Tools and Fixit Stuff

[Pete Masterson]

Mechanically, a Blue Bird is a bus ... built to commercial standards.
Heavy duty components intended to go a million miles or more. Of
course, maintenance is required: oil changes, water, belts, filters,
suspension components, and what not. But, for the most part,
preventive maintenance is the primary concern. Only when preventive
maintenance falls short do (most) mechanical issues arise. (Of
course, a little bad luck might have a role as well -- and time, wear
and tear will eventually require that some components be attended to.
(Note, a fair number of Blue Birds have had engine rebuilds --
usually as a result of overheating damage -- that, which vigilance
and good preventive maintenance could avoid. Also note, the DD 6v92
and 8v92 engines are _very_ sensitive to overheating caused problems.
The Cat 3208 is, perhaps, a bit more forgiving. I have a DD Series 60
in my coach. I'm trying my best to not take any chances with it.)

Electrical issues, however, tend to be a factor of time and exposure.
Electrical components degrade as they repeatedly heat and cool
through the cycles of use. Wires become corroded as exposure to the
atmosphere causes it to degrade and the insulation to break down.
Unintended and/or unexpected overloads, replacement of components
that may draw more power than the original, etc. will also place
demands on the electrical system. And, as many have noted, a coach
can have some rather long runs of wire. While 120 VAC handles long
wire runs fairly well, 12 VDC tends to much less efficient in the
same circumstances.

Earlier BBs sometimes have unfortunate arrangements where components
are not in the optimum location-- leading to a 60' run (around
corners, etc.) for a 12 V wire... a prescription for low voltage
during sub-optimum conditions or corrosion, etc.

Add to the mix the general complexity of the Wanderlodge with it's
lengthy list of features and conveniences ... and you have a wiring
wonderland -- in the sense of Alice in Wonderland...

As I poke and prod my coach, I see little sign of any mechanical
difficulties in prior years... but when I look at the wiring, I
discover odd re-routings, blocked off circuits, and other evidence
that knowledgeable and not-so-knowledgeable folks have been poking
and troubleshooting and making work around solutions over the years.

Sometimes, I contemplate the power center(s) and think, "Alas, it is
a puzzlement..."

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Lockhart Texas



On May 22, 2007, at 10:24 AM, runnerful wrote:

> Wow, Pete, thank you for all this great info. My BlueBird file is
> getting nice and fat.
>
> Onc thing that's emerging is that there are more electrical than
> mechanical (powertrain related) problems. This is encouraging as I
> feel much more comfortable dealing with electrical issues than
> mechanical.