My half assed cheap plan

[g_man1972]

So, heres what I was thinking. I would love to do the conversion to WVO but lack the funds at present, plus I don't have a reliable source, plus I don't really have the time/money to set up my own gas station with all the filtering stuff. Its a temporary situation with two kids in day care, preschool ect. ect. So how about this, if I was to pick up some oil from the neighbourhood,(like 30l at a time) let it settle, use a fish tank heater to warm it up/dewater then use one of those filtering wands from Plant drive (i think thats what they are called) and simply use half tank diesel, half tank WVO I would be set to go right? No modifications, no cost of set up other than the filter wand thing and I would cut my gas bill in half. Is there any reason that wouldn't work?

I have been reading a bunch and it seems like most of you are doing these big setups because you are filtering a lot of oil, because thats your main fuel and also want to help others as well which is awesome. Thats the same as I would like to do one day, but seeing as how I would only really need like 60l a month to be a 50/50 split (I use two tanks a month on average) this might work right?

Just throwing it out there, any input much appreciated
Thanks
Gary

[delicat]

It could work but not sure for how long...

What would be your final filtration rating? 10u is about the norm. Just using the wand might not reach that level.

Then using a 50-50 mix might gum your injector and inside your combustion chamber. I read a good study on the matter and if I find it I'll post it for you. It was quite exhaustive and the result was that anything above 20-25% mix would cause accelerated engine wear (and that was with straight veggie oil if I recall).

Where are you located? I have over 100 gallons of oil ready for use (Vancouver area), that might be easier than collecting it if you want to get it going right away.

David

[EricN]

If you have the oil and live near Coquitlam, feel free to drop me a PM as well. I can filter it for you. You just need to supply me a clean oil jug to put the oil in for you, cleaning those jugs sucks.

[g_man1972]

Wow, first off thanks for the offers! I live in east van so I'm pretty close to you David maybe we can work out a deal, I don't want to be a freeloader.

Maybe with all the reading I have been doing I confused myself, I thought the plant drive wand was a 10 micron filter now I see it's 70, that wont work at all. It was probably the filter bags I was looking at, 25 on the inner 10 on the outer, but with the offers... who cares anyway

So i'ts only 20-25% than can be safely used, I thought you could go up to 50% in the summer without doing damage and it was above that that problems could occur. Well 20%, that would be the way to go, I really don't want to bugger anything major up. I would be interested in the study you were talking about David as would others I'm sure.

Oops gotta head to work,
Thanks again David and Erick, no wonder people love this goup so much, every ones willing to lend a hand
Cheers Gary

[vanjuggler]

I just signed up with the new Vancouver Biodiesel Co-op at the Recycling Alternative. They have some WVO->biodiesel processing equipment, and when i talked to the organizer dudes they said that they would consider allowing members to process their own wvo using the co-op's equipment. That would be super cool IMO.

I'm running B100 only now, as much as I can. Thanks co-op!

[delicat]

If you're running B100 I guess you're aware that your fuel lines will brake down sooner than later (probably same with all the gaskets in your fuel pump). I'm replacing mine with new upgraded hose but won't bother with the fuel pump until it starts to leak...

David

[g_man1972]

"I just signed up with the new Vancouver Biodiesel Co-op at the Recycling Alternative."

How much do they charge a liter out of curiosity. I looked at the Recycling alternative web site for most up to date prices as the co-op site said, but none listed.

[delicat]

I drove by on their opening day and they were only charging $0.04 less than the ongoing price at the pump for the station in town. Not a big discount but they're using recycle oil so it's nice in a way.

I think you also need to pay a one time $25 fee before being able to use their pump but don't quote me on it...

David