The Conversion of Hannah (A School Bus)

cyndi · Sep 19, 2016

Sounds good, Dave! Looking forward to pictures. And better yet, seeing you and Hannah, live, at the RTR. She'sgoing to be ready, right?

Thanks for asking, masterplumber, Ainley had been on my mind, also!

rvwandering · Sep 19, 2016

I've been wondering where you were too, David. Thanks for the update. You've really been busy! Looking forward to see you and Hannah at the RTR!

rvpopeye · Sep 19, 2016

Well , haven't you been busy!

Those batteries will self discharge over time.......hook up the panels and the batteries to the charge controller asap or charge the batts manually.

masterplumber · Sep 19, 2016

Wow, you have been busy. Also great that you are able to be available to help your cousin's family. I hope you can make RTR again. Thanks for the update.

sassypickins · Sep 19, 2016

Wow is right! What a super set up. Hope to see you at RTR. Sassy

MindyLee · Sep 19, 2016

Really enjoying this thread! Looking forward to your next update!

ainley53 · Sep 19, 2016

House and bus batteries are both on "AGM intelligent" trickle chargers while I'm away. Hannah may not be "finished" in time for RTR 2017; but she will be far enough along to make the trip. I'll try to make a list of all the stuff I've used with links as I bought most of the stuff on Bob's link to Amazon.com. Thank you, Bob, for all you do.

rvpopeye · Sep 19, 2016

No worries on the batteries then.

ainley53 · Sep 20, 2016

Suanne · Sep 20, 2016

So good to see your posts again David! I was wondering what was happening. Looking forward to seeing you again at the RTR, as well as Hannah at whatever her level of completion. Take care! Suanne

Headache · Oct 29, 2016

Optimistic Paranoid said:
Here in NY, an ex-schoolbus must be repainted any color EXCEPT Schoolbus yellow.

Which raises an interesting question: If TN doesn't have such a requirement, what happens when you drive into a state that does?

I just started reading this thread and that was one of my thoughts. I know from several acquaintances that unless you are transporting the bus after buying it, you can be fined in states requiring repainting for deactivated school buses. The states requiring repainting do so because they don't want a personal vehicle mistaken for an actual school bus. Some states won't register it until it's repainted and other states it doesn't matter what state your plate is from. MD, OH, NC, MI, NM, AZ, CT, DC, IL, CA, IA, MN, IN, FL are just a few of the states where you can be pulled over and fined for not repainting it a different color. A couple of sites had lists of the states but I'm not finding them now. Well one site I know is down now.

Some states such as WA allow the yellow as long as everything else identifying it as a school bus is removed. However, a couple of these same guys got ticketed in CA for it because CA doesn't allow school bus colors on personal rigs.

All states require the stop sign removed and all require certain lights be deactivated or removed which you can usually get around by changing lens color. All the states vary.

Now...some states allow church buses to remain "chrome yellow", "school bus chrome" or "national school bus yellow", etc. The entire "key" is what it gets registered as. If it is registered in any way, shape or form as a bus that carries passengers then you have the good fortune to also be required to stop at all railroad crossings and open your door. Leaving it school bus yellow and not stopping at RR crossings invites the PoPo to pull you over. If they are having a bad day...you get my drift.

The second issue is the train horns. Many states don't allow them on passenger anything(only allowed on emergency vehicles) so make sure that you can use them in the states you travel and have a separate horn to use in states that they aren't allowed so you're not inviting trouble.

http://trainhorns.us/articles/are-train-horns-illegal-in-your-state/

If you don't repaint your bus you're inviting an inspection from a bored LEO that wants to raise their citation cred and revenue and will look for anything else they can find to write you up for. That's a pretty big and bright billboard screaming "PULL ME OVER!" in those states. Will it happen for sure? Maybe. I've known guys that have gotten away with it as well.

Sorry to post negative news but just wanted to give you a heads up. YMMV

ainley53 · Oct 9, 2017

Okay, this is the 5 cent tour (picture heavy). I apologize for not posting pics as I did the build and will provide more detail later.View attachment 16324 View attachment 16325 View attachment 16326