| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 26 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 69.151.56.24 Rating: N/A |
Hi, I'm looking at a nice MCI '86 102A3 that was professionally converted and they left all of the OEM windows in the bus and they don't open or have screens. Any idea how much it might cost (and how difficult would it be) to replace say 6 of those OEM's with some Peninsula sliders? Also, the bus has all electric heat - 3 zone heaters. Is it practical to consider replacing those electric heaters with a Webasto and hot water units for heat? Or is that just too involved for a completed conversion? If it is possible, how difficult and how much might a change like that cost? Thanks | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 632 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 64.40.215.153  Rating: N/A |
Jim, Last I checked for sliders from Peninsula for our Eagle it was around 450 bucks each. That was about one year ago. I think the 192A3's are taller so you might add a few bucks. You could change out 4 of them if they have 2 in the bedroom and 4 in the lounge and save a few bucks. Replacing them is no big deal, as long as they make them from a template from the rough opening. My buddy from Washington that has the exact same bus might know. I think he got a price from them a while back. I'll forward his email to you. Can't answer the Webasto question, sorry. Paul | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 241 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 75.242.177.249 Rating: N/A |
Even though they are pricey you get what you pay for. I got 6 for our 5A over 6 years ago and i am still very pleased with them. One of the best changes i made to the bus. | ||
| Ralph Peters (Ralph7)
Registered Member Username: Ralph7 Post Number: 100 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 75.245.91.190 Rating: N/A |
We use 1 or 2 small heators to be toasty. Must be plugged in, but we do have a Wave 8 propane heator. Recently we cut and hemmed insulated shades for our windows, and it makes a hugh difference. The Pensula's look great and preform well, I think. First how will you use the coach, store, camp, or overnite etc.... Do your own work, how much spare time you have to devote to the projects. I will not rain on the Webasto but on a converted unit it maybe a real bear. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1104 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.208.228.157 Rating: |
Jim...as you no doubt know, Webasto, and other hydronic systems involve PLUMBING. The answer to your question would then be something like "can you add, replace, exchange,or whatever"...to accomplish what you want to do...economically, feasibly, realistically, etc? Where there is a will there is, most probably, a way. Is it "worth it"?...only you can determine that. I have a Webasto system and love it, but VERY LITTLE was required to get heat front to rear....and in between, basically due to the way the coach was "plumbed" from the factory. My engine is amidships...makes a huge difference, I should imagine. From my point of view, Webasto is very cost effective, easy and "cheap" to operate...providing a great heat source; while underway, it is "free"...stopped, it uses little fuel. As FF states so frequently...weigh the choices and "do it your way"...  HTH RCB | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1072 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.162.20  Rating: N/A |
IF you can locate old frames for your stock windows , simply slice then to end up with a pair of trim rings . These can have screening glued on to what will be the inside when mounted to the outside of your stock windows.. OR a slider with broken glass can hold screening with a bit of rubber pushed in the window glass slot, fuel hose is stiff and excellent. RV windows sometimes have dual layers of glass, but none that I have seen are Thermopane , where the air is removed and a less heat conducting gas (argon?) is installed. Dual glass windows are very good at noise insulation , so if "camping" is at a truck stop , there really useful. Otherwise the box store plastic , inside and out , stuck on and shrunk looks great , (it Disappears) and is easily removed in warm times. WARM window Shades can be installed , that help with heat or cooling losses, and create privacy. FF | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1794 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.132.87  Rating: |
Hello Jim. My first reaction would be to stick with what you have. Then, after a moment, I want to know more about what you have installed now for heating and where does the electricity come from, and what you want to do with the coach. Boondocking? Campgrounds? Specifications, capacities, sizes etc. And how much disposable income is available? A used take out starts at $500. Coolant furnace systems are somewhat power hogs on the electric side with simple plumbing and controls, running a pump, the burner blower and heat exchanger fans, and burning fuel. To moderate the consumption of power and fuel, it takes a fairly complex home built control system, perhaps valves/pumps/relays/a bit of logic/redundant pieces to get the run times down. There is an exhaust smell to deal with, which will provoke your neighbours in a campground setting. Depending on how and where you use the coach, the conversion/addition of a coolant boiler will be a complete waste of money. Or, it could greatly improve your functionality, if you do more with the coolant boiler than just heat the interior. keep typing, we have lots of opinions! happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Bill Holstein (Billmoocow)
Registered Member Username: Billmoocow Post Number: 55 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 98.232.207.25  Rating: N/A |
I dont get it. I worked around factory windows, put screens on them and they still pop open instead of sliding.Whats the big deal with sliding windows? | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1074 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.29 Rating: N/A |
Whats the big deal with sliding windows? There cheap to build and work . AWNING WINDOWS ARE FAR SUPERIOR IN A CAMPER AS THEY CAN BE LEFT PARTIALLY OPEN , EVEN IN THE HEAVIEST RAIN. But one has to find something to modify and retrofit , or find a window builder that will do a truly custom job. Blue Bird , Newel and other custom builders have the volume to pay the set up costs , most backyard converters wont bother.. FF | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 491 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62  Rating: N/A |
I don't know about other brands but my stock windows slide open and can be hinged open at the top like awning windows Efficient at holding in the heat they are not but we have enought btu to overcome that | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member Username: Daved Post Number: 279 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 199.246.228.249  Rating: N/A |
I made a screen for one of our fixed windows on our MC-8, suing a standard window screen kit from Home Depot. It fastens on the inside. and I am still able to realease the window at the bottom and swing it out for ventilation. I works great. I have screens than can be inserted in the window openings on the opposite of the bus (the curb-side windows slide, the street-side ones don't) and this works well. I am thinking of adding roll out awnings to limit the direct sunlight that comes in through the windows as this is the main source of heat load on hot days. FWIW DaveD FWIW | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.200.25.152  Rating: N/A |
webasto heaters are dear but they are the best heater (100,000)+ BTU I've had 2 over the years. One self installed in a boat and we were fine living through newengland winters... that unit was not a ever-hot unit...installation is easy just run high quality heater hose for your zones and install "radiators in your kick panels of your cabinets.. cost was about 4-5 grand | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.200.25.152 Rating: N/A |
webasto heaters are dear but they are the best heater (100,000)+ BTU I've had 2 over the years. One self installed in a boat and we were fine living through newengland winters... that unit was not a ever-hot unit...installation is easy just run high quality heater hose for your zones and install "radiators in your kick panels of your cabinets.. cost was about 4-5 grand |
