Missy Conversion - 1998 MCI 102

[Bon Voyage]

I love that conversion you've built. Been looking for a good bus myself but I'm concerned about fuel mileage in something like a coach. What mileage do you get in that one?

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by Bon Voyage

I love that conversion you've built. Been looking for a good bus myself but I'm concerned about fuel mileage in something like a coach. What mileage do you get in that one?

Thanks Bon!

Returning home with the newly purchased coach, I was able to get a good number and it was nearly 8.5 mpg (basically empty bus and not towing anything).

The most recent, partial tank calculation was just over 7 mpg. That is running about 65 mph, towing my Jeep, carrying 130 gallons of water, and hauling every single thing I own.

[Iceni John]

When I use a Kill-A-Watt while running things either from my generator or Magnum MS2000 sine-wave inverter, I get the same readings as when from shore power. Square-wave power does weird things - it can make motors run hotter, it can confuse some electronics such as microwave timers, and it can even destroy some things altogether. I suspect that Power Factor is worsened when on square-wave, maybe? Have you tried comparing a reactive load's PF between being on square wave and being on generator or shore power?

John

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by Iceni John

When I use a Kill-A-Watt while running things either from my generator or Magnum MS2000 sine-wave inverter, I get the same readings as when from shore power. Square-wave power does weird things - it can make motors run hotter, it can confuse some electronics such as microwave timers, and it can even destroy some things altogether. I suspect that Power Factor is worsened when on square-wave, maybe? Have you tried comparing a reactive load's PF between being on square wave and being on generator or shore power?

Yep, right on John. No new info as this:

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

I do not currently have shore power to confirm the meter works with it.

... has not changed and isn't going to change for another week or two. I don't even carry a generator. I am thoroughly enjoying my high altitude, cool weather, isolation!!

[JDOnTheGo]

I think I've previously mentioned that I have (had??) an oil leak on the passenger side of the engine compartment. I had one shop look at it and they thought they had found a loose power steering hose connection that was the source. I drove it a few hundred miles and it seemed "better". I was thinking that there was residual oil still dripping. However; in my last long run, it was very clear that the leak was still there.

I don't have any tools large enough for the most of the connections in the engine compartment (all are 1" or larger). So, I bought a set of "service wrenches" from Harbor Freight and started checking every hose connection. I couldn't find any loose hoses so I just started poking around, looking at everything.

What's this!?!??! A small hose with a compression fitting that is not connected to ANYTHING - just laying there. VERY interesting, says I. Amazingly, a few inches away, is a connector of the very same size on top of the primary alternator!! Sure enough, the hose that provides lubrication oil to the alternator is not even connected. ARGH!!!

This is a Delco 50DN alternator that produces 270 amps at 24V. Give or take a few bucks, it is a $2,000 part. Ouch.... My reading indicates that it uses engine oil for lubrication and cooling, the oil supply is metered so that seems to support the "moderate" leak that I have.

So, I've reconnected the hose and I have my fingers crossed that the oil leak is fixed AND that I have NOT ruined the alternator - nervous optimism!

The frustrating thing is that this hose was disconnected when I purchased the coach - excluding the possibility that it worked itself loose and all the way off while I have been driving it (~4000 miles).

[cadillackid]

wowsers a 2k alternator.. and only 270 amps..

I figured a coach like that would be running over 400 amps with all the A/C, reading lights, electronics, etc in it...

for that kind of $$ I think id find a way to use 2 SB200's at $220 each! for 200 amps
-Christopher

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

I figured a coach like that would be running over 400 amps with all the A/C, reading lights, electronics, etc in it...

Indeed! It actually has TWO alternators. I didn't even look at the other one but I suppose I better. As I understand it, it is a backup alternator - 12V and 140 amps. There is an interesting mix of 12V and 24V on the coach but I have not taken the time to really understand it... yet.

[JDOnTheGo]

A photo of the evil hose!!



... and why it was difficult to see.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

for that kind of $$ I think id find a way to use 2 SB200's at $220 each! for 200 amps

I think those are 12V alternators, aren't they? I'm not smart enough to know how one would combine them to get 24V.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

I think those are 12V alternators, aren't they? I'm not smart enough to know how one would combine them to get 24V.

In series, you add the voltage. The down side is that if either dies, so does the entire line. Think old xmas tree lights.

In parallel, you add current but NOT voltage.

So if you wan't 1.21 jiggawatts, you could add them in parallel and/or series. A jiggawatt is movie magic but Watts are Voltage * Current. With the alts that Chris mentioned you could do 4 at $800. Two pair in series.; the pairs then in parallel. It will double your voltage and double your current. But if you're running that many belt driven alternators the engine is going to get a work out.

[JDOnTheGo]

Very interesting Bob (and Christoper) - thanks! I didn't know you could do that with alternators.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

Very interesting Bob (and Christoper) - thanks! I didn't know you could do that with alternators.

In theory... I've no idea what happens if one is lagging the other in voltage or current. When things were stupid, it didn't much matter but electronics these days are soooo damn picky. Still, someone posted a four alternator system. Likely on a firetruck or ambulance; someone pulling some serious current.

[JDOnTheGo]

After driving Missy nearly 2500 miles, I finally noticed that she has a speed governor. Obviously, I'm not much of a speed demon...

I typically drive no more than 65 mph so this is not a big deal. However; she totally ran out of steam twice when passing. That's when it hit me and I did some further tests. She definitely stops responding to the throttle at something around 68-70 mph.

A little research seems to indicate that this is an ECU thing (with a 1998 DD-60) so options are a (fairly expensive) tuner like the Bully Dog Big Rig unit or taking her to a shop that has the ECU tuning capability. Sure would be nice if there were a simple knob to turn somewhere....

Anyone know where that little knob is???

[Offgr1d]

Mine has an ECU gov at 70mph as well. It's like 1650 RPMs or something on my M11.

If you find a solution let me know. I actually usually cruise control it at 62-65 most the time because in something this big that just seems fast enough

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

Anyone know where that little knob is???

Currently in OH I believe. Tends to shift from OH to FL without much warning. Its username is CadillacKid.

[joeblack5]

Yeah our low floor transit has the same issue , only then at 55 mph. If any of you find the magic software trick please let me know.

later j

[JDOnTheGo]

Woke up this morning to another spectacular view and 52 degrees!! No idea what the rest of country is experiencing but it feels great here!



I was in Colorado Springs last week visiting two of my adult kids and having a great time. So, no 'construction' progress in a while. Since Missy became "livable" my manic efforts have slowed significantly. However; I do have a shower enclosure waiting a few hundred miles from here and will likely be starting on that in a week or two (to include the bathroom flooring and wall).

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

Woke up this morning to another spectacular view and 52 degrees!! No idea what the rest of country is experiencing but it feels great here!

Well, here in Cubicalville, the view is nowhere near as nice but the weather has taken a turn for the better. Lows in the upper 60s and highs in the low 80s. Not bad for 32 feet of elevation.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

Well, here in Cubicalville, the view is nowhere near as nice but the weather has taken a turn for the better. Lows in the upper 60s and highs in the low 80s. Not bad for 32 feet of elevation.

Ha!! That is great to hear Bob!!

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

Ha!! That is great to hear Bob!!

Just FYI, this pic of yours has me pestering the local drone guy at work. I might have to jump on this band wagon too.