WVO conversion website on a 92 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JasonC · #1 07-26-2006, 11:17 AM

Hello,

I put together a website on a 1992 300D I converted to run on WVO. There are lots of picture on the conversion and I will be adding more links to supersize some of them.

Let me know what you think.

http://geocities.com/jaycimini/

Jay

greasybenz · #2 07-26-2006, 01:52 PM

looks cool, i love the control panel with the french fries!!

But assuming your just using the coolent heating have you thought about some electric heater that would go before the IP? Dont get me wrong the greasecar kit is ok but can be better with a few add-ons. Look up vegitherm on plantdrive.com i would suggest adding one to make sure your getting 170F before it goes to the IP and engine to be burned.

Or a cheaper option would be to make a glowplug heater
http://smallglowplugheater.blogspot.com/2005/12/small-glow-plug-heater.html

But anyway, nice install!

JasonC · #3 07-26-2006, 03:26 PM

Hello,

I was concidering adding an injection line heater but I read that the oil heats up to the correct temperature from the engine heat as it goes though the pumps and injectors. Is that not true?

Thanks,
Jay

OrlandoMercedes · #4 07-26-2006, 09:04 PM

Nice looking install. Can you tell me how you did your control panel? I have a 95 300D and plan on installing the Frybrid kit that has been sitting in my garage for the last 6 months sometime before I die. I had in mind a control panel like yours with an extra power outlet (Cell phone charger and GPS so I need 2).

Also, did you have to take out the center panel where the shifter is to get the original ashtry piece out?

blueranger · #5 07-26-2006, 09:07 PM

yes, the oil heats up in the IP and then in the injector...

the injector contains less than a teaspon of fuel and that injector
sprays into the conbustion chamber which is about 3000 degrees...
the injector tip would probably be at about 300 degres... and since there
is such a small amount of oil in the injector it is quickly heated to the desired 180 degrees....

where as, if you placed 20 gals of veggie oil on your 220 volt stove it would take it 20 minutes to heat to 180 degrees... so neither water nor 12volts will effectively warm the oil... the only thing this does is keep the oil warm for people who live in northern mongolia....

there are many of us who just pour the veggie oil in our tanks... straight without all this extra stuff....first for safety...

OrlandoMercedes · #6 07-27-2006, 09:10 PM

Jay,

Would you send me a PM about the control panel when you get the chance.

Thanks,

Len

JasonC · #7 07-28-2006, 03:45 PM

The panel is made from a thin sheet of acrylic plastic. I used a CADD drawing and a laser cutter at work to cut the outer shape and the holes. If you don't have access to similar equipment and materials you could make it out of thin smooth wood by hand or Dremmel. I then searched on Google for a picture of fries. Cut and pasted the picture in Microsoft Word and added words and pictures. Then I printed it on sticker paper from Walmart and covered it with some contact paper.

The auxiliary power jack is from Pep Boys or Radio Shack I don’t remember which but I think it’s Radio Shack.

The old lighter power is used for the valves and gauges like it says in the website but the aux power is from a separate power source. I’m running a second power line from the terminal near the battery in the engine compartment. I run it through a relay and a fuse (plus there is a fuse on the aux power jack) I’m pulling the signal for the relay from the lighter power as well. You end up with a bunch of wires to run but if you do it when the car is apart it’s not much extra work.

Yes I had to take the center console out to get the ashtray out. It was simple for me but you might have a center storage unit that might make it harder. I removed the trim around the shifter. Removed the square carpet towards the back. The just remove the exposed screw that was under the carpet and lift up. It should come right out.

Hope that helps.

Was the website useful for you to figure things out? Was it easy to use and understand?

If you want to email me your address I can send you a drawing of the panel with dimensions. Email me at: jaycimini@yahoo.com

#8 07-28-2006, 04:25 PM

Terrific installation. Coolant heated veg filter should be more than adequate. There is a guy in England that goes by the alias High Compression II that has been running WVO straight into the tank without any extra heating for over 40,000 miles. Advises advancing the injection timing 3-4 degrees to compensate for veg oil slower burn.

OrlandoMercedes · #9 07-28-2006, 04:50 PM

Jay,

I appreciate the follow up. That is very helpful. I have the aux power outlets already. I got them at Radio Shack. I do have a Dremmel and can find the materials to make the panel.

I have tried to take the center console out before and it wasn't happening without some force. I will send you an email so you can send me the drawings and dimensions.

Regards,

Len

JasonC · #10 07-29-2006, 08:55 PM

I've never heard of doing a timing adjustment for SVO. Did he do it to help at start up with his one tank sytem or is it good for any SVO set up? Any good disscusion going on about it?

Thanks,
Jay

speedy · #11 07-29-2006, 10:23 PM

Jay,

Nice conversion! FWIW my opinion is that you have plenty of heat for your oil with that filter heater. I have been experimenting with different blends and collecting parts for my own two-tank conversion and the more time goes by, the more I think I don't need a lot of additional heat beyond the stock fuel preheater. I have hit the output port with my IR thermometer when the engine is warmed up and usually see about 160 degrees. My plan is to use the stock preheater on the veggie side and do without any preheat on the diesel side (I live in Dallas, the car will never see really cold temperatures anyway). I will also be heating the fuel lines from the oil tank to the preheater, but that's it. I don't anticipate any problems.

JasonC · #12 07-30-2006, 10:24 PM

Dave,

I'm really starting to belive all you need is to get it to flow to the lift pump and the engine will take care of rest.

Thanks for the post.
Jay

JasonC · #13 08-08-2006, 01:13 PM

I just added more links to the pictures. Just put your cursor over the picture and click. You should get a supersized picture.

veggiediesel · #14 08-20-2006, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy

Jay,

My plan is to use the stock preheater on the veggie side and do without any preheat on the diesel side (I live in Dallas, the car will never see really cold temperatures anyway).

Hi Speedy,

Be sure to remove the thermostat components of the stock fuel pre-heater if you want to use it for the veggie oil. My Mercedes manual says the system is designed to allow the diesel to bypass the heater if the temperature is above something like 45 deg F. I've never had one of these thermostats apart, but I've had a lot of experience at making things NOT work!

From the picture in the manual, it looks like you can remove the valves and direct the fuel through the heat exchanger full time. Good luck!

Jay: The website came together very nicely. Lots of good info and photos

Paul