I won a bus - Page 3

cadillackid · 03-02-2018, 05:09 PM

both of my busses have 2 group 31 batteries with threaded posts, i havent seen a somewhat recent bus with anything but threaded posts.. brokedown's 2 8D's are a bit unusual, but 2 group 31s should start anything but maybe a large detroit or 8.3 cummins in cold weather. did any of them happen to snap video with their phones of trying to get the engine started? that copuld tell us a lot by listening to the crank speed and if its trying to fire etc..

-Christopher

Brad_SwiftFur · 03-02-2018, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Ya, O'Reily says they are a group 31-5. $114 ea. Just need to know if the posts are top post or threaded. I'll find that out when they call back.I can have the local store deliver batteries there.

They are 99% likely to be threaded posts. Price seems awful high when I can get those same batteries locally for $69 each (Winder, GA).

o1marc · 03-02-2018, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

They are 99% likely to be threaded posts. Price seems awful high when I can get those same batteries locally for $69 each (Winder, GA).

Where at? not all batteries are alike. O'Reilly Super Start batteries are American made, most others are not.

brokedown · 03-02-2018, 05:22 PM

A surprise indeed, but a welcome one.

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Jolly Roger bus 223 · 03-02-2018, 06:08 PM

My two 8d's are top post but the battery itself is threaded and the post can be removed.
I am getting ready to get rid of my post and go back with the battery bolt mounts because my clamps for the post (from all the brand named local box stores) keep breaking when I get them tight enough to not pull off buy hand.
Heavy duty truck shops sell the heavy duty ones for a heavy price?
Regardless. Why not take the lead/zinc out of the equation and go directly to the battery.

Twigg · 03-02-2018, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

both of my busses have 2 group 31 batteries with threaded posts, i havent seen a somewhat recent bus with anything but threaded posts.. brokedown's 2 8D's are a bit unusual, but 2 group 31s should start anything but maybe a large detroit or 8.3 cummins in cold weather. did any of them happen to snap video with their phones of trying to get the engine started? that copuld tell us a lot by listening to the crank speed and if its trying to fire etc..

-Christopher

Two Group 31 batteries have no trouble starting my Cummins 8.3 at below freezing temps.

Robin97396 · 03-02-2018, 09:06 PM

Have you noticed some people will not be able to get a freezing cold diesel started, while another person can start that same vehicle?

2martins · 03-02-2018, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Have you noticed some people will not be able to get a freezing cold diesel started, while another person can start that same vehicle?

My bus has an engine block heater! It also has, according to the line set ticket, one 8D stud type battery.

But it has a battery compartment with nylon rollers, a tray stop and a box mounted. Why would it have all that for one battery?

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Robin97396 · 03-02-2018, 10:28 PM

Mine only has one 8D battery, and it has studs too. Wait, studs are the big led knobs aren't they?

Twigg · 03-02-2018, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2martins

My bus has an engine block heater! It also has, according to the line set ticket, one 8D stud type battery.

But it has a battery compartment with nylon rollers, a tray stop and a box mounted. Why would it have all that for one battery?

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Have you tried lifting an 8D battery?

david.dgeorge07 · 03-02-2018, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Well this sucks. The school called and said they can't get my bus started. Barely turns over, but won't crank and fire. I told them to do what needs to be done to get it started because I paid for a running bus and am not coming out to pick it up until it is. Bus was removed from service at age out in jan 2017, it sat for a year. If they can't get it running in the next day I'll try and cancel the transaction and be back at the drawing board. Hmm, 4 Crowns in Ca.

Block heater (yes even if it isn’t cool weather) and full batteries and I bet it will start super easy.

2martins · 03-02-2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

Have you tried lifting an 8D battery?

I have never SEEN an 8D battery. I did watch my brother in law change the battery in my 1983 Honda Civic once. In the 80s.

Also, if I have rear air suspension, does that mean I will be able to USE it to avoid bottoming out? The search function and google are failing me on this one.

We've gotten about 20" of snow so far. Mobi's parking spot is cleared of all but a couple of inches. We'll do it again tomorrow and hopefully that will be it until we get back.

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Twigg · 03-02-2018, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2martins

I have never SEEN an 8D battery. I did watch my brother in law change the battery in my 1983 Honda Civic once. In the 80s.

Also, if I have rear air suspension, does that mean I will be able to USE it to avoid bottoming out? The search function and google are failing me on this one.

We've gotten about 20" of snow so far. Mobi's parking spot is cleared of all but a couple of inches. We'll do it again tomorrow and hopefully that will be it until we get back.

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They weigh around 130 lbs

Air suspension can bottom-out like any other suspension, if you hit a bump hard enough.

What air suspension does is provide a better ride and handling.

2martins · 03-03-2018, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

They weigh around 130 lbs

Air suspension can bottom-out like any other suspension, if you hit a bump hard enough.

What air suspension does is provide a better ride and handling.

So it isn't adjustable like with the kind on cars to go.over snow berms etc?

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tobeamiss · 03-03-2018, 04:38 AM

We've waited a long time for this day to come

I'm really looking forward to your build! After all this time, you know what to do and what not to do so it should go a little smoother for you

Congratulations!!

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ben2go · 03-03-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2martins

So it isn't adjustable like with the kind on cars to go.over snow berms etc?

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It is to a point. It isn't adjustable on the fly. It requires messing with the valves that set the ride height. Also, I have delt with air suspension in cars. They are severely failure prone. Commercial systems on buses and trucks are way more robust than automotive systems. They're also easier to work on than automotive systems. They are made to be serviced.

Twigg · 03-03-2018, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben2go

It is to a point. It isn't adjustable on the fly. It requires messing with the valves that set the ride height. Also, I have delt with air suspension in cars. They are severely failure prone. Commercial systems on buses and trucks are way more robust than automotive systems. They're also easier to work on than automotive systems. They are made to be serviced.

I had a turbo-diesel Citroen BX back in the day. It's the only car I ever bought brand new.

It has Citroen's legendary air-suspension and had a ride-height adjuster right in the driver's area.

The lever had three positions. Normal, High and Max.

Normal rode at normal height. High raised the car 3 or 4 inches and was driveable. Max pushed the car up to maximum height and was for maintenance.

The self-leveling was so good that the car could be driven, albeit slowly, on three wheels.

o1marc · 03-05-2018, 10:48 AM

So they call me at 7am their time to tell me they put 2 new batteries in it and it cranked right up and fired and had been purring like a kitten for 20 minutes. I'm now trying to talk them into leaving them in there. The manager is going to speak with his supervisor and get back to me shortly, but he doubts they will give 2 free "expensive batteries". Now to book a flight.

PNW_Steve · 03-05-2018, 10:53 AM

Good news!!!

Hope they treat you right on the batteries.

RRRVBUS · 03-05-2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

So they call me at 7am their time to tell me they put 2 new batteries in it and it cranked right up and fired and had been purring like a kitten for 20 minutes. I'm now trying to talk them into leaving them in there. The manager is going to speak with his supervisor and get back to me shortly, but he doubts they will give 2 free "expensive batteries". Now to book a flight.

Even if you have to buy batteries at least you KNOW that’s all the “not starting” amounts to. Free batteries would be a nice score though.

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