House sitting in Frankston

billeeeeeee · Guru

House sitting in Frankston

yeoeleven · Guru

Chris and Paula have set off on their holidays to Kiama coinciding with a Gemini car club meeting and I am home alone, except for a couple of dogs a cat and an aquarium, shades of farm sitting in Tasmania last month.

I have been updating a previous post on my progress towards getting the coaster registered and I will update that journey here on this post from now on. So far as I can ascertain the bus is ready for the roadworthy examination but it is booked in for next Wednesday the 3rd April, his earliest opportunity. During the next week I intend to move the deep cycle batteries from the Hi Ace to a space in the bus under the bench opposite the car batteries and the bring across the solar panel to the roof rack above the front of the bus. Later when I can afford to I intend to have three solar panels secured to the bus roof with a regulator that will tell me the status of charge and usage.

As well as the batteries and solar I intend to relocate the rear vision camera into the coaster and also the double socket for 12 volts. The fridge can wait until the bus is registered but another job can be done is to extend the cupboard top behind the passenger seat allowing more bench space and have a pull out table extending from underneath. There was a car seat in that location but I have removed it and have the generator and Coleman Hot Water in Demand units standing there secured by a tie down strap. There was nowhere in the bus with a big enough space for those units even though the bus has lots of cupboards, the boot has been cut in half making way for the bed.

The Hi Ace is still sitting out front but I have not devoted the time and expense to fix it but have been given the use of a Mitsubishi Mirage and I enjoy driving that more than the Hi Ace. I do not know how I would have handled buying a coaster without the opportunity offered to me to stay in Frankston and the help given me from Chris and his friends. If I could afford to buy one ready for registration that would be great but that is not the case, by the time this is registered it may have cost that much but the expense has been spread over 4 months and I will have a vehicle worth much more that I could have bought last November. John

beiffe · Guru

Keep up the good work John.

Just be careful you don't change or add anything that will effect the registration.

The addition of batteries etc may be considered as towards is there the correct protection . ventilation etc.
I am not sure of VIC requirements but I know when I change my bus to my name they asked about the gas as there was no certificate so I said it had no gas installed (the HW was sort of connected but I have now removed it so I have no gas on board) but if I had said yes it would have involved a gas certificate being obtained.

Best to get it registered and then move things around etc.

Regards
Brian

jules47 · The Happy Helper

All gas stuff had already been removed from John's Coaster - so that is not a problem. Can't wait to see him on the road in the Coaster, even though he has to learn about the different size after the HiAce - longer, higher and wider - but I am sure that will all be taken care of in due time.

John - good to see you are happy there in Frankston - no smuggling Hunter (the kitten) on board when you leave tho - you would have to face Paula over that one!!!!! hahahahaha!!

Half Pint arrived here last night - camped just over the way.

yeoeleven · Guru

Good thinking Brian it might be as well to leave the extra batteries until after registration saving any potential hassles.

Billeee are you sure it isn't a carp biggrin biggrin that is all I caught in Greens in 5 weeks. You were sure that fish you caught at Macquairie Heads was a lost Atlantic salmon, is that all you can catch biggrin biggrin

John

bill12 · Guru

No, its a yellow billeeeeee, a new species bred just for Greens lake.Very rare, and only at Greens..........

msg · Guru

Hey Billeeeee, what am I doing parked behind you?

Regards
Mel

blaze · Guru

I think you may need a weigh bridge ticket for tare weight, if you do dont put batteries or other mods in until after the weigh bridge ticket, Has it got a gas compliant cert, has it got a 240 v cert. Not being negitive but the mob I work for in WA does roadworthies inspection and a lot of people come in without these and leave disapointed. I am sure you will have it all good john
cheers
blaze

yeoeleven · Guru

Yes Blaze I do have a 240 volt certificate and a weighbridge weight certification for 2850kg well under the GVM of 4520kg.

The Coaster has no gas and therefore does not require that certificate.

Hopefully the roadworthy certificate plus the above will get me through the registration, my worry is that there is no compliance plate converting it from a bus to a camper so the previous registration may have covered that but have no details.

It is all up to Vic Roads when I take it to be inspected with the roadworthy, 240 volts and weighbridge certification. John

wasn_me · Guru

Hi John

A mate registered a coaster he had converted a couple of years back in Queensland. To be classed as a motorhome, he had to have cooking, sleeping facilities & a fire extinguisher.

He hadn't installed gas to keep the cost down,however he had fitted a microwave, they let that pass as cooking facilities.

That was in Qld a couple of years back, probably all different in Vic.

Cheers Pete

-- Edited by wasn_me on Thursday 28th of March 2013 12:24:36 PM

herbie · Guru

Is a fire alarm required just like in caravans ?

yeoeleven · Guru

Not sure Herbie but I have installed a smoke alarm.

Thursday morning I successfully fitted the rear vision camera to the Coaster, this will be a real plus I never used it in the Hi Ace but the bus is longer, wider and higher so it will take some getting used to. In the afternoon I was able to install a double 12 volt socket in the area where I will be using the laptop and maybe the TV later. Would like to tackle the solar tomorrow but the bus is on an incline and very high so it could be a worry working on the roof rack, see how I feel about that tomorrow when I get the ladder out. John

jules47 · The Happy Helper

John, unless you can go from the house side, I wouldn't be doing it with no one at home!!!!!
Young Richard is here, and his dad arrives sometime this arvo - said to say g'day. Filling up now, but not too bad, expect a lot more to come in as they knock off work today.
Bit blowy, but the rain seens to have gone. smile smile

jetj · Guru

A smoke alarm is required in anything you sleep in I think is how it is worded.

herbie · Guru

Whats the go re the law you mentioned in one of your posts back a little while ago regarding the door set up in motor homes / bus conversions....Has it came in or what John.

yeoeleven · Guru

Herbie that is still ahead of me yet, it depends on Vic Roads what is required for them to register the bus.

The ADR suggests that a new registration requires an outwardly opening door, I am hoping that some previous registration is extended.

My plan is to present all my certification and hope that is enough.

John

herbie · Guru

John, i have every thing crossed for you,with your up dates on your repairs and all other jobs regarding getting the bus up to scratch has been very intersting reading...All i can say is once you have over come all these repairs / up dates you are going to have a vehicle that is more reliable than some of these newer rigs on the road.As a lot of them maybe a lot younger in date,but they also may have done a lot of rough and hard work around the country.What i am trying to say here is just because the speedo says xx it does not show the wear and tear' it has been through.

yeoeleven · Guru

Friday, Good Friday, and after getting the ladder out and wedging it next to the rear vision mirror and tying it to the wheel I was able to lift the solar panels into place on the roof rack, manufacture some metal brackets and pop rivet them in place. Took most of the day but now am ready to do the electrics connecting the solar panels to the battery. The Hi Ace is definitely looking sadder now without the annex and solar panels.

Last Sunday I put the annex and the antenna into eBay and currently the annex is getting a few bids and is now just over $150 but apart from questions the antenna hasn't raised a bid. John

yeoeleven · Guru

Sunday afternoon and I have knocked off early from working on the Coaster but now the fridge has installed and the connection for the solar panels is complete. I have burnt my bridges with the Hi Ace having removed the annex, solar panels, an Anderson plug, 12 volt sockets and the fridge now more than ever I have to get the Coaster registered I always said that I wouldn't do that but all this spare time in Frankston was too tempting so I have worked all weekend and accomplished plenty.

The eBay items have a couple of hours to go I wanted to be available for any last minute questions, so far I will get just over $200 for both and hoping for more all going towards the registration. John

Edited to add that the annex sold for $264 and the antenna for $302 Great news towards the Rego.

-- Edited by yeoeleven on Sunday 31st of March 2013 08:03:09 PM

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Good one John - have a rest - you are working hard there. Hope the dogs and cat are being good for you, as well as the aquarium. Having a great time up here - had visitors three days in a row with goodies for us all - today was Barina (Judy) and her friend Judy- crispy rolls, salads, cold meats as well as fruit and Easter Eggs!!!! and Hot Cross Bums!!!

Had a good laugh over lunch, with Dougwe, Terry (tcp99), Solo Steve, Jimbo, Billeeeeeee and me, as well as some prospective new members - Patty had gone to have a roast lunch with her son, and a shower!!!!

barina · Guru

jules47 wrote:
Good one John - have a rest - you are working hard there. Hope the dogs and cat are being good for you, as well as the aquarium. Having a great time up here - had visitors three days in a row with goodies for us all - today was Barina (Judy) and her friend Judy- crispy rolls, salads, cold meats as well as fruit and Easter Eggs!!!! and Hot Cross Bums!!!

Had a good laugh over lunch, with Dougwe, Terry (tcp99), Solo Steve, Jimbo, Billeeeeeee and me, as well as some prospective new members - Patty had gone to have a roast lunch with her son, and a shower!!!!

I am sure Jules meant Hot Cross Buns!!!!!!

Had a great day John.....you should be very proud of all the work you have done with the coaster........

Duh · Guru

Good luck tomorrow John! We'll all be keeping everything crossed! smile

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Bugger John -we are in Omeo- through Bright and on to Mount Beauty (couldn't go to Mt Hotham- Great Alpine Road is closed for clean up after fires) - came through Falls Creek, the scenery is to die for, the roads are reminiscent of Tassy - windy, narrow and hilly!!!! But well worth the trip.

-- Edited by jules47 on Wednesday 3rd of April 2013 04:56:59 PM

Hoodathunkit · Senior Member

Good luck today John. Hope all goes smoothly and you get your rego without a hitch. Have enjoyed following the journey or your new coaster..

Duh · Guru

Nick who you remember at Denmark (WA) had to get the next licence up for his Nissan Civilian bus, but I think that was a bit bigger than yours. They took his licence off him when he had a heart bypass operation, but he has since got it back with a Drs certificate since his recovery.......Good luck with that anyway John, hope you manage to work something out...

-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 3rd of April 2013 09:02:51 PM

herbie · Guru

Hi John, although i am at work i keep jumping on here to see if all went ok with your rego ..Keep us posted ,it only can be good news .

yeoeleven · Guru

Tuesday evening and by now Chris and Paula have arrived back home and it is good that they have because I was unable to start up the Coaster to get it to the roadworthy on time. We decided that it would be dangerous to drive the Coaster across to Springvale even though Chris was able to start it so a tow truck was hired and it would be rare for a vehicle to arrive for a roadworthy on the back of tow truck. I had previously spoken to Nigel and he was expecting to have to check out the carby so now I am waiting for a phone call telling me of the results. Here's hoping for a clear roadworthy and the opportunity to have a date with Vic Roads to register the bus.

Wednesday afternoon and dream on, Nigel fixed up the carby but his authority stops at 4500kg VGM and the Coaster has a 4520kg registered. He can't give me a roadworthy so back to the drawing board and I have contacted Vic Roads who advised me that they can't reduce the GVM the only person who can is a certified engineer. Nigel advised me that a front crankcase seal will be have to be replaced so I have asked him to complete the job by tomorrow night. So I have to find $200 to pay him for both jobs and the engineer has been booked for Friday morning costing at least $600. Good job I had the eBay sales to help finance all this. All for 20kg over weight.

The only way to reduce the GVM is to have an authorized engineer to comply the Coaster from a bus to a mobile home and then the GVM can be reduced, exactly what I have been trying to avoid because the door problem may be brought up. John

herbie · Guru

They say life was not ment to be easy ,but just how Bloody hard was it ment to be.??

ken thomas · Guru

Hello Jules
Have a 10 day powered site booked at Mt Beauty on the 21st, so hopefully all will be well and still not to cold
Ken

jules47 · The Happy Helper

It was beautiful when we came through today - air is very cool (especially for us Qlder's) - but sun is shining here in Omeo. Move on out to the coast tomorrow - going to be in Eden on the 8th - so taking it slowly.

Watch out for the cyclists - they love the roads around the high country - head out to the Wandiligong Pub, good spot, and watch the hang gliders come over the mountain at Mystic Park along the way - you could always have a tandem ride Ken!!!!!!