Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:47:07 -0800
Reply-To: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: vanagon engine conversions
In-Reply-To: <ac1f198b0801112252i397cf1e0ybf05675038d044c9@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
About two years ago I decided to build my own
biodiesel processor. Then I was going to put a
Diesel engine back in my Westfalia. And run the
home furnace on the stuff.
To have a place to do this I would have to build
a shed. I have the space in my backyard.
But then I saw the huge tree next door crash down
on and obliterate the neigbors 8X14 tough shed.
The same storm has made my huge tree lean, and it
could blow down, right where the shed would go.
The tree must be taking down, starting from 30
feet up-top to bottom. Felling it will tke out my
20 year old fir trees and backyard fence.
I injured my arm last summer so could not climb
it .
And then it all takes money I don't have.
You may have similar reasons /excuses .
And then there is this other aspect of
this-safety. Unless this is processed in an
outbuilding away from important structures, you
risk a fire . Then there is the smell which may
be objectionable to the neigbors.
The time it takes to manage . You also have a
gelling problem with biodiesel , which is why our
local heating oil compamnies make what's called a
B-20 blend, 80% petroleum, 20 percent Bio, to
prevent gelling.
In a car it's used too fast to gel, but in a
outdoor or underground tank like mine, 100%
biodiesel gels.
And then you have to go around looking for
restaurant grease. That's sounds like fun, like
it's a lot of hard work, not fun, moving buckets
and barrels around.
All that grease is someday going to be dedicated
to the biodiesel plants. When my sources of
grease are all dried up because of the demand
from refineries, the restaurants will now be
selling their grease instead of giving it away or
paying to have it removed. So doing your own long
term biodiesel has a short future in my opinion.
In my area, biodiesel isn't sold unless I want to
drive 20 miles in lousy traffic for it. That's 20
miles one direction.
Even Diesel pumps sre far and few between. Out of
five stations near me, one has Diesel for $3.60
gallon
And I hate the thought of spending $60.00 to fill
the tank on Diesel , and , because of the
scarcity of Diesel pumps and the growing number
of Diesel cars , I notice that Diesel pumps often
have plastic bags over the nozzles with signs
that read " Out of Service". There isn't enough
local supply to be consistent.
So gas still is the cheapest most viable fuel .
I did try use 50/50 Gas/ethanol last summer with
no ill effects. I found a place in Nebraska that
was selling it for 2.10 a gallon.
It's not going to be profitable until there are
more motor vehicles that can safely use it.
But it does work.
I am not even considering building a still..
Robert
1982 Westfalia
--- Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM> wrote:
> Hey Sam,
>
> I agree, and disagree with you at the same
> time. I too was wooed by
> the whole idea of bio-diesel. But I would ask,
> how many people out
> there actually make/use bio-diesel what percent
> of the time? I can see
> a scenario much like many other well meaning
> operations... but unless
> you adjust your lifestyle and really dedicate
> yourself to doing so, I
> highly doubt that it is feasible for most that
> use that as a chief
> reason to go diesel to actually carry it out.
> It is true, it is
> doable, but how many will actually... or how
> many will find it
> difficult and end up with tanks of pump diesel.
> Now we'll get a few
> that will chime in and tell me how they do it,
> and are being
> responsible.. but the others that have diesel
> vans with tanks full of
> petro diesel will not chime in... it's
> impossible to know the answer,
> but I suspect that it falls far short of the
> original intent and
> motivation to do so.
>
> To me, while you're right, corn ethanol is not
> even a net energy
> positive solution... it is the one getting the
> money and research.
> Just last year 385 million of fed money(read
> YOUR money, and my
> money)was put into ethanol development. They've
> started building
> plants even though the whole cellulosic ethanol
> process hasn't even
> been worked out yet.. that didn't stop the
> building though. To me,
> fixing on the one solution is better than
> having a drawn out VHS/beta
> battle... while I ascribe to all of the thought
> and intent behind the
> solution that is bio-diesel, with the complete
> lack of diesel
> proliferation from both market and legislative
> perspectives, and the
> acceleration of particulate emissions
> regulations to prevent further
> diesel proliferation whether anyone likes it or
> not, it seems the
> tables are turned against it. While this alone
> is no reason to give up
> a fight for anything.. the alternative...
> SHOULD the goal of
> switchgrass, algae, or some much more efficient
> production method
> arise, which I believe is inevitable.. the
> current fleet,
> infrastructure, and powers that be will assist
> to make it a success.
> Moreover, the plebes which are being groomed to
> accept it will be
> ready(while distasteful this is important).
> Will bio-diesel gain that
> level of support? It is not positioned to, nor
> has it so far. So while
> I appreciate the sides of argument that you put
> forward and understand
> the merit, I think that on practical grounds,
> the chances of the line
> of argument staying unchanged for very long are
> not good.
>
> Jim Akiba
> domain owner - bostonbiodiesel.com
>
>
>
>
> On 1/11/08, sam mccarthy <sfcompost@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> > Hey all converters and convertees out there,
> just had to throw my two cents in the ring.
> > So far it seems most of the points to
> consider have been. I would add though, in my
> mind, the one thing the diesel allows that the
> others don't is the use of biodiesel fuel. I
> realize that while ethanol isn't gasoline -
> read Oil, Bush Cheney Iraq and all that-
> ethanol is, and will be for a long time to
> come, made of the most inefficient feed
> stock-----corn.
> > The biodiesel I use in my Skidsteer loader to
> make compost is made of waste vegi-oil and
> currently goes for $3/gal. The skidsteer is a
> Gehl with a German-made Duetz direct injected
> turbo-diesel (TDI just like the VW TDI I'm
> considering putting in place of my jetta inline
> 4 currently in my 81 Westy) and it runs
> better, starts better, uses less fuel, and even
> has pleasant smelling exhaust!
> > I hate diesels too, when I'm behind a big
> pickup and the exhaust makes my eyes and my
> throat and my lungs sting. But Biodiesel
> solves that, and anyone who comes to my yard
> and gets a whiff of the loader can't help but
> smile and ask what's going on?
> > Currently I don't make my own bd but it isn't
> that hard to do if you have some time to build
> the brewer or $ to buy one.
> > But back to the point.
> >
> > I don't think there will ever be a perfect
> engine conversion for the vanagon. Just
> choices. I mean, just consider the arguments
> over what stock engine vs. other stock engine
> is best when the factory puts more than one in
> a car.
> >
> > I like my inline 4, 2 liter vw engine just
> fine. At about 115 to 120 HP it gets the van
> moving better than the wbx, gets 23 to 25 mpg
> at 75 mph and 22 in town. Will go as fast as
> any traffic, but still have to downshift into
> 3rd on steep climbs more than I'd like, but it
> makes a great van engine.
> >
> > All that I've heard about subie motors and
> now, lately with all the firing back and forth
> here, the zetec sounds great too. But for me I
> just feel its time to kick the oil habit as
> much as possible and the diesel can do that.
> >
> > Just so you don't think I'm nuts for swapping
> a perfectly good engine, my 81 westy was
> rear-ended recently and with the insurance $
> I'm working on a newer body. My advice? keep
> records of all the $$ you spend on your
> conversion as it is very difficult to get the
> insurance company to consider the added value
> to the vehicle when you build it instead of buy
> the conversion. Maybe even when you buy it!
> >
> > btw does anyone have a pair of diesel vanagon
> engine cradle bars? mine were bent in the
> wreck. I have a good diesel radiator as well
> as other 81 parts.
> >
> > Sam in Santa Fe
> > 81 westy,
> > 90 carat
> > 84 gl parts/storage
> >
>
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