[John]

TIM, are and Cindy both insured for the bus?

I was told by Nationwide that if both spouses are insured, the coach insurance cost is lower…but if the “better” one gets a traffic ticket for any reason, Fault or not, your rates will increase…

[John]

There were some Country Coach conversions that used 385 tires and I think they had some modifications to make them work. If I am not mistaken they did not use the standrard air bags but I do not know if that was an axle weight or clearance issue.

[John]

Ben

Thanks for sending me to that thread. I had no idea. That is a quite spirited discussion. When I asked the question of how many ah that Mark had with his battery bank, I had no idea. I was wondering why such angst was directed to that question. Glad to see others know that Li can and does work well in buses.(As well as solar). I just got a new smart phone last week as did Jane. For two days she went on and on and on how she wished she had not got the new phone. Three days later she did a 180. How glad she is she got the new phone. I think the same is true with any new tech. While Li is not perfect yet, In 5 years, maybe less it will be the norm.

I have made my mind up as to where I stand on Li as I have studied it for almost 2 years, what I really need to learn about is the 4 way ac system in the Prevost, and how well they work, and what everyone’s experience has been.

Again, thanks Ben and everyone who has helped thus far.

Ron

[John]

There are going to be people that embrace new technology that has the promise of better performance or ways to make things easier or more convenient.

Having said that I do not think any of the improvements are of any value unless they are at least as reliable as what we now have, and in fact have even better reliability. I’ll use Lifeline batteries as an example. Those of us that have years of experience with our existing systems know exactly what we have and its limitations. From experience I have learned my Lifelines are going to get 5 years of use, at which time they will barely go through the night without getting down to a low voltage. So at that point I replace them and start the cycle all over again.

I have never had an equalizer failure (I have a 12/24V house) or an inverter failure. So my house battery system has a known service life and as long as I don’t push the limits and try to squeeze another year or two from my batteries I don’t have to do much more than occasionally monitor voltages and my charging cycles.

The owners of production coaches with Li batteries were led to believe their systems were even better and the longer life and ability to rebuild the batteries cheaper than replacing them made the economics work. The reality is the batteries had issues relating to the manufacturer’s quality. Then when they had to be replaced after as little as 5 years it was learned the design had changed, they were not rebuildable, and instead of just replacing a failed or damaged battery the entire set had to be replaced at a rather breathtaking cost.

So being a cynic I would first want to see a set of 15 year old batteries that are exactly like the new ones I would consider installing. That would give me some comfort knowing the product has the promised life, and more importantly it shows there will be a means of getting a direct replacement.

Then I would run some numbers. Lifeline batteries are the same today as they were when I first started buying them. Same dimensions, same battery posts, and the company has been around for a long time. Would the Li battery manufacturer have a similar history? And if so what is the initial cost and how long would I plan to own the coach? As a group we are not shy about spending money to improve our coaches, but the improvements have to be tangible. The only immediate and measurable benefit of going to Li is weight savings and more energy storage per pound or cubic inch. The way I use my coach I would be willing to pay for that benefit, but I need proof the benefit is not going to be offset by poor reliability or lack of future service or availability.

[John]

To fill the OTR system on the Prevost you need to make sure that the Carrier compressor is running on all 6 cylinders. They all need to be working and then you can use the guide of liquid in the receiver tank lower sight glass. The level should be no higher than the middle of the sight glass (colored bead bouncing in the liquid refrigerant).

If all the cylinders are loaded then they should all be warm to hot to the touch. The center cylinders are on with the clutch activating. The outer cylinders are controlled by pressure or electrical unloaders. The unloaders are used to control the low side pressure so that the system can work in warm to cool temperatures without cycling the clutch on the low pressure switch.

If you make sure these are working then your recharge will be more acurate and you will not under-fill or over-fill the system.

[John]

We’ve stayed at the KOA and it was very tight but doable.

We also stayed at the Cheyenne Mountain State Park. We had a long pull thru, parallel to the road and the view was fantastic. We got there early in the a.m. to get a spot.

[John]

I may be incorrect in this but it probably is not a “stretched belt” problem. Something is obviously out of whack that is causing this to happen. Check the foundation (bolts loosened, brackets cracked or broken?, etc..) Mine went out of line and it was the bracket holding the back of the radiator assembly as well as air pressure.

The fan was “leaning slightly” … after the coach got underway and higher RPMs were being experienced, the system actually was also losing pressure which allowed the fan to not be held firmly in place by the required pressure…. a couple of issues that are not hard to solve.

Pres

[John]

Jon,

I have two roof vents … One for the fresh water tank and one for the black tank. They don’t mix. I believe the grey is vented thru the four individual plumbing fixtures under the two sinks, shower, and washer.

I don’t make stuff up unless it relates to D.C., and then anything you say these days people will believe!

[John]

I agree, if you can raise the right rear using level low, that points to the right leveling valve being out of whack.

[John]

I would be sure to remove power to the dead heater as well as shut off the coolant loop to the heaters.

[John]

I’m just curious since capacities seem important, my question is why?

I have no clue and had no clue about any of my capacities. If I knew them I think it would lead to determining how many minutes of shower time we were allowed and how many toilet flushes it would take to fill the holding tank.

I do know we can live in the coach for a minimum of 5 days without dumping or filling, and 7 if we get stingy with how much water we use.

[John]

Looks like we have enough to go the larger shelterhouse(holds 1500) even though it is to large. the other is 60 max. I just returned from a uneventful trip! As I entered drive the gen set ran out of fuel—-dang cut that one sort of close. Looking foward to meeting people behind screen names. Any special request???? Bob Will– there will be fruit-fritters!!!!

[John]

Thanks Marius! Ordered

Doug

[John]

No need to come up my driveway with your bus. My bus is already over the pit so you can practice by greasing my bus.

Be aware in my previous post I mentioned using a stick. If you overgrease my fittings I will beat you about the head and shoulders with the stick.

Don’t forget to bring soft clean rags because I would expect you to finish the lube job by polishing my slack adjusters.

[John]

Jon,

Thanks for the reply. Very disconcerting to find the front end in such shape.

I might consider coming by for a greasing lesson over your pit, if your driveway wasn’t so scary.