How to Wire a School Bus Conversion the Right Way

For the best deals on Solar Panels, Batteries, and Mini-splits check out
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and use my code "JUICEBOX" at checkout for $50 off your order! Thanks for your support! In this video we do all of the AC and DC rough electrical wiring for a Bluebird Transit Bus Conversion called Our Wild Caravan. I break the wiring process down into hopefully simple steps for you to follow. Ask questions below in the comments and I will be sure to answer them. Hooray we got comments back!
Here is the wire size calculator: circuitwizard.b...
Reliable and well priced Marine Grade Wire Options:
For your DC wire select the size and length you need: amzn.to/2TIvLne (12/2, 14/2 and 16/2 otherwise known as duplex)
And same for AC wires: amzn.to/3f5j79p (12/3 and 14/3 otherwise known as triplex)
Buy the flat wire, not the round wire.
A quick recap:
Use 12/3 for 20 amp AC outlets and fixtures.
Use 14/3 for 15 amp AC outlets and lights.
Use 12/2 or 14/2 for your DC fixtures and outlets (and occasionally 10/2) and 16/2 for your DC lights.
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Watch us convert this bus from the beginning: • We Bought the PERFECT ...
I wrote several articles about Skoolie Converting. Check them out here: www.schoolbusti...
For business inquiries you can reach me at [e-mail]. Now that we have comments back please leave personal messages or questions in the comments and I'll do my best to reply. Thanks!
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[@2AZSUN]

"We're all doing DIY crap we're not qualified to do." Now there's a classic bus build line if I ever heard one. But I don't know Justin, you're looking a whole lot more qualified then when you started. This one is looking pretty legit! Strong work.

[@MobileDwellings]

Thanks Jeff! I've definitely come a long way over the years.

[@tushaye2175]

Curious to know how that would work in with your insurance...is it checked by a qualified electrician & signed off on or ???

[@kittywampusdrums4963]

For anyone wanting to, it's not too hard, just wire it like you would a house. The kitchens should be 20amp outlets for appliance use and the bedrooms with TVs and lamps regular 15amp. *Consider using a ground fault outlet to pull your kitchen and bathroom circuit from.* Especially because of water since this it's a bus that will see all kinds of weather.

[@bethanymay3056]

So, for a 120 fridge, a 12/3 will be sufficient?

[@KelsAndJay]

Your build videos are SO valuable!! You make everything so simple! Also side note it's nice to finally be able to comment on your videos 😂

[@MobileDwellings]

Yeah thanks for finally commenting on our videos for the first time ever. Geez. But all jokes aside, thank you! Now if only I could figure out how to work fast too like you guys!

[@briandavis9975]

Comments are back yeah baby! I've been following the same thing for over twenty five years now two conversions later and still working great. Good video thanks for sharing.

[@MobileDwellings]

Heck yeah we've all waited for years and it finally paid off!

[@arinewhouse]

I’m commenting for the sole purpose that I finally can. Keep the quality content coming:)

[@spencerclark7858]

This whole process seemed much more intimidating before I found your channel. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@trentshepherd9518]

Where oh where would I be without Justin's educational, professional and encouraging skoolie content? Thank you thank you thank you!

[@shelms488]

Thanks for the quality content. Just one slight critique though. You kept referring to it as 12/3 & 14/3, but it’s actual nomenclature is 12/2 & 14/2 as the ground is implied (black, white & bare copper) & 12/3 & 14/3 are actually 3 conductor plus ground (black, white, red, & bare copper).

[@southernrebel159]

Wow, I can comment! I really Enjoy watching the builds, thanks for another video. Nova is growing so fast, I still remember when she was a tiny thing. Anywho, y'all take care and YHVH bless brother.

[@MobileDwellings]

Thanks for watching all of these years my friend. Glad to be able to finally hear from you again!

[@Mopar_logic]

Thanks for the video! As the comments are back, I need to tell you that I enjoy your videos very much! I watched all of them and I'm very excited to watch this one too!

[@MobileDwellings]

Thanks a ton for watching all of our videos. Glad to be able to hear from you again!

[@kevinnye5132]

Interesting video and yeah takes a lot of figuring out all those sockets and cable runs. Nova steals the show every time 😁👌🏻, all looks great 👍🏻.

[@MobileDwellings]

Haha she sure does!

[@Tgftp]

My wife and I bought a 2004 Gillig Phantom just this morning for our conversation. We are very excited to get started. I found your videos doing a search for the wiring. I hope you don’t mind a ton of questions.

[@johnstuart8511]

Good planning. Like you doing. (Homework).Ends up having a piece of mind traveling. Enjoying your videos. Big thumbs up. Regards

[@ketsiabella4657]

I really appreciate your hard working and posting really informative videos for us

[@MobileDwellings]

It's my pleasure. Thanks!

[@WanderbusAdventures]

Great tips in this vid. We’ve recently done this and ended up moving a couple of runs. On another note 96% not subscribed - that’s a mad statistic. Keep up the good work.

[@sueallen3204]

This would be a dream come true to me. You guys are awesome. If you ever come to Arizona I want to see that in person. Happy trails

[@littlenest]

This is coming along nicely, just can't wait to see the final thing!

[@magnoliathebus]

"We're all in this together doing DIY crap we're not qualified to do" needs to be on a T-shirt. 😂

[@BusWilloughby]

Hey, I just brought a bus but the kingpins needs to be changed (what they stated) do you think I could do it myself or if not how much would it be to have them professionally done? P.s I’m new to the whole bus revamp stuff so I’ve been watching all you’re videos since yours seem to be the most thorough one

[@kardneasad]

I really appreciate that you are showing how to do this, as every other video on KZbin is just a time lapse of them doing it with no explanation/walk-through. However, what do you suggest I do if I happen to be a minute and a half into the video, and I have no idea what you’re saying😬. Carpenter here, zero electrical experience. I kinda know the difference between amps, volts, and watts and that’s all I know. Where do you suggest I learn more on this stuff? Thanks in advance if you reply! :)

[@corzkyvlogz3999]

Wow its back 😍😍😍

[@wendyraymond1751]

So lovely to see you ..you are doing amazing looks great ..Nova super cute love the fairy garden have one too ...thanku for sharing hope little baby doing well ..much love and God bless from Cyprus x

[@MobileDwellings]

Thank you so much 😊

[@wendyraymond1751]

@@MobileDwellings my pleasure x

[@Methoes123]

Whats your average cost to build a bus? I'm considering your service. You do excellent work.

[@simplyal6751]

Hi your new subscriber here,It's a great video..watching from Philippines hope someday you will visit our country..Stay safe & God bless

[@sincerelypeach1476]

Yayyyy another vid 🥰🥰🥰

[@terryoconnor1744]

Great video! I'm converting a bus and using 120v AC for the power, since it will not be used for traveling. One issue I'm coming across is there are a couple things (like diesel heaters) that need 12V DC. What would be your suggestion to set up a safe and reliable way to power a few 12V items from AC power?

[@bigeyejim]

I'm part of the 4%. 4% SUBSCRIBED!! LOL

[@_anwesha_dutta_]

Very nice video my dear friend 👍👌👏😍❤️

[@tynitahaines4012]

Looking good

[@Steve-sq4qn]

I got you bro!

[@vivaldi1236]

Brilliant. 👏🏻

[@larsonteribele5322]

Congrats again for the hard work. Nice to see a new project. I’m planning a bus conversion in Brazil too. Using your tips to plan ahead. By the way, any reason to not put the wires inside conduits? Isnt easier to make changes or maintenance? Even to avoid cuts due to vibration? Thanks for sharing all those videos.

[@justinfowler2857]

Might also consider a Mr. Cool mini split. They come precharged which could save some installation costs.

[@MobileDwellings]

Will consider that. Thanks!

[@RiverofLightHolistics]

How’s the wool instead of spray foam???

[@jasoncook2539]

Name of this song??? 🎶 love it

[@johnathanmobley95]

Life saver

[@jennydiez1258]

Super vid! Thanks! Now- we just need to buy one. Are you selling?

[@debbieraupp9271]

Smashed the Like button! 😁❤

[@MobileDwellings]

Haha! Thank you.

[@heathersterling3285]

My husband did have a conversion where he didn't put any of wiring or anything up. And it's half done and I'm wondering how to do it. Or can someone help me with it? He forgot to put all the wire in before he started building

[@jimbooth3]

Why didn't you use conduit when running wires under the bus?

[@MobileDwellings]

They will be hanging above a gray water tank. I just don't think it's super necessary. Do you?

[@jimbooth3]

@@MobileDwellings If there are any contact points then yes. I spent 20 years in an auto factory where all wire harnesses were sheathed. I may be over cautious.

[@TylerPatchel]

Why do you double everything when calculating your distances for the 12v wiring?

[@MobileDwellings]

You want the round trip distance for your wires. But I just learned they don't do it that way in Europe so ymmv.

[@justinfowler2857]

My debate is if I do something like this is do I just go straight ac? I know there are inverter efficiency losses, but ac wiring is simpler.

[@MobileDwellings]

You can definitely go straight AC if you want to. People do it. I don't have any trouble with the added complexity of DC however and the power savings do add up. You may find it's worth making it just slightly more complicated. In the end you're really just picking more wiring sizes, and adding a DC fuse block or two.

[@tabithagregory5097]

How much would it be for you to make me one convert a big bus into a mobile home or an apartment for a single mom and one little boy

[@the._.lonewolf7282]

How about air conditioner running on generator that is strapped with the frame below?

[@MobileDwellings]

Yeah you can do that. We chose to go big on the solar and lithium instead but it ends up being quite expensive.

[@Realtoroffloridafl]

Do you sell layouts ? About to buy a bud tomorrow

[@MobileDwellings]

I don't. I should! I do (paid) bus building consulting along with Chuck Cassady. Check out Skooliesupport.com

[@jhilamsarkarkundu8917]

Cool

[@flowergarden1426]

My kids are trying to talk me out of buying a bus because the said there is not enough R value to keep warm in the winter, even with a wood stove because there are no double pane windows. Also they said it will be a hot box in the summer. Anyone have answers to this?

[@MobileDwellings]

They're not wrong. You've either got to heavily modify a school bus with lots of insulation and dual pane RV windows which generally means raising to roof. I think the idea is to move slowly with the seasons. If you don't want to drive it around I think a tiny house makes more sense.

[@flowergarden1426]

@@MobileDwellingsthank you, I can now put that to rest. I’ll be looking at the other option now.

[@gwahamedofficial2207]

Bro I am from sri lanka

[@bethanymay3056]

For a 120 fridge, do I use 12/3? Or does the wire need to be larger?

[@MobileDwellings]

12/3 is correct for a fridge. Odds are 14/3 would be fine too.

[@bethanymay3056]

@@MobileDwellings I am going to do what you suggested then, and go with all 12/3 and 12/2. It's more expensive, but gives me peace of mind. Thank you!!!

[@johncolman3451]

House

[@ohske]

👍👍👍👌❤

[@yasmin-hf9tc]

Hilo 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@MobileDwellings]

Heyooo

[@alexandrinaalexandra1357]

Vitor tor Portugal 🚌🚌🚌👍👍👍🥇🥇🥇🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹

[@MobileDwellings]

We want to visit Portugal some day!

[@Mopar_logic]

@@MobileDwellings make sure to install a snorkel on the bus before you hit the ocean 😉

[@yasmin-hf9tc]

🇮🇳🎖🎖🎖

[@shaunjacqueline1646]

HELP!!!! Our bus wont start. Its definetly wiring!!!! somebody, anybody! HEEEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!!1

[@RoamingWildBC]

too bad you are using insulation that will mold and hold moisture. death trap bus.

[@johncantrell8873]

Sharing strawberries, how good can it get?!