[Ron]

Rocky

The rack is in fact a viewing platform/ topside patio as Jon stated. The rails popup like a short fence, as a safety help. Unique I guess

[Ron]

Harry

The low down can be found at craigslist houston. Not as warm as your Beaver. White is trending now though. The bus is a ’94. I am going to have go take a look. Any body want to come with me?

[Ron]

Ben,

I have read extensively regarding Li since I thought I wanted to add the long range fuel to my coach. The advantage of going to Li is I replace the AGM batteries of 640# and replace them with about 200# of Li. I could then relocate the Li to the first bay and in the space vacated add the fuel tank. Weight would go up but it seemed manageable.

Where I stopped short was when I tried to justify all that was entailed, from both a cost perspective and the actual benefit of having to spend less time at a fuel stop.

Since that was several years ago I presume some things have changed. Costs certainly have come down. As the technology matures I presume reliability has gone up. At this point I believe the coaches have crossed the line from user friendly to complexity for the sake of complexity (showing off).

So with that background here are my questions and concerns. Will an upgrade be more reliable than the seemingly bulletproof AGM / inverter set up we now have in pre-Li coaches? I know my costs associated with my coach are almost exclusively limited to 4 8D batteries every 5 years. What would the initial cost and ongoing cost of an Li system equivalent to what I have be?

An Li system has a lot of devices not in evidence on my system which is probably typical of most conversions. With the exception of an equalizer that I have, what devices would be needed to safely operate and control an Li system and is there any service history that would suggest those devices have lives measured in decades like what we have today? If you sense I am concerned about reliability it is a given. Future availability and support is also critical. The original Li system on some coaches is now out of date and a problem with an Li battery means all batteries and associated hardware have to be replaced. The cost is breathtaking. Any upgrade needs to be such WW Grainger will be carrying parts forever.

Would the Li system need more or less space?

I have 4 Cruiseairs. They are a known product with a decent track record. You suggest other types of AC units. Would they be a split system? I know there are new technology split systems with low current draw, but my idea of ideal is not as much based on current draw but noise level and reliability. With the Cruiseair evaporators currently in place I get some fan noise that is acceptable, but if a lower power draw was available instead of running two units, I could run all four and each evaporator’s fan speed would be lower making a significant difference in noise level. Practical? Cost? Roof airs are out of the question.

Since I am done tweaking most things on my coach to give me features I consider important I am left with features I find annoying. Crestron may be nice, and it may be improved by going to ipads, but would be really nice is just a simple switch to do things I want to do. I don’t want to have to go to a Crestron remote just to open a pocket door or turn on a light over the sink. I want switches where I need switches. Is that practical or is the cost to do that unjustifiable? Whether it is Crestron or ipads or whatever I cannot see how going through different screens to turn on a light or lock a door or do other simple tasks is better than a small bank of switches near where the task needs to be. In other words is there a way to go backwards to the good old days when there were switches where we needed them, and that my switch to turn on a light did not open or close my neighbors shades? And one more thing. Can the system be made so I don’t have to have it programmed? I don’t want to find out in 10 years the system is no longer supported and it needs to be “upgraded”.

[Ron]

Thank you – each of you. I will go back over and check those items. I do know the Prevost gauges indicate nearly 27 v on the 24 v side and about 14 v on the 12 v side. I assume they are correct but I will confirm.

Wave

[Ron]

Does the new Raspberry system use the little Raspberty Pi computer?

[Ron]

would prevost have this valve?

[Ron]

The “blue nano” technology is great marketing; it may be decent engineering too. I personally think you are better off changing your regular filter once a year ($60), but going with the blue version ($200) won’t hurt anything but your wallet.

I find the claim of cost savings for extended service intervals on air filters strange. I do have some experience operating diesel engines in very dusty environments. When disking/tilling the fields our tractor operates in a literal cloud of dust depending on wind direction. I have an upgraded dual air filter setup with outer and inner filters. Operating in this dusty enviroment requires daily filter maintenance. Primarily vacuuming the outer filter and ensuring the inner filter remains clean (i.e. no perforations). Despite daily vacuuming, the filter needs to be replaced no later than 100 hours.

I wish my lungs were as easily serviced as the air filters

Gerald

[Ron]

double post

[Ron]

Sheesh Harry, I hope you get your bus back soon, breath in, breath out….

The last thing I want is to get an e-mail every time someone reacts to a post I made, I wouldn’t have time to count all the money Jon and I are making. By the way, pay your freaking dues, you’re late.

Pres – Nice comment coming from a guy on a computer most of the day, you do realize your dues are paid, right?

[Ron]

Fred,

Once a year I get lucky with something I’ve learned. That’s it for this year!

[Ron]

Patrick

Thank you for your willingness to help. I am glad you have not left. I just got off the phone with the dealership and they could not tell me what the M5000 chasis is. Then I asked if it had the otr ac. It did not. Thanks for the help.

Ron

[Ron]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the 1998 XL being offered by Panterra Coach?

Thank you,

Bob

[Ron]

Hey Ron,

Its a nice looking coach and the reason it doesn’t say Prevost is because it isn’t! I spoke with Wes at Prevost parts and gave him the VIN number. He told me it ain’t a Prevost number!

Harry

[Ron]

Patrick

Thanks for the offer. I will take all the help you are willing to give. As some have shared already they are located in Princeton TX. The bus is a 2001 Featherlite Vogue. I have been away from my computer this morning or I would have responded faster to your offer. They are claiming the bus is on a Prevost chasis but there are no Prevost logo on the bus which makes me wonder.

Thanks again.

[Ron]

Deleted. I looked at the wrong one.