Hello friends!
So my wife and I embarked on our conversion project June 2017 with the spontaneous purchase of a full size bluebird with 92K miles on it. It's a New England bus so there has been the battle of rust removal on the underside but nothing that would compromise the frame or structure. We have been chipping away at it over the last year and thankfully it's right outside our front door! She is a full time Trauma RN and I am currently finishing up my PA degree and hope to eventually use the bus to practice as traveling care providers.
So fare on our project: See pics below..
Bus Purchase and transport-
Gutting phase-
The roof lift and sheet metaling-
Windows-
Surprise squirrel invasion-...
So at this point i think I'm limited on the number of photos i can upload. That said, i will continue to post updates. We currently have the bus insulated with 3-5 inches of closed cell (R7/inch) throughout and most of the framing completed. We also have the fridge, washer/ dryer, and pellet stove in but waiting to fasten them down. Electrical is roughly laid out but still have some planing and figuring out what will be the best way to go about protecting and wiring. For the electrical, we have 8 solar panels that will be installed on the roof, for which the mounts are already installed and will provide aprox 5KwH to a two day supply of batteries. Will be running a 120v system with one outlet being 240v for utility. Installing a backup diesel 5KwH Generac generator that will be linked to the diesel tank of the bus at aprox 3/4 of the take level to avoid completely draining the bus tank and stranding us
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Next steps are to paint the roof and install the panels, design and install the insulated water tank storage/ pump/ and filter unit under the bus, install ASME propane tank and hosing for dryer and cooking stove, and wiring of bus.
I'll be posting plenty of questions as i continue moving forward for safety checks.
Thank you all and look forward to being part of the ever growing team of skookie-mongrels!!
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