| [GMCnet] Interesting GMCs [message #326597] |
Fri, 01 December 2017 13:34  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Hi Mike,
I was surprised to find that there is a Prevost Owners Group chat group just as active as our GMC chat group. Not as many Prevost owners so fewer people posting every day and little chatter about anything but Prevost related topics. Many of the long time active members post their phone numbers so it works much like our Black List. Lots of .pdf files written in the past covering most of the systems so it is rare to find a post about a new issue. Most are about how and where to find interior or redo bits and pieces. It is no where as “easy” to diagnose or work on a Prevost, but it can be done if necessary. Prevost itself has phenomenal parts fulfillment. The few parts I have ordered so far have been very reasonable in cost and quickly shipped for free no matter what the weight or size. So, just like in our GMC community, parts are readily available. One thing I find really nice is when you call for parts you give them the chassis number (like our TZE number) and they know exactly what part is required for what you need.
Most systems are doubly or tripily redundant and the bus chassis was designed for 24/7 operation so most maintenance is normal fluid and filter changes. On the road breakdowns are uncommon in this community from what I have learned so far. Yes, a normal maintenance stop is more expensive by far, but they involve far more oil, antifreeze, filters, grease fittings, etc., so one would expect that much higher cost.
Interesting that the air bags provide about the same leveling range as on our GMCs, about 4” up and down (no leveling jacks on the big buses like one finds on many of the fiberglass diesel pushers). Also interesting that most house systems are very much like our GMCs (only larger) with a coupleof notable exceptions. The domestic water heaters on our all electric bus are via shore/gen power electric or heat via exchange with the coolant fluid from the engine, just like the GM finished GMCs. Unlike the GMCs, that fluid is pumped all throughout the coach to heat exchangers in the bays and living areas. When going down the road the bus and domestic water are heated by the engine heat. When parked a diesel fired boiler (much like the ones in homes) heats that same fluid and electric pumps move it throughout the coach so you have continuous hot water, bay and tank freeze protection, heat for the house, and heat to start the diesel engine when it gets cold whether you are hooked up or not.
The air system uses a very large engine driven air compressor and multiple tanks, air dryers and check valves to provide reliable air to the air bags to maintain proper ride height, to the brakes and to raise or lower the tag axle for tight turn maouvering. A separate electric aux air compressor provides air for house systems like door locks, air door operators, air step covers, etc. It looks eye watering (ly) complex but when broken down into separate parts is not too bad. Physically getting to all the bits and pieces is another story! The control valves are two step. One step is an electric solenoid valve much like we use in our GMCs but that just supplies control air to very reliable Norgren valves that do the actual movement of air around the bus.
Jerry & Sharon Work
Kerby, OR
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
Prevost Country Coach
Formerly 78 Royale with most everything done to modernize a GMC mechanically
77/94 Clasco that looked like it just left the Clasco facility. Loved them both.
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Message: 10
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2017 10:30:17 -0600
From: Mike Kelley
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Unique GMCs
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
To Todd Sullivan:
And how many of those SOB's have a Blacklist group like ours?
I may upgrade, but it will be to my GMC's and/or my Toad's, not to SOB's.
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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| Re: [GMCnet] Interesting GMCs [message #326623 is a reply to message #326597] |
Fri, 01 December 2017 21:38  |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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Senior Member |
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I spent the better part of 7 years building a bus and dealt with most all the systems you talk about Jerry. When you look at the whole bus it is very intimidating but if you take each system by itself, not so much. Building ours back in the 90's was much more difficult in sourcing parts as the Internet was no where near as robust as it is today. You can't imagine the hours on the phone trying to find a part needed that was unique for the purpose. The information available through the net today would have saved me hundreds and hundreds of hours of research. After building the bus, the GMC just seems to be a simple, back to basic's hobby.
Just my take anyway,Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
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