We bought a bus! need a few pieces of advice and a build thread of sorts!

EuroJoe

Adventurer
We bought a 1966 MCI motorhome, an old coach converted into a camper. its prety sweet and we are in the process of getting it registered here in CT. I have heard of registering through an LLC in Montana, but a full timer at work kind of warned me off of that. Can anyone give me some input? thanks

Also I need to pick up a battery charger for the house batteries, they charge off the motor when its running, but when we are plugged into shore power or using the generator the previous owner used a battery charger to top them up. we only use the 12v for the forced air heat (propane) and the fridge needs 12v and propane or 110v shore/generator so any suggestions on a charger would be great!

We are in the process of insulating the luggage bays so that we can use the water systems while boondocking at ski resorts her in the winter. using 1inch board and a heat source (lamp or fan) for the fresh water and RV anti freeze for the grey and black tanks.

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New Style V-8 71-318 HP Detroit Diesel; Allison Automatic Transmission; Jake Brake; 2 Roof Air Conditioners; Air-Ride Suspension; Gas/Electric Frig; Large Tub/Shower; Stainless Steel Septic and Water Tanks; Suburban Gas Furnace; Sleeps 5/Rear Twin Beds; Runs Excellent: 8000 Watt Diesel Power Tech Generator in bus runs off bus fuel tank
 
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peneumbra

Explorer
We have a Newell motor home (40 ft, 8V92, diesel generator, etc) and one thing I would really suggest is that, whenever you can, keep your coach plugged in to shore power. You probably take 50 amps to keep everything happy. Batteries for these rigs are expensive, and draining them all the time shortens the battery life A LOT. Keeping the coach on shore power seems to provide the batteries with a significantly longer life.
 

EuroJoe

Adventurer
Thanks Peneumbra,

this is an old conversion so there is very little that is 12v. the batteries are in no way new or fancy and only charge when the bus motor is running. I plan to find a tickle charger/ battery charger to top them up when its plugged in at the house.
 

squeezer

Adventurer
Nice looking coach...

I would like to suggest that you take a step back from RV type components and look at marine spec stuff.

A dedicated two bank battery charger plus a good quality sine wave inverter instead of an inverter/charger would be a good starting place for the 12V system. Keep the chassis and house banks separated is important. Cable them up through a marine switch that will handle the full starting loads of the DD for back-up. Use a Yandina ACR to handle the combining duties when going down the road...

Other stuff, ditch the absorption fridge when you get the chance. Go with a 12V Danfoss based system or a domestic 110V fridge if you have the space.

Get used to the fact that your diesel genset is there to be used!!! Spend some time making it quieter both in and outside the coach and run it.

Insulating and freeze protecting the wet systems is good but do some work to make winterizing a very quick job. Low point drains, heat tape on dump/drain valves, isolation valves for each fixture etc etc. Think along the lines of "We are at the ski hill and its dropping to 30 below overnight" You cant freeze protect everything to that temperature so you will need to drain lines... And you don't have to worry about the main tanks freezing up as much as the ancillaries. If you can drain all the lines in a few minutes you don't have to worry about leaving. Start there and then look at convenience. Yes you can use the toilet with a gallon jug of water, no you wont be having a shower or using the mini bar in the 2nd bay... If there are some systems that cant be easily drained consider an antifreeze injection tank that is valved into your pressure pump... Throw two valves and run your fixtures till you see pink. Note that RV hot water heaters are notoriously hard to winterize without draining.

For cold weather RV operation I would also have a way to pre-heat the DD that did not depend on 110V. Think Webasto.


Good luck and keep us updated.
 

EuroJoe

Adventurer
A mini bar in the 2nd bay! why didn't I think of that?!

SO the genset is all set up, its really quite quiet but the battery is at the end of its life, how do I find out the required cold cranking amps? and do I need to protect all the batteries from the cold? bus/house/gen? Its a power tech 8KSI and I can't find any info on the web and have left a message with the original seller ( a place in florida) hoping to hear back but any information would be great!
 

EuroJoe

Adventurer
A mini bar in the 2nd bay! why didn't I think of that?!

SO the genset is all set up, its really quite quiet but the battery is at the end of its life, how do I find out the required cold cranking amps? and do I need to protect all the batteries from the cold? bus/house/gen? Its a power tech 8KSI and I can't find any info on the web and have left a message with the original seller ( a place in florida) hoping to hear back but any information would be great!
 

PJorgen

Desert Dweller
Re the Montana LLC thing, it can be done but you need to make sure that you meet the requirements. I looked into that for an expensive car I was buying but couldn't make it work.

The idea is that you purchase the vehicle through your Montana LLC and register it there, avoiding sales tax in your home state. I'm in California and have 8.5% sales tax; on my $100k car it would have saved me $8500. However, to be completely legal, the vehicle must remain out of your home state for one year, at least for California. That might work if you're traveling in a motor home or can garage it out of state but I couldn't do it.

Not sure what CT sales tax is or the specific requirements for your state. I spoke to the attorney in Montana who was offering the service and he was completely open and honest with me. Ended up recommending that I don't do it. It's worth a call if you want to learn more.
 

M35A2

Tinkerer
There are several state out west that do the LLC thing so I don't see how it could not work. And I doubt that any state is going to send undercover units out to tail you around your home state when they don't even know where that is (the LLC is set up remotely by an agent).
 

PJorgen

Desert Dweller
There are several state out west that do the LLC thing so I don't see how it could not work. And I doubt that any state is going to send undercover units out to tail you around your home state when they don't even know where that is (the LLC is set up remotely by an agent).

The issue, as it was explained to me, was if you were in the vehicle and were stopped for a moving violation or got a parking ticket. The DMV then has a record that the vehicle was in-state when it wasn't supposed to be. They will then give you grief when you try to register it in state. California can be a real PITA with vehicle registrations. Other states may be less of a problem.
 

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