Well, our time out west has been a wonderful opportunity to see new places, people and gain new experiences. It's also allowed me to get into the bus even more! From the last post, I continued to research, inspect and clean new areas in order to find a way to logically turn off any water hoses from the engine toward the front of the bus so that we're not so hot when driving.
Recap:
Originally when purchased, there was no on board generator to operate the A/C system. Instead, we purchased a 3500w inverter/generator to operate the A/C roof unit when parked. The blowers (left and right inside the system under the 3rd bays near the bogie) did not function via the switch on the dash. Also, the blower under the driver's seat (behind the front bumper) did not work. So, basically, when driving with the windows shut, door shut, the bus (especially in Florida or anywhere in the south) was super hot. No air movement except for the 12v fans inside that were already installed.
We have the inverter to run the one rooftop A/C unit but like all forum/verbal/website debates, it was a toss up to risk running it down the road while driving since it's the type you wheel anywhere for work sites, camping or sitting next to the bus while boondocking.
Bottom line:
Blowers in the A/C area in bay 3 now work. Had a friend review the manuals with me, test all connections and somehow he made some type of connection to make the solenoids click on; guess they were stuck by NOT being used. In a test drive: windows closed up and blowers on, the only thing it did was make it hot and windier inside so I turned them off. I thought, "Man, if it would just blow natural fresh air inside from the out!"
The mystery continued on where/how to keep the water pipes flowing in the engine area and not run up toward the front. I mean, looking at the manual (pics incl), you can see the layout that there is a shut off valve under the floor panels somewhere. Last time I posted, I think I found it but I didn't get any replies so let things be for now.
Solution to cooling the bus while driving till I can find more answers? Run the inverter/generator and get the A/C cranking the cool air!
Some say that because it's a gas running inverter that the heat of the engine could be an issue (heat) but I created a fire wall with plenty of openness to allow for air flow to both generator and bus engine. Besides, my engine gauge always show it to run at 170F average (at least that's what my gauge says and I keep an eye on it constantly.
Reading up some more on the manual (new pics added), Chapter 13, pgs 13D/39-42, I noticed some more info. It seems that heat/cool inside the bus is monitored or controlled by a mechanism called the gradustat. If the bus's AC system is running like a tour bus should, then I can see how all this ties together. However, in my case, the engine seems to be heating/cooling itself based on it's own internal fluids and ambient weather conditions. Many folks who have seen my situation or heard of it basically say that it sounds like the engine's water pipes run through the bus and head toward the front heating it up. Either cap it off back at the engine with shut off valves so they can also be opened for winter weather or find a shut off valve elsewhere.
Could the gradustat be the answer...or one of the answers? If so, could blocking the morse code looking metal tab called the Bi-metal strip (page 13D-39, Figure 13D-46 at the bottom of the page (located inside the floor vent, driver's side mounted on side wall) with something allow me to drive the bus and NOT have this thing make a connection to tell the heating coil to turn on? I'm thinking this sounds like a thermostat in a car.
Another option which I still can't find an answer to is the yellow tag from the last post above that goes to a valve in front of the booster pumps in the floor (see pics/post). The two schematics after page 13D-42, chapter 13, show it to be called the Main Liquid Solenoid but this is for high pressure liquid (not sure what type?). There are also two modulation valves next to the blowers that run hot coolant to the evaporator and heater coil and since the air is hot when I turn the blowers on while running down the road, I thought this could/might be something else related?
I guess the best news of all this is, I'm getting better at taking chances on learning about the bus and reading/researching more on how to find answers but you know what? The internet is a BIG hole and sometimes, the answers aren't there. So, here I post hoping that it sounds logical about what I'm experiencing and how I'm overcoming some of the heat issues till I learn what/if the things I've mentioned can be resolved at all.
My goals down the road will eventually have solar power on the roof, A/C units, battery bank, etc... but till then, it would be great to shut something down to limit the heat at the engine instead of bringing it in the bus, find a fresh air solution to the blowers so they can run while driving down the road. Add better commercial 12v fans inside and let my hair blow!
One last thing. The front blower under the captain's seat designed to cool off the front driver's area. Motor is shot. Needs to be rebuilt and I'll be researching that but it's out and nestled in the bay. It, too, is another factor like the back blowers on whether it'll blow hot air at me or cool. (pics incl).
Two more weeks till we leave for Colorado. Still want to visit with Wayne and Jim (if possible!)
Eric
Ham: KE4RIC
Cell: Call/Text anytime: 904-910-8708
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- Gradustat Detail.JPG (79.34 KiB) Viewed 584 times
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- Gradustat Operation Details.JPG (117.51 KiB) Viewed 584 times
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- Heating_A_C Funtion Layout.JPG (70.13 KiB) Viewed 584 times
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- Driver's Blower.JPG (66.77 KiB) Viewed 584 times
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- Driver Blower name plate.JPG (119.71 KiB) Viewed 584 times
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- Driver Blower Length.JPG (160.62 KiB) Viewed 584 times
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- Driver Blower Width.JPG (156.81 KiB) Viewed 584 times