ever since. Prior to that they were very highly rated.

Will the bean counters ever learn? Saving a buck apiece using cheap labor doesn't mean much if everyone totally quits buying your products.
Tango is offline  
Old 03-19-2018, 11:26 AM   #3159
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
Interesting Tahoe. I had been looking at the Optimas but then ran across a whole bunch of really bad recent reviews. Seems they moved their manufacturing to Mexico a few years ago and have had nothing but major problems ever since. Prior to that they were very highly rated.

Will the bean counters ever learn? Saving a buck apiece using cheap labor doesn't mean much if everyone totally quits buying your products.
Yup... Optima is manufactured by Johnson Controls and yeah.. they have gone down hill.

If you want top notch AGM quality... go with XS Power. They are pricey... but I run 1 in my Tahoe with a big stereo... 1 XS Power D3100. 8 years and still going strong. I researched quite a bit prior to buying one.. . found people getting 15-20 years out of them consistently (as long as they had been maintained well. I use a smart charger on mine through the winter wired in with the block heater.. top it off every few months the rest of the year)

https://4xspower.com/shop/product-category/12v-agm/

Still made in the USA. This single D3100 cranks my 4bt @ 5F. A pair of them could jump start a planet. Lol
Mr4btTahoe is offline  
Old 03-19-2018, 11:55 AM   #3160
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,830
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
im using an interstate.. 'excide' i think its called, AGM battery.. im almost 2 years in and so far no issues..(they run the ionverter and equipment in my DEV bus) i charge them with my alternator which everyone says dont do.. and they still give me just as much juice as they did whan I got them..
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline  
Closed Thread


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
All Or Bussed! 1990 Chevy Shorty Bus mellowdaizy Short-Bus Conversion Projects 6 02-07-2014 07:35 AM
Wayne Bodied '54 Chevy Shorty on Ebay Tango Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 0 09-30-2011 09:52 AM
1955 Chevy shorty in CO: check this out! Stuff Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 2 08-05-2011 08:55 AM
1983 chevy shorty A/C question trentwyrick98 Short-Bus Conversion Projects 0 05-24-2011 02:11 AM
New Member, 1959 Chevy Shorty 59Shorty Skoolie Conversion Projects 2 07-24-2007 11:58 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 AM.


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