free radical
Alberta
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Joined: 02/07/2008
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JesLookin wrote:Have a friend at work that has been running his homemade biodiesel in his '04
Duramax since new. He can't use the biodiesel in winter because of gelling problems. Only problems he has are occasional clogged fuel filters. He collects his "fuel" from several local restaurants. He says it is getting harder to find sources, since the biodiesel thing is catching on.
from what Ive heard,its possible to run bio even in winter,with some modifications to the vehicle
see
http://www.goldenfuelsystems.com/
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Yes, but the mods we looked weren't exactly cheap and you need a seperate tank so the motor can start and stop on diesel. These are normally used for running straight vegetable oil but could be used for bio diesel in cold climates as well.
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Mike Mike Motorbike
socal
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Joined: 10/02/2005
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I've read that the factory winterization mods the dealers offer in colder parts of the country work just as well with the BioDiesel...
Everybody going faster than me is a "Maniac".
Everybody going slower than me is a "Idiot".
Don't they know I'M going the right speed.....LOL
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kcabpilot
CA
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Joined: 04/07/2008
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I read Biodiesel Basics and Beyond and it's a pretty thorough book on the subject. Home brewing is kind of like homebrewing your own beer in that you'll probably get a skunky batch every once in awhile because you really do have to b3e meticulous about the process. You also have waste product to get rid of and so it's not environmentally responsible to just flush it down the sewer. The guy who wrote the book set up a very good home system that reclaimed the methanol and dealt with the waste product and turned out consistent product that met industry standards but - it wasn't a cheap setup by any means.
There are a few other issues such as local laws that may (believe it or not) require you to have a license to transport waste vegetable oil. Also, you are, by law, supposed to pay the tax for any fuel you use to transport yourself on public roads and highways. Doesn't matter if you only cook up 100 gallons.
I also read a lot about commercial biodiesel. You have to wonder why it's always twenty cents more than petro diesel. As biodiesel plants came on line the price of soy oil was bid up - it has tripled in the past year. The agribusiness that produces the source oil will always suck all of the profit out of the industry. There's no money to be made in it for anyone else and the only reason that biodiesel plants exist at all is because of the Federal mandate.
Basically, we can't win no matter what we do. If you invented a fuel made from junk mail you suddenly wouldn't be able to afford junk mail anymore.
Hey, there's an idea...
1994 Lance 990 on 1997 F350 PSD Dually
We also have a 'truck' that FLYS
Our 2008 trip to The Canadian Rockies
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Dixonmatco
Santa Rosa, California
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Joined: 04/29/2006
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I heard a funny story about this lately. A guy was stopped with a nice bumper sticker proclaiming "this vehicle runs on Bio-diesel" and the cop wanted to see his receipt or road tax sticker.. Apparently there was a substantial fine involved..
So if you make your own and plan on NOT paying the road tax, don't brag about it.
2000 Chevy Silverado 1500
2005 Komfort Trailblazer T23S
Honda EU2000I
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Farmerkev
Illinois
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Joined: 04/04/2007
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kcabpilot wrote:
I also read a lot about commercial biodiesel. You have to wonder why it's always twenty cents more than petro diesel. As biodiesel plants came on line the price of soy oil was bid up - it has tripled in the past year. The agribusiness that produces the source oil will always suck all of the profit out of the industry. There's no money to be made in it for anyone else and the only reason that biodiesel plants exist at all is because of the Federal mandate.
Basically, we can't win no matter what we do. If you invented a fuel made from junk mail you suddenly wouldn't be able to afford junk mail anymore.
Hey, there's an idea...
Odd, biodiesel is cheaper here for B8.
I can get along with that in the farm machinery until late fall then I start having trouble.
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K5OIT
Conroe, Tx
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Joined: 05/30/2005
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Go to www.biodieselcommunity.org for a good online explanation. Also has plans for a "still". Cost is about $500.
Good luck, safe towing and happy camping!
02 F250 7.3 Auto CC LB Brakesmart Reese Straightline
98 Sunnybrook 29DBS
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