Floor Replacement

[New2Skool]

So far the copying the image and pasting has worked nicely.
Posting the pictures are easy compared to creating something worthy of a picture haha.

 

[EastCoastCB]

So far the copying the image and pasting has worked nicely.
Posting the pictures are easy compared to creating something worthy of a picture haha.

I agree! Way easier

 

[New2Skool]

Tail End

Hello Folks!
Today was a productive day.
I removed the rear end of my bus.
Side to Side, Top to Bottom, Body to Bumper.

Just wanted to share.
Hope you like it.

 

[EastCoastCB]

You're doing a great job, man. Keep it up.

 

[New2Skool]

Update Floor Replacement

Morning folks,
First, I am sorry my updates have been so slow.
Up to this point, I have prepared the exterior side of the interior lower walls and ribs.
Rust removed and grinded then primed.

I have cut out the worst section of floor below the driver's seat area.
It was difficult due to the randomly placed welds and unusual structural beam placements. It took longer than, I had planned.

Exposed the beams and treated for rust.
Cut out heavy 10g steel sheet metal and replaced the floor biggest two sections. I drilled holes through the sheet to the beams and welded the sheet to the beams.

The bus sits too high for me to lay under the bus and reach up to weld. Plus working around the battery boxes, stairs and tranny didn't help. So, I had to weld from the top. It worked out well enough and is solid.

This was a huge project and I am glad the hardest part is done and that I found my process. It will open many doors to continue in other areas.

Once, I replace the last rear section of floor and areas around the rear wheel wells. I will be ready to lift the roof.

Here is a link to the gallery.

Feel free to make suggests please.
Thanks

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/members/9362-albums984.html

 

[New2Skool]

New Problem with Rust

Hello everyone.

I have decided to remove and redesign the rear wheel wells of my bus.
From rounded to square since, I have become confident in my abilities to fabricate and install with my welding abilities.

During removal of the wheel well today, I encountered a new problem.
The cross arm beam behind the rear wheels is rusted through and destroyed.

Before

After

Beam behind rear wheels

Beam in front of rear wheels

Ok guys, my immediate idea is to create a new beam section the width of the bus from side to side. 1 inch tube pressed up against the bottom of the flooring and braced to the frame directly with supportive angles.

Any suggestions welcome and I intend on replacing more sections of the flooring as well. For example check out my photo galleries it shows my floor replacement work on the drivers seat floor section and very rear section of the floor.

Thanks guys in advance.

 

[misterW]

Do you know that you don't need to start a different thread every time you move on to a new part of your project? Most people have one ongoing thread throughout their build.

How would anyone know what question you're asking then?

 

[New2Skool]

Exactly,
I have asked follow up questions and made progress reports and it is dead silent.
As soon as I start a new thread a whole new conversation sparks.

 

[New2Skool]

Flexible Solar Panels

Hello Folks,
It has been a while since I last updated. Work on the bus has slowed due to the winter hitting hard early on. A lot of snow and colder than normal temps have forced me inside.

I am now researching power options and have decided on a triple system.
Shore Power, Solar Power and Generator Power.
Shore and Generator Power is simple enough.

The solar options, I have fancied are:

COMPLETE KIT:400W Flexible Solar Panel 12V Battery +45A solar charge controller | eBay

Eco-Worthy brand solar system.
100w Flexible Panels x 4 panels in this kid.
One 45amp charge controller.

My ideal is to place them directly on the roof of my bus, curve to fit and then ideally cover with plexiglass to help safe guard them during winter and snow removal. I dont want to run a roof rake or brush over them and end up damaging anything.

What do you think of this system?
Is the controller good enough?
Anyone use flexible panels before?
Will a 400w system be enough for basic powering?
Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[superdave-SKO]

your paying top dollar for them panels. I would go with some good old fashion solar panels with the frame and tempered glass that protects them. you can get them for about 70 cents a watt. any thing you cover your panels with will block the sun to some degree, a tree branch could destroy your whole system. shop around the deals are out there. good luck

 

[New2Skool]

Thank you Dave.
Did you insulate your bus yourself?
Did you use the Compound A & B kits?
How many kits did it take and how thick?

 

[superdave-SKO]

I used the 2 part foam kits from ebay. 600 sf at 1". It took 2 kits. I did the wheel Wells's and the engine cover also. They were 582 bucks a piece. It was real easy. I moved around alot . had all my prep done so i could empty The bottles in one application. It came with plenty of tips if you stopped. In 10 degree weather a buddy heater on low was all i needed. Ill find out how cool it keeps it in a few weeks at the meetup

 

[New2Skool]

Ok, thank you for the info.
I am going to apply roughly 3 inches to the walls and roof.
I was just trying to get an idea of everything.
Thanks Dave

 

[ourmefa]

Hello Folks,
It has been a while since I last updated. Work on the bus has slowed due to the winter hitting hard early on. A lot of snow and colder than normal temps have forced me inside.

I am now researching power options and have decided on a triple system.
Shore Power, Solar Power and Generator Power.
Shore and Generator Power is simple enough.

The solar options, I have fancied are:

COMPLETE KIT:400W Flexible Solar Panel 12V Battery +45A solar charge controller | eBay

Eco-Worthy brand solar system.
100w Flexible Panels x 4 panels in this kid.
One 45amp charge controller.

My ideal is to place them directly on the roof of my bus, curve to fit and then ideally cover with plexiglass to help safe guard them during winter and snow removal. I dont want to run a roof rake or brush over them and end up damaging anything.

What do you think of this system?
Is the controller good enough?
Anyone use flexible panels before?
Will a 400w system be enough for basic powering?
Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

I have this package on my cost list for our bus. It gets great reviews and even though the cost is at around $2 a watt, this includes a good charge controler, so once you remove this cost ($200) and the cost of brackets and leads, the cost is more like $1 a watt. https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Solar-Starter-Wanderer/dp/B01DEHZIES?th=1

The solar frames are aluminum and tempered glass. I would concur with others here that the flexible panels are not the way to go on a bus due to the chances of damaging the panels. Covering them could be done, but anything flexible is not likely going to have the efficiency level that you will need after a couple of months in the sun and weather. There are very few substrates that will not scratch or yellow that are flexible IMHO.

 

[Ravendancer]

:Thanxude I know this is an old post, but you rock! Just found a small amount of body cancer in rear of mid bus and got that “sinking” feeling. I got this...:biggrin: