Existing Bus Wiring

[Dillon22283]

I'm in the demo stage and would like to remove to majority of the existing wiring from the flasher lights, emergency exits, stop signs and crossing arm. My question is, is there a way to eliminate all the excess wiring at the main fuse bix itself? Can I get around leaving the wiring throughout the bus intact? I have absolutely no experience with electrical wiring. Thanks for any help!

[ComfortEagle]

Originally Posted by Dillon22283

I'm in the demo stage and would like to remove to majority of the existing wiring from the flasher lights, emergency exits, stop signs and crossing arm. My question is, is there a way to eliminate all the excess wiring at the main fuse bix itself? Can I get around leaving the wiring throughout the bus intact? I have absolutely no experience with electrical wiring. Thanks for any help!

Welcome! More information on your bus would make it easier for forum members to provide helpful bus-specific feedback, and maybe find a wiring diagram? Based on your post, especially the "I have absolutely no experience with electrical wiring" comment, I would personally recommend the following as general guidelines:
1) Like a doctor, "first do no harm..." Remove as little wiring as you need to
2) Take pictures of everything before you do any cutting
3) Buy a decent label maker and label every wire that you modify in any way
4) When in doubt, don't cut it, or at least thoroughly document with pics and labels
5) For reference (and possible reuse?) keep your removed (and labeled) wiring around until all rewiring is done and systems are checked.

Regarding guideline #1, please know that I am being somewhat hypocritical, meaning I gutted my bus wiring...details here. . Good luck!

[Native]

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

Regarding guideline #1, please know that I am being somewhat hypocritical, meaning I gutted my bus wiring...details here. . Good luck!

LOL!!! Not very hypocritical ... you are like a restorative surgeon on your machine!

[somewhereinusa]

Don't be another one. Please see this post.

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f49/he...art-20275.html

[ComfortEagle]

Originally Posted by Dillon22283

I'm in the demo stage and would like to remove to majority of the existing wiring from the flasher lights, emergency exits, stop signs and crossing arm. My question is, is there a way to eliminate all the excess wiring at the main fuse bix itself? Can I get around leaving the wiring throughout the bus intact? I have absolutely no experience with electrical wiring. Thanks for any help!

Dillon, hope we didn't scare you off...

[Yukon Cornelius]

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

Welcome! More information on your bus would make it easier for forum members to provide helpful bus-specific feedback, and maybe find a wiring diagram? Based on your post, especially the "I have absolutely no experience with electrical wiring" comment, I would personally recommend the following as general guidelines:
1) Like a doctor, "first do no harm..." Remove as little wiring as you need to
2) Take pictures of everything before you do any cutting
3) Buy a decent label maker and label every wire that you modify in any way
4) When in doubt, don't cut it, or at least thoroughly document with pics and labels
5) For reference (and possible reuse?) keep your removed (and labeled) wiring around until all rewiring is done and systems are checked.

Regarding guideline #1, please know that I am being somewhat hypocritical, meaning I gutted my bus wiring...details here. . Good luck!

SOOOOO MUCH THIS!!!!!!!! these are solid guidelines, if you're are deleting anything or attempting anything near the job the CE has done beautifully on his rig.... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE follow #5 and I would even take it one step further and ensure that you completely re-assemble your elec system and function everything before moving onto the building phase and begin covering things over.

[Dillon22283]

Thank you very much for your input! The only thing I've actually removed is the ceiling mounted air conditioning units. There were 2 of them, and then the part (condenser?) on the outside beneath the bus.

[Dillon22283]

Thank you for the link. Very informative! I am only able to work on it on the weekend so I'm heading up tomorrow morning to start working that list! Thanks so much again!

[Dillon22283]

I apologize for my inability to use this site/forum, I'm still learning how.

[Dillon22283]

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

Welcome! More information on your bus would make it easier for forum members to provide helpful bus-specific feedback, and maybe find a wiring diagram? Based on your post, especially the "I have absolutely no experience with electrical wiring" comment, I would personally recommend the following as general guidelines:
1) Like a doctor, "first do no harm..." Remove as little wiring as you need to
2) Take pictures of everything before you do any cutting
3) Buy a decent label maker and label every wire that you modify in any way
4) When in doubt, don't cut it, or at least thoroughly document with pics and labels
5) For reference (and possible reuse?) keep your removed (and labeled) wiring around until all rewiring is done and systems are checked.

Regarding guideline #1, please know that I am being somewhat hypocritical, meaning I gutted my bus wiring...details here. . Good luck!

It's a 2003 International Rear Engine with a dt466e engine and Allison md3060 push button transmission. Also, When I turn the key to the start position, I hear an electric sounding clicking in the fuse box area next to the left side of the drivers seat, then somewhere towards the rear, then again up front. It's strange. And thank you for your help, sincerely!

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by Dillon22283

Thank you very much for your input! The only thing I've actually removed is the ceiling mounted air conditioning units. There were 2 of them, and then the part (condenser?) on the outside beneath the bus.

If you're removing the AC systems, I'm wanting to add one to my bus. Where are you?

[Dillon22283]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

If you're removing the AC systems, I'm wanting to add one to my bus. Where are you?

I'm in Florida, but I removed them because of how badly damaged they were...

[Dillon22283]

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

Dillon, hope we didn't scare you off...

Not at all! I appreciate your input, I actually have a label maker and labeled most of the wires I've come across

[Mudhutwarrior]

Get a circuit tracer that injects a signal before you do anything. That way you can trace it out and make sure what components it powers. Will save you a ton of time.

[PNW_Steve]

Nice drive train.

[weboughtabus]

There is really great advice in this thread! If you're not extremely comfortable with electrical, it may be best to leave it alone. If you decide you can't tolerate that, read on.

I also didn't want a bunch of zombie electrical in my bus, so I'm completely eliminating all unused systems. What proved invaluable to me was getting electrical schematics from my bus manufacturer. They were slightly incomplete (my manufacturer had been shuttered and rolled up into another), but solid enough that I could work from them. I made myself VERY familiar with them. I colorized the wires in the PDFs, since some were scans, and examined it every time I touched a bit of wiring in the bus. Since mine is a van-based build, I also got complete wiring diagrams from Ford. A multi-meter is a great tool and can be had on the cheap (or even free) from Harbor Freight.

If you go the route of deleting, make sure you follow the advice already provided here. Document, label, photograph, etc. everything you do and make sure you test that your bus still works before you completely tear it loose. Best of luck with your project!