Our first week back on site in Elkhart, went pretty well. Our second week however, was a bit more of a roller coaster.
Despite some set backs and continued delays, in the end lots of progress was made – and we’re happy to report, that Zephyr is currently back in the paint booth getting prepped!
Yipeeee!!!
Here’s our weekly progress report video, with daily short video clips we’ve filmed at the end of (nearly) each day:
Some of the highlights of the progress:
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What wire?!? All of the plumbing work was finally done on our Precision Temp Jr. propane hydronic system. After some bad documentation provided by Precision Temp, we finally figured out how to correctly wire it up – and successfully tested the water & coolant side of the system. We still need to finish wiring up thermostats to test the radiant blowers for house heat.
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The new waste tanks. All of the new holding tanks have been installed and mostly plumbed in. The new fresh tanks still need an overflow valve, and the waste tanks need the dump valves and tank washing system installed. And then of course, the SeeLevel monitoring system needs to be placed on them all.
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Jeff, our Dometic dude, giving his thumbs up to the install! Our new Dometic 320 toilet has been installed – it’s their most residential like toilet option (if you’re curious if we considered a composting toilet – check our video live chat archive.)
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The generator & air compressor fits nicely! The new generator has been installed, tested and that project is DONE. (If you have questions about our choice of a 2500w propane generator – please view the archive of the live video chat below we did this last week where we addressed that – we WILL also do a separate article on it when we have time.)
- The Viair RV 450C air compressor is installed and tested.
- All of our new dual pane windows from Peninsula Windows/Motion Windows have been test fitted. We thought they were done last week, but apparently they only did a couple windows.
- A bunch of wood working has been done and wrapped up.
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The bus being prepped for painting! - The mechanical projects were to a state that we moved back to the paint booth yesterday and preps are underway. This is a HUGE milestone for us. The bus is being prepped in a way that access to the bays is still possible so work can continue on those systems.
- And there’s probably lots of other projects I’m forgetting… overall, LOTS of progress made this week.
Obviously, Master Tech has missed their promise of having our project completed by TODAY.
We need to turn our borrowed 5th wheel back to our friends early next week, and hope at least the bus might be livable by then as the projects get buttoned up. Master Tech has given us another RV option to move into onsite, or has promised to put us up in a hotel if needed.
After paint, lots of stuff has to go back on the bus – like solar panels, antennas, awnings and accessories. So even once paint is done by early next week, there’s lots left to do to get us back on the road.
We haven’t yet made a decision on what we’ll do about Alburquerque – but we are well aware of the deadlines, driving time and needing to leave plenty of flexibility for a thorough shake-down of all these new systems. We do have back-up options ready however should we make that decision.
It’s been a roller coaster of a week. We’re exhausted after non-stop 18-hour days for the past 9 days keeping on top of these projects, plus our work commitments. Now that the bus is in the very capable master painters hands, we can take a breather for a few days and let them do their magic.
We’ll continue reporting from the shop – posting photos to Instagram and Facebook daily, and will post another progress report when we have one ready.
Thanks for your continued support, enthusiasm and positive energy that helps keep us invigorated. Zephyr will be AWESOME when this is all done..and it’ll all be worthwhile.
Bus Updates & Info:
Zephyr’s Summer 2015 Renovation Hit List – the original project list, including our decision points for various items (such as why we’re going propane and not diesel on the hydronics & generator).
Bus Renovation Progress Report: A Riveting Tale of Why We’re Way Behind Schedule – Our first report onsite back in Elkhart.
Bus Renovation Progress Report #2: Week of August 17 – Last week’s progress report.
All about our Bus – A little history on our bus from start to now.
Some of the products mentioned in this post that we’ve selected:
We had a great time hosting our live video chat this past week on RV Renovations – talking a little bit about how to do projects on the road when your RV is your full time home.
RV Renovations Video Archive
A lot of viewer questions however where about our specific projects. If you’re curious as to why we selected a 2500w propane generator (will that small of one really meet our needs? Yes, yes it will) and why we didn’t go with a composting toilet like so many other RVers have… then please view the archive where we addressed those questions. Just be careful – it is nearly 50 minutes long.
Glad you’re able to see it for what it is and take it in stride. Because really, getting sideways only makes it worse for everybody. In the end, having quality work done and having everything work as designed is what matters most. Think of all the good karma you’re banking 🙂
its not just Master Tech that has project managing problems. Project management was a big portion of my job as director of an IT department. I cringe when I have to take our motorhome in for repairs because it will never be finished in the state time frame. One of the worst setups I have experienced is giving a repair tech a punch list of items to be fixed and once we have been through the list, he starts the first item by ordering the part/s from the stock room. To place this order he places it in a box in an isle which is picked up by a parts runner, taken to the stockroom, parts pulled and then dropped off at various work stations along his route. Once that job is completed, its on to the next item where the same process is repeated. This all happens between breaks and discussions about fishing, hunting and football games.
You’re to be congratulated on turning lemons into lemonade… If my wife and I were in y’alls shoes I don’t think I would have been as calm and collaborative as you’ve been with the folks who didn’t keep their commitments.
Keep up the fight and I look forward to seeing Zephyr in all of its new glory soon.
Can you send a photo of the damage done by the sand blasing? Have you decided to stay with the original panals and the damage? After seeing a photo maybe I can make a suggestion.
Photos of the damage were shared in this post: https://www.technomadia.com/2015/08/bus-renovation-progress-report-why-were-way-behind-schedule/ … and our decision is the same as stated then, we’re keeping the original panels with the new damage.
I am glad to read about this progress and the fact you can now breathe a bit more easily…your positive attitude is wonderful and I am sure it has helped…looking forward to seeing the end result in Albuquerque….
Wow what a PITA this project has turned out to be… but it will certainly be well worth it in the end and enjoyed by the two of you for many years there after… hang in there!
It will indeed be worth it. We’ve been through plenty of other big projects to know that when we’re back on the road, these stories will be great chatter around the campfire. 🙂
So glad they are redeeming themselves with all the progress. It is looking like the problem was in Tim keeping the project to himself instead of trusting his team. Lots of changes means a big project. I also kept thinking of how projects always seem to get mission creep. But it really does make sense to fix hidden things while they are exposed.
Love your can do problem solving attitudes. Good chat video on the pros and cons of remodeling. Thanks for the candid opinions with experience on the composters. You rarely get that view expressed. I’m looking forward to your upcoming posts. Lots for me to learn (yay). The bus is going to be awesome.
We are so thrilled with the progress these past couple of weeks… we’re not upset that it took 9 days instead of 3, just that the 3 days was unrealistically part of the time line to begin with.
It’ll all be awesome, and we’ll have a wonderful home on wheels when it’s all done.
Propane excellent choice
What kind of inflow and outflow are you going to have in the tire bay too cool the generator when it’s running
Even so you will exhaust out to the side
Or is that standby for more Upcoming updates
We ended up cutting the ‘lip’ off the bottom of the spare tire door to give the required air intake. If that ends up not being enough, we can also create some air intake vents behind the bumper accent pieces on the door. The exhaust goes out the side of the bus. We’ll give a full tour after we’ve had some testing time with it and make sure it’s all working to expectations. But right now, it all meets specs.
Well, as you stated, you’re not back on the road yet, but it is good to see all the progress being made. I hope that trend continues and you’ll be informing us of your move back into the bus this time next week.
Now Friday evening, it’s the weekend, so go have yourselves a happy, yummy meal with some happy refreshments to celebrate the progress. You deserve it! 🙂
Going out to dinner and taking time for a few other errands last night felt so freakin good!
We know it’s been tough, but we love your positive attitude and are THRILLED that Zephyr’s in getting a new paint job… can’t wait to see the results! Hope you continue to have some time to relax, catch your breath and revel in the progress! Look forward to reading more!
Ahhh… it feels so good to not feel like we have to pop out of bed and get in the shop. We will for sure enjoy these days, because the ‘putting it back together’ phase after the paint job was always planned to have our involvement.
So glad some solid progress was made and they’re closer to buttoning it up. We hope to see you in Albuquerque.
We’ll be there.. one way or another. 🙂
Wow. I understand the idea of projects not getting done in time. We once spent 32 days in service, but we were not as upbeat as you, I think they were more happy than us to get rid of us. Good for you at staying positive and tactful in your accounts. I hope the third time is the charm with your end date. We are sending you positive thoughts and will have a glass of wine for you!!
Thank you… being negative won’t solve anything. And they are truly doing some great stuff here.