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Newbie Question About Prevost Conversion
Hi Folks!
I am brand new to the Prevost world having just picked up a 1997 H3-45 that I am planning to convert into a tour bus for my band.
I had an old 1983 MCI MC-9 that had been converted to an RV with generators, separate power, air conditioners, propane furnace, etc. It worked okay, but it seemed like a big waste to have two air conditioning systems, two heaters, and two sources of electrical power—one powered by the engine and one powered by the generator.
Can I just idle the engine overnight on this H3-45 to power the electric and air conditioning, or is that a real dumb idea?
Thank you very much for your input.
Todd
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24 Replies
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In your post above…….
3ad paragraph…after the comma is your answer.
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Why?
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Running heat and A/C on high idle (at least 1000rpm) for some hours should be ok.
Doing it for days/nights on end will increase engine wear. All diesel engine manufacturers warn against excessive idling.
Never use low idle for extended periods. The engine will not be at operating temperature, fuel will not completely atomize, alternator will not be charging well.
Gerald
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The other problem is it isn’t legal in some states. CA comes to mind…
wait… I looked. “most” states….
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Thank you. That is helpful.
Are there a particular generator systems that you could recommend?
I have been searching a lot online, but not finding a lot of info on Prevost bus conversions. There is ton out there on MCI conversions, but not as much for Prevost.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Todd
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The best answers to your excellent questions is to go look at other coaches and copy what they have done as far as systems.
I don’t know how you intend to use the coach, but what you will see are ideas you can tailor to your application. The devices and systems you will see are going to be common to a lot of coaches and those system designs have evolved so do not try to be real creative until you actually have experience with those systems.
Reinventing the wheel is an admirable trait, but before you can do that you have to start with an understanding of the wheel you did not invent.
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Thank you Jon. I have been doing that, and perhaps I just need to keep doing that. The problem I am running into is that while I can come up with a list of major components—generators, air conditioning units, etc.—what is not as obvious is like are there systems that automatically switch from the house power to the generator, or is that done manually? How about if the bus is connected to shore power?
I certainly don’t expect anyone to go through and write out how to do a conversion into an entertainer coach for a touring band, but if anyone knows of resources that may have that information, I would really appreciate learning where those resources are—particularly if there is something specific to Prevost.
Thanks again.
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Welcome Todd…..
Is that a seated coach or entertainer? Assuming it’s an entertainer, Floyd on the side, most all have at least 1 and many times 2 generators. Has the generator been removed?
Nice looking, Dark Side of the Moon.
Jon won’t have a clue what that means……
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Todd, check out the Home Builders section here on PC. These guys are really talented and can point you in the right direction.
Not sure what part of the country you’re in, but if you happen to be in the Phoenix area, stop by Taylor Tours in Anthem. They could give you ways to go about what you want to do.
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Hi Todd, wouldn’t it be easier just to buy a couch that’s already set up for what you need… just saying.
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With all respect, to attempt to build this thing out from scratch can result in a coach that will give you trouble and more trouble from the very beginning. You do not want to be leaving one gig going to another and wondering if it is going to function according to your needs. (Basic transportation and living accommodations.)
We rebuilt an older coach once from the bodies of two coaches and had great help but there is nothing like buying a coach with a lot of the basic installation done. The danger in dealing with the electricity and the distribution to the various appliances is extreme !! It will take a master electrician to complete and approve the work done if for no other reason for safety’s sake. One mistake and you can be toast. It is powerful stuff.
For a band set up with which I am not really all that familiar, you may need a generator that can run 30,000 hours if I am correct in understanding what some of these entertainers do. They get cranked up and only shut down when changing the oil every 100 hours or so. Think about the generator as being the heart of the coach. It must operate well at all times providing the power to cool, probably heat and power all other facets of the coach (television, lights, battery charges, amps, etc.) Super important !
I agree with the idea of backing up and starting over with another coach … with a better understanding of the tasks at hand. If you are planning on writing off these expenses, also check with your accountant as to timing, revenues, qualified expenses and records… etc.
Just my thoughts. Hope they help.
Very best to you,
Pres
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Todd, It looks like you are trying to turn a seated bus into an entertainer. That,s almost like the entertainer converters starting with a bare shell, except you have to gut it. Makes no sense! An entertainer conversion is light years different than a motorhome conversion and an attempt to make one into the other is fruitless and actually more expensive. It sure sounds like you should look to by a used entertainer with the number of bunks you require. They are built for that purpose and will have 1 or even 2 gen-sets and requisite AC. There are plenty out there for sale in all price ranges and do not let 400k-700k in mileage scare you, it is all about maintainance history. Geo.
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Todd…
Just another vote to review your needs & buy to those needs rather than a DIY project if you’re going to count on the coach for commercial (band transport) use. DIY is fine, and fun for some of us, but if you are looking to maintain schedules and keep folks happy on the road, let the pro converters do it. We are based out of the Nashville, TN area, and there are no shortage of conversions for sale that should fit your needs at a relatively reasonable price (and trades are doable). Just my opinion, but I would think you’ll be money and headaches ahead.
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THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!
I very much appreciate the feedback. I will take a look to see if I can find a used entertainer coach that is already set up.
The one I have is a seated coach, so it would have to be gutted. I did this once before with an MCI MC-9 coach and learned a lot, but I feel as though there is just a lot I don’t know about these.
What is a good resource for finding some of the used entertainer coaches out there?
I really appreciate your time and responses.
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Todd: I have to concur with what everyone else has said. Starting with a seated coach and trying to turn it into an entertainer coach is a HUGE project. You need to be a skilled rough and finish carpenter, master electrician (with the significant knowledge of DC power as well as AC power), master plumber, cabinet maker, skilled steel and aluminum fabricator, advanced Corian/solid surface fabricator, expert tile/wood floor installer, and AV technician.
Look for a used entertainer that has the layout/bunks that you think you will need. You’re probably doing to find then to have one 20kW Kohler or Martin or PowerTech generator (possibly a second 12kW to 20kW), four (or probably five) roof A/C units (possibly heat pumps).
Senators, Wade Staley, etc. is probably what you’d run into. Some of these companies have done hundreds and hundreds of entertainer coaches, know what works and doesn’t work, and have gone up learning curves that none of us even know exist.
Good luck. Please keep us apprised of your search.
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