Bob's True cause of 45 Xle Fire.

[robertglines1]

 Egg on face:: Just talked to Mike G. Previous owner of the coach.  Horses Mouth. The stories I have been told do not hold truth. It was not brakes! It was not Brakes! I was looking for a problem and a reason that did not exist.  It could but in this case did not.  For my part in this deception I am sorry. It was a badly run power cable by converter he purchased several coaches from. Of which two burned. Nice guy and he is sending me pictures of fire. According to fire Chief/inspector the main power cable was run un protected thru the rear axle area. No conduit or protection and shorted out...It was electrical!! I shared with him what else I found when tearing out the inside and all the sloppy electrical work.  At least I know for sure now and it put my mind more at rest for a reoccurance.            Bob

[rv_safetyman]

Bob, there were a couple of detailed studies in Finland in 2000 and 2001 that studied quite a few commercial bus fires.  High amperage 12V/24V cables caused a bunch of fires.  The links are:

http://www.onnettomuustutkinta.fi/uploads/6hdieo2.pdf

http://www.onnettomuustutkinta.fi/uploads/gvty79bpq89a.pdf

With the exception of the short run from the battery to the starter, I install a fuse on at least one end of my high amperage circuits.  On my auxiliary belt driven engine alternator, I have a fuse at the alternator end as well as the house battery bank end.  I was also careful to shield the welding cable that I used to run the circuit.

I have been working with a distributor to develop a fire detection system for commercial vehicle systems using a product called Protectowire for the temperature sensing:

http://www.protectowire.com/products/protectowirelhd.htm

One of his customers asked us to prototype a battery shutdown system using low temperature Protectowire strapped to the battery cable that would trigger a large solenoid which would disconnect the battery from the system.  They were really concerned about electrical fires.

Jim

[artvonne]

  Interesting how many fires were Volvo's. Maintenance plays a big part, but proper engineering and quality construction plays the biggest part.
 
  Obviously this fire Bob is discussing is from poor engineering, running a large capacity wire unprotected through an open axle bay is asking for trouble and they found it. You dont have to be a licensed engineer to properly build things. Its all in books and its all basic stuff anyone can learn. How many of us have seen cars with stereo and other electronic junk wired so poorly its amazing more dont burn to the ground.

 There are basic mechanical practices books on Aviation available at many libraries, that show accepted practices for routing and configuring of electrical wires, conduits, plumbing and hydraulic lines, wires and hoses. They show proper fastening and construction techniques of metal and wood and fabric, bolt and fastener size charts, soldering and bonding practices, etc., etc.. Its basic material and information thats been known and taught for almost 100 years. Its not that much more expensive or difficult to do it right, its just a little more time consuming which all too often these days is being sidestepped for profit.

  When we were wrecking Buses, my Father who was a retired aircraft mechanic, pointed out a lot of construction details he saw on the older GMC's, especially the wiring, that more resembled an aircraft than any other machine. And 95% of it is buried away in the bowels of the Bus where it will never be seen until it is de-constructed. Its a testimony to that level of quality and engineering that so many are still on the road today. 

[robertglines1]

pic I reposted pictures here under proper topic

[robertglines1]

rest of pic

[Brassman]

Those pictures are enough to make a grown man cry.

[robertglines1]

I recently purchased a fire extinguisher from Jim Shepard that would have made this a repair instead of a major loss. Jim said I should be a salesman for him. But his product will put out burning tires.  I spent less than $200 for insurance/piece of mind that I could control a minor fire like this  before it turns major. The fire did not burn thru the floor. The pictures are in order of occurrence. I learned from them.   Bob.

[artvonne]

  That is really sad to see. Along with a good extinguisher it would be a good idea to have an axe/hatchet handy as well as bolt cutters. The old Buses used to have a hatchet near the driver.

[white-eagle]

With the exception of the short run from the battery to the starter, I install a fuse on at least one end of my high amperage circuits.  On my auxiliary belt driven engine alternator, I have a fuse at the alternator end as well as the house battery bank end.  I was also careful to shield the welding cable that I used to run the circuit.
Jim

and where does one find these fuses?  i got a feeling there are a couple i should have. 

[rv_safetyman]

I use this system:

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-FBL-200-Class-Block/dp/B001539B60

On my house battery system I use the fuse/holder that I bought from Wrico.  I just looked and my spares came from Xantrex and are part number JJN-400 amp.

On my alternator system I use the same type fuse holder and mounted 200 amp (I think) type T fuses. 

There are type T and type J fuses.  As I understand it, the type T is better suited to our need and are rated "fast acting".

The fuse holders seem to be generic and are designed so that the cable is held in place with compression screws.  You and also modify it to bolt terminals to the holder.  The fuses bolt in with two bolts and the spacing is universal for any fuse rating.

Jim

[luvrbus]

Bob, I was told that was a electrical fire and caught the tires on fire you see Prevost burn in that fashion wasn't the converters fault unless he converted Marathons also lol same cause the one to burn in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago fwiw Prevost uses a mickey mouse plastic terminal block with a bolt in the middle to tie the battery cable together on the frame and body a accident waiting to happen IMO 

good luck 

[robertglines1]

I have been careful putting it back together. No plastic connector blocks for me. Also I run in conduit when exposed to elements . Isolate as much as possible with insulation and straps.  Do ever thing I can to prevent fire but be prepared in case of one.   There was a black tape wraped wire harness from back to front that was non Prevost that was burned into in that area. It did not apear to be secured to frame but tie wraped to Prevost harness.  Contained about 30 wires. Some of which I have not figured out yet. Most were Generator control ,webasco,hot water heater,etc. It was burned into about center of rear differential.     Bob

[Zeroclearance]

Clifford,  I am trying to picture which terminal block you are referring to?

I know that there are a few terminal blocks with posts that pass thru the battery compartment to engine?bulkhead.

[DKO]

Glad Mike G. was helpful to you, Bob. He is a great guy. He has been a big help to me...
Those pictures hurt!

DKO

[artvonne]

  How far from having it repaired are you? That quite the project.