Alright boys.... the lowdown on FRYBRID

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:49 pm

So, I went to see Chris from Frybrid in seattle today with the intention of picking up a kit, with a 24 x 7 inch round tank to fit in my spare tire basket. That looked hokey, so after looking at all the pre selected size tanks he had I decided I would have one custom built. He says if it takes the same amount of material and the same amount of time as a standard tank he makes it will be the same price, the more aluminum and the more time, the more money. The deal is it has to have 2.5 inches on top for the heat exchanger and fuel lines. I am going to build a cardboard model, to the dimensions I choose and then tuck it up under there, if all goes well I will send him a diagram of all measurements and it will be made when he has time. Right now he is not busy and I could have it by next week, if I wait a week it could be a month long wait, who knows.

I also talked to him about filtering... I started out trying to go as cheaply as possible, but I still need a pump and filters, and after doing my own research I have decided that the still he has designed is far superior to any method I could come up with and not muc more expensive once you work out all the stupid little things I was going to do to figure it out myself.

Here are the plans for the still:
http://www.frybrid.com/filtration.htm

I was going to just use the top hot oil filtering model, but the water heater is definitely the way to go.

He said space would be a challenge but definitely doable. I believe the hardest part is going to be getting one of the 3 way valves in where the fuel leaves the fuel pump and heads back to the tank, at least this is how I udnerstood it when he explained it. However one very good thing is that the fuel pump is the same one used on almost all VWs and something else he said maybe volvos, but don't quote me on that.

So, this is going to cost me more than I thought with the custom tank and the still, but it will be done right and last me years of vegetable oil goodness.

I'll keep you posted on my tank build, if our ladies underbits are the same then my tank design will work for all, so any input would be great.

Kuan · Post by **Kuan** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:24 pm

That looks interesting. The Still looks pretty much the same as a biodiesel processor and the process is also very similar.

I am still tossing up between the options. I'll probably do both eventually. I am just building my biodiesel processor now so we'll have to see how it goes.

josh · Post by **josh** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:29 am

I am real interested Adam, however I just got my taxes finished... ouch... so it looks like I am delayed till probably july anyhow... the tax man got my veggie conversion money

Josh

Kuan · Post by **Kuan** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:47 am

Hey guys,

Have you checked out any one tank systems at all? I've been considering this system from http://www.elsbett.com. German technology and they have a kit for the L300. Its a complete one tank system with new injectors, larger glowplugs, filters, etc.

Worth a look the kit is 950 euros plus getting someone to install it. I know John (terrain) is also looking into it as well.

Kuan

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:16 pm

I built my cardboard tank. It worked out to just over 21 gallons if my math serves me correctly. It is 31.5x20x8. All inches naturally. It actually worked out to 21.8 gallons but that is by calculating the outside dimensions so inside will be slightly smaller.

Here are the photos of the tank built. To make this fit your ride (assuming the facelifted delis are the same underneath) you will need to remove your spare tire and basket, and get side exit exhaust. In the pictures I cut out a part of my tank, but with the cost of getting a tank built like that, and the loss of tank space it would be a stupid decision to not just go side exit and keep things simple.

I still have to work out where I want the top of the heat exchanger as well as my filler tube. It will most likely come straight out of the top of the tank and be filled through the floor of my trunk space as that would be simplest. I am going to look into other options though.

Here are some pictures.

Next step is designing how it will be mounted. This is tricky with cardboard and shit, I'm not really looking forward to making a $600 mistake in planning a tank.

wish me luck haha.

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:19 pm

oh, and I left room for the bumper to be mounted back on... I don't think a hitch will fit but if there is a hitch that takes up the same amount of space as the bumper then it will...

Jungle Jon · Post by **Jungle Jon** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:36 pm

Thanks Adrock, great info. 21 gallons, 80 litres, that's a big tank!

You'd probably make it to Calgary on one fill once you're done! :lol:
Thats a lot of liquid mass, you're going to have to mount it pretty well! Looking forward to seeing the final product. 8)

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:34 pm

you mean the motorcycle tie downs won't do?

josh · Post by **josh** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:14 pm

Adrock wrote:you mean the motorcycle tie downs won't do?

actually they look like you cranked them on real tight... and great fastening choices! one clip right on the leafs... i'd give it a shot, the other option could be duct tape. I mean really. How heavy could 21 gallons weigh? :P

(of course I myself will mount mine differently! lol)

Josh

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:47 pm

21 gallons = roughly 170 lbs.

It all fits, man figuring out the mounting points and where to put brackets is really really not cool.

And with the cost of t his new tank, and the fact that I am going to build the still, I won't have the money for quite some time either.

With the bumper on it looks pretty stealth though. Thats always nice.

asorensen · Post by **asorensen** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:52 am

Hey Adrock that tank mock-up looks alot like this one:

My tank is in the same location you are putting yours and I also took some time to figure out how to anchour it.

My system is not quite finished but it is getting closer.

Andy

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:36 pm

similar yes, but that looks like it slams right up against the bottom of the van. With frybrid you have to leave space for the heat exchanger on top of the tank, so I decided to go with a nice simple design. 6 sides, 2 of each size, and it fits nicely.

I really wish I could just buy it now...

josh · Post by **josh** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:34 pm

Adam,

When are you planning on getting it? And are you getting the whole system from frybird? Tell me more... I want to do the conversion also. It is the only mod that I can make that will pay for itself and do less damage to the environment.

Josh

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Sun May 13, 2007 9:57 am

josh wrote:When are you planning on getting it? And are you getting the whole system from frybird? Tell me more...

I second that. I'd love an update on your progress. I've been leaning towards a Plantdrive system because they are Canadian and have a dealer/intstaller here on the Island. I'm also looking at the frybrid and greasecar systems, but I still don't have much of an idea as to the ballpark cost. Any info you could provide on your experience would be greatly appreciated.

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Sun May 13, 2007 12:43 pm

it is sidelined because of my lack of funds. About $2000 for the kit, and I'd say about $1000 to set up a filtration system properly. Then you have to install it yourself.

This is why I don't have the money. But when I do get it I will have done it right. All the info is all over the frybrid site.