My Bus, AKA a "Skoolie" Options

[Neon Moon]

I'd like more information about your composting toilet.

Rick

Here you go Rick: http://weblife.org/humanure/index.html

Smitty

[Neon Moon]

Pantry & firewood storage doors painted & hardware on them. Got the gas piping (1/2" black iron) finished and stubbed out the rear of the bus today.



I found a Magnum MS 2812 2800 watt (sine wave) inverter with 125 amp charger on Amazon for just under $1700 delivered (at least $200 cheaper than any other I'd seen), so I have it heading this way, and I'm waiting for a shipping quote on:

4 - Concorde PVX-2580L (8D) Deep Cycle AGM Battery 12 Volt, 255 AH
1 - Morningstar TriStar 60 amp MPPT solar charge controller
1 - Morningstar TS-RM-2 TriStar MPPT Remote Digital Meter
4 - Kyocera KD205GX-LPU, 205 Watt Solar Panel

I'd like to add a couple additional panels later on. I will have a lot of real estate on the bus roof

Smitty

[Neon Moon]

Installed the new thermostat on the chest freezer today (to allow use as a 'fridge). Now I can keep some grub in the bus and avoid all those hamburgers





I mounted the receptacle "catty-wampus" because otherwise the cord(s) would have stuck 6-7" out from the wall. (all this will get enclosed in a cabinet). I added a 1/2" mini-clamp lined with a piece of pipe insulation to prevent the cord from being jarred out of the receptacle (not that it would, "just in case").



Also re-routed the cord out the rear of the "fridge" instead of where the plastic clamp-block is on the lower left-hand corner (which is the front RH corner of the freezer).



Last time the lid should be off the panel now that the 'fridge is powered.



Smitty

[Rae]

Installed the new thermostat on the chest freezer today (to allow use as a 'fridge). Now I can keep some grub in the bus and avoid all those hamburgers

Awesome progress!

[Neon Moon]

Thanks Rae! Well, we got the closets built in the rear. I bought a 30" bi-fold door, and took it apart giving me 2-15" panels. Had to trim one down to 12", and both were trimmed to 72" in height.



With a 12" door (not yet hung in this pic), this one has pretty much already been designated as the broom closet



Got the doors on the bulkhead storage over the bed (on right) as well:



Oh, wait until you see the "elevator" I'll be adding to the rear deck I can't climb a ladder any more, but will need to access the roof, so without owning a jet-pack....an elevator was the next best thing.

Ordered solar stuff today, so now nearly all the "painful" (expensive) items have been bought. Got a birthday coming-up in 2 months, I'd sure love to be living in the bus for it (and setting by a quiet pond somewhere in a lawn chair and holding a fishing pole), but I'm not counting on it.

Smitty

[Rae]

Wow, this is really coming together! I had the same experience in my great big remodel this winter--things look really rough until you start adding doors and trim.

The elevator idea is a hoot. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

[Bisbeebelle]

I am keeping tabs on this topic - I can't believe what all you've done! Are you still in Indiana, cause I'd love to see this thing in person. Be sure to post pics of the bathroom when finished - the design looks amazing!

[David & Lorn...]

Smitty's just showing off! His ulterior motive is to convert the stick-n-staples rv owners into skoolie nuts!

[Neon Moon]

I am keeping tabs on this topic - I can't believe what all you've done! Are you still in Indiana, cause I'd love to see this thing in person. Be sure to post pics of the bathroom when finished - the design looks amazing!

Yes, I will be at least until it's finished. After completion I'll make a local "test run" to one of the State Parks, then likely a more extended trip to a family members property in Tennessee (though it remains to be seen if the bus could make the climb up the drive. You're welcome to come see it any time you like, I'm in Anderson (25-30 miles NE of Indy). If you're near, or going to be, send me a PM a day or so in advance & we'll make arrangements.

Smitty's just showing off! His ulterior motive is to convert the stick-n-staples rv owners into skoolie nuts!

Haha....most of them probably think I'm nuts......and they may just be right

Going to order the galvanized roofing for the ceiling today. I procrastinated too much, and I guess nobody stocks plain galvanized any more....it's designer colors. My Magnum inverter was delivered yesterday, so now I can make a spot for it to call home.

Smitty

[Art (and Nancy)]

Wow! I did a school bus conversion in 1974-1976 and it looked nothing like this. I am embarassed (but did have many happy years traveling in it).

[Neon Moon]

EDIT: I DID finally locate some galv roofing. There's a smaller lumber co I'd forgotten about....so much for the "big" stores

Hi Art! Well....technology you know I'm making sure I'll be comfortable living in it.

Ceiling:



Heat-shielding around wood stove:



Got the inverter set into place, but need to mount batteries to be sure everything will fit:





Gave-up on trying to buy some barn siding, was holding-up progress, so I went the tin route in the head as well. If you look close, you can see the moon in the door is lit-up. I tried taking a pic with no flash, but it didn't turn-out. Only got 1/2 completed before it was time to call it a day :





This post has been edited by Neon Moon: Apr 18 2010, 08:38 PM

[David & Lorn...]

I think you need to apply an aged faux finish to all that shiny tin.

[Rae]

Not sure I could live with the tin, but it looks good!

[Neon Moon]

It's good for light reflection, same reason I went with lighter colors on the forward walls in the bus. Since I'll pretty much be a fulltime-boondocker, any little thing that will lower power requirements from the batteries works for me. Also, remember the flash of a camera is pretty bright, so it's not like I'll be living in the Funhouse of Mirrors

I could do a vinegar wash & dull the galvanize brightness, but it will dull on it's own over time. I'm leaving it as-is until I get moved-in and actually spend time in it. I can always knock the shine down later. I'm actually saving a few finishing touches until after I'm moved in. Figured it'd give me something to do.

Picked-up steel today for the roof & rear decks. We'll probably start cutting them this week, but can't add anything to the roof where I'm currently parked, so I'll be moving the bus to the loading dock when the time comes.

I made a template & had 11ga pieces rolled to match the radius of the roof. These will support the framing for the decking.



and the 8" channel to extend the frame in the rear for the "back porch"



Smitty

[Dan Freedman]

You have done (are doing) a truly remarkable job, and it is a pleasure to read about it and see the pictures.

I have nothing much to add, other than to put in a photo of a job that is also remarkable, but for perhaps completely the opposite reasons.

 25473_1431529351009_1316152178_1156178_6801587_n.jpg ( 54.76K ) Number of downloads: 82


Thanks for sharing - it has been great to watch.

Dan

[Bisbeebelle]

I am keeping tabs on this topic - I can't believe what all you've done! Are you still in Indiana, cause I'd love to see this thing in person. Be sure to post pics of the bathroom when finished - the design looks amazing!

DH and I had the opportunity to go see the skoolie in person today and boy were we impressed! Smitty has so much talent and is really creative when it comes to details. Thanks, Smitty, for the tour and keep us posted on your progress.

[Neon Moon]

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to reply to you Dan. I've seen pics of the Pig Bus before, pretty interesting! I admire someone who can build things like that. Appreciate the compliments! I will make it a point to update the progress, I must admit I'm surprised at the interest shown in my bus.

DH and I had the opportunity to go see the skoolie in person today and boy were we impressed! Smitty has so much talent and is really creative when it comes to details. Thanks, Smitty, for the tour and keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks for the compliments! Was very nice to meet you both today. After you left, I regretted not telling you that you weren't keeping me from doing anything, you could have visited longer if you didn't have any where to be, I'd have enjoyed the company. After you left, I painted a little.....I'd have rather visited

I think we're going to start cutting steel tomorrow (for the roof deck) so I can start welding on them, maybe remove the rear bumper as well. Need to finish welding the seams on the skins covering the old window openings too, but I have to do that setting in the basket on one of the fork-trucks. This week was intended to be spent on the exterior of the bus....needless to say it hasn't happened yet.

Smitty

This post has been edited by Neon Moon: Apr 20 2010, 09:39 PM

[Neon Moon]

We got the supports set & tacked-up:



And finish-welded, (no overhead room to attach them to the bus roof until it's moved to a different loction in the building):



Got the batteries set in place:



And 60 amp charge controller & remote meter were delivered today. I expect the PV panels the 1st of the week:



Above the shower water-proofed (FRP) (all but a small strip in the back):



And started some body-work:



Smitty

[Rae]

You might have mentioned this, but what kind of batteries are you using?

I'm only asking because my batteries are in a compartment that's tight like that and watering them is a huge pain the you know what. Of course, if you have AGM batteries you don't have to think about such things.

I'm sure you've thought of all the eventualities; I'm not criticizing your set up, just curious about it.

[dreamscape]

Great looking Skoolie. I'm not that familiar with them, but it looks like you have it covered!

Are you havin' fun yet!

I think buses are the way to go anyway, they are built solid and ready for many miles!