[Dorel]

My interest in these comparisons aren’t really economy based but something else. But trying to get a baseline by comparing what seems similar bus weights, speeds, towed weights, terrain etc. may be pointless – too many variables.

Since I’ve only put 18K miles on this bus, and no historical data, not much way to get a baseline on fuel economy, or what it should be, as far as indicating the need for an overhead.

I know what Detroit recommends. And for a tractor where tilting the hood makes valve cover entirely accessible I get it. Even though (thanks to Jon’s article) I’ve made engine access thru bedroom as good as it can get – replaced carpet with hardwood flooring allowing easy hatch removal – mattress still has to be moved to sofa and bed frame removed and tilted out of way in bedroom. It doesn’t cover access panel, but is so close it pretty much prevents access anyway.

And the issue with all that (obviously) is the success of an overhead job depends almost entirely on the competence of technician(s) and the mood and attention to detail on the day job is completed. Plenty of stories of overhead jobs making end result worse than before it was done. Again, on a tractor not nearly as big of a deal (other than downtime), but the bedroom situation -although much better than before planning for it – still a huge PIA.

Mine seems to run fine, jakes work well also. Only thing I have to compare with really is other’s fuel economy. And I don’t plan on “fixing it if it ain’t broke”.

[Dorel]

You will not cry. You have no tears left because CA has sucked you dry.

[Dorel]

DD60s Engine Air=

Fleetguard#AF25668, Fram#CA7113,

Donaldson(Blue) DBA5065,

Donaldson(std) P522874,

Baldwin PA2839,

Luber-finer LAF1839,

Wix 46623,

NAPA 6623

[Dorel]

I don’t think temperature measurement of the air in the engine bay or a compartment is going to be a good indicator, in most cases, that a fire is likely to start soon. A short or a fuel leak isn’t going to heat up the ambient air before igniting.

How about something like this?

Optical smoke detectors | Fire Protection in Vehicles (firedect.de)

[Dorel]

Yes, that would work. Unfortunately, in this instance the GFCI is built into the circuit breaker in the main panel.

[Dorel]

Then there’s the argument you put different/ better lock(s) on it and they take a crowbar to the fuel door. Instant $1000+ body repair bill. It would be cheaper if they just took the fuel even at today’s prices.

I learned about this concept when some meth heads broke into my prior storage room. Caused multiple $thousands damage trying to pry open entry door (they failed to get it open). While in storage, there’s nothing inside they can carry off quickly that comes to the cost of fixing the door. Read somewhere some coach fleet operators just leave them unlocked for this reason.

My solution has been motion detecting cameras in the storage facIlity and in the bus. I have UPS protected cellular wifi both locations. Alerts my cell phone if anyone gets near the building or in the bus.

For use while traveling something that integrated with the rear facing side cameras would be neat. You could also use 2 slightly rear canted Ring doorbells – one on each side of the bus mounted just aft of the doors. Install a loud electric alarm siren you can trigger from your phone such as with a wifi controlled outlet adapter.

If you have the Ford keyless entry pad, you could also add sensors to the fuel doors that would activate that alarm system.

[Dorel]

Yes mine is the Cam Concept that hangs and the hydraulic pistons push it out with more stress up top.

Looks like you have something better.

Later

bv

[Dorel]

So I had my meeting yesterday. It was a great meeting although it appears that my original plan will have to change some. My original plan was to have a pretty high-end both indoor and outdoor kitchen on the ground floor. Along with a small living room, full bath with indoor/outdoor shower, spare bedroom garage with lifts for 2 story car storage (not repairs) and undercover for the coach.

Now it appears that a full indoor kitchen downstairs will not work with the commercial zoning limitations. He is proposing that all residential space is on the second level and car and now “indoor” bus storage is on the ground level. this for sure changes some of the considerations. One will be the potential lack of privacy having the outside living area above the 8ft maximum fence line. Although views of the sunset will be greatly improved.

I will post more specifics as the develop.

Bill III

[Dorel]

Thank You, This was a really fun project that made a big improvement.

[Dorel]

So where has the log out box gone ?

That disappeared overnight…

AL

[Dorel]

Any updates on this?

[Dorel]

I agree Jon. I have a Bucees and a Loves about 5 miles from where I store the bus. I used to stop at Bucees to fill up but with the auto traffic and the time it takes to put 120 gallons in the camper (about 30 minutes), I gave up and went back to Loves. At Loves it takes less than 10 minutes to fill up and with the EFS card the price difference is inconsequential. The price today is actually nine cents per gallon cheaper at Loves. Usually, Loves is 2 to 5 cents more.

[Dorel]

Shouldn’t matter at all, except for pressure relief valves or electric switch type pressure sensors because the 2 gases have slightly different pressures.

[Dorel]

Generator still functional but small oil leak. Thank you for your response the generator is still functional but apparently there’s some small oil leak. Obviously I’ll get a full rundown with Gill Johnson and Prevost maintenance facility

[Dorel]

Thank you, Bill!!!