roadtrip - Portable, out of the trunk filtration systems

[EastCoastVeg]

Hey there, a few weeks back I graduated university and to celebrate bought an 84' 300TD converted to veggie oil to learn the ropes. im new here but excited to learn. Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm preparing for a few long road trips (taking off to Tennesse from Toronto in a couple weeks) and been doing research on what is the best way to do a portable, out of the trunk filtration set up but curious for feedback.

- i've read its important that the WVO can settle for a few days before it is run through a filter. is this true? what is the impact if it isn't given so much time to settle? my understanding is that it just puts more pressure on the filter itself

- how important is it that the WVO gets heated before being run through the filter? is the consequence of filtering without heat just that it filters slower? how slow does it go without the heat?

otherwise what is the cheapest and most portable way to heat it. can i use a portable water heater of some sort?

- are there any maps showing WVO collection sites in Northeastern USA?

- also, its worth an ask, anyone have pre filtered oil i can grab from them on the road, anywhere between Toronto (Canada) > Tennessee > New York > Halifax (Canada). Id love to meet up and grab a coffee or beer and talk veggie systems on route!

- any other tips or tricks or ideas?

shoot me an email at jamie.arron@gmail.com or just post here. thanks again

[NCfriend]

Hey Jaime, sorry I delayed in responding to your PM but thought I could share some of my experience here.

I carried about 40 gallons and only got about another 30 from one kindly member. All the rest had to be dino diesel.

I did not filter along the road for two main reasons: unreliable sources = very dirty or wet oil, and difficulty of filtering well directly from dumpsters or grease traps.
Plus you have to add how messy this may get and the legal issues of getting permission from the owner of the actual dumpster (this has recently been changed to a higher level offense in our state NC)

Time: time to settle really makes the filtering easier and safer, as water will separate out as well as alot of the heavier solids over time.

Heat: heat helps thin the oil to move more easily through filters and enough heat is often used to bubble out water content

Sources: sources of oil are closely guarded and harder to find locally, let alone along a specific travel route.

Maps: I could not find any list of WVO sources. Some past websites have disappeared.
Again, the community may fear legal consequences of using and sharing non-taxed fuel.

Filtered fill-ups: I posted the request on greasecar's forum and got a pair of offers off my course. Maybe try there and the 2 offers I got?

I only made a couple of new contacts from the members here, and though great folks, most were newer to this as well looking to learn and needing oil sources themselves.
Always super to connect with folks of similar interests and have a local waiting to welcome you...
if you plan any travels as far southeast as NC, be sure to let me know!

Best tip: Carry plenty of spare filters, have tools to change them and know how to bleed air out of your fuel systems!
A strong jump box to backup the battery is nice, or at least some roadside assistance from insurance or other membership

[grease lightnig]

I have traveled the east coast dozens of times. Most were in my truck which makes it easier to carry veg with you. But In my 2005 Mercedes I can fit 8 cubes in the trunk with the 30 gallons in the tank that is 70 gallons and I get 37 mpg on the highway. That got me about 2500 miles on my last trip which was last fall with the wife and child. On my previous Mercedes (300D)I carried 8 in the trunk and 6 in the back seat. I was alone on that trip. But that car did not get as good of mileage.

Filtering on the road is a bad idea.