Where is the Generator in your Bus Located?

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

If you own, or have owned a converted bus (not a factory built coach), I am curious to find out where your generator is located, i.e. which bay or location in your bus. 

I am trying to get ideas for the optimum location for a generator if for example someone was to start converting a bus from scratch.

Some locations are better than others for different reasons. I have my theorys but I want to hear what you have to say.

[TomC]

Since mine is a transit bus with only 22" of underneath space, I cleared an area next to the driver's seat and created a generator compartment like a front engine. The 10kw 4 cylinder Kubota Powertech generator sits backwards with the engine facing back and the alternator up front (how it fit the best). The compartment is tight, so the air cleaner is mounted outside along with the remote radiator under the driver's seat powered by a belt drive squirrel cage blower with 2 speed 1/2hp totally enclosed fan cooled motor sucking air through the radiator then pushing the hot air out the side of the bus. Circulation of air through the generator compartment is done with an 8" inline bathroom ventilator pushing 250cfm through. I recently had to replace the squirrel cage blower since the bearings went out, but Grainger still had the same blower after 26 years later. Same motor, same bathroom blower. Works well. Good Luck, TomC

[Ed Hackenbruch]

My MCI 5A came with a 4kw Onan propane generator that sat next to the engine on the right side.  loud, took up too much room, and finally quit working so i yanked it out and got a Honda 2000 which i could keep in one of the bays until i needed it. Was gonna buy another and the connecting cables but found out i could get by just fine with just one.

[chessie4905]

mines next bay back from factory ac location on same side. on a slide out for service. sits parallel to coach. 10kw Powertech, brushless head.

[dtcerrato]

6.5kw Onan in the A/C pony engine compartment of our 4104. That's the driver's side, 1st compartment behind front axle.

[richard5933]

12.5kw Kohler/Perkins

Located immediately forward of the rear axle on curbside. Holding tanks are the counter balance on the driver's side.

[buswarrior]

As far away from where I put my head when sleeping, as possible...

Or, sound proofed so I don't know it is running...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Most 06s I've seen are first bay drivers side behind front wheel..>>>Dan

[richard5933]

Most 06s I've seen are first bay drivers side behind front wheel..>>>Dan

If you're talking about the larger bay with the mesh door, that's where the over-the-road a/c system was housed. Good spot for a generator, unless you still have the OTR a/c. Lots of other places for the generator if the a/c system is still functional.

[dtcerrato]

That OTR A/C pony motor bay is 1st choice for a generator. Also the next bay back would have been where the compressor & condenser was. Both those bays are heavily insulated, fireproofed, & ventilated. We utilized both those bays for generator & LPG tanks.

[sledhead]

old a/c door driver side on a slide out
honda 7000 di

dave

[buswarrior]

Perhaps an associated and equal question...

How do you wish your busnut neighbour installed their generator?

Too many externally noisy generators that don't need to be...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Blackwood]

Winco 8kw standby propane generator in the original enclosure in the front bay.

Jim

[DoubleEagle]

Generators can be put anywhere they will fit, but an important factor is where the cooling air can enter and exit without conflicts with low and high pressure areas. On my first Eagle, I have the generator in the first bay on the driver side. The air intake is located in the center front of the bay, but it turned out that this was a low pressure area when going down the road, and the temperature would rise on a hot day. It was fine when parked, but much warmer while underway. The exiting air goes out the floor of the bay, which is okay on pavement, but stirs up a lot of dust over dirt.

My next two Eagles are entertainers that were set up by the original builders. These have louvered grills on both sides of the bays for entry and exit of the air. It works well, but there is more noise outside. All of these have exhaust pipes coming out from under the bay floor, which works, but it becomes a hazard for people and pets, and shoots out exhaust toward cars sitting near you while in stopped traffic. The best exhaust location, I believe, for the sake of safety and less offensiveness, is on the roof. The trouble is, it takes a bit of planning with insulated double and triple pipes.

So, my goal is inlet cooling air path from a pressure zone, cooling exhaust air away from the ground, lots of sound insulation and fire barriers, and engine exhaust out the roof. 

[luvrbus]

If I was doing another bus the generator would be in the spare tire compartment with a remote radiator or lay the radiator flat in a quite box like a Onan