biodiesel...

[jcarey]

Here's some good info on biodiesel for those interested...



http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/consumers/biodiesel.shtml

 

[Headshot zod]

thanks... . I was looking for a pic of that bus the other day. Oo. It was featured for a few frames in the veggivan.org video. We are trying to find a decent theme to "ad-wrap" my truck with.

 

[jcarey]

Headshot Zod, I noticed that you have a 92 using 50% biodiesel. Have you had any problems with seals or lines?



Jim

 

[Headshot zod]

no problems as of yet... ... . I believe the truck is new enough were I needn't worry about the lines. I think the cutoff is the late 80's. Its easy enough to check. I really haven't put enough miles on it yet. Since July I have only need 4 or 5 tankfuls of fuel. So most of what I have been driving on has been bio based.



I've been running different combos of Bio/Petro/Cooking oil. I have run B100 for a tankful and 95% pure cooking oil for 1/2 tankful. I drove out to Ohio for Cruise for a Cure . On 1/3 bio 1/3 petro 1/3 cooking oil.



I haven't needed to change the fuel filter yet but I am going to since I haven't a clue when it was changed last. And w/o any fuel pressure gauges 'fore and aft of it I'm just guessing.



Next Wednesday I'll be dyno testing for fun up at Bear Mountain on B100. I went last night and finally found somebody nearby to test with.



Any other questions just let me know.

 

[jcarey]

Any other questions just let me know.

------------------------------------



Now that you mention it . :-laf



Where do you get your oil... is it used? If used, how do you filter it? If fresh, where do you buy it economically?



Thanks,

Jim

 

[Headshot zod]

The biodiesel I buy in Staten Island by the 55 gallon drum. Although the next run will be a 275 gallon tote. I'm starting to some used oil. The food quality stuff is expensive . 91 a quart. So I only use it when I'm going to shows. I'm trying to find a cheaper way to get fresh soy that isn't for human consumption. Need to find a wholesaler of soy goop for the at home soapmakers.

 

[jcarey]

I'm probably going to go the used veggie oil route myself. Got some info gleened off of the TDR somewhere. Have to start looking. Thought of making biodiesel, but that's a no-no int the city.



Jim

 

[jcarey]

One more please... What do you pay per gallon on Staten Island?



Thanks,

Jim

 

[Headshot zod]

figure 2. 40 or so. I'm an out of state buyer so I save a bit on the taxes. Hoping to get the price to drop when I buy the tote.

 

[Dzlbrnco]

Biodiesel

Hey Guys,



I'm a newbie and joined looking for info to get familiar with the cummins engines. I'm at the start of my restoration project of a 4BT powered 71 Bronco and wanted an environmentally responsible way of fueling the thing when I came across biodiesel and veggie oil. Anyway, I'm glad to see others who are interested in alternative fuels.



I see one of you has checked out the veggievan website. Have you read "From the Fryer to the Fuel tank"?



You're probably aware of this already but the National Biodiesel Board has a fairly complete list of retailers at the following link http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/retailfuelingsites/default.shtm. Jim, i see that you are in Baltimore ( I work in Bmore) and there is a retailer listed in Baltimore on this website.



Pat

 

[Headshot zod]

I ordered the book and DVD back in July... ... ... ... ... ... ... still backordered

 

[Cooker]

I went down to Barned and Noble and ordered the book. I had it in 3 days.

 

[Headshot zod]

->note to self<- don't use the veggievan.org for their book.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Zod,

I bet your library participates in the Inter-Library-Loan -Program. Go there and tell them what book you're looking for, and they can usually get it on loan for you. Sometimes they ask for shipping reimbursement, but not often. That book seems to be on eternal backorder.

I've only had my Cummins for about 1 1/2 years, but I've been running Home-Brew Biodiesel in it since I got it. Nearly 30K miles and counting, but nearly 250,000k on my cars on Bio.

I'm running my Benz on straight veggie oil since Sept 1st of this year. Still working out a few bugs... but it is free fuel. Helps out with my 1100 mile/week commute.



Joe

 

[jcarey]

Pat, welcome to TDR. I've found a few places in Bmore that sell bio, but haven't been to one yet. I read somewhere (tried to find , but can't) that they're building a bio refinery down around RT175, maybe the Jessup area.



There's distributor in Westminister. I'm thinking of getting a trailer, like zod, and see if they will sell to me. THey do deliveries, but that's more expensive.



You can get the e-book for 19. 95 at http://www.biodieselamerica.org/biosite/index.php?id=10,0,0,1,0,0



Also, if you guys are interested in making your own biodiesel, you can get the complete setup at this site

If you’re interested in making biodiesel http://www.biodieselsolutions.com/home/home.asp



I was thinking of it, but then I read about someone in Texas who blew up their garage do that. I live in the City and can imagine where I'd end up if I blew up our house and maybe those of a neighbor or two.



Jim

 

[Dzlbrnco]

Blew the garage up? Hmm, didn't know it was that explosive of a reaction. Do you have the story any longer? It must have been the methanol. I would love to make my own Biodiesel but I'll have to wait till i've got my own place. Fresh out of school and the rents are at their limit with the old truck carnage and engines laying around- I'm just glad they are humoring me for a bit.

 

[jcarey]

Blew the garage up? Hmm, didn't know it was that explosive of a reaction.



Dzlbrnco, it was on cable news. It seems that the guy was doing some welding, and a spark set off the explosion.



Jim

 

[Midnite]

Well there you go! Do not weld when making biodiesel.

 

[onstottc]

You get methanol vapors at some points in the process. I would not recommend paying $3000 for a processor. You can make better ones out of a water heater or by scrounging...



My setup consists of 2 15 gallon stainless steel paint cans, An electric element used to start barbecues, a $20 pump from harbor freight, an aquarium air pump and maybe a few other odds and ends.





I've made about 7 ten gallon batches.

 

[jcarey]

onstottc, you're obviously technically inclined. Could you put a how-to list together for those of us who don't have a clue (I admit I don't ) with what and how, including things like the model pump.



I'm sure a lot of us don't want, or can't afford, to pay 3000, but would like to have an affordable alternative.



Thanks,

Jim