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Old 05-19-2009, 08:24 PM   #1
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

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Old 05-19-2009, 08:55 PM   #2
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

almost every bus i've owned or worked on had the exact same alternator. It's a very common alternator at big truck parts stores, and probably any alternator shop has at least one sitting on their shelf. A leece neville....the housings are all the same, but there are a couple of internal options. they come rated as low as 105 amps to over 250 amps. I like to get one that has at least 130 amps. A bus with it's lights and five heater blower motors and other accessories can use a ton of current. The other option is to be connected to the ignition, or to be a "1 wire" alternator.



here is one on ebay for cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PREST...ayphotohosting
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Old 05-20-2009, 11:25 PM   #3
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

Welcome to the best SKOOLIE site on the WWW.
For your problem with the DC power, i would first check the easy stuff like the drivebelt. It might be alittle loose and hence the alternator is not turning properly or it is slipping. A belt is cheap and might solve your problem. Also check the connection from alternator to battery and ground, if they have corroded in the 2 years it was sitting you might not be getting the power from the alternator to the system. Always Easy - Cheap things first and then expensive stuff.
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Old 05-20-2009, 11:29 PM   #4
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

lapeer the e-bay link you posted does not seem to be a good a deal. I would never pay that much for an untested used Alternator. For a few bucks more you can pick up a brand new one at your parts store. I paid 150 for mine in Canadian so I doubt you guys in the states pay more then maybe 120 for a new 150AMP alternator.
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Old 05-21-2009, 01:37 PM   #5
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

I have the same bus & I dread the day my alternator fails... have you seen where they are on a TC2000?!



you can almost kinda see where it should be.. there to the right of the fan...

Good luck, and post pic's & directions if you do end up replacing the alternator.
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Old 05-21-2009, 01:49 PM   #6
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

Quote:
Originally Posted by phillbus914
I have the same bus & I dread the day my alternator fails... have you seen where they are on a TC2000?!



you can almost kinda see where it should be.. there to the right of the fan...

Good luck, and post pic's & directions if you do end up replacing the alternator.
nothing like working on a diesel engine in the livingroom, how much access is there from underneath and out front? IIRC some of the wonderlodges had swing away radiators that really helped with engine access.
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Old 05-22-2009, 08:40 PM   #7
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

ha! I'd think posting pictures would be easier than making an entire website...

just copy the image location (from photobucket, or here on the gallery on skoolie or wherever) then click the Img button at the top when making a post and put the image location in between the brackets... like this,

[img]image_location_here.jpeg[/img]
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Old 06-12-2009, 05:17 PM   #8
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

Quote:
Originally Posted by BIG-BIRD


Thanks to "swinada's" great instructions on how to post a picture, I learned how to do it.

Thanks "swinada"
Hey, you're WELCOME Glad I could be of service.........
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Old 06-12-2009, 05:24 PM   #9
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

Kind a sucks to get stuck in your own yard. Hope you own the place and dont have to pay a landlord for damage done to the lawn.
That wheelchair lift will sure come in handy when you start loading all your boxes and heavy stuff for the move.

You say you kind of bought this bus uninformed, at least you talked to a mechanic. For us it was even less informed. Told a friend to buy me a bus at the auction if they go around 1500 $. Half an hour later i was owner of a 40' bus that I never have seen or knew nothing about. We never before really looked at 40 footers always shorter ones. But now i am glad we have the big one. Maybe my mind changes again once we actualy start camping with it.

Wish you all the best on your move, and then happy converting.
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Old 06-12-2009, 05:44 PM   #10
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

I got my bus from them too. Very vague descriptions and it was a complete mess. The pictures on the auction from what I could gather were old. Apparantly the day before I picked mine up another guy came to get his, paid for it then drove it in a circle and refused to take it. The description said the hatch was missing so I knew there would be some water damage, it did not say that it had been out of service for almost 2 years and sitting in the weather for that long. It did not mention the drivers side window was left open for this period of time as well creating corosion all in the panel. Every other municipality seemed to be pretty honest and forthcoming with any issues so I assumed this would be the same, shame on me for assuming. The mechanic and foreman were very nice and helpful which took away some of my initial frustration with the deal.
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Old 06-12-2009, 06:10 PM   #11
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

Theres a thread on here with some junk yards that have busses but most aren't very willing to ship and you dont always know what you are getting. Alonzo Wades in Alto GA is reluctantly sending me a part and he has tons of busses. I really don't know this for sure but I believe with the A/C you have a higher amperage alternator. What about taking yours out and taking it to a starter rebuild shop? It is usually cheaper and has a warranty. I'm sure there are plenty in Orlando but if you cant find one let me know and I'll get you a number on monday to one we use at work (Orlando). If that is a no go, my parts dept may be able to get you a new one but would need to get your engine info (serial and arrangement number) and amperage on the one that you have. We run cummins 3.9, 4.5, 5.9, 8.3 and M11s in all of our machines and would bet they are the same alternators.

I actually looked at your bus when I was picking mine up. I originally wanted a TC2000 and this one was perfect, just didn't want the handicap door. There arent many in Florida and the ones that are, are all handicap equipped. Anyhow, I planned on bidding on it but the price went up above what I would have spent considering my bus was already a work in progress. Your bus sure did clean up nice!
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Old 06-13-2009, 08:31 AM   #12
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

You didn't pay too much for it at all, I paid 2500 for the one I got with higher miles, no AC, no tint and a moldy interior. With the export market in Florida, bus prices tend to stay higher here than the rest of the country. When watching the auctions, it appeared to me that the prices tend to stay low between a few of the same bidders (same ones you see on all of the auctions, brokers, dealers etc would be my guess) but when a random name pops up and bids the prices soar. Almost as if they are manipulating or trying to control the market of used busses.
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Old 06-15-2009, 09:02 PM   #13
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

Nice Bus Big Bird! I think you got a good deal.
Everyone wants a better deal anyway, especially when you get it home and really look at it & start to realize what may need to be fixed that you didn't know before... We bought our bus thesame way, but I did live & sleep skoolie.net before I commited to buying a bus. Our problem is ours broke down 35 miles into our 80 mile drive home from Tampa to Sebring! What a day that was!

Anyway, how high is the ceiling in your bus with the elevated floors?

Jonathan
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Old 06-16-2009, 04:19 PM   #14
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

it looks like the same extruded aluminum track system that the aircraft industry uses. I think I've seen it advertised in the summit racing catalog, a bit on the pricy side but fittings are available.
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Old 06-16-2009, 04:49 PM   #15
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

I have a similiar setup on the floor of our bus, 3 rails down the center... Let me know if you come across any connectors to fasten to!
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Old 06-16-2009, 10:20 PM   #16
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Re: 93 BlueBird TC2000 FE 72/40 ft

Did you replace your alternator yet? Give us the details when you do.

thanks
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