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by Old School on November 13th, 2009
You can do this, but it would be incredibly expensive and wasteful.
A typical RV/Camper generator produces about 3000 watts. That's about 5 horsepower.
Why would you run a 300-hp engine to produce 5 hp of electricity?
Then, the conversion would require a lot of labor and all sorts of custom parts.
In contrast, the dedicated generator is a standard mass-produced item with plenty of available parts and technicians who can service it.
If it doesn't save you money, and it doesn't save you fuel, why would you do it?
A cheaper alternative is to fit 2 or 3 deep-discharge batteries to power the coach electrical system. Then, you can install an inverter to convert the 12 V DC from the batteries to 120 AC for the electrical outlets.
http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Technologies-813-1760-750-Watt-Inverter/dp/B00009OYH5
Provided you drive the bus (or at least run the engine) every day, the alternator for the diesel engine will charge the coach batteries.
Good luck.
by Gather ye rose buds while ye may on February 2nd, 2011
I was wondering if you still have your bus and if you use it ..... how are things going with that and can i buy your bus
by Stranger in a Strange Land on November 13th, 2009
You can install a larger alternator and a circuit off of that. But you would probably be wasting fuel, as the buses engine is much larger than needed for your electric power uses. I have a similar rig and have batteries and inverter, also the roof is covered with solar photovoltaic panels. +3
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You're reading I own a school bus with a diesel engine. It has been converted into a camper. How can I take the existing engine and turn it into a generator to power it like I am plugged up at an RV park? I have a generator now, but why not use the engine in the bus/
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Comments
How does that engine compare to the engine in Shaq OS?
by RosieGHM Jetpacker on November 14th, 2009
@RosieG - the same analogy applies. Shaq has a 110-hp engine. The noisy Onan generator that came with it was 4-5 hp.
.
The quiet efficient Honda generator I bought to replace it puts about about 3 hp. That was plenty for anything I wanted to do (microwave food, run the roof A/C, etc.)
by Old School on November 14th, 2009
Thank you! :)
by RosieGHM Jetpacker on November 14th, 2009