Converting a heavy-duty bus/coach/truck into a motorhome (page 11 of 161)

Alright, I wasn't clear when I reread what I wrote....

I want to replace my two rear side windows with aluminum plates, but without welding or riveting them—just fitting them into the window seals instead. I'm trying to minimize heavy work and make it reversible (.....why?.... just in case...) Has anyone done this? Will this actually hold up? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I'd like some information on type approval and the vehicle inspection, thanks

Hi everyone,

I'm brand new to VoyageForum and I'm hoping you folks can help me out with some advice. I just acquired a Setra bus that used to belong to a school transportation company. It's in good condition, and I just got the DRIRE paperwork, but there are no specs listed for the gas and electrical systems. Can you help me out? Does someone need to verify the work before the inspections? I'd like to keep the bus set up with 24 volts—are there compatible isolation relays available? Thanks to everyone!

Hi

Regarding 24 volts, I have experience with a boat that was equipped with 24 volts (starters, alternators, pumps, and various lights)

This 24 volts was stored on 12-volt batteries wired in series.

The previous owner had added loads of 12-volt equipment, and to get that 12 volts, he'd tapped directly into the terminals of one of the 12-volt batteries. Well, big problem 😕 because after several discharge and recharge cycles through the alternators, the batteries wouldn't charge anymore and the voltages on the batteries were too weak.

Here's what was actually happening: by using the 12 volts from one battery, you discharge it, and you end up with one battery more discharged than the other; when the alternator recharges both batteries together at 24 volts, the battery that wasn't used for the 12 volts reaches full charge before the other, and then resists the flow of charging current, leaving the second one poorly charged; then you reuse the 12 volts and increase the voltage imbalance between the 2 batteries even further, and so on until the point where the voltage on the 2nd is so weak that you can't recharge it anymore. It's dead 😠

After ruining several 140 amp-hour batteries 😮, I was happy to finally understand what was going on, and I solved the problem by buying a 24V/12V converter module 😏 and connecting all the 12-volt equipment to that module. No more problems since then.

Christian

Thanks Christian, I'm also planning to install only 24V nominal devices to avoid charge returns. Plus, this lets me connect the 24V ground to the bus chassis to save on wiring—that wasn't possible at 12V because when the 2 batteries are in series, the ground of one is the + of the other, so you can't connect all the grounds to the chassis without causing a short circuit.

By the way, do you know the electrical rules for certification and standards?

Thanks! 🙂

my new site is officially open

http://bus.benhurd.net

I'm noting the address, I'll follow this project with interest :o

It's the same as mine, just bigger, you could say 😉

Thanks for the information, have a good day

Hi everyone, does anyone have information about the NFS56200 standard for gas and electricity? Which organizations carry out inspections and issue certificates of conformity?

Thanks in advance

Hi, I wanted to know if anyone has any info about the DRIRE being privatized in July?! Will the procedures change?! Will they still accept going from TCP to VASP?! According to a friend you'll have to use a 'fitter' but I don't know any more! Anyway, good luck to you all

HELLO,

the DRIRE services remain as they are today!

only technical testing centers have been handed over (annual truck inspections and semi-annual bus inspections). (the equivalent of automotive technical centers, but for heavy vehicles)

for conformity tests, registration modifications, and isolated receptions, it will still be the DRIRE that handles it, not the technical control centers!

you have to draw the parallel with a light vehicle: for modifications, you go to the DRIRE, for technical inspection, you go to Autosur, Dekra, etc... and well it will be the same for heavy vehicles.

bye, bye...

PATRICK26

Ok, thanks Patrick for the info!! So I'm heading off to buy my S53, which like many people here I want to convert into a motorhome. I'm hoping to have everything finished by the end of summer – both the DIY work and the paperwork. I do have one little hesitation though – it's the high fuel consumption (I've been told it uses about 25L per 100km)?! But after weighing up the pros and cons, I reckon I'm going to let myself be tempted anyway!!!!!! Have a good journey everyone!!!!

raflou: the driver's door issue comes up in certain conditions during certain inspections—it depends on who's checking. PATRICK26 ran into this. For a project over €10,000, they definitely look more closely... I'm just pointing out that I passed the DRIRE inspection with my S45 without a driver's door back in 2002 or 2003... thony, elylous, PATRICK26, a coach fitted out as VASP is drivable with a commercial license AND TCP license. I have a letter to that effect from the prefecture and I drive with a TCP (D) license with a VASP...

peyolt: you need to go through the DRIRE in your home department. But if you have a buddy who gives you proof of residence in Trifouillis-les-Chépères, you're all set. (that's what I did)

setraforever: hey, for standard 56200 and the new EU regulations, you need to call AFNOR in La Défense (92)—the book cost about €15 back in '98...

lionmasta: yeah, domain sales are interesting, especially without an engine, the price will be dirt cheap. Watch out for anyone wanting to buy a coach to drive through domain sales—in general they don't provide registration docs even though it's theoretically possible to get a new one. (very difficult)

GAVIN: for collector insurance, I've already left info on that, but you just need to check the Yellow Pages, it's easy!

ZOLUX: if you remove the seats, you still need to pass the inspection to register it as a commercial vehicle, otherwise you need the TCP license—even if in practice it might work, no guarantees!

Anyway, quick reminder: for manufacturer approvals, you need to call the brand's dealer (don't call headquarters!) to find plans for bus conversions, call the transport companies in your region... an S45/53 consumes between 20 and 25 liters per 100 km. to get the license, there are paid trainings through AFT IFTIM—don't ask ANPE, they're out of the loop. don't hesitate to call the DRIRE automotive department in your region, they're there to help people too! the first step is knowing what you want to do, buy a vehicle, put together the file for the inspection (DRIRE), research the regulations (56200 and EU standards for buses), make plans or know exactly what you're doing, do the work, pass inspection by an expert like Véritas, then comes the final inspection at the end of the process...

Hey there, I also want to buy a bus, but right now I'm stuck on insurance .............if anyone has an address or a website, that would help me ............... thanks in advance and good luck to everyone...........

Reading these regulations honestly just makes you want to scrap the whole thing. When I look at all these conversion requirements, I wonder if you've all actually had to deal with the DRIRE inspectors.

I've been told that a vehicle can get impounded on the spot if it's inspected while the conversion hasn't been officially certified (load rating, doors, fixtures, gas, electricity, insulation, etc.). Has that actually happened to any of you?

Does anyone know a way to make life easier when it comes to regulations and the authorities, without risking having your vehicle stopped at the first inspection?

I'm planning to convert a Renault Master flat-floor cab equipped with a 20m³ moving van body. I already have a passage between the cabin and the back, a side door, and a large rear door that can both be opened from inside.

Thanks in advance to everyone for your responses.

Hey, me too, I'm converting a bus but I'm running into some problems. I'm trying to fill out the MINE file but I'm having some difficulties... 1. Where can you get the "Specimen of the vehicle description notice"? 2. How do you create the "Diagram with marked position references"? If someone has an example, that would be really helpful (to see what it looks like). 3. Do you absolutely need the manufacturer's authorizations for any potential weight or dimension overages mentioned in the vehicle description notice, as well as for any possible modifications such as: etc... when I don't want to change anything about the bus's dimensions or weight? That's it, thanks in advance for your replies.

Hey, regarding the driving license, at the prefecture they contacted the ministry and told me that a VASP requires a heavy goods vehicle (PL) license, period. Did you get stopped when leaving TekOs?

yes, often and elsewhere too, no problem. despite the VASP mention, you're driving a coach, everything's fine. it's a pretty technical issue, nobody's going to give you grief over it. proof: I went and asked the police about it, and they're completely clueless!

Hey balek, I can only help you with the "Specimen of the vehicle descriptive notice", but it still depends on your bus brand... I went with a Saviem/Renault S53R, it's awesome value for money... and I had a little problem with my file because it was missing that famous vehicle descriptive notice, more commonly called the "red-marked form"... I contacted RVI, they pointed me to Irribus, which is Renault's bus division. I made my request for declassification authorization, and while I was at it I asked them to provide me with a specimen of the red-marked form. You just have to give them the number in the type series...

So I hope this can help you, and if I can help you with other truck-related stuff, I'd be happy to!!!

Rémy...

Long live free underground music...

Hi Sputnik,

Nice thread! Shame we can't see much in the photo—is it an S45 or S53, the "M" versions if I'm right? I've got a buddy who had an S45 with 1,200,000 km on it. Engine was replaced at 300,000 km, technically inspected, immaculate maintenance log... the crazy thing is the bus!

I've got a quick question—do you know if it's possible to drive a bus registered for passenger transport with a Category C license, as long as you don't carry more than 9 people? I was thinking about downgrading mine to a heavy vehicle to stay legal while I'm doing the conversion work and to be able to travel with it for 7 summers (legally)... But if it turns out it's legal to drive a bus with no more than 9 people on board with a Category C license, that's perfect—saves me time and money...

I hadn't thought of it before, but I read a post from Bemoit on the site saying it was possible and especially "legal"...

Anyway, I'm contacting the prefecture directly Monday to try and get an answer...

Cheers to you..

Hi RémyS53R. yeah, you can drive a bus with 8+1 seats with a C permit, but you should (normally) have gotten the downclassification from DRIRE (mines) to VASP or PL. that said, chances are you won't get hassled if your bus hasn't been switched to PL yet, unless you run into a stickler...