Brainstorming for a veggie oil conversion kit, I've found a source that can get me heated sample line for a good price. I think that I can get all weather, fiber-glass wrapped, teflon line with anything I want in it; namly tubes for return and sending fuel lines, tubes for coolant, and electrical heating elements.

The questions I have are in regards to the heating of the lines; has anybody ever done electrical heating on a veggie oil conversion? I'm thinking that it would speed up the initial oil heating process radically, and you could use a pretty simple circuit to use the electric heaters initially and then turn them down as the engine coolant gets hot. Considering how much I stop and go drive, I need something that can get hot fast.

Also, how hot does veggie oil have to be for it to flow? Based on how hot it needs to be, I can figure out how many amps I'm going to have to feed to the heaters in order to liquify the veggie.

Finally, considering that such a set-up would have to pull a lot of power, what is the highest amperage you can get out of a stock alternator? They're rated for 120, so is that a good level for one? Otherwise, how big of an aftermarket alternator could you get?

Thanks for any insight.

 

Why does everyone always want to spend a ton of money on a conversion when it will basically run just the way it is on a mix? I don't get it. All you need is a way to filter it before you use it. Go HERE and look up "Kugel's blend". If you live in a warm climate chances are you do NOT NEED all of the heated tanks, expensive filters, and blah blah blah. Of course if you just want to buy it because it's cool, then I TOTALLY understand.

 

I usually live in a warm climate, but not always.

I guess a blend like 25% unleaded, 75% wvo could work, but, ewww... Gasoline's nasty. I'm not getting gasoline anywhere close to my baby...



I guess that'd be an interesting alternative...

 

I ran an 80/20 blend with no problems. Guys on the biodiesel.infopop forum have run it for lots of miles and in some pretty cold weather.

 

I've read that you have to get the veggie oil up to about 160 degrees F to get it flowing properly. I haven't looked into the mixing gas with it, but who knows.
What i've read is the biggest thing to be concerned with is filtering the vwo and getting ALL the water out or you're in for some big problems. I don't blame anyone who would want to run their vehicle for cheap. Price of diesel is getting out of hand.
Brent

 

the easiest way to heat the line is to run it right with the 2 coolant lines going to the tank and wrap it or at least band them together. In my buddys rabbit that we set up to run WVO it took about 3 miles of driving before the oil was hot enough to run (30F outside). The temp gauge in the tank gets up to as high as 210 but averages right around 180 at cruise. I flip the switch when I start smellin the oil or at 150 which ever comes first. In my rabbit truck I ran 50/50 mix in the summer but when temp got around 50 it got a little hard to start to I pulled the plug for the winter but soon I will be running the mix. I don't know what kind of climate your in but if outside temps stay above 40 anything with WVO is easy and heating it up quick won't be a problem from what i have found. Hopefully I will be doing a WVO 1st gen soon.

 

My friend with a WVO Isuzu npr installed a propane heated 55 gal holding tank. He said it worked real nice. I feel like as a general rule, the more heat to the oil, the better.
Mike

 

ouchman.. How many miles do you have on that blend? I'm interested, but people I trust (diesel mechanics) say that might be a bad idea. Keep us posted on how it's treating your engine, if you would...
Mike

 

First of all, I am not currently running WVO because I don't have a supply or anywhere to setup a filtering station. Second - I ran NEW VO (mix) in my other D250 for about 300-400 miles. It was an experiment based on what I had read on the other forum mentioned. I am moving to the country soon and I will be running my latest 250 on either WMO (which I think I have a source for) or WVO, whichever I can get a supply of.

I am NOT an expert on this subject. I just know what I have read and my results from trying it. My results and the other forum are good enough for me to continue with a mix and FORGET about all the heated tanks and other junk.

Please read all the posts at the other forum - those guys are real experts.

 

Can you just filter the oil before putting it in the tank and mix 1/2 diesel 1/2 oil and run it? At least it should stay nice and thin and it will cut the fuel bill in half. I really miss my cummins but I dont feel quite as bad when I pass the $2.77 a gallon signs on my way home. I get pretty much the same milage now but pay $.50 less for gas. As much as I drive thats alot of savings. I wish I had a corn fuel station to try out in my Yukon. I heard that stuff is cheap but you dont get near the milage. Anyone know the price of Flex Fuel?

 

Apparently so. Look for posts by "Oilguy". He has done this and can probably tell you more - he was very nice when I asked him about it.

 

I guess that sounds like the way to go. I am going to start working on a stepped filter system, something with washable screens mostly, then just some big regular oil filters at the end. I have an extra 80psi pump sitting around already anyway.

And I can get all the 55 gallon drums I want from work free.

 

i'm trying a blend out that uses gas and kerosene,, go to Dieselsecret.com. all u have to do is strain, add the ingredients (proper ratio's) and filter and go... U dont have to preheat or anything, the gas and kerosene thins it out to keep it from jelling.

 

if u want to try it out just buy one bottle of there solution and mail me and i'll give u the rest of the info on the mixtures,,, I've averaged my price and i can make it for about $1.50 gal. its only that high because i have to add gas and kerosene

 

Um, I undertand that gasoline in a diesel is bad, very bad, very very bad. You need to look at lubrication. You are taking basicly a solvant and putting it into a pump that is lubricated by fuel? If you ask you Dad he will tell you that he used to clean his parts with gas. Now if you mistery snake oil will offer enough lubrication then great! But here's the thing, a first gen will run on mostly strait ATF, I just filled up at 4.30 a gallon, ATF is cheaper, but I'll stick with the ULSD. What is my alteritive? Walking? Riding my horse 100 miles a day? I'll pay the price and just plan my trips better.

Justin