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Old 07-09-2018, 11:41 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
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Location: SE WI
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Year: 2002
Coachwork: American Transportation Corp
Chassis: International 3000
Engine: International T 444E
Rated Cap: 71 pass., 12 window
A/C Questions... And, anyone use Atwood?

Hi! So we're thinking for our 71 passenger school bus conversion (maybe 34-ish feet long inside?) of getting 2 Air Conditioners each 15,000-18,000 BTU, 14 amp. Would be nice if we could have it be a heating & cooling unit in one, but not vital. Low amp and high BTU more of a priority.

At the moment checking out Atwood Air Command...
https://www.makariosrv.com/atwood-ai...at-pump-15028/

Anyone use this model or something similar they could recommend? I read in the forum some of you guys talking about not skimping on the A/C unit... maybe don't go top-line on other things, but get a good A/C unit (or 2).

Thoughts?

Thanks and have a terrific day!

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Old 07-09-2018, 11:51 AM   #2
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Year: 1999
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You might want to check out the MiniSplits available that heat and cool and small enough work well in the bus.
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Old 07-09-2018, 12:16 PM   #3
Skoolie
 
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Chassis: International 3000
Engine: International T 444E
Rated Cap: 71 pass., 12 window
Ok! Do those install on the roof? We thought we'd stick the A/C on the roof. Have you personally tried the mini split? Just at a glance I'm not sure they have the BTU we were thinking of...
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Old 07-09-2018, 12:24 PM   #4
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They do not take up room on the roof, it is split into 2 units so it can be installed inside in different locations. There are Minisplits units on the market as high as 21K-BTU. I don't personally have experience with one, but a couple members here are installing them.


https://www.acwholesalers.com/LG-Air...xoC8GwQAvD_BwE
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Old 07-09-2018, 12:52 PM   #5
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For roof mount A/C or heat pumps, Dometic, Coleman, and Atwood seem to be the big three. I went with the Coleman Mach 8, 15k BTU heat pumps. I've only had them installed for a week so can't say too much except they were relatively easy to install (with Coleman control boxes and thermostats). Details here. There are a variety of models to choose from - A/C or heat pump, BTU, condensate pump, etc...

I had Dometic heat pumps in my last RV (40') and they worked great and were plenty powerful. That said, I never spent any time in super humid locations.

Remember that heat pumps only produce heat down to something around 40 degrees so they are not a replacement for a furnace/real heat.
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Old 07-09-2018, 04:14 PM   #6
Skoolie
 
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Year: 2002
Coachwork: American Transportation Corp
Chassis: International 3000
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Rated Cap: 71 pass., 12 window
Good info! Thanks 01marc and JDOnTheGo!
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Old 08-04-2018, 09:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trail Fairy View Post
Hi! So we're thinking for our 71 passenger school bus conversion (maybe 34-ish feet long inside?) of getting 2 Air Conditioners each 15,000-18,000 BTU, 14 amp. Would be nice if we could have it be a heating & cooling unit in one, but not vital. Low amp and high BTU more of a priority.

At the moment checking out Atwood Air Command...
https://www.makariosrv.com/atwood-ai...at-pump-15028/

Anyone use this model or something similar they could recommend? I read in the forum some of you guys talking about not skimping on the A/C unit... maybe don't go top-line on other things, but get a good A/C unit (or 2).

Thoughts?

Thanks and have a terrific day!
71 passenger at 34 feet? That's cramped mines 42 passengers steps off at roughly 50 feet. Figure 38 inside length rear pusher.
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Old 08-04-2018, 11:02 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfersmurf57 View Post
mines 42 passengers steps off at roughly 50 feet. Figure 38 inside length rear pusher.
That's a big bus.......
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Old 08-04-2018, 01:16 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
That's a big bus.......
Would have gone smaller, but it was local and priced right. 92 TC2000 RE
CUMMINS 5.9
Allison ? 4 spd auto
Twin ducted Transair AC
Underbus storage

Counting new batteries and replaced missing alternator: $1200 it runs and drives pretty well. Made the trip home and to my my lot an hour away with no issues and made 70 mph.
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Old 08-04-2018, 01:27 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfersmurf57 View Post
Would have gone smaller, but it was local and priced right. 92 TC2000 RE
CUMMINS 5.9
Allison ? 4 spd auto
Twin ducted Transair AC
Underbus storage

Counting new batteries and replaced missing alternator: $1200 it runs and drives pretty well. Made the trip home and to my my lot an hour away with no issues and made 70 mph.
If your bus was a 50'er it would have 20 windows. Buses are Federally regulated to 45'. I suspect your bus is a 15 window, 40'er. Don't believe the TC2000 came in anything over 40'
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