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Originally Posted by rwthomas1
Petro diesel = expensive but very easy, the lazy "rich" mans option.
WVO conversions (heated systems) = cheap, really cheap if you have the time and space to collect oil, filter it, and can deal with loosing some truck or storage room. WVO systems can cut your fuel expenditures by 90% but this doesn't take into account your time. Not the best for short trips as the system never heats up and you are constantly cycling the purge system. The best system for those who commute and run the engine for at least 10 minutes.
Biodiesel = about halfway in cost between Petro and WVO. You still have to collect oil, filter it, and either buy or build a processor. Obviously this takes time. Biodiesel proponents claim it takes no longer to make it that to filter WVO and its not an issue. You do however need the space for a processor and to be able to store methanol, lye and well as dispose of the byproduct glycerin. Biodiesel will eat older rubber parts over time but it seems this happens fairly slowly and the parts can be replaced with upgraded materials when this happens. Biodiesel is the better choice for short trips, etc. You have to be careful in cold climates to keep it from gelling but there are additives to help deal with it.
Blends = cost depends on how much you use. Some have reported no trouble running blends but there have been reports of injector coking and other problems especially with high concentrations. You would still have to collect and filter WVO. A possible solution would be to install a coolant type fuel heater to assist in burning the blended fuel. Obviously this won't help on cold startup but it will minimize the coking issues once the engine warms up.
So, there you have it. IMHO most people are lazy and while they may complain about the cost of fuel they aren't motivated enough to do anything about it. I have been trying to get the WVO system put together in my truck for a while now but I am just too busy. By summer I should have it running. I use $2500 of fuel a year so cutting my costs by 90% would be significant. RT
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RT, when you start cutting checks for me to use SVO, I'll do it. If your time is worth nothing, fine. I don't have enought time to do all the stuff I need to get done, never mind make political statements. If I have time I want to spend it playing with the wife and not cranking the pump when I can have the wife crank my pump. Or better yet, I'll go get the old beater for the process and provide the tank. Since your time is so plentiful, you go get the stuff and process it then fill up my tank.
Why would I wanto to go thru all that hassle? You only save 90% if you have free labor. If that is what your labor is worth, who am I to debate it? Mine is worth much more. The less I have to do, the more time I have to spend on doing things that cannot and will not wait for my attention. As it is, I already have a "Honeydew" list that is not getting done.
I don't complain about the cost of fuel. Only the taxes when I run over potholes because that is what the taxes are supposed to fix. I'd like to save 90% of my fuel bill. The reason I went with diesel is because I wanted a 25% reduction in fuel costs which I already have. If it costs too much for me to play with my toys, I guess the choice I have to make is to either work harder or play less.