My WVO diesel school project - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #76 08-13-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

Affordable and TD don't seem to know each other.

Oh really?

Matt L · #77 08-13-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Oh really?

They have been introduced a few times, as you can attest. But you certainly cannot call them the best of friends.

colincoon · #78 08-13-2008, 08:19 PM

Haha yeah I have noticed that they arn't as cheap as a 300D, but I've put $5k down for the car which I think will be enough....then again that is me thinking this! Like I said, I'd settle for a 300D as well, but of course I need the funds first, so the car probably won't be purchased until December. I have been looking around a lot though! The TD is just more suitable for the project.

Colin

colincoon · #79 09-21-2008, 01:14 PM

Hey Mercedes Shop guys (and gals)!

I just wanted to give you all another update, and hopefully you haven't forgotten about me! Hahaha.

First off, everything is starting to come together really well in terms of getting word out about my project. This week I will be sending out 100 solicitation letters to family and friends, and by October 1st I will be sending out another 400 solicitation letters to my school's community. It's a 4 page document explaining everything, asking for donations, and giving a "material list" of a few key items needing to be donated. If ANY of you would like a letter, PM me! Send me your name and address, and I'll send you a letter! You don't even have to donate, I'll send one anyways!

Another crucial part of the process is also getting underway. By October 1st I am projecting to have the website up and running. This will be my main source of communication about the project with everybody, and will showcase a lot of information, pictures, and videos about my trip and WVO in general.

That being said, I really really really REALLY need pictures! I want this to be as user friendly as possible because most visitors to the site won't have any idea what WVO is, so I need pictures! If you would like to, send me tons of photos of your car, your WVO system, anything diesel or WVO related! Credit will be given of course for every picture used. I want to hit the ground running, and considering I don't have anything to really show right now, having pictures of other cars that run on WVO would be fantastic to put up.

That's about it so far! If you have any questions, email me or send me a Private Message and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible!

Thanks guys!

Colin

colin.coon@gmail.com

oldiesel · #80 09-21-2008, 05:52 PM

Colin
When you get your route decided you might have some luck by contacting schools along your route well ahead of time,if they use cooking oil in their cafeteria they would be more inclined to set some aside and hold it for you than a fast food joint.Some documentation from your school that your is a legitimate school project and i think many school administrators might look favorably on it. Don

colincoon · #81 09-21-2008, 10:15 PM

^That's a great idea! I never even thought of that! I'll see what I can find, I know most of the people I'm staying with would help me out finding local schools.

I asked McDonalds about possibly getting a letter that states I can collect oil from their restaurants, but I just got an automated response. I might have to call them....

ob1 canola · #82 09-23-2008, 01:31 AM

micky dees isn't usually the best oil to be had.Better off looking into
asian restaurants;as far as your trip is concerned you could also look here

http://www.fillup4free.com/
It's a network of folks like us across the country
who are willing to give travelers free filtered wvo on thier trips
across country. I have a frybrid kit.
www.frybrid.com.
they also have a great forum..
Good luck

joeblack · #83 09-23-2008, 11:55 AM

Hi, I use injector line heaters that work with electro magnetic induction. This is additional after the normal HIH coolant heat exchangers that bring it up to 160F.
It heats up the injector line in about 20 seconds from 70 to 220F. It uses a temperature sensor on the injection line to control the temperature.
It work great for me.
At full power it draws about 18 Amps.
I built the electronics myself and use it on my 240 D, 300D and powerstroke although the last one has not real injector lines but two steel tubes that go to each cylinder bank.
If any one is interested I can post a couple of pictures.
About picking up on the road, whatever legal or illegal if the restaurant owner approves it I feel that it is OK to get it out of the dumpster.
We just pulled of at medium size cities at the strip and asked a couple of the restaurant and always had good luck with that. The people in the large cities seem to be to worried about legality and liability, in the smaller cities they seem to be more enthusiastic and open about it. Just be sure to keep every thing clean, clean , clean and clean again.

We have traveled through the US with a powerstroke van and 1 micron sock filter from McMaster and a 3 brake lights ( 3x21Watt) in the oil to heat it up and it worked pretty good. and it gives a nice red glow how the light shines through the oil A lot of settling is done in the dumpsters specially in the south and if you can skim from the top.
Get a cordless drill and about 1600- 2000 rpm and an oil pump from a VW beetle and you have the best setup you can imagine, about a cubie in 90 seconds.

We are member from fillop for free and that is a lot of fun because you meet generally very nice people.

Good luck

patbob · #84 09-23-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

What used to cost a pretty good bit of money to have hauled away is now worth money, those "suck and runners" are thieves. Unless you have an agreement with the restaurant owner and its not in a collector's container then it is theft, plain and simple.

As you prepare, consider trying to get a sponsorship from some restaurant chain(s) that covers the areas you'll be traveling in to be your on-the-road source of WVO. Then it won't be stealing and you'll be assured of a fuel source as you travel.

The big chains won't need you nor your project, so I'd start by asking regional chains, who might be interested in the publicity and public goodwill opportunities that such a project could give them. You'd have to put up with being used that way, but it might also open some opportunities and you'd likely learn tons more about a lot of different things than you will just going it alone.

coachgeo · #85 09-23-2008, 01:00 PM

If your in a 300 or 240 diesel car.... These models will suck and drive even some of the nastiest wvol and live for years to tell about it. You'll just be changing filters alot.

for a project like this the cheapist and most easy would be to go with a Schur blend.

No conversion neccissary. Keep your money for auto repairs on these older vehicles. If your going to spend any money on the conversion go with injection line heaters and blend less or no RUG into it. Maybe blend w/diesel instead and increase the IPA some. Seriously though... in the WVO loving 61x motors.... no need.

Infact..... the best study if you want to spend money is in using one of the oil centrifuges to dewater wvo you get on the road. THAT IS THE HOLEY GRAIL not available anywhere. On the road dewatering is a must need in the Fellowship of the oil

The other must need is way for us home under the tree kinda guys to measure combustion quality, and engine timing adjustement methods so we can evaluate our fuel and adjust ignition timing to match it.

There has been lots of drive across the countries.... done it myself practically. It's old, been done, nairly raises anyones brow anymore. If you want to make a dent. the Grail and the means of measuring combustion with in the engine is what we need.

I'm good 8+ years into reseach and some practical app of WVO use.

#86 09-23-2008, 01:11 PM

Blending and using RUG are THE worst things you can possibly do to the engine. Just a step below a single tank "conversion". It doesn't matter how many years you have into it, if you think blending with no conversion is okay then I question the time you've wasted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patbob

The big chains won't need you nor your project, so I'd start by asking regional chains

Family owned and independent restaurants are even more likely to be supportive, especially if you offer them a little cash when you pump.

colincoon · #87 09-23-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeblack

Hi, I use injector line heaters that work with electro magnetic induction. This is additional after the normal HIH coolant heat exchangers that bring it up to 160F.
It heats up the injector line in about 20 seconds from 70 to 220F. It uses a temperature sensor on the injection line to control the temperature.
It work great for me.
At full power it draws about 18 Amps.
I built the electronics myself and use it on my 240 D, 300D and powerstroke although the last one has not real injector lines but two steel tubes that go to each cylinder bank.
If any one is interested I can post a couple of pictures.
About picking up on the road, whatever legal or illegal if the restaurant owner approves it I feel that it is OK to get it out of the dumpster.
We just pulled of at medium size cities at the strip and asked a couple of the restaurant and always had good luck with that. The people in the large cities seem to be to worried about legality and liability, in the smaller cities they seem to be more enthusiastic and open about it. Just be sure to keep every thing clean, clean , clean and clean again.

We have traveled through the US with a powerstroke van and 1 micron sock filter from McMaster and a 3 brake lights ( 3x21Watt) in the oil to heat it up and it worked pretty good. and it gives a nice red glow how the light shines through the oil A lot of settling is done in the dumpsters specially in the south and if you can skim from the top.
Get a cordless drill and about 1600- 2000 rpm and an oil pump from a VW beetle and you have the best setup you can imagine, about a cubie in 90 seconds.

We are member from fillop for free and that is a lot of fun because you meet generally very nice people.

Good luck

I like the idea of injector heaters, and I think I will be using them when time comes to set up the WVO system. Do you think you could give me a write-up and pictures of how you did it? I haven't really found anywhere that gives specific directions or materials to do this.

I will have to collect oil legally, both in an effort to stay out of trouble and also because I wouldn't feel right taking oil knowing I wasn't allowed to. I will also make a post on fillup4free.com letting people know that I need oil when it comes closer to finalizing my route. I just wish the site was more active! It's a great site though.

I think I'm just going to go with a pump I can purchase as that will work easiest for me. I can't really afford to have something I built go horribly wrong on the trip itself, otherwise I would give it a shot. Maybe in the future I can try and build my own pump.

Thanks for the advice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by patbob

As you prepare, consider trying to get a sponsorship from some restaurant chain(s) that covers the areas you'll be traveling in to be your on-the-road source of WVO. Then it won't be stealing and you'll be assured of a fuel source as you travel.

The big chains won't need you nor your project, so I'd start by asking regional chains, who might be interested in the publicity and public goodwill opportunities that such a project could give them. You'd have to put up with being used that way, but it might also open some opportunities and you'd likely learn tons more about a lot of different things than you will just going it alone.

Exactly, I've come to find out that big chains wont do anything for me. I will try to get as many locations myself for oil, but one thing I'm having my friends/family that I'm staying with do is try and find a local restaurant willing to give up some oil. I'm working on getting some sponsorships here in the area, and luckily a few restaurant owners have kids that go to my school. That's really great advice, thank you for sharing it with me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachgeo

If your in a 300 or 240 diesel car.... These models will suck and drive even some of the nastiest wvol and live for years to tell about it. You'll just be changing filters alot.

for a project like this the cheapist and most easy would be to go with a Schur blend.

No conversion neccissary. Keep your money for auto repairs on these older vehicles. If your going to spend any money on the conversion go with injection line heaters and blend less or no RUG into it. Maybe blend w/diesel instead and increase the IPA some. Seriously though... in the WVO loving 61x motors.... no need.

Infact..... the best study if you want to spend money is in using one of the oil centrifuges to dewater wvo you get on the road. THAT IS THE HOLEY GRAIL not available anywhere. On the road dewatering is a must need in the Fellowship of the oil

The other must need is way for us home under the tree kinda guys to measure combustion quality, and engine timing adjustement methods so we can evaluate our fuel and adjust ignition timing to match it.

There has been lots of drive across the countries.... done it myself practically. It's old, been done, nairly raises anyones brow anymore. If you want to make a dent. the Grail and the means of measuring combustion with in the engine is what we need.

I'm good 8+ years into reseach and some practical app of WVO use.

If everything works out, I will be doing the trip in a 300TD. What you said was exactly why I chose the model (burns just about anything) and the cabin space will be a plus considering all that I'm going to be carrying with me. Filters I can deal with, but that doesn't mean that I'll just take any oil I can find.

Yes I realize that there are MANY cheaper ways to go about this, but it's not suited for my project. I need reliability, and using a two tank system seems to be the best way to do it. Not only does it give me a backup should the vegetable oil fail, but in the months that I'm traveling it will allow me to properly heat the oil and prevent possible damage to the car. I may be being stubborn, but I will be going with a two tank system even if it is more expensive.

I have seen these de-watering centrifuge pumps before, and they really are amazing. Thing is, from what I've seen they are either really huge, really expensive, or you have to build one yourself. I just don't have the time, space, or money for something like that. Plus the Racore filters have an Aquablock chemical added to them that can filter out the water, and from what I've seen it does it pretty well. If you want to point me in the direction of an affordable centrifuge system, please do so!

Here is something I need to clear up. I'm not trying to be famous, I'm just not. I'm doing this to benifit people who are interested in making a change, and that it can be done. Yes YOU may say that something like this is old news, but there are tons of people out there that this is all new to! You've just been exposed to it for so long that it's nothing special, but for other people it is. I know first hand what thats like, believe me, but to lots of people this is a whole new concept. TONS of people are interested in this stuff, and just about all of people I will be sending letters to have no idea what all goes in to this, and I'm sure they wont think "Oh this is old news, everyone's driven across the country on vegetable oil before at age 18 *throws in trash*"

Plus I'm not so mechanically inclined to be able to change the timing on an engine. I'm not doing this project to benifit other biodiesel drivers, I'm doing it to show people that anybody, ANYBODY can use alternative fuels, and that they work! This project is for EVERYONE! If I was just doing something like what you mentioned, then nobody would really care! How would that benifit an average Joe? It wouldn't! I'm not trying to be rude here, but it's just not the direction I am going with for my project.

Thank you for your advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Blending and using RUG are THE worst things you can possibly do to the engine. Just a step below a single tank "conversion". It doesn't matter how many years you have into it, if you think blending with no conversion is okay then I question the time you've wasted.

Family owned and independent restaurants are even more likely to be supportive, especially if you offer them a little cash when you pump.

Yes, I'll be going with a two tank conversion just for that reason. I don't want to harm the engine, and I don't need the car exploding because of something I've done. I would never even think about using a single tank conversion for this.

I will check in to some of those around town and around my locations. I don't mind chipping in a little cash either, especially if it is a mom and pop type place.

Thank you, and thanks to all of you for your advice!

WD8CDH · #88 09-24-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Nope. Modern injection systems are far too finely made and precise in operation to allow the use is SVO off the factor floor. It would cost far more than $500 to design an entirely new injection system to handle the viscosity and make the engine pass emissions on a non-standardized fuel.

True, but a system that would burn well filtered and de-watered to below 250ppm "standardized" veggie oil shouldn't add more than $500 to the vehicle. It's when you put poorly processed VO in that vehicle that you will have problems.

coachgeo · #89 09-24-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Blending and using RUG are THE worst things you can possibly do to the engine....

FI..... got lots of respect for your knowledge but in this situation..... do a little more research before you state things as a fact. That info "appears to be" old INNACURATE news not supported by the research of the Schur blend. Lots of detail available. It's just all in German. This ones not a fly by piece of crap thing like Diesel Secret and all that other balony. Have done a good bit of study on it but not FULL study which is why Im carefull not to state things as facts.

Do a google search on it. the best translation I've come up with is Freetranslation.com works better than google and babblefish.

coachgeo · #90 09-24-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD8CDH

... It's when you put poorly processed VO in that vehicle that you will have problems.

nope not true. The more modern engines and computerized ignition timing etc. are all programed to create efficient combustion of DIESEL fuel.

WVO charcteristics are different. Not better, not worse, just different. And if you do not (or can't) tune your engine to match the fuel you will suffer inneficient combustion and resulting problems from that.

Some engines have more tollerance for inneficency. (aka the 617mb) others dont (AKA- around 2000 and up VW diesels)