| Author |
Message |
christopher l cole sr. (Muziklvr)
Registered Member
Username: Muziklvr
Post Number: 63
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 71.228.195.103
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 3:57 pm: | |
hi everyone,is it possible for my factory heat to work with out the factory a/c? the a/c compressor is has been removed, but it appears that the fan and the coil are still there.what should i look for,and how could i check into getting it working?is it a very complicated system?i brought the bus from the tampa fla. area, so the previous owner didn't know about the heat.but here in music city usa it does get a bit chilly(teens,twentys and thirtys as of late)i am looking into fixing this if possible for highway use.i plan on putting in a 32k btu lp fireplace for heat when we are parked,plus the two roof airs have heat strips,so that should do us fine.without road heat though it makes for a damn cold ride going down the highways at 65-70 mph!!! any advice from you bus gods and gurus would be greatly appreciated!!! thanks-chris |
Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member
Username: Dnick85
Post Number: 86
Registered: 2-2006
Posted From: 68.45.178.44
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 4:21 pm: | |
Hi Chris,
It sounds like the components are still there. It will take some snooping around to make sure. In most cases, there is no reason to remove the heat coil or the evaporator coil. I would start by looking for some valves that would look to be heat coolent ones and try and open them a little and look for any leaks.
Good Luck
Nick- |
Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member
Username: Bob_greenwood
Post Number: 632
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 64.136.49.228
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 4:46 pm: | |
even if the heater is bad,good used ones are available in school buses,which are junked everywhere, |
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member
Username: Njt5047
Post Number: 127
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 69.132.226.200
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 9:07 pm: | |
"i plan on putting in a 32k btu lp fireplace for heat when we are parked,plus"
A "fireplace"? Unless you use a vented fireplace, assuming that you actually mean a real open flame fireplace, you'll soak the bus inside. LP burn byproduct is water...and assorted gasses. Notwithstanding open flame heaters compete for O2...this latter wouldn't likely be a problem in a bus.
Regarding your strip heat in the rooftops...they are almost useless.
IMHO you're on the right track fixing the bus heat. It probably works. Just cut off. The best OTR heat.
If your bus heat is terminal, you can use any hot water heater unit with a blower...as Bob sez, school bus heaters are side or floor mounted, but big. The heater could be much smaller than a bus unit and work. Be sure and get something in the dash area for the defrosters and drivers foot area.
Two car sized heaters in the living area would heat the bus...one in the bedroom and one in the salon. Plus one for the driver for a total of 3.
Good Luck, JR |
christopher l cole sr. (Muziklvr)
Registered Member
Username: Muziklvr
Post Number: 65
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 71.228.195.103
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 11:38 pm: | |
JR,what about a blue flame type heater???would it be the same as the fireplace?i just thought that the look of the fireplace would be kind of cool,but i don't want to wet the inside of the bus either.i am now exploring the most cost efective heat source for heat when parked.as far as "bus heat",how or what should i look for as far as the defrost is concerned? if at all possible i want to get the bus heat and defrost working again. thanks for all the input and advice.you guys are great.....couldn't do this project without you.-chris |
Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member
Username: Bob_greenwood
Post Number: 633
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 64.136.49.228
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 11:48 pm: | |
I have a blue flame propane heater,NO problems,35,000 btu,does a fine job,be sure and get the one with the thermostat ! |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member
Username: Drivingmisslazy
Post Number: 1819
Registered: 1-2001
Posted From: 75.108.87.29
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 12:37 am: | |
Here is a link to a topic going on on the other board right now.
Richard
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=3259.0 |
Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member
Username: Tekebird
Post Number: 87
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 69.136.90.146
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 2:44 am: | |
one single diesel fired Webasto Airtop 2500 will keep your bus tosty warm in the temps you will see.... all in a box about the size of a shoebox.
bus heat.....looks like you have an 04
you have two fan motors in the dash for defrost. as well as the Defroster core
heater is in the comp aft of the fcurb side steering axle
prob behind a wooden door.
there is likely a valve or two there as well as a pair in the engine comaprtment.
you also have the possibility of having a stuck thermostat in the tttstat housing...there are two one operates normally and the other opiosite.....and thats the one that may be stuck if you open all the valves and still have no heat.
I would suggest you buy the manuals for your Bus ASAP |
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member
Username: Njt5047
Post Number: 130
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 69.132.226.200
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 9:44 pm: | |
Blue-Flame heaters are available everywhere at sale prices...Northern Handyman? Get one and try it. Auto low O2 will (should) protect from loss of oxy...CO and smoke detectors would protect from fire. I have a ventless LP powered Buck Stove that I think is great. I've had catalytic heaters in campers and they seemed to make everything wet. Some buses are rather drafty and this would probably make the water issue a non-issue. Try it and see what what works...as usual, us busnuts come squarely down on both sides! It would have plenty of "cool" factor. We are "hardwired" to enjoy open flame heaters...primitive habit.
Unless your bus is remarkably well insulated, a circulation fan in the heater would be an asset.
I wouldn't think this would be a safe OTR heat source, but clearly it would warm you when parked.
LP should be turned off when traveling..although, I don't follow this rule. It's still a good idea. I leave the fridge on LP most of the time...even when traveling. Wouldn't want hot adult beverages now would we?
Open flame heaters may be of significant interest to your insurance agent...? May want to build a nice cover for the unit.
Best, JR |