Stepping out

[Jimot]

In April of this year, after lurking and taking notes for two years. I bought my first bus. It's not old but it is beautiful and in fantastic shape. made the 1700 mile trip to my place from it's original home in Col. She's a '06 Setra S417 with 650K and new alternators! had it inspected and liked what I saw. Got a really good price due to the timing. Not happy about the how but couldn't. have done it otherwise. Prices have doubled since. This is a first for me but I really hope to be able to bring some ideas to share. I've always been impressed with the way Folks have supported each other on this forum. Hope to do my share to bring something good.
First question, Are there any other owners of new Setra builds on the forum? I found "Busted Knuckle" hope to reach out to you from time to time if that's okay.
My first question: My work has really picked up in the last few months and I haven't been able to move the bus as lately. Concerned about my batteries. Would appreciate any advice that could be given on charger/tenders and the best way to hook it up. Have switch turned off. It looks like it may be another month before I can start. Was not able to complete a parking/ work pad at end of driveway before deal was made. So, will have to finish that first.

[buswarrior]

Batteries need a charger or tender of some kind, otherwise disconnect them, the coach shut-off on all the new coaches leaves parasites connected, unless you move them inboard of the big switch, which is also an option.

Charger doesn't have to be fancy, just get 12 volt ones and connect appropriately to the bank of batteries.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[lvmci]

Welcome and good luck to you. Check the battery water regularly and use only Distilled water, before charging, lvmci...

[Glennman]

Awesome bus! I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress.

[Tedsoldbus]

Very cool! Try to start it, and if you can, run it down the road for an hour each month. The fluids, hoses, air bags, and tires will thank you. I am 10 months in this group with an old 1980 diesel, but I love driving it. When you start it look for leaks while it airs up. And open the doors when it is cooling down and look for leaks. If you don't know what is leaking, take a picture. These guys will. They have helped me with 5 things do far. Hopefully your bus is new enough it is not expected to leak!
Not a mechanic,
Ted

[luvrbus]

I love the Setra 417 but you picked a tough bus to convert to a RV,and one with very exspensive parts I almost bought one 2 years ago

[Lee Bradley]

Very good looking bus. Should be converted and ready to hit the road in a couple of weeks.  As was said, you will have an interesting conversation ahead of you. I converted a Neoplan; nothing is quite the same. Be sure and ask for advice here. We will tell you polar opposites on everything you want to do.   

[basspal]

That bus is nice. I plan on being right behind you on a 417 conversion so I look forward to seeing your progress. I have taken note of the warnings of build difficulty but have not seen specifies yet. I would love to here issues related to difficulty of build particular to Setra.
Cheers

[Busted Knuckle]

Glad you got a great deal on the purchase price because from here on out things are going to be EXPENSIVE to say the least!
First off let me tell you about those batteries! Those are special made 8D batteries that the only place I found them is SETRA! They are about 1 inch shorter than a standard 8D. A standard 8D iss to tall to fit in the standard battery slide out tray as it will short out on the chassis going in the compartment! Last time I bought any (about 2013) they were over $400 each!
Then there are 5 different computers on that bus all controlled by the dash cluster called a DEMOX that is prone to going bad, and costs about $3500. BUT then you have to have someone with a Daimler STAR machine (as in dealer) program it in the bus to make them all communicate at a cost of $1500! (again that was back in 2013)
I love the S417 (actually I love all SETRA's) but the customer service and parts availability SUCKS every since they closed the N. America headquarters in NC and merged with MCI for parts and service in the US!
The swamp cooler HVAC system struggles in N. American humidity at best. (but last I heard SETRA dropped one off to Lamar Welch ofhttps://welchindustries.com/ and told him the find a way to make them cool better!)
Parts and tech support are very hard to get from MCI!

But I love the coach and wish you luck in your conversion!
  BK 

[luvrbus]

Glad you got a great deal on the purchase price because from here on out things are going to be EXPENSIVE to say the least!
First off let me tell you about those batteries! Those are special made 8D batteries that the only place I found them is SETRA! They are about 1 inch shorter than a standard 8D. A standard 8D iss to tall to fit in the standard battery slide out tray as it will short out on the chassis going in the compartment! Last time I bought any (about 2013) they were over $400 each!
Then there are 5 different computers on that bus all controlled by the dash cluster called a DEMOX that is prone to going bad, and costs about $3500. BUT then you have to have someone with a Daimler STAR machine (as in dealer) program it in the bus to make them all communicate at a cost of $1500! (again that was back in 2013)
I love the S417 (actually I love all SETRA's) but the customer service and parts availability SUCKS every since they closed the N. America headquarters in NC and merged with MCI for parts and service in the US!
The swamp cooler HVAC system struggles in N. American humidity at best. (but last I heard SETRA dropped one off to Lamar Welch ofhttps://welchindustries.com/ and told him the find a way to make them cool better!)
Parts and tech support are very hard to get from MCI!

But I love the coach and wish you luck in your conversion!
  BK 

  I read were MCI and Setra are no longer together the parts are coming from outfit in Texas who sells the Setra now

[Busted Knuckle]

Your probably correct Clifford I haven't had ANY contact with SETRA since we got rid of ours in 2014, and don't have a bunch of headaches anymore either! (funny how that works huh?)

But if SETRA is not providing the new outfit any support it probably ain't got no better!
A;; the people I knew at SETRA were pretty bitter over the whole MCI merger when they were told "You move to Louisville, KY an keep your job, or you can find someplace else to work"
Most of them found other work, the couple that did move told me shortly afterwards they wished they hadn't and weren't with MCI long!
  BK 

[chessie4905]

sounds like they will disappear like Eagles.

[luvrbus]

sounds like they will disappear like Eagles.

Or GM's

[chessie4905]

Or Flxibles
Glad they didn't get into computers to deal with.

[luvrbus]

Or Flxibles
Glad they didn't get into computers to deal with.

Eagle was around long enough to get into computers and a few more of the complicated electronics