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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-22-2015, 08:43 PM   #1
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
Hazard lights

My school bus doesn't have any and I'd like to make the following changes to the lights...
1 swop the lenses around for the reds and ambers at the top.
2 replace the front reds with clear domes.
3 wire the ambers front and back to work in combination with turn signals so I have high and low level turn signals - for added safety.
4 wire the rear reds to work with the brake lights for added safety.
5 wire the front reds - fitted with clear domes as a floodlight on a separate switch
6 wire all the ambers - top and bottom into a hazard circuit.

Its a complex sounding task. Has anybody done it with a carpenter?

Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2015, 09:50 PM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Salt Lake City Utah
Posts: 1,635
Year: 2000
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: ISC 8.3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zephod_beeblebrox2 View Post
My school bus doesn't have any and I'd like to make the following changes to the lights...
1 swop the lenses around for the reds and ambers at the top.
2 replace the front reds with clear domes.
3 wire the ambers front and back to work in combination with turn signals so I have high and low level turn signals - for added safety.
4 wire the rear reds to work with the brake lights for added safety.
5 wire the front reds - fitted with clear domes as a floodlight on a separate switch
6 wire all the ambers - top and bottom into a hazard circuit.

Its a complex sounding task. Has anybody done it with a carpenter?
I have a hard time believing the bus has no hazard flasher function -- it has been required by safety standards since the dawn of time! On the Blue Birds the hazard switch is a small red tab at the top of the steering column, hidden just below the steering wheel. It pushes/pulls away from the center of the column. Maybe the switch is similarly hidden on the Carpenter..? Surely it must have one somewhere.

All the swapping sounds pretty doable. Just do one lamp at a time and you won't have to worry about getting wires mixed up.
family wagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2015, 09:55 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
Thus far I have been unable to find any hazard light noir even a mention of it in the manual
Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 08:27 AM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Adirondack Mountains NY
Posts: 1,101
Wiring in hazard lights aka 4-way flashers is a good thing if you don't have them. In the '60s, before they were standard equipment, you used to be able to go to the auto parts store and get a kit wired onto the back of a big red lighted knob that attached to all the wires. Now you are on your own.

But I posted a list of the lighting rules a couple of years ago. The one I remember because people like to ignore it is that the red and yellow flashing lights are too high above the pavement to be converted to turn signals, and probably brake lights, too.

I would have to do a search, but I think the limit was about 80 inches above the roadway.
__________________
Someone said "Making good decisions comes from experience, experience comes from bad decisions." I say there are three kinds of people: those who learn from their mistakes, those who learn from the mistakes of others, and those who never learn.
Redbear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 09:13 AM   #5
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
I'd like to see that, if it's a legitimate source. I have a feeling it could well be like the "photographers rights" document that has been floating around the internet for years. Now that document is total bunk but looks believable so the more gullible believe in it then wonder why they're getting in trouble!
Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 09:21 AM   #6
Bus Crazy
 
Scooternj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: EHT New Jersey
Posts: 1,134
Year: 2003
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International 3000RE
Engine: T444E/AT545
Rated Cap: 75
I think Redbear was referring to this link. That being said, I've been seeing a lot of newer MCI buses with multiple additional brake lights that exceed that 83" 'limit'.
__________________
Hey! That's not an RV, that's a school bus.
Well thank you for noticing, Captain Obvious

Captain Obvious on deviantArt
Scooternj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 09:34 AM   #7
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
I've seen some trucks with high level extra lights too. IMHO there's no such thing as too much safety.
Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 09:39 AM   #8
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooternj View Post
I think Redbear was referring to this link. That being said, I've been seeing a lot of newer MCI buses with multiple additional brake lights that exceed that 83" 'limit'.
Hmm.... Doesn't apply. That's for vehicles registered in Canada.
Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 09:53 AM   #9
Bus Crazy
 
Scooternj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: EHT New Jersey
Posts: 1,134
Year: 2003
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International 3000RE
Engine: T444E/AT545
Rated Cap: 75
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zephod_beeblebrox2 View Post
Hmm.... Doesn't apply. That's for vehicles registered in Canada.
Its from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Since the Federal and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are identical, its a dual standard, annotated as needed, for both countries. A couple of the image URLs are broken.
__________________
Hey! That's not an RV, that's a school bus.
Well thank you for noticing, Captain Obvious

Captain Obvious on deviantArt
Scooternj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 09:56 AM   #10
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
It seems to refer to the first set of lights, not to a duplicate set.
Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 09:57 AM   #11
Bus Crazy
 
Scooternj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: EHT New Jersey
Posts: 1,134
Year: 2003
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International 3000RE
Engine: T444E/AT545
Rated Cap: 75
Instead of arguing left and right, its just safe to say that we're seeing a LOT of new stuff out there with stop and turn lights above 83 inches
__________________
Hey! That's not an RV, that's a school bus.
Well thank you for noticing, Captain Obvious

Captain Obvious on deviantArt
Scooternj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 10:02 AM   #12
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
I tend to agree. I'm going to put mine in anyway and if its an issue, I bought the bus like that!
Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 12:29 PM   #13
Moderator
 
crazycal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
Quote:
Originally Posted by family wagon View Post
I have a hard time believing the bus has no hazard flasher function -- it has been required by safety standards since the dawn of time! On the Blue Birds the hazard switch is a small red tab at the top of the steering column, hidden just below the steering wheel. It pushes/pulls away from the center of the column. Maybe the switch is similarly hidden on the Carpenter..? Surely it must have one somewhere.

All the swapping sounds pretty doable. Just do one lamp at a time and you won't have to worry about getting wires mixed up.

The bus I just picked up in Texas doesn't have them. I needed them on my trip. I almost used my 8 ways then thought bring traffic to a complete stop wasn't a good idea. All of my other buses had them.
__________________
I'm hungry!

You Gotta Let Me Fly
crazycal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 12:31 PM   #14
Bus Crazy
 
Scooternj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: EHT New Jersey
Posts: 1,134
Year: 2003
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International 3000RE
Engine: T444E/AT545
Rated Cap: 75
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycal View Post
I almost used my 8 ways then thought bring traffic to a complete stop wasn't a good idea.
Could have used just the ambers. But that's odd. Mine is hidden under the stalk.
__________________
Hey! That's not an RV, that's a school bus.
Well thank you for noticing, Captain Obvious

Captain Obvious on deviantArt
Scooternj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 12:50 PM   #15
Moderator
 
crazycal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
Not sure but I didn't spend too much time looking. It wasn't on the dash or column. When I get it home I will check into it.
__________________
I'm hungry!

You Gotta Let Me Fly
crazycal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 01:14 PM   #16
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1432404370153.jpg
Views:	5
Size:	163.4 KB
ID:	7043
Bloody hell, there is a hazard lamp switch! Its buggered though. I had to whack it to get it to turn off!
Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 01:17 PM   #17
Moderator
 
crazycal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zephod_beeblebrox2 View Post
Attachment 7043
Bloody hell, there is a hazard lamp switch! Its buggered though. I had to whack it to get it to turn off!

I can't see it. Where is it!
__________________
I'm hungry!

You Gotta Let Me Fly
crazycal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 01:23 PM   #18
Bus Crazy
 
Scooternj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: EHT New Jersey
Posts: 1,134
Year: 2003
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International 3000RE
Engine: T444E/AT545
Rated Cap: 75
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycal View Post
I can't see it. Where is it!
Its right below the stalk on the column
__________________
Hey! That's not an RV, that's a school bus.
Well thank you for noticing, Captain Obvious

Captain Obvious on deviantArt
Scooternj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 01:28 PM   #19
Bus Nut
 
Zephod_beeblebrox2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lexington sc
Posts: 482
Year: 1994
Coachwork: carpenter
Chassis: international
Engine: 466dt
Rated Cap: 59
Yup. You have a carpenter too?
Zephod_beeblebrox2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2015, 01:28 PM   #20
Moderator
 
crazycal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooternj View Post
Its right below the stalk on the column

OK, but what's a stalk?
__________________
I'm hungry!

You Gotta Let Me Fly
crazycal is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

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


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:46 AM.


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