Want to Pay 75 Cents a Gallon For Diesel Fuel?
This story is about biodiesel you can make yourself in your backyard or in the RV park (assuming you get permission). Yesterday at the diesel fuel pump a guy was telling me about his friend who purchased a biodiesel kit and makes his own fuel in his back yard using the used deep-fat oil from restaurants and bakeries. Always thinking I decided to research this and see if it could be done in the RV environment.How can a motorhome, 5th wheel or travel trailer utilize this system while on the road? Currently you need the storage space of the equivalent of four or five 55 gallon drums in order to make and store this stuff. So, if you have a Pickup with a long bed that you tow behind your motorhome you may be in business. Also, a toy hauler would accommodate this system. But frankly, the system is too bulky to be effectively used in the RV lifestyle unless you are willing to give up lots of storage space. But I know you RVers because I “R” one and I know how much you loathe the price of fuel right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I see you trying this out.
It takes two and a half to three days to make a batch of 40 gallons and over that period it requires one hour and 15 minutes of your attention to the process. The company EZBiodiesel is at the forefront in this technology FREE PDF Biodiesel Book
Labels: Driving
posted by Jim Twamley at
3/27/2007 06:27:00 PM
12 Comments:
I was jsut wondering about the tax issues ?? Who ends up paying for the roads that are built ? I am aware that people who get caught using "non-taxed fuel" on public roads are fined.
This is NOT a commentary, just
wondering !!
By
Bruce Field, at March 31, 2007 6:44:00 AM PDT
The link " FREE PDF Biodiesel Book" doesn't work for me.
Any other way to get the PDF ?
By
kmartz@mac.com, at March 31, 2007 7:00:00 AM PDT
It pays not to tell anyone at all apparently. After a series of articles in local newspapers and a display at a Renewable Energy Fair, an owner of a Diesel VW Rabbit was presented with a $700 bill from the State of Illinois for not paying the road taxes on the straight vegetable oil he was burning for the last five years. Although the State of Illinois created lots of bad press for themselves, when it was all said and done it would have been better not to tell anyone about it at all!!!
-David Knapp
By
Anonymous, at March 31, 2007 8:32:00 AM PDT
I make biodiesel. I don't know why it would take three days to make a batch. Once the oil is filtered it needs to be heated and then processed for an hour.
I suspect they meant about 3.5 hours to heat, process and wash a batch. That does not include the collection and filtering.
RT
By
Anonymous, at March 31, 2007 9:48:00 AM PDT
You can make your own system for MUCH less (all new parts for less than $400). There are several sources, but this one links to what I feel is the best online resource.
http://www.localb100.com/
Just my $.75 worth =:)
By
Anonymous, at March 31, 2007 11:12:00 AM PDT
Kmartz, sorry about the broken pdf link. It is fixed now. You can also get there using the other link I provided. Thank you for your readership! Jim Twamley
By
Jim Twamley, at March 31, 2007 11:39:00 AM PDT
I guess I don't see the point. Is an RV'er supposed to carry that contraption along or just settle for an initial fill up? With nearly $3000 for start up costs and transporting used restaurant oil, that sounds like a REAL bargain. Talk to restaurant personel on the road to get their used oil? Geez, if I wanted that hassle, I would just stay at home and mow the lawn.
By
elurrule, at April 1, 2007 4:32:00 AM PDT
First of all, I have been making this for about 2 yrs now. My costs run about 50-75 cents per gal. Methanol is the primary cost. I have found that it takes about a week to make a batch from start to finish, including final the washing part. (Don't skip the wash!) There is a 8-10% decrease in energy per gallon with biodiesel vs dinodiesel. The initial start up is about $400-$500. An "appleseed reactor" is a good starting setup for most people. (Google it if interested) Parts, including odd plumbing fittings can be found online or at lg plumbing warehouses. The basic formula can be found online. A good scale, accurate thermometer, and a 2 ltr bottle should be a good starting point. DON'T START WITH A 40 GAL BATCH. Master the basics on a small scale before you move up. A lot can go wrong! Thus smaller batches equal managable errors. If you can't get a small batch to work chances are your methoxide mixture is off.
By
Anonymous, at April 1, 2007 5:28:00 PM PDT
I can tell you that there is a converted, blue schoolbus presently parked beside us here in FL that has been running on McDonalds/ and other fast food fryer oil for several years. He also runs on diesel. He'll tell you all about it. He says that he initally runs on diesel until the fryer oil reaches 160 degrees and is thin enough to run and then flips the switch over from one tank to the other. Its filtered (removes the left over food chunks) and works great for him. We see him all over the place and the food chain loves him! There is a tank on the roof
By
Anonymous, at April 3, 2007 10:38:00 AM PDT
Holy cow!
Imagine how rotund we will all become once we are supporting an economy that generates enough fryer oil to supply all you guys...and not telling anybody certainly doesn't solve the societal problems of maintining our roads.
By
Anonymous, at April 4, 2007 10:57:00 AM PDT
Don't take used oil out of a restaurant's oil "dumpster" without asking. Many of them have recycling services that pay them for the used oil. Help Yourselfer's have been arrested and charged with theft.
By
Anonymous, at April 14, 2007 1:59:00 PM PDT
I don't understand the comments coming from people who say where will the money come from to maintain our roads if a small amount of the population is using fuel that they make themselves. Do they not realize that the oil companies are making huge profits at their expense and the politicians are giving themselves huge pay raises on the profits of gas taxes and not putting them into road repair as required?
By
Anonymous, at May 25, 2007 1:10:00 AM PDT
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