1998 VanHool 45' coach conversion

[Offgr1d]

This was the ad I posted in Craigslist -thing is that helped me lots is vegas is full of chiller techs!! Every casino has a chiller system!! The one who helped me was a young Hvac tech that is a creative guy himself - exactly what I was looking for (I think I got lucky)

Air Conditioning Specialist Wanted:
I am doing a project completely out of the norm. I need a AC wiz to aid in the setup and modification of a large scale AC plate chiller system. I have done my research and looks like scroll compressors in tandem is the way I want to go

System will be 410a / dual scroll compressors and plate heat exchangers.

Anyone interested in brainstorming and helping me in this process? I'm willing to negotiate pay, but it will not be hourly - I've alreadg been screwed by a couple (chain type) AC guys attempting to help..
Pay will be negotiated after you see what's involved and when the system functions as a complete project - or some progress is made and not just a bunch of time wasted...

Basically it will take the right knowledgable person that has the desire to work on a out of norm creative technical project...

--end--

Long story short - I would not do a chiller again, I would use a 4 zone mini split with the ceiling cassette style they call it...
Chiller took a bit more space than I imagined and is more components and the insulated pex everywhere.. It works great - but definitely not the easy route...
The cassette style are super quiet and you would have multi zone and simple install.

[cadillackid]

had i been anywhere near Vegas i wouldve gladly taken on the HVAC project... Ive done a lot of this complex type systems... my house system is a fully modulated fully zoned system... variable refrigerant flow is the method I chose..

I love HVAC stuff...
-Christopher

[Offgr1d]

Here are some of the major manufacturers of marine chillers. Basically I thought if they were used in multi million$$ yachts why can one be retrofitted for bus?? Everything is identical in setup except the condenser for refrigerant is not seawater cooled - I have the original rooftop condenser... split in two parts it is two 5ton condensers.

Chilled water - "Chiller" marine air conditioning systems by Flagship Marine

Marine Chiller System - Ideal A/C System For Yachts

Aqua-Air Chillwater Systems : Marine Air Conditioning : Chillwater : Chilled Water : Chiller : Marine Chiller : Megayacht : Superyacht : Water Chiller : Yacht Chiller : Aquaair.net

[dadto5]

After 30 pages of my jaw on the floor, wow! My wife wants to know if your single

Amazing.

[Jimbo]

Thank you! Thank you!

The mini split is way, way easier.

I'm envious of your fully custom solution but.... I can write a check and get the mini split up and running in a day or two.

I think I found a place to park the bus. I need to reach out to the park. Full hookups. Very close to where I live.

[Jimbo]

A few more questions...

Las Vegas has similar climate to Dallas, TX. How many BTUs of A/C would you have planned for if you had gone the mini-split route?

The condenser units for a four zone system in the 40,000 BTU range are too large to fit into a bus bay. (40,000 BTUs might be too large... I'm not sure)

What was your plan if the condenser unit was too large to bay mount? I was thinking of mounting it up high on the rear of the bus on a custom bracket.

[oricha1984]

So I read the whole thread.
Can someone one explain to me why did I go to college for ? ... where is my pain medication, call the doctor, pass me the bed pan . . .

Thank you for sharing this project !!! You rock !!!

Sent from my SM-T567V using Tapatalk

[Prflyer]

Wow, few words.... This is just the kind of build I should of NOT look at! Incredible

[Evolutionmoonbus]

Wow, now I got to get a coach.

[Cdicat]

Just brought this 2006 Van Hool home yesterday. Never in my wildest dreams will mine turn out like yours...

[Offgr1d]

Originally Posted by Cdicat

Just brought this 2006 Van Hool home yesterday. Never in my wildest dreams will mine turn out like yours...

Congrats on the VanHool! But is this really a 2006? Looks like a 1996 body style as the 2006 have seamless glass and the curve down to driver. Like the one below:

[Offgr1d]

Found your listing! It's got that mid coach restroom down the stairs!! Sweet layout - you can do some interesting things with that! Nice price too that's 40' bus right? A model T-815...

I was gonna say if you got a 2006 you dropped a good 200k+ (Drool)

[Cdicat]

Yes, it is a 1996. My head's spinning a little

[Cdicat]

Yes, 40'. I might move the bathroom and use the stairs and door to make the cargo area a bedroom for the kids. And a got it for a better price than what was listed.

[Whims and Wishes]

New to forums, new to bus conversions, new to Skoolie.net, not new to hard work! Husband and I bought a 1998 T2140 Van Hool passenger bus in October, 2016 for $12K to convert to our retirement home on wheels. Hard work is what we found and we are loving every minute of it. Well, maybe not EVERY minute of it but most of them. We have it completely gutted, insulated, some of our items purchased and are ready to begin the build stage so we figure we found Skoolie.net and experienced people just in time.

Have enjoyed reading your forum posts, getting lots of good ideas, how to's and looking at your pictures. Can't wait to begin the next adventure with our Whimsy!

[Cdicat]

Question for anyone that can answer: Our insurance company is saying that there is no way to insure the 1996 Van Hool until it is converted into an RV. Pretty sure this is BS. I would like to use it during the conversion process even if it is not completed....

[Whims and Wishes]

Originally Posted by Cdicat

Question for anyone that can answer: Our insurance company is saying that there is no way to insure the 1996 Van Hool until it is converted into an RV. Pretty sure this is BS. I would like to use it during the conversion process even if it is not completed....

We were told we could insure it as a bus for transporting passengers at 13K a year or wait until it is complete as a motor home to insure it. We couldn't find any in between either. Please post if you find an alternative. I would be interested to find out what you discover.

[Offgr1d]

I've heard the suggestion for National General (they insure self converted RV status)

I have progressive, but all states get funky with different requirements. In my DMV trip I already got its status to RV for the insurance...

[Whims and Wishes]

Originally Posted by Offgr1d

I've heard the suggestion for National General (they insure self converted RV status)

I have progressive, but all states get funky with different requirements. In my DMV trip I already got its status to RV for the insurance...

We have Progressive but they were a no-go here in Ohio. We will check out National General for sure. It would be nice to use it a bit during construction. Thanks for this information as well all the inspiration in your forum posts. Great job you're doing on your Van Hool. Can't wait to put some of your ideas into ours!

[Cdicat]

I've already had it registered as an RV and the insurance company wants photos of the conversion (bed, sink, cooking area). I'm thinking I might just mock up something and snap a few photos and get the RV insurance!