How quickly things change !

[Clan Graham]

Hello everyone !&nbsp; I have some wonderful news this evening. I have been trying to figure out my battery solution for my bus's electricity. I was looking at a couple of BIG 8D batteries, but man what high prices !&nbsp; So when I went to snap some photos of my bus to share with you, I took a look in my battery compartment for the first time and found these !!! &nbsp;<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100830_zpsbe0f99d8.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100828_zps005c1e50.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Yes .... they do look horrible, and probably have not been charged properly ... But they are 8Ds !!!<br><br>So brace yourself ... it is not pretty !&nbsp; Yet <br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100831_zps2bda374b.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100833_zps62e3e02d.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100834_zps972862c7.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100835_zps8964babc.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100837_zpsd7dcad25.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100838_zps611f9769.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100840_zps8b023225.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100842_zps90900ae4.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100843_zps6cd9a437.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100844_zps4c55db27.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100845_zps39805887.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100849_zpse2a170e0.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><br>And the world's ugliest flooring, that we hope to trade or sell LOL !&nbsp; So yep ... this is what we are working with.<br><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/My bus is better than Yos/P1100848_zps4d3da740.jpg" class="bbc_img">

 

[Clan Graham]

So uhh ... when people talk about just putting foam board directly onto the bus's existing floor, are they speaking of over the green tile, or pulling the green stuff up ?&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks !

 

[Clan Graham]

Everyone should love hearing this ... This is the only current question I still have unanswered :<br><br><br><strong>"old style ( no electricity needed ) vented convection furnace.</strong><br><br>Are we talking with an actual burner flame, or what they acre calling a Wave heater like this : <a href="http://www.stpaulmercantile.com/index.php?action=store&amp;page=VentedWallHeaters" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.stpaulmercantile.com/index.php?action=store&amp;page=VentedWallHeaters</a>

 

[Unchained]

The metal runners will probably have to come up, but you can leave the tile. <br><br>After seeing the pics, I realized that my entire 'house' would probably fit into your skoolie and only take up an area the size of 3 windows, 4 1/2 if you include my trailer's tongue! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Unchained]

BTW, seeing the storage space reminded me- be sure to plug ANY gaps/ holes/ cracks that could admit mice, rats, ground squirrels, etc into that space. While a bus won't have the same issues that that most trailers/ RVs with storage do (cheapa$$ construction allowing invading rodents direct access to the built in drawers), one or two woodrats can make a huge mess of your storage space and any stuff kept there. They will also chew any wiring that runs through that space.<br><br>I cannot use any of the drawers in the kitchen or bathroom, nor the drawers below the closets, in the 5th wheel I currently rent due to this issue. The woodrats have also chewed enough wiring that the thermostat and 12V lights no longer work. This was a large part of the reason that I decided on a vintage trailer without storage underneath, and the first thing I will do when I get it home is to 'rodent proof' any possible access to the interior or space between the walls.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Oooh what a great bus!!! I love it. So much potential. Plenty of space to do what you wan. We had an International but we would have liked a Blue Bird better. You're so lucky...it's an&nbsp;automatic, ours was standard(not&nbsp;as much fun).&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;so excited for you guys, I know how great it will be. What a bonus to have found the batteries, it's a sign that things are looking up from now on.<br><br>I hope you will keep in touch and show us your progress. Some members disappear after they found out what they needed to know and don't follow up with their progress&nbsp; That's okay&nbsp;however for us it's like watching a good movie&nbsp;to which&nbsp;unfortunately&nbsp;we'll never, never know the ending <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif"><br><br>Cheers!<br><br>Nicole

 

[blkjak]

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak</strong> </span>

 

[Clan Graham]

Unchained says be wary of rodents !&nbsp; Check&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Big Grin - "><br><br>Nicole ...&nbsp; I have not been on a more kind or helpful website than this one is. I am also possibly a bit different than some of the ones who gather info then disappear. This is because : This is now my PERMANENT life. Unless something completely shocking and unexpected happens in our life, this is really it for us. So I see this forum being relevant forever more most likely.<br><br>And as far as keeping my build log up ... This is something I truly enjoy. Sharing and helping others. So this thread will be updated to completion over time. Stay tuned. This is just the beginning.

 

[Patrick46]

<SPAN id=post_message_1279207237>" Wow ... This thread really took off !&nbsp;" <BR><BR>I hafta say that this is now the first thread I check every time I log on. <BR>Your story really hit me, and they way you've taken this new step has me very excited for you. (and I'm sure others agree with me.)&nbsp;You seem to have a good idea of where you're headed, and are not afraid to take whatever measures are necessary to get the job done...so yes, I kin see why this thread has become so popular!<BR><BR>I'm really glad to learn that you know your way around a toolbox too!! There are so many others who have come over to this lifestyle and have no idea what a box-end wrench even is!!! <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Eek - " src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif"><BR><BR><BR>btw....I think your bus is beautiful just the way it is!! (I can only imagine how much nicer it's gonna become!!) <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Cool - " src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif"></SPAN>

 

[Clan Graham]

What nice things you say Patrick46. It makes the transition much easier, knowing people can relate, and are pulling for you. I now hope my upcoming build thread will help others. It will most likely be quite a bit different than most, but that is what makes this thing so interesting !

 

[Unchained]

Box end wrench? What the heck is that?<br><br><img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Clan Graham]

Unchained ... First look under the flux capacitor, then .... <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Wink - ">

 

[Unchained]

Before or after I fetch that case of fallopian tubes and 100' of flight line?<br><br><img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Clan Graham]

Now it really DOES mean something when I say "We have definitely fallen off of the bus for sure" !