Running full time on homebrew biodiesel?

[Gary - K7GLD]

Whenever diesel prices hit new highs, we hear some owners threatening to start making their own waste oil biodiesel - so after all the claims, how many really ARE making and using their own on a regular basis.



Keep in mind, this is NOT about commercial Biodiesel, but the backyard stuff!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMMmm - not very many so far - I guess the major oil refiners and Saudi Arabia don't hafta worry TOO much yet! :-laf :-laf

 

[RonA]

I looked into it 3 years ago. Found sources for about 20 gallons a week of used oil. After reading all the do's and don'ts I decided It wouldn't be smart to do unless i had a cheap diesel vehicle like a diesel isuzu or mazda pickup.

 

[DKayser]

When someone guarantees my pump!

I have access to all the WVO I can use, but none of the conversion kits I`ve seen offer guarantees to cover the pump or injectors. When they do that, I`m onboard. DK.

 

[onstottc]

My source of WVO dried up. I went from having a LOT of WVO to none. I need to check around and find more!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I have no doubt lots of guys are intrigued by the idea, and really ARE interested - but when the full reality of the steps and time involved sinks in, that interest soon vaporizes...



In spite of all the threats, crying and anger over increasing diesel prices, most of us by far will probably settle for PAYING for bio diesel at someone's pump...

 

[Moose Truck]

Wvo

Going to WVO, Parts are coming in. I have a 50 Gallon tank on it's way from Northern Tool. I have relays and electrical stuff, Fuel level sender, 6 port Pollak valves, am ordering my Fuel level and fuel temp gage form Westach tonight. Need to get PEX, 5/8 heater hose, 5/8 metal heat exchanger lines, and the $$$. 00 for the DAVCO 234 Heated filter. Mix it up and she'll smell like fries, Moose

 

[Centeno1]

getting started

mixed my first sample 2 days ago. First try came out great but ph was a little low. I dont know what all these guys are talking about time to do it is too much i mixed my sample in like 3 minutes it doesn't get much easier plus a friend and i are doing it together so we are going to set up a metal pallet with a drum and pump so we can get the oil when easy. Is it really worth the effort? sure it's a chance to learn more about my engine and all you wusses who say your waiting for a pump guarantee ..... you have a vp44 silly they randomly fail all the tie anyway due to lift pump failure that's why you see them on here for sale for 200 bucks..... average that into the cost and you still come out ahead..... it looks like alot of you don't have much business sense..... there's a guy here that owns the tallow works and he is now making biodesel and people are paying him to pick up their oil. thats like paying him to get gasor something

 

[JFaughn]

I have been looking at this for some time and found a lot of info, university studies, infact one study usesd our trucks as a test bed and the only down side[if you don't mind makingyour own] is changing all hoses and seals from rubber to vinton[I think I am spelling it wrong] if your going to use 100%, it has much more lubricating than diesel for pumps also you need to change the fuel filter a few times at first becouse the veg oil cleans out the fuel system.

 

[Stroh]

I purchased a Fuelmeister from Biodiesel Solutions in January. I'm waiting for the weather to warm up so I can start mixing.

I have a fuel oil furnace I will use it for first then my lawnmower,then in a vehicle (don't have a diesel yet but want to convert my truck in the near future).

 

[Headshot zod]

Since I don't have a heated fuel tank I was forced to mix in petroleum this winter. In a couple weeks I'll be off the sauce again. Oo.



ooops... . I buy commercial B100 sorry

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Run B100 almost full time, except when the weather doesn't allow. Gelled up for the first time this week. Had B100 in the tank and temps dropped to 10F. I blew out the fuel line with compressed air, added 5 gallons of warm petro diesel (110F) and started it up. I'll try to not do that again... .

Joe

 

[Headshot zod]

I started gelling around 40 degrees with antigel added. How did you make it through the winter?

 

[JBlock]

There several winterize system around, with a heated tank in your bed and a six way valve lets you just switch over from the main tank after about 15 minutes. heat from the cooling system, a little pricey as it was $1200 for the smaller tank system. that includes a some filtering sets too.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

My homebrew gels at about 25F. Mixing 50/50 gets me safely into the mid teens. Below that I stick to blends under 30%. This winter we had some pretty cold blasts for a few weeks. It never got much over 5F for about 15 days. I ran only petro diesel in my truck during that time. I've got an old Benz with a second heated tank and a fuel line heater. I can run Bio at any temp in that thing.

Joe