Leap of Faith

[jkindt]

Welcome! I hope you enjou your new bus. Are you planning on living in fulltime, or just week-at-a-time? 8)

 

[Stopbit]

I really like that floor plan...might have borrow that for my bus if you don't mind.

 

[jkindt]

It is sooooo true about changing floorplans. I like to call them 'fluid plans', always able to change a little...or a lot. Heck, even paintjobs are something that can always change. I look back at my project thread and just shake my head at some of the first paint job ideas I had. It helps to have the bus to actually sit in, measure, and imagine. The best thing I can think of once the seats are all out is to mask off areas on the floor where everything is going to go. Then you can see first hand what fits and what doesn't. It is easier to move a piece of tape than it is to rebuilt a cabinet or move a shower drain. 8)

BTW - Nice Bus! That is going to be a great conversion!!! 8)

 

[M1031]

That bus is much cleaner (mine is definitely dustier) than Big Mac. I LOVE the floor plan! Short (um, pun intended), sweet, and to the point!

 

[M1031]

Re: Parts

I did search quite a bit, made phone calls, etc. and as near as I can tell, there are no RV salvage yards in Texas, or any surrounding state. :shock: Which leaves me buying everything new. I am not broke, but I am not rich either. I will buy new what I have to, but if anyone knows where I could get RV parts (like stoves and pumps) anywhere near Dallas that is not a shiny showroom, I surely would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Lily

I'll be searching my favorite salvage yards here in Houston. I'll keep you posted as to where to find RV salvage yards that are under the radar.

 

[lornaschinske]

There is an Auto salvage yard on Agnes St here in Corpus. they have a "you pull it" type set up. They have several RVs sitting out there with the cars. So you might try some auto salvage yards.

http://www.myrvparks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1656 scroll about halfway down the page and you will find the listing for Texas. And luckily there are two places listed for Albuquerque NM (just an hour away from the bus).

 

[bus-ted]

Those refrigerators aren't cheap, even the smallish ones.

 

[bus-ted]

If you're following DarrenDriven's post about two-way fridges, you'll learn alot about them.
You might not get the desired effect just plugging it in. I think you could rig an temporary enclosure that would allow a test run.
Good luck, and what a score if it works good.

 

[M1031]

If you're following DarrenDriven's post about two-way fridges, you'll learn alot about them.
You might not get the desired effect just plugging it in. I think you could rig an temporary enclosure that would allow a test run.
Good luck, and what a score if it works good.

Hmm, I see what you mean. I would need to vent this somehow too if I installed it, but I think I have a convenient window. It really is far bigger than what I want though.

Thanks!
Lily

If I can find a smaller one how about a trade? Or, how much do you want for it if I can't find one?

 

[Seeria]

Looking good!
Silicone seems to be the fav on this site. All else fails try Eternabond to stop a leak.

 

[M1031]

Lily;

How tall is the frig. you now have? I'll be at the farm from tomorrow afternoon to Friday.

 

[jkindt]

Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't a refridgerator take much more power than a single solar panel could supply? I know there are some efficient refridgerators out there, but a single LARGE solar panel is still only about 125 watts of output under ideal conditions. I am also not convinced a single AGM battery (about 125Ah or so) would be able to keep it going through the dark hours, especially in the winter months when there is limited hours of sunlight.

What do you have against using the conventional RV style gas absorption style refridgerators using propane? My refridgerator can run on 12V, 120V, or propane, and it seems to work very well. 8)

 

[jkindt]

Most of the newer RV-style refridgerators work fine as long as you are level enough to stand comfortably in your unit. They don't need to be perfectly level, just close. You just need to be sure to vent it properly when you install it. It is not hard to do, just needs to be done properly. A good little 3 way gas absorption refridgerator could allow you to run off of 12V or 120V and you wouldn't even need to hook it up to propane if you aren't comfortable with it. I am not trying to convince you to change your mind, just want to know why you would choose a compressor unit over the gas absorption type. 8)

I like your idea of using the chassis battery box. You can stuff a few large batteries in. I have three in mine at the moment.

 

[Doodlebug-SKO]

Please take photos of that installation..... I am going to do mine soon and photos are as they say "worth a thousand words" Leslie

 

[M1031]

Still want to sell the fridge?

 

[M1031]

Still want to sell the fridge?

Yes, but I need it for a picture first, unless you have a fridge to trade me!

Lily

No problem, since we don't have one we can wait.

 

[Doodlebug-SKO]

thanks for the great photos, you have made it clear how easy it is. What size tank is that Lily? Leslie

 

[mouse059]

Lily! Awesome work on the bus so far! I hope I get to see it someday soon =D

 

[Crazy]

Lookin' good.

 

[Doodlebug-SKO]

Looks real good Lily, are you putting a wall panel of any kind between bed and kitchen? Leslie