| Author | Message | ||
| Michael (24.107.116.157) Rating: N/A |
Hello, we want to buy an Mci 9 and convert it! What we want to do is create a comfortable vehicle to transport our family, some who are elderly and need special care. I don't think we will be doing any camping, I can only think of 1 time we would spend a night or two in the bus. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I do a lot of household electrical work but I am sure that won't help me in this project. I think I can avoid a generator, but tell me if I am wrong  ! That is why I'm here! I appreciate all your input. This looks like a real 1st class site! | ||
| Michael (24.107.116.157) Rating: N/A |
How many amps does the alternator put out? Couldn't I simply hook up the inverter to the alternator and that could charge my batteries and provide power? For 12v I could just use a converter from my 120v ac power, right? | ||
| Michael (24.107.116.157) Rating: N/A |
Also, where can I get a copy of the building codes for my "RV". I am so excited about trying to get it registered and insured! I am dreading the premium I will get! | ||
| Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.26)
Rating: N/A |
What you need is a bus with a wheel chair lift and wide space inside for wheelchair movement. Unless you can afford a modern 102" wide intercity shell with a wheel chair lift you might consider a modern transit-- they come 102" wide with lifts and a flat floor at a reasonable price. MC9's would be 96" wide with no lift. --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| Michael (24.107.116.157) Rating: N/A |
It is my grandmother who would need the assistance and she actually does pretty well with steps, only a few of course so I don't think I'll need a lift. We want the bus so she can have a big bathroom and not need to go into gas station bathrooms, also we need to keep some medications in the fridge so the bus conversion is the way to go. I am just having trouble with the electrical aspects and the codes. | ||
| ronthebusnut (12.22.145.163)
Rating: N/A |
You don't wire your coach like a house (Rule number one) Your neutral (white wires) and Grounds (green wires) Must be seperate in the fuse panel and all sockets. Your coach is on rubber tires and if you wire it like a house, your going to be the ground source when you open your door. The shore line delivers the neutral and ground to the right place when plugged in. You can get buy without a gen set, however, your going to need an inverter and battery pack for your 120 volt items. If you camp at a camp ground or other place where you can plug in, this will charge your batteries at the same time supply you with 120 volt power. If you would like to talk in person, I would be happy to chat. Ronthebusnut 1-712-262-9313 | ||
| Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.26)
Rating: N/A |
If you want to learn about electrical systems for bus conversions there is an excellent book by George Myers on the subject: Designing Electrical Layouts for Coach Conversions And it can be purchased right from this website: http://www.busnut.com/seecs.html (One of Ian's paid advertisers!) --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| Jayrjay (64.12.96.105) Rating: N/A |
If you wire houses, you will have no trouble using Article 551 of The National Electrical Code to guide you. And contrary to what Ron/TBN says, it is exactly like wiring a house, You can even use BX cable or romex-(as long as it is properly supported,) and the only difference in grounding/neutral bonding is at the service entrance equipment. (Article 551.555 (b) (c){1,2,3} and (d) All other provisions of the Code apply as well, EXCEPT that if there is a conflict of usage, then Article 551 takes precedence. Any good thermoplastic coated wire will suffice, but none of the rubber based marine or extension cord types are approved (600V, 75deg.C. or higher only). Rely on Annex Tables B310 (1 thru 9) Once you are past the special requirements of the Service Entrance Euipment, the rest is just like a amall apartment. A new annotated Code Book is expensive (mine was $135.00), so make a trip to the public library with a handful of coins for the copier, doing only the needed sections. Get friendly with your local electrical inspector (if availabe) and ask for his guidance. It's a piece 'o cake!!! Good Luck, and Cheers...JJ | ||
| njt5150 (68.240.153.52) Rating: N/A |
Seems that one problem not pointed out with the use of romex or household style wiring. That is the bus moves and with that the wires are subject to vibration which can cause solid wired outlets etc to come loose and possibly cause arcing and possible fires. You are better suited to use high quality stranded wire with proper connections. | ||
| Michael (24.107.116.157) Rating: N/A |
I don't know if I am crazy or not, but my initial plan was to get a simple 4000watt inverter, connect it directly to the alternator, totally bypassing the "battery bank". Why do I need a battery bank? | ||
| njt5150 (68.240.220.62) Rating: N/A |
With it plugged to the alternator you have to have the motor running at all times you want power. | ||
| Abajaba (12.217.194.92) Rating: N/A |
The battery bank acts as a buffer. If you go from pulling 100 watts to pulling 2000 watts there is a steep increase in current that has to come from somewhere. The regulator on the alternator takes a finite amount of time to recover from such a load change. In the mean time the battery will take up the slack and keep everything going. Even if the input of the inverter goes over the output of the alternator for a short time. | ||
| Michael (24.107.116.157) Rating: N/A |
I think that is what I want to do, just use the bus as a transport and if I ever camp I will just plug into shore power. I think I will get some golf cart batteries for short time use or to act as a buffer for the alternator like Abajaba said. I am open to all input, the help is great! Thanks! | ||
| Michael (24.107.116.157) Rating: N/A |
Ok, so i researched the 2 different types of inverters, modified sine and pure sine. I think I would like to go with modified sine since it is so much more inexpensive, as I understand, only sensitive equipment like microwaves should be affected. Would appliances like a stereo and heater also be affected, if so in what ways, is it truely beneficial to go with a pure sine unit? | ||
| Bob (Bobb) (69.19.1.163)
Rating: N/A |
I have used a Trace 2512 (modified sine wave) to run my house for over 10 years. I am in an area where there is no grid power. It is backed up by a 12kw Kubota generator. The only drawbacks I have noted when using the inverted power are that flourescent lights buzz, there are lines on the TV that don't really cause a viewing problem, ac hum on am radios, and electric clocks do not keep time. I use the inverted power to power computers, microwaves, stereos, laser printers, satellite tv, freezers, and many other electronic items. All without problems. I did have an AC adapter for an answering machine blow up, but it could have been a problem inherent with the adapter, as I have many others working off the modified sine wave inverter. I would certainly use a quality modified sine wave inverter in a conversion. I will say that I would prefer a pure sine wave converter if the price was right.. then my alarm clock would work properly. | ||
| Peter Aduskevich (Slowslowpete) (67.75.106.135)
Rating: N/A |
If you use a battery bank and a inverter/charger you do not need a converter from 120v to 12volts. I run two alternaters one for the start batteries and the other for the house batteries with a manual swtich to connect them in a emergency or if only one alt. is working, Which happens more then I would like. Peter | ||
| FAST FRED (63.233.189.83) Rating: N/A |
To go from Power Pole (PP)to PP your coach alt and setup should be just fine. IF you chose an inverter large enough to power the Air Cond you MAY have to be carefull in a traffic situation that the battery does not get discharged , as the alt wont be doing much. This is very simply cured by adjusting the inverter settings to cut off at 12.2V. The Quality inverter will usually have a battery charger built in to recharge at the campsites. Best feature of all on many inverters is their AC pass thru setup. You can visit kin and plug into a 15A outlet and yet almost everything will work without blowing a fuse . The inverter will Pump in Extra juice for a big demand like starting the air cond , with out exceding the 15A avilable. Should work great for PP cruising. FAST FRED |