Bought a DieselCraft 20 centrifuge, have it all set up with a power-steering pump and 1/2HP motor along with a relief valve to keep pressures at 90psi.

I'm looking for good (read cheap) ideas to heat the oil to 180F or so. With doors closed, the shop will get up to 120 or so on a hot day which helps, just not enough. Also, moving things outside into direct sunlight is not an option.

I'm thinking of trying to us the thermostat from a old electric HW tank and dropping a new element into the oil. My thinking is as long as the element is totally covered, it's not a fire hazard, but how do I utilize the thermostat?

Also open to other ideas. I'll be heating 40 or so gallon batches.

Thanks,

RJR

 

I'm assuming that you're filtering this to go into your tank. If you cut it with #2 you will not need to heat it as high of a temp to get it thin enough to filter. It will also be easier on you lift pump.

 

I think he is just going by Dieselcrafts recommendation to heat oil before filtering .
You got close to the answer in your ? , make a bay window , shed ect. on the south side of garage , paint inside black with windows & insulate , just the up front costs of the shed , then free heat .
In the process of making bio diesel , many are using electric water heaters , disconnecting the upper element , but with WMO you can have some issues that the bio doesn't , getting oil from gasers & motor oil is a lot more flammable , then also burning / making carbon [ abrasive ] .

 

yup youre right on with that idea. A hot water tank thermostat may top out at 150 on the dial but they do go higher if you turn it till it stops.
I use HW heater elements all the time for cleaning veggie oil and stuff. Just get a 120V 2000W one if you can find it. As long as its covered its safe. Put the thermostat on the side of your tank and get a thermometer to calibrate the thermostat to where you want it.

 

Kawi600, thanks for the reply. Question, and this might be obvious if I tore into a HW tank control, I've always had gas tanks and have zero experience with electric.

How does the thermostate pull it's temp readings? Is there a probe that needs to be in the tank, or at least touching it, or is does something else come into play.

Thanks

 

Try.

http://www.xyzworks.com/centrifuge.htm

Mike