Bus sleep-over
16 July 2009
Chris wanted to have some friends over before we leave for TN. There were 7 kids in all (including Chris and Nick) and they stayed on the bus. They had set up tv's with Xbox's and we also set up the portable air conditioner. The A/C worked good and kept the interior cool. I posted a few pictures so you can see the kids. I'm not sure how much sleep they got because everytime I checked in on them, they were NOT sleeping...LOL.
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Electrical fixed (I hope...)
16 July 2009
Took the bus back to the shop and whatever was causing the volts to drop is now fixed. (I hope).
Posted at: 09:07 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Electrical setbacks...
15 July 2009
Well, I have the bus at home but have to drop it off again tomorrow. I originally dropped it off last week to have the blinkers fixed! While it was having electrical wiring work, I had them add a 12V outlet for phone, GPS, etc. I also had them install wiring for a radio/CD player. They called on Friday and said the bus was ready to be picked up. I got there, paid the bill and then went to drive home. NO BLINKERS... I went and spoke with the mechanic who worked on the bus and he said he had no idea that he was to work on the blinkers! I told him that was the main reason I brought the bus in and showed him the work order (which he had a copy of) and it clearly stated at the very top "BLINKERS". It was almost 5PM and he said to leave the bus over the weekend and he will work on it Monday.
I call Monday afternoon and it's still not ready... I call right before 5PM (closing time) and they say it is ready for pick-up. I arrive yesterday morning and the bill is $260... WOW! Keep in mind that there was NO parts involved and it was just a matter of tracing a short! Also keep in mind that I already paid $140 for very limited wiring work! (I provided the 12V outlet, they provided the wiring). Needless to say, I felt ripped off! When I complained about the bill I was told (originally) that there was 5 hours labor involved (that was later changed to 6 hours labor). I WAS NOT VERY HAPPY! But what could I do?
I get in the bus and start it up. The first thing I do is turn on the blinkers and check them. Yes, they are working! Then I turn on the A/C and the fan does not come on? I go looking for the mechanic again and he comes back over to the bus. He opens the electrical panel and messes with a few of the wires and the fan kicks in. He says it's a loose connection and fixes it. (I think he had it unplugged).
I leave with a sinking feeling... On the way home, the electrical drops about every 2 minutes or so? When this happens, I can see the volt meter drop to nothing for just a second and then it goes back up? What the hell? Now I'm worried about getting stuck on the road but I am over half way home and just keep going. When I get home I call the owner (Carl) and he speaks with the mechanic. They determine that it must be a loose connection at the ignition (where he worked on the wiring for the 12V adapter and radio wiring). I have to bring the bus back in first thing this morning!
To be continued...
Posted at: 04:18 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
10 days away...
10 July 2009
Well, we are now only 10 days away from the big move! Big-Bird is in the shop getting the blinkers fixed (gotta have em for the trip) and I pick her up tomorrow.
All major issues have been addressed: new alternator, tranny fluid leak (bad gasket at the pan), leaks in the roof (water coming in at emergency roof exits and A/C mounting bars), all fluids changed, blinkers, seats, etc.
She is running great and I pray for a smooth journey. Heather has been packing for weeks now and there are many boxes ready to be loaded. I'll start loading on Monday!
Posted at: 02:51 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Door modification.
29 June 2009
I chose to modify the front door. I wanted it to open in a more traditional fashion rather than the jack-knife bus style. It was easy to do and I like the extra room it gives in the entry. I used salvaged metal from the seats to support the modification. It works well and the door opens and closes nicely. I've been having computer problems and have not been able to post to this site. Hopefully the problems were just temporary and do not return.
Posted at: 01:26 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
New Drivers Seat
22 June 2009
While a new drivers seat was not a priority, I couldn't pass up the good deal. I was on craigslist and saw a pair of captain chairs for $75. Out of curiousity, I called the number and inquired about them. They came out of a mini-van and are like new. While I didn't need the pair, he wouldn't seperate them and just sell me one. So I offered him $40 (sight unseen) for the pair and the guy said yes. They are in fact in great shape and I have installed one as the drivers seat. It's perfect! Nice and comfy and the arm rests will come in handy for highway driving. Now I just need to figure out what I will do with the other one?
Posted at: 10:11 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Starting to pack!
18 June 2009
With the move just a month away, Heather has started packing/boxing things up! 
My concern is making sure "Big Bird" is in good running order. Nothing would be worse than getting stuck on the side of the road along with everything we own. 
Posted at: 05:43 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
New alternator
16 June 2009
I had to shop around for an alternator for the bus. I had to choose between new and rebuilt. The cheapest rebuilt I could find was $130 and it was only 100 AMPs. With the air conditioner and lift and the fact that the original one was 130 AMPs, I chose not to go that route. I bought a brand new one for $179. It's a Bosch 12V 160 AMP. I bought it from Carl at TRS Electric off of Silver Star Road. He has the contract to supply them to Orange County for their school buses and he gave me mine at the same price they pay, $179.
It wasn't the easiest mechanical job I've ever done due to the lack of work space. I couldn't get to it from the front or underside and had to get at it from inside the bus under the doghouse cover. With limited space and view, it was hard to see (especially since I am blind in one eye). I'm very happy that it is done!
Now the electrical system is working normally and I can run everything. Well, almost! I still have not been able to figure out why the turn signals do not work? I will most likely take it in to TRS Electric (where I bought the alternator) and let them fix it. While I have it there, I'll have them charge the A/C with freon.
I removed the "STOP" signs from the side of the bus yesterday. For now, I'm just going to cover the holes with metal tape to keep the rain out. The holes aren't that big so that should work just fine for the move. When we get up to Tennessee (if we keep the bus) I'll make a more permanent repair.
Not much left to take care of and it will be ready for the trip. Right at one month away now! I do want to get a window air conditioner for when we stop for the night. I'll make a template for the emergency exit window so it can go up and down very easily. I'll take pictures when I do it.
Posted at: 10:56 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Alternator
15 June 2009
I took "Big Bird" down to the local NAPA auto parts store on Friday and had the batteries and alternator checked out. The batteries were a little weak but passable. The alternator is shot and was only putting out 5 volts. The plan is to remove it and have it rebuilt. I found a local shop that rebuilds alternators and I will be contacting them tomorrow.
Posted at: 02:26 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Bus Tables
8 June 2009
The table hardware (wall brackets, leg hinges & cup holders) came in on Friday.
Today I went to a friends shop where he built the two tables needed for the bus.
Thanks Mark, you did an awsome job!!! Mark Ely is an awsome carpenter/cabinet maker. He was trained in the old ways and can build anything. I can see why he is in high demand. Building these two tables was childs play and he wipped them up in no time. Mark provided the materials, all of which he had laying around his shop. Thanks again Mark, much appreciated!
Not much else is going to be done to the bus for the move. I have moved a few windows around placing one of the "emergency exit" windows up front where we will be. I did the for two reasons: 1. No reason to have the emergency exit window back where are stuff will be. 2. I plan to make a template that will easily slide in and out of the emergency window for an air conditioner. The wall a/c unit will only be put in when we are stopped for the night at camp grounds. It will be stored under one of the seats and I want to be able to easily put it in. I'll put a few pictures up when I am done with it.
The only other thing I really need to put in are a few 12 V electrical outlets. I am real surprised that there are none of these for the bus drivers? I guess they don't promote cell phone charging to folks who drive our kids around... LOL. I think I'll install a dual outlet (one for a cell phone charger and the other for my GPS). I found one on-line for less than $10.
Oh, I need to have the bus a/c system looked at. Everything seems to be working but the air is not very cold. Hopefully it just needs a freon charge.
Posted at: 10:44 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Big Bird up-date.
31 May 2009
Not much news to report about Big Bird. I pressure washed the bus inside and out as it needed it pretty bad. After sitting on that dirt lot for a couple of years (with windows open), It really needed it.
I have removed the "school bus" letters as in some states it is illegal to have them on the vehicle unless it is being used for that function.
The letters came off easy with a razor scrapper. I don't know why they use a grinder to remove the letters "Broward" at the bus facility as it does a lot of damage.
I ordered the table hardware and it should be here sometime this week. Cheaper than I thought, less than $30 for everything (both tables). I'll take pictures once the tables are done and in place.
The countdown is on... Only 6 weeks left!
Posted at: 10:31 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
BIG BIRD Blog.
26 May 2009
Welcome to the "Big Bird" blog! I'll use this area to keep my friends and family posted on our progress here.
As most of you know, we are relocating from Central Florida to East Tennessee this Summer (July 2009).
I have chosen a rather unconventional method of moving us there. I have bought a retired school bus from the Broward County School District (Ft. Lauderdale) and will be using it as our moving truck.
Some may ask, where in the world would I get such an idea? Well, it's simple really, from my Dad! You see, after my father retired from the military we returned to a home he owned outside of the then closed Stewart AFB in Newburgh, NY. After a few years, Mom and Dad decided to relocate as they were not happy with the area. This was due mainly to the sluggish economy of the mid 70's. My parents had some good friends in San Antonio, TX (also retired Air Force) and this was chose as our destination. After getting some quotes from movers (very expensive) my dad thought that there must be a less expensive alternative. He bought a used school bus from the local school district and removed the seats. Instant moving truck...LOL. After selling the house the big yellow school bus was loaded with our belongings and off we started on our moving adventure. The front of the bus was converted into a make shift camper complete with bunk beds for us kids (4 of us) and a bench seat from an old VW camping van that my father found somewhere. The bench is where we would eat our meals and it converted into a bed where mom and dad would sleep. Mom had fashioned some drapes that would cover the windows at night. Dad drove the bus and mom followed driving the family car, an Olds Vista Cruiser station wagon. Us kids would take turns riding with mom to keep her company. I'll never forget when the bus and Vista Cruiser became separated in downtown Washington D.C. during rush hour! But that is a story for another time...LOL. We stayed at camp grounds (mainly KOA) and my parents made the move an adventure for us. We would stop at historical spots and interesting entertainment areas. Mom and Dad had decided to go all the way South to Florida for vacation before heading West to Texas. The beach, Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, etc. It was quite a memorable experience. So there you have it! It seemed a logical choice for my dad so why not carry on a family tradition? It makes perfect financial sense if you ask me once you calculate what moving services charge. It's money you can't recoup! At least I will still own the bus after the move and I can sell it, convert it into a homemade RV, use it as storage, etc.
Posted at: 05:17 AM | Permalink
