A few things I can’t identify on my Skoolie.

[Robin97396]

No kidding. That's a major bonus.

Maybe I should start looking for strange boxes under my bus.

[bansil]

What a score

[Tango]

Valuable score. Maybe they boxed it in the way they did to keep anyone from stealing it.

[dan-fox]

Hard to believe that the first line in the SOP for maintaining the Webasto would be "Cut the bus open" and the last one would be "weld the bus shut".

[BlackJohn]

Some parts of Quebec are Arctic cold. Perhaps that steel enclosure acted as mechanical protection as well as keeping the heat generated on hand to prevent the unit itself from freeze up. My bus was built for Quebec too but doesn't have that equipment so I hope that works for you.

John

[Robin97396]

I'll say it's cold up north. There is some stupid cold up there when even propane freezes. Previously I didn't know propane froze.

[cadillackid]

great score!! id definitely keep that and make it work if it doesnt..

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Hard to believe that the first line in the SOP for maintaining the Webasto would be "Cut the bus open" and the last one would be "weld the bus shut".

Nice, I still can't believe there was no access to that?
Hopefully you can use the piece you cut off to make a hinged or latched access.
Either way it would drive me crazy knowing something,anything,especially that yearly,monthly maintenance item piece was in there.
Cool find.
If you don't want it let me know. I will come remove it and all accessories and plug the lines properly and remove that unsightly hanging box its in for FREE.
Good luck

[Robin97396]

I'm going to guess that the webasto was in the box so somebody couldn't have it for free.

[BlackJohn]

That box around that unit is likely to prevent it becoming encased in solid ice block. The roads up there are seldom paved and there is snow and ice to no end. The buildup, if unused would make it generally un-serviceable unless in a heated shop.
The idea of it is to make that bus a platform one can survive in, during bitter cold. Heats the fuel, the coolant and and the occupants.
Now, I need one, c'mon Santa. I was a good boy, well almost.

John

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Damn, now I want one?
But I know I could build a damn good box for it even crash,rollover worthy or bottomed out on it and still access it?
Could the access be from inside the bus? Like a panel under a seat?
I understand the strong box construction and idea now thanks to BlackJohn but I just can't wrap my head around no access to that mechanical,working,piece of equipment that has to be maintained or even could fail in an emergency/trapped situation?
And even McGyver couldn't get to it with his little can opener to save the day if he had to. We would have to blow a hole in the box to set the diesel on fire to warm everything up?
See that red glowing metal on the floor kids. You can stand next to it to stay warm but don't get to close.

[BlackJohn]

Good point JR..baffling isn't it? Must have been installed and tested before the floor went down inside. There might be a panel there above it. They certainly do need periodic maintenance and inspection.
It could definitely cause loss of life the way it was. It needed combustion air also but I guess whatever openings there were, would suffice that way.
That is the best way to survive in a bus in cold weather that I have seen. Every bus should have something similar if in or running through cold climate areas even briefly. You just hope your bus stays warm enough to restart if you have to shut it down for an indefinite period of time.
Those units keep that engine warm and they fire up like it's summertime.

John