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Old 06-10-2019, 06:37 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Tawdbb View Post
So on the dash pic that shows mileage, there is also a battery gauge that says just shy of 14 volts. Think that it’s worth replacing batteries?


~12.8V is what you'll see in a fully charged battery. That looks to be regulated charging voltage (~13.8 ) so I assume the buses were running for those pics. If that's the case, they could have been jumped.

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Old 06-10-2019, 06:40 PM   #22
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Engine's off, so the gauge may be stuck...

How can you tell the engine's off, Matt?


Stuck is probably out. Three out of the four identical short buses in this lot showed the same voltage.
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Old 06-10-2019, 06:40 PM   #23
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If it's running, it's running on empty. Gauges don't go to zero when not running. Volt meter would show 0 when not running.
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Old 06-10-2019, 06:43 PM   #24
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If it's running, it's running on empty.

Does the voltmeter remain on the last indicated value when the bus is shut off?
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Old 06-10-2019, 06:48 PM   #25
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Does the voltmeter remain on the last indicated value when the bus is shut off?
The volt meter tells you how much voltage is running through the battery if it's off, none should be showing. When you turn the key on the gauge will show actual battery voltage. Once it's running it will show alternator output.
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Old 06-10-2019, 06:54 PM   #26
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The volt meter tells you how much voltage is running through the battery if it's off, none should be showing. When you turn the key on the gauge will show actual battery voltage. Once it's running it will show alternator output.
Perhaps I read your post wrong, but it seemed to me you were implying that the bus couldn't be running since it was reading no fuel, and also couldn't be powered down since it was reading volts. I was a bit confused by your statement quoted below.

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If it's running, it's running on empty. Gauges don't go to zero when not running. Volt meter would show 0 when not running.
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Old 06-10-2019, 06:57 PM   #27
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ummm... I can't..?!
Re-viewing shows the tach is reading. I went by just the fuel gauge...
(Add a diesel Jerry can to the stuff you're fetching along!)
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How can you tell the engine's off, Matt?


Stuck is probably out. Three out of the four identical short buses in this lot showed the same voltage.
Anyway, I did italicize the word, "may." [emoji41]
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Old 06-10-2019, 07:06 PM   #28
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Re-viewing shows the tach is reading. I went by just the fuel gauge...
(Add a diesel Jerry can to the stuff you're fetching along!)


Good advice, and a good catch!

Now we don't have to worry about bad gas. But how about bottom-o-the-tank sediment? Like the voltmeters, all the fuel gauges pretty much showed the same thing...
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Old 06-10-2019, 07:29 PM   #29
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Maybe yes, maybe no on bad fuel... All the time it's been sitting, prolly after the lion's share of diesel was pumped out of the tank, it's enjoyed a long, quiescent break in Austin.
Heat, cool, repeat...
Enclosed volume of air in a not-quite-airtight vessel makes me think there's gonna be condensate in there.
Along with your VOM to check static & charging voltages & any unlikely shorts, if'n it were me, I'd also have booster cables, and a good assortment of sockets, extensions, and ratchets at the ready.
Before adding the fresh fuel, I'd drain the tank a little, in the hope of clearing out any water, then fire it up and putt around the lot for a few minutes, checking brake function several times while sloshing the tanks' contents, followed by another visit to the tank's drain plug.
Might be good to also bring a sacrificial sheet along to crawl around on...
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[emoji3]

Good advice, and a good catch!

Now we don't have to worry about bad gas. But how about bottom-o-the-tank sediment? Like the voltmeters, all the fuel gauges pretty much showed the same thing...
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Old 06-10-2019, 07:39 PM   #30
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I've got everything you mentioned already on my must-bring items list, so gtg there.

Is a low-point drain on the fuel tank a given, or would we have to siphon?

Will sloshing things around in an almost empty tank fill up the fuel system with debris? Related: I will be bringing a new fuel filter & fuel strainer to install.

Finally, regarding the sacrificial sheep, I'll save that for a last-ditch effort.

Oh wait.... nevermind. You said 'sheet'. I'll bring both, just in case.
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Old 06-10-2019, 08:19 PM   #31
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One or 2 other things: nitrile or other type gloves & a longish funnel. Not having the funnel is no fun a'tall, and makes adding additives additionally arduous.
Low point no savvy. If it isn't a given, then why wasn't it given..?
My take is a gentle agitation while running it in the 1st couple years, then slamming the brakes near to where you'll be tinkering, and immediately feathering the engine. Don't actually know if this is a good idea or not, hopefully more experienced minds'll chime in. Low level seems an ideal time, tho, to drain whatever accumulated schmutz might be in there... Maybe get one of those low profile, cap-able oil drain pans to catch it's tinkling while you're tinkering.
ROFLMFAO @ the sheep!!! I sheet you not...
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Old 06-10-2019, 08:38 PM   #32
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Perhaps I read your post wrong, but it seemed to me you were implying that the bus couldn't be running since it was reading no fuel, and also couldn't be powered down since it was reading volts. I was a bit confused by your statement quoted below.
I don't think the volt meter would read 14v, which is alternator output voltage, if it was not running. So I assume it is running and therefore the fuel tank is empty.

Edit, forget everything I said. These electric vehicles do what they want when turned off. I just checked mine, it shows 15 volts and no fuel when not turned on. When started, all gauges bounce from one end to the other before settling. Idling mine is charging at 16v.
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Old 06-10-2019, 08:52 PM   #33
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Edit, forget everything I said. These electric vehicles do what they want when turned off. I just checked mine, it shows 15 volts and no fuel when not turned on. When started, all gauges bounce from one end to the other before settling. Idling mine is charging at 16v.

That's valuable info. Thanks Marc. Much like the 'stuck' tach/speedo gauges I was confused about. I've never seen electronic gauges behave that way in any other vehicle.


16v... I hope it's your gauge that's wrong. That's a little hot.
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:04 PM   #34
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Portland area here. congrats on the bus and best of luck getting back to Eugene. Keep us posted. You could always contact the seller to see if they start. I did. they were very helpful. made sure it was ready to drive off the storage area(but each seller is different, mine was close in Albany, OR... only a 70 minute drive) Driving it home you will get plenty of time to get to know her! That is cool you got a/c in it (pun intended). hopefully it works.
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:07 PM   #35
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Low point no savvy. If it isn't a given, then why wasn't it given..?
Yeah, I didn't phrase that right. Let's try that again.

Is it common for these fuel tanks to have a drain bolt/fitting, or would I have to siphon?
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:48 PM   #36
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Oh, no problemo, yo comprendo.
No saavy if there'll be a drain port or not...
FYI: Don't know if they're still made, but I have a Black and Decker (dunno, that company name alway makes me think of a spousal abuser with a poor sense of sequencing) Jack Rabbit Pump: hand cranked, and once the inlet hose is full, a quarter turn back lets it siphon.
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Yeah, I didn't phrase that right. Let's try that again.

Is it common for these fuel tanks to have a drain bolt/fitting, or would I have to siphon?
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Old 06-10-2019, 11:23 PM   #37
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but I have a Black and Decker (dunno, that company name alway makes me think of a spousal abuser with a poor sense of sequencing)

You just made me choke on my spit
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Old 06-11-2019, 06:00 AM   #38
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Good!
Payback for the, "crawling around on the sacrificial sheep," image...
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Old 06-12-2019, 06:50 PM   #39
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Well, all my worries were for not. The bus started right up with no work whatsoever. They had actually been starting and running them every week or two. They assured me water in the fuel would not be an issue and it ran beautifully, so I believe them. The batteries were practically brand new and fully charged. The tires have plenty of tread. The tank was half full, so that’s a bonus. They were super friendly, provided me with all their service records, and let me take all the seats out in he yard so that I could send my insurance pictures of the empty shell, as I’m insuring it as an in-process conversion. All and all it is it absolute best case scenario. We start the long and fun journey home tomorrow morning! Oh, and the AC even blows cold! Good news since it hit 92 today and doesn’t look like it will get any cooler as we go!
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Old 06-12-2019, 07:05 PM   #40
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Elaborate on the "in process conversion" insurance?
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