| Author |
Message |
shawn bennear
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 10:03 pm: | |
I bought a neoplan 28 ft transit on ebay for 500 bux.
I drove it most of the way home, and it threw a few belts. any good reccommendations for belts?
also, the lil bus is 24 volt, supplied by 2 12 volt batteries. there is no 12 volt that i know of. i need a stereo bad... can i tap one of the batteries for my 12 volts?
otherwise, the bus runs like a race car, shifts nice, and steers like a small car. I am gonna have a ball with this.
any neoplan owners have any advice?
the bus has a 4 speed allison and a 8.2 fuel pincher... governed at 62. I would love to get 67...lol
shawn |
Jim (Jim_in_california)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 12:45 am: | |
You don't want to tap one battery to get 12v - it'll unbalance the battery bank and radically shorten it's life.
You need a 24v-to-12v converter. These are pretty easy to score...others will be along with good sources but they're pretty common.
The other option is to set up a 12v "house battery bank" separate from the starter batteries, charged by either a genset, solar or both. I don't recommend this as there's a lot of advantage to having a 12v house battery bank...you can get more power out of inverters, your wiring losses are less, other neat stuff. I'm running all-12v myself and am coping with the limitations.
You have much to learn re: electrics if you're asking about a "half bank tap". |
John Jewett (Jayjay)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 12:57 am: | |
Shawn...you need to register with the 'Board, so your email address shows on your profile. That way you can receive off-the-board mail for more private topic discussions. Cheers...JJ |
Bob Vandawalker (Rav221)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 7:40 am: | |
Many buses already have a 12v converter, check in your main electrical panel which should be up front near the drivers area. Put a voltmeter on some of the breakers/relays, you might just find that some are already 12v...
You should see if you can find manuals for the bus, they will be invaluable.
Good Luck with your bus.. |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 8:13 am: | |
If all you are going to have on 12 volts is the radio, the batteries will never know the load is there. Tap off the center of the 24v. If, when you add 12v loads, then you need to add an equalizer to keep the batteries balanced. Check the archives here by using "search" under the "utilities" category in the left hand panel. Very useful to catch up quickly on bus information. Good luck with the bus.
Jim |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 8:30 am: | |
Shawn-
24v-to-12v converters
That's about the easiest way to get the 12vdc out of a 24vdc
bus. In fact, that's the way I plan to do my MC9.
I'm planning to set the house batteries up as a 24vdc system
and allow them to be charged along with the engine system
(using an isolator).
With a 24vdc to 110vac inverter, a 110vac to 12vdc converter,
and a 24vdc to 12vdc converter, it should than take care of
anything electric I'll use that's 12vdc. |
shawn bennear (Lilneoplan)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 9:05 am: | |
I appreciate all the help. I did register on the board this morning.
Pretty much all I would like to run is some 12 volt stuff in the front of the bus, such as a stereo, vcr, cb, and such. not a whole lot.
I will be doing the 110 in the bus for shore use, since I really have no idea where to put a genset. The bus came with that sutrak air conditioner, and the compressor is locked, but i do know where i can get a new one for 100 bucks. It does have a big void in the back where the thermo king unit would have been, perhaps a diesel gen can go there.
I am new to owning a bus, even though I have driven one for years... |
David (Davidinwilmnc)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 9:21 am: | |
Shawn,
Search on eBay for a Vanner equalizer. There are other brands too. I bought a new 80 amp for $165 shipped. This should provide all the 12 volt power I need. Mostly, this will be a few fluorescent lights, radio, fans, etc. This will allow you to tap off the center terminal and still keep your batteries equally charged. If you google search for 'Vanner equalizer', you'll find connection diagrams that will explain it fairly well. |
Bob Vandawalker (Rav221)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 11:00 am: | |
Shawn,
I felt the need to comment on your incredible website. Great Job, you certainly must love buses. I think your site will provide many of us on this board with hours of enjoyment.
Our bus a 30ft Gillig Phantom transit.
Bob V. |