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Old 09-01-2018, 10:11 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Just south of Dallas.
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Year: 1999
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Chassis: 40' MVP-ER
Engine: Cat 3126
What can I do with built in A/C??

Hi and thanks for looking...😎

Most of the buses I am looking at have some sort of air conditioning. I assume the diesel runs the compressor and the rest of the fans etc run off12v??

Is it possible to run the compressor in any other way when camping off grid? I realize it would require probably a lot of work IF at all practical. And probably require a motor.

With that being said. Do most peeps keep the system? I wonder if the lost interior space is worth it? Those evaporator housing are big and obtrusive.

Thanks in advance.
Shay

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Old 09-01-2018, 10:56 AM   #2
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See my test with an electric DC motor. " dory transit a new start"
Ultimately i plan to run the AC with a 5Hp diesel pony engine for on the road.
The electric motor will do when you have an electric hookup.

If you like tinkering an dhave motors laying around then I think it is very doable.
Going to make an electric motor adapter on our small bus Elfie as well..


Good luck Johan
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Old 09-01-2018, 05:25 PM   #3
Skoolie
 
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What are inside those housings inside the bus??
Can they be relocated? Are they individual systems?

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Old 09-01-2018, 06:57 PM   #4
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The evap core and blower motors are mounted under those covers. Relocating them would require remaking the refrigerant hoses and condensation drains along with changing what ever mounting system that unit requires.


Not impossible... but a lot of work.


The most common AC types I've seen is roof mount (traditional rv style), window ac unit, or mini-split.
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Old 09-01-2018, 07:45 PM   #5
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Do they even work would be my first question. They don't look too bad to me and in hot climate are worth their weight in gold. Easy enough to frame in so it would look totally different.
you have a good problem for a change.


John
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Old 09-01-2018, 09:13 PM   #6
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That's some serious ac! What do the spec plates say? I'd guess you have 40-50 tons of ac. Do the units also have heaters? How about a pic of the compressor set up. Personally. if I found those bad boys work I'd build around them--I've never had too much ac.
Jack
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Old 09-01-2018, 09:55 PM   #7
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Wow! I’m beginning to like them after all your opinions!

Here is the link to the bus I’m buying??


2008 INTERNATIONAL RE-300 A/C SCHOOL BUS (FLORIDA SPECS) MAXX FORCE DT466E 4DRBWAAN88A637887 - Avery's Used Buses and Trucks - Avon Park, Florida 33825
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Old 09-02-2018, 06:49 AM   #8
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Just took down my 2 units today in prep for ceiling demo and insulation. One of mine was factory installed and the rear one was obviously aftermarket mounted. The original mounting utilizes full width plates with integrated bolts that are riveted to the interior ceiling panel. The aftermarket mounting has through ceiling & roof bolts that run through a rail on the roof that spans two roof ribs.

There is no integrated heater, that is left to the usual driver and rear coolant radiant heaters.
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Old 09-02-2018, 09:22 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shaymcquaid View Post
Wow! I’m beginning to like them after all your opinions!

Here is the link to the bus I’m buying??


2008 INTERNATIONAL RE-300 A/C SCHOOL BUS (FLORIDA SPECS) MAXX FORCE DT466E 4DRBWAAN88A637887 - Avery's Used Buses and Trucks - Avon Park, Florida 33825

I'm not the expert here but: Maxforce is a bad word. 2008 has EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Lower ceiling height and TOOOOO much money.
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Old 09-02-2018, 09:26 AM   #10
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If your AC works or needs minimal repair I'd keep it. Its going to be the simplist way of keeping you cool going down the road.

Ted
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Old 09-02-2018, 09:44 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vtxvette View Post
I'm not the expert here but: Maxforce is a bad word. 2008 has EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Lower ceiling height and TOOOOO much money.
I would have to agree.

There are plenty of pre 2005 buses out there with less than 200k miles and much more desirable drive train for a lot less money.

Most of the folks that I know here have 1998-2004 buses and paid $1500-$5000.

Good luck.
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Old 09-03-2018, 01:26 AM   #12
Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vtxvette View Post
I'm not the expert here but: Maxforce is a bad word. 2008 has EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Lower ceiling height and TOOOOO much money.

So, DT466 and maxxforce are two different engines? Is the maxxforce a later variant of the DT466? I thought the DT466 was a desirable engine???

As far as ceiling heights...RE300 have a 79" celing?? Is that not true?

As far as money. Pay no mind to the Listed price. He is asking about half of that.
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Old 09-03-2018, 08:25 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shaymcquaid View Post
So, DT466 and maxxforce are two different engines? Is the maxxforce a later variant of the DT466? I thought the DT466 was a desirable engine???

The MaxxForce engine *IS* the DT466, but with emissions hardware added. The base engine itself was great, but the emissions hardware was a nightmare. So bad, in fact, that Navistar discontinued the entire engine line because of it. Think about this - *WHY* is a 10 year old bus retired so early? I'm betting the school system got tired of dealing with the emissions headaches.


And removing the emissions stuff is not only illegal, but also highly impractical.
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