You might have enough space for a ten meter air pistol/rifle range down the center aisle.

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What you are doing is so very cool ... and am jealous !

When I was working as a cop on the street, I would stop in at a guy's garage in my district who was doing the same thing. I only saw the part where he gutted it out and had installed the plywood flooring. I was surprised at the amount of space.

Something like this is on my bucket list, but probably more realistic would be an old tow behind Shasta or Airstream.

The things that pop into my mind is how to maximize the fresh water and limit the grey waste water ( ie shower et al ). Wonder if there is a way to filter waste water from a sink or shower ( not a toilet ) ... something like a larger Berkey filter ?

https://www.berkeyfilters.com/

The other thing I think about is a genny for power that is multi-fuel and can run of natural gas, propane and gasoline.

Am looking forward to following your progress.

quote:

probably more realistic would be an old tow behind Shasta or Airstream.

I bet I have less into this thing (so far) than a project Airstream would cost.

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Wonder if there is a way to filter waste water from a sink or shower

I have seen videos where people who are camping for long periods of time out in the middle of nowhere have done this. A filter that runs a loop through the grey water tank, essentially so that you can continue to reuse shower water. I'm not planning on ever being that far away from civilization where it would be a real concern, and with it being a bus I can get a lot more water on board than most smaller RVs should I want to. At this point I'm thinking 150 gallons fresh, 150 grey, and 50 black. We won't drink water out of the tap, so any drinking water would be separate (bottled).

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a genny for power that is multi-fuel and can run of natural gas, propane and gasoline.

I'm still working on the A/C side of the equation, but absent a microwave and the TVs, the majority of everything else can be low voltage. My original plan (because I do a lot of government auctions) was to grab a 10K government set that will run on diesel. The bus has a 180 gallon fuel tank that can be tapped into. They tend to be underrated and are designed for continuous use.

What diesel engine and trans is installed in the bus?
I would definitely go with a 10KW or larger diesel generator.My RV has a 10KW Powertech powered with a 4cyl. Kubota diesel. It will handle 2, 15000BTU roof A/C units.
My Motorhome has 150gal fresh water, 50 black, and 100 grey. I can combine the grey and black if I need more capacity. With my wife and daughter I'm lucky to get through a weekend with the 150gal fresh water capacity. Water will always be your limiting factor for camping.

Many commercial buses have a over the road A/C unit located in one of the lower storage bay. They are huge to be able to cool an entire bus full of passengers while underway. A dash A/C unit will never keep up.

Most Buses are at least 24v electrical systems.
I see many owner remodeled coaches go to a split air system for A/C. For an RV you will need, 50amp service ( must be able to power 2-3-4 roof air units) from the outside, a transfer switch to switch over to a Generator,a low voltage 12or 24volt system.
I enjoy watching a guy who converted a old bus.He did almost everything himself electrical, plumbing,solar, his YouTube channel is BEGINNING FROM THIS MORNING.
For mechanics the GREASE MONKEY is good to watch.
Good luck!

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Originally posted by a1abdj:
My original plan (because I do a lot of government auctions) was to grab a 10K government set that will run on diesel. The bus has a 180 gallon fuel tank that can be tapped into. They tend to be underrated and are designed for continuous use.

Just a suggestion after having gone to many annual conventions for Bus Conversions Magazine with my Dad. I never saw a repurposed military unit. While there is no doubt as to their durability, military surplus units are all three phase, heavy, and bulky, and would be difficult to adapt to a bus conversion. I'd suggest you at least talk to the people at Central Maine Diesel first. They really know generators like what you need.

Something like this is probably a better starting place for a bus:



Central Maine Diesel
1185 Hammond St. Suite 11
Bangor, ME 04401

Fax: 1-207-941-1189
E-Mail: sales@generatorsales.com

I helped a friend source equipment and do the buildout for a $100k Food Truck some years ago. It was a fun side project. Smaller than this, in square footage, but lots of commercial restaurant equipment and health standards and wiring/water/gas.

You need to install (or paint a replica) of a safe door on the back of the bus!

Id be very interested in cost breakdown if willing to share.

Auction cost, fix up cost, repairs, etc.

Just because I might want to do something similar one day.

Good point about the genny ... skipped my mind that the bus is diesel, I was thinking of a rig that ran on gas.

Yeah, even beater Airstreams are pricey.