Transmogrifie and Me

[wmkbailey]

His thread is Best Home Yet http://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10764

[Shadoll]

Originally Posted by wmkbailey

His thread is Best Home Yet http://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10764

Thank you so much. Went right to the glue posts. Saw that thread but I thought it was older.

[roach711]

I used some carpet adhesive that I got from Home Depot. It was quite a mess to spread on the ceiling but holds my carpeting like grim death. Spreading on the walls wasn't too bad. It cleans up with water if you don't let it get tacky.

My carpeting was some lightweight outdoor/indoor carpeting much like Accordian used on his. The wet adhesive would hold the ceiling carpeting without any additional support.

[Accordion]

I am glad that that glue is working for you.

[Shadoll]

Does anyone have an opinion on this solar panel for me? A guy at work thinks it's a good deal. Looks like plastic frame to me. http://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-Watts-1...item3a85951352

Wondering about running 4 of them along the top of the bus. I did like Travelin with Us Harbor Freight one too, but am hearing that Harbor Freight is iffy on quality from one thing to the next. (Although, on Ebay you're probably taking a chance as well.)

Am thinking I should get one to keep my starter battery up. I have to disconnect it when not in use.

[Shadoll]

Originally Posted by roach711

I used some carpet adhesive that I got from Home Depot. It was quite a mess to spread on the ceiling but holds my carpeting like grim death. Spreading on the walls wasn't too bad. It cleans up with water if you don't let it get tacky.

My carpeting was some lightweight outdoor/indoor carpeting much like Accordian used on his. The wet adhesive would hold the ceiling carpeting without any additional support.

Thank you I did buy the contact cement but I'll look into this one, perhaps less caustic to breath.

[Shadoll]

I think this is a good deal at $200. Any comments on this brand/size etc?

[gusbus]

I have panels made by Sharps. I was told by an old timer in the van dwelling world to buy brand name panels if you can afford them. They'll be around a lot longer if warranty work is needed. Two 160W panels would charge 5_600 ah of batteries pretty easily; I would think. I have one 160W Sharps panel that charges 300 ah of batteries relatively fast. Even on the short days we're experiencing in ND this time of year.
I don't use a lot of juice but I have a 12v fridge w/freezer and my batteries rarely go below 12.5v over night. No TV but I guess the LCD TV's don't use much juice anyway. I do carry a small genset to run a charger if needed but the gas is getting old in that. I don't use it much.

Just my $0.02,

Gus

Originally Posted by Shadoll

Does anyone have an opinion on this solar panel for me? A guy at work thinks it's a good deal. Looks like plastic frame to me. http://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-Watts-1...item3a85951352

Wondering about running 4 of them along the top of the bus. I did like Travelin with Us Harbor Freight one too, but am hearing that Harbor Freight is iffy on quality from one thing to the next. (Although, on Ebay you're probably taking a chance as well.)

Am thinking I should get one to keep my starter battery up. I have to disconnect it when not in use.

[bansil]

they work.....very noisy (engine not exhaust) same one I have...it works all I can say

[gusbus]

If you are going to live in the bus full time you may be able to use some of the information on this web site. It is geared toward people that live in various rigs on wheels full time. There is a lot of good advise on living inexpensively in whatever you choose to live in. A lot of the members live out of vans full time and travel with the weather to different locations and altitudes to have the most desirable climate year round. Wit ha bus that is hard to do because of the cost of fuel of course but there is still a lot of good advise on battery bank size depending on need, solar panel size, generator size and type yadda yadda yadda.

http://www.cheaprvliving.com

[Diesel Dan]

Originally Posted by bansil

they work.....very noisy (engine not exhaust) same one I have...it works all I can say

I also have that generator, and concur with Bansil's remarks about how freaking loud it is. You're neighbors will not be real happy with that generator.

I should give the caveat that I have not heard that many generators to have a wide base of comparison, but... yeah... it's probably twice as loud as a comparable Honda.

However, I will say that is a good price for that generator - especially if its as new as it looks.

[sdwarf36]

I got a bunch of gruff from the Mrs. when I bought a generator for the bus. Since then, a hurricane (8 day power outage) a freak Holloween 2ft foot of snow (3 day outage) Hurricane Sandy (3 days) and being able to keep most of the house running (execpt the 240v water pump) has changed her mind. I couldn't con her into spending Honda money-so when I went shopping this one caught my eye.
http://www.amazon.com/Hyundai-HY2000si- ... +generator
I liked that it was a known name brand-and the price was reasonable. It works great-and is nice+ quiet. Don't believe what it says on the box (only 35 lbs!)-its closer to 70.

[Shadoll]

Originally Posted by gusbus

If you are going to live in the bus full time you may be able to use some of the information on this web site. It is geared toward people that live in various rigs on wheels full time. There is a lot of good advise on living inexpensively in whatever you choose to live in. A lot of the members live out of vans full time and travel with the weather to different locations and altitudes to have the most desirable climate year round. Wit ha bus that is hard to do because of the cost of fuel of course but there is still a lot of good advise on battery bank size depending on need, solar panel size, generator size and type yadda yadda yadda.

http://www.cheaprvliving.com

I like this page, makes it sound easier. Also the book on there I ordered on Kindle looks great... now I have to figure out how to get Kindle on my new phone.. geez.

And I am living in the bus full time since last march. I have read a lot on here, some things are broken links) but I find that there are a few people who communicate with me that I trust their opinions so I always ask on here when I have a decision to make. Winter is coming on.

[Shadoll]

Originally Posted by Diesel Dan

I also have that generator, and concur with Bansil's remarks about how freaking loud it is. You're neighbors will not be real happy with that generator.

I should give the caveat that I have not heard that many generators to have a wide base of comparison, but... yeah... it's probably twice as loud as a comparable Honda.

However, I will say that is a good price for that generator - especially if its as new as it looks.

It's at the Phoenix RV salvage so I haven't seen it yet, was going there Wed. It's the last of a batch of 6 so the others were probably nicer. And as far as neighbors, they're all 200 yards away or more, but yeah still.

I can't believe I've had the bus for a year. I think my year project has turned into 5 years.

[gusbus]

Don't let this thing whip you. I am in the process of converting a bus right now and the key seems to be, for me anyway, is to focus on one thing at a time. Focus on a small thing and complete it and decide on another small thing and tackle that. Eventually you can look back and see progress; that progress will give you courage to tackle some of the bigger projects. You will soon realize you are creating something unique and that will fuel the fire you need to complete the conversion. I did this to the van I've been living in for the past two years. I did it while working a full time job 60-70 hrs a week; it was hard to stay focused because I had no energy at the end of the day.

Another thing that I learned from a long timer is to simplify, simplify, simplify. Ask yourself the really hard questions all the time:
What are the most important things I NEED to live in this bus? Put them at the top of the list and do them and move onto the next thing.
Do I really HAVE to have this "_______" to be happy living in this bus?

The following is just an example from my original list for my van: I thought I needed a cook stove with an oven. I soon realized how much room it would consume of my already small living area. I re-considered! In the mean time I just cooked with a camp stove I had. Two years later I'm still using said camp stove and I love it. It folds up and I can put it in a drawer when I'm not using it. I really don't cook that much anyway; I eat a lot of raw food. If I get a hankering for a steak I just cook it outside or eat it at a restaurant.
Disclaimer: Just an example; your mileage may vary.

Shadoll said, "I can't believe I've had the bus for a year. I think my year project has turned into 5 years."

[bansil]

here is a link that has a ton!!!!!!! of info....it talks about building a baffled surround using carpet etc...

yes it's 991 pages long (the first page has good info for searching in it)

http://www.rv.net/cforum/index.cfm/f...d/15131645.cfm

the Chinese generator thread

[Shadoll]

Thanks guys And the generator was gone when I got there. The shower pan (that I really wanted) was cut jerry-rigged and actually was broken out in the corner.. but I seen how it was made now and I can make my own out of a regular shower pan from Home Depot. Bought a small oval stainless bathroom sink instead.

Had a long discussion with "Sparky" from work today. He's going to hook up me a dedicated shore power outlet from the Landlady's house. He said temporary, she wants it more permanent like an RV post. Wheee.. I might be able to use the toaster oven. Or ?? And since I might be here longer than I thought.

Landlady scored me some 4 x 8' Mahogany (really thin <1/4 inch) unfinished paneling for about $4 a sheet, no seams or ribbing or whatever, just smooth. Will be good for backing things or even maybe some cupboard facings, inside closets etc. If I use it for walls will take some closer ribs than I intended to use as it will definitely sag easily. Or maybe layer on thin plywood for the door fronts etc. Wanted to use the redwood but this is more like real RV paneling weight, and not chipboardy. I still want to mix in the redwood around.. I'll just have mixed woods. Foresty.

Was 30 Degrees in the bus this morning. I really need to get the propane heater hooked back up this weekend.

[ol trunt]

Burrrrrrrr! better do that before we hear a "code blue"--either meaning

[Shadoll]

ok.. I guess the paneling was actually luaun stuff, whatever you call it but people on here said that was what to get anyways. Hope I can make it work.

"Sparky" came by and checked out the electric. Said that I should have enough power with the extension cord to run a small refrigerator (without blowing the pump breaker), even without the dedicated line (still discussing that) Ran the little wheel measure and it would be about 300 ft. (like I told him) so he's going to see if it will still work. Then he came back with a small refrigerator that I could borrow or buy if it works for me. So far so good. Only plugged in a few minutes and ice was forming in the icebox. WOW.. the joys of rotating ice in an ice chest may be over.

Took the tarps all off and threw them in the trash, bus looks bare now.

[Shadoll]

Originally Posted by ol trunt

Burrrrrrrr! better do that before we hear a "code blue"--either meaning

Brrrrr is right. Got to doing other stuff and didn't get the heat turned on even still.. but sleeping in on Sunday was a lot nicer than getting up at 6:30 am.