Biofuel Conversion Kits

July 22, 2010 under Biodiesel

The tools for converting to biofuel are very minimal. First you will need to make a decision on whether to use a straight vegetable oil (SVO) setup or a biodiesel setup. With either of these setups there will be some differences, but some similarities as well. No matter which option you go with you will need some type of biofuel conversion kit for you automobile.

This biodiesel kit will consist of a 50/50 fuel tank, filter with external heater, and possibly a transfer pump and filtration system. The straight vegetable oil system will differ just a bit. With this system you will get aluminum heated fuel cell, quick-flush switching system and 10-micron filter. Some companies will offer kits with some different accessories, but these are the basics.

You can, if you want, take your kit and car to your local garage and they can install the system for you (assuming they’ve ever done this kind of work before) or you could save a few dollars and install the system yourself.

I highly suggest speaking with someone from the manufacture of the bio fuel conversion kit. They will be able to help you and tell you every tool you might need to install their system. They might also be able to give you advice on working on your particular model car. Not every car is the same and some cars are harder to work on than others so it is always a good idea to ask questions in the beginning to save your self some headaches in the end.

Biofuel conversion kits will require basic hand tools as well. I suggest getting a nice set of screwdrivers, flat head and Phillips head. A solid ratchet with metric and standard measurements is a must when working on any type of automotive installation.

You will also want to get some sort of a tarp to lay down just in case you spill any liquids on the ground such as gas, oil, or any other fluid that could stain your driveway or garage floor. One of the most frustrating things about finishing a job is a stain that will not come up.

Plenty of lighting is something that most people forget about. If you cannot see what you are working on you increase your margin of error, and that is never good when working on anything, but especially when working on car.

I suggest getting some type of portable halogen lamp that can be mounted on a stand and taken off very quickly. Another thing that any amateur mechanic needs is a good jack and jack stands. Jack stands will allow you to raise you car in the air enough so you can work comfortably and safely underneath it. Make sure that the jack stands are made of sturdy metal and have some sort of lock on them to prevent the car from rolling back on top of you.

The last thing you will want to get is some safety glasses and mechanics gloves. You can never be too safe and they will both come in handy for all sorts of projects.

If you do not have these tools they can be easily purchased at any local auto parts store or you can pick them up online.

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Biodiesel Conversion

July 19, 2010 under Biodiesel

There are many reasons to convert your vehicle to biodiesel use. In fact biodiesel conversion has been in use since the early 1900s. The positive environmental and financial impact is what is fueling waves of drivers to convert their automobiles to biodiesel consumption.

The use of biodiesel lowers greenhouse gas emissions much more effectively than ethanol, gasoline, and regular diesel fuel. This will also help change your energy use to more reusable sources. While this is still a relatively unknown type of fuel, the research that is going in to this area is greatly increasing.

One reason that biodiesel is a very appealing area of development is the availability of recycled waste oil. Biodiesel can be created with leftover oil from restaurants, animal fat or liposuction fat that would normally be thrown out. Although some people convert their cars to run on straight vegetable oil so they do not have to convert oil into fuel, either solution is still a positive step for reducing emissions.

Some people are very skeptical of the biodiesel conversion trend going on right now, but many analysts say that in the future there will be many different pumps at your local gas station. There will no longer be just unleaded and diesel fuels offered. People who are skeptical of this process do not understand the negative impact that fossil fuels have on our environment and the fact that we do need to do something about it now rather than later.

Another positive impact of biodiesel is the increase in life of your car’s engine. This is a much cleaner fuel so the damaging impact of deposits on your engine is greatly reduced, so you will get a much longer life out of your car or truck.

With most biodiesel conversions people report that their cars start easier and drive more smoothly. So the benefits of this conversion certainly outweigh the drawbacks. This technology can be applied to many types of vehicles and engines: tractors, boats, SUVs, vans, trucks, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, generators, buses, tows, and automobiles.

This is also not a permanent conversion. If you want to sell your car and the next owner does not want biodiesel you can convert it back to its original state with little problem.

Some of the drawbacks of this type of technology are the lack of supply of biofuels. You cannot just run down the street and put a few gallons of biofuel in the car. Most people either make their own, or purchase a solid vegetable oil depending on what type of conversion they have gone with. Biodiesel conversion will only work for you if you make the time for it. It requires much planning on the production of your fuel and your time available to produce.

Another drawback of biodiesel conversion is finding sources for your oil. I suggest going to local restaurants and offering to dispose of their used oil for them. Most of them would be glad to take it off their hands. If you have the time and the will it is a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

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Vegetable oil conversion kits for cars

July 19, 2010 under Biodiesel

When you have declared you independence from diesel fuel and decided to go the vegetable oil route and you will need a few items. Vegetable oil conversion kits for cars will differ slightly from those kits designed for larger vehicles like trucks, SUVs, boats, tractors, and construction equipment.

Initially you will need to make some very important decisions about this project. You will have to ask yourself how important this is to you and what your budget is. Once you have a budget figured out you can then start looking at the different vegetable oil conversion kits for cars that are out there. Many manufactures and vendors offer many different kits with an array of options. You basic kit will be comprised of fuel tank, In-tank heat exchanger, heated fuel lines, fuel return, and system controller. Although there are other items and accessories you can buy, these are your basics.

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[ad#Google Adsense - Middle]If you are planning on doing this endeavor yourself you will need a place to do your install. This can be tricky if you have no experience working on cars, but really it is not that bad if you follow the instructions laid out by the manufacturer of your vegetable oil conversion kit. You will also need common tools that one would use working on a car. I suggest screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, and a possible hammer. The ability to raise your car off the ground and safely suspend it will greatly speed up your time under the car. Take a look at a jack and some sturdy jack stands.

When doing any type of task with a car it is vital that you have sufficient lighting. Not only for the speed that light will give you, but the safety. You never want to take anything for granted while doing a project like this. Safety first! I would also recommend safety glasses and some mechanic’s gloves. You can pick these up at any auto parts store.

One way to cut down on your cost and parts that you might need to purchase is to ask a friend to help. If you have a friend that owns a garage they might let you borrow a bay and some tools which would make your life much easier.

Once you have the installation completed you will need vegetable oil for your fuel. Remember that when doing a project like this the most crucial element you need is patience. Take your time and go slow. Read the directions for the installation a few times before you even loosen your first screw. This might get frustrating for some of us out there, but this type of thing is good for everyone involved.

When you are done take the car out for a test drive and make sure there are no rattles. I would highly recommend taking it by a garage and letting them check it out just to make sure everything is in working order. This should not cost that much and is worth it for the piece of mind knowing that your car is safe, and now more efficient and environmentally friendly.

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Conversion of Diesel Cars to Biodiesel

July 18, 2010 under Biodiesel

So you want to convert your diesel guzzling engine into an economically and eco-friendly eco-fuel burner. Whether your reason behind converting is related to the environment, your pocketbook or both, it can be a very positive experience.  So here’s a few tips on how to get started with the conversion of diesel cars to biodiesel.

The first thing that you need to do to get started is to decide whether you want do convert to biodiesel, which is a fuel created from recycled oil like restaurant grease, or whether you want to use straight vegetable oil (SVO) like corn oil. Do your research on the pros and cons of this type of conversion.  Biodiesel is very cost-friendly, but it can be hard to find renewable sources of used oils and fats.  Some areas have not caught on to the bio-diesel craze and simply do not know how to donate or recycle their used oils and fats.

Straight vegetable oil can be bought right at the store, but this method can sometimes be unstable, since different oils have different properties.  It can also be more expensive, depending on the oil you use.  Be aware that both of these methods can cause disastrous damage to your vehicle if you are unsure about what you are doing, so either consult a knowledgeable expert, or convert a car that you do not mind sending to the scrap yard, should your conversion go awry.

The good news is that both of these conversions will have an improved impact on your carbon footprint.  Many people want to leave a smaller carbon footprint, by using less energy, more effectively.

Once you have decided how you want your car setup you need to start small, and get your process down in small quantities, working out the kinks and possible mistakes, before you move to producing large batches.  Do not just convert your engine and attempt to drive cross-country and expect to make it very far. First you will need to do a few test runs with your production methods if you are creating Biofuel. Sticking with an amount around one liter is a good size to start with.

It is very important to remember when you are starting a new batch to only use, fresh new oil. Using used oil is a little bit trickier, and novices might produce a batch with used oil that might cause damage to your vehicle.

Methanol, lye, and alcohol are the three chemicals you will need to get when producing biodiesel. All of these are easy to find at most automotive stores or chemical supply houses.  Use caution when using these chemicals, since they can cause injuries such as chemical burns, eye damage, and damage to surfaces of flooring, upholstery and paint.  Also these chemicals can have strong fumes, so working in a well ventilated area is recommended.

To use straight vegetable oil, you will simply need to get an SVO conversion kit designed for use with your car’s engine.  Once installed, you will need to identify a continuous supplier of vegetable oil, so that you do not run out.  Once you are done with these initial steps, you are ready to roll out in your newly converted car.

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Vegetable Oil Conversion Kit

July 14, 2010 under Biodiesel

Now that you have decided to go with a Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) system, there are a few things you will need to buy. First you will need a vegetable oil conversion kit for your car or truck. There are many companies out there that offer these types of kits.

Your basic kit will consist of a fuel tank, In-tank heat exchanger, heated fuel lines, fuel return, and system controller. There are some differences between vendors, but those are the basic components. You will need to decide whether or not to install the system yourself or take it to a professional.

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[ad#Google Adsense - Middle]If you decide to tackle this project alone you will need all of the tools needed to work on a car. Just a few standards that you might want to have are ratchet, and many different size sockets, screw drivers (various sizes), and possible a jack and jack stands to get under your car for easy access to the fuel lines and tank.

Make sure that you are working in a well-lit area. If light is a little scarce where you are working you might want to consider some halogen lights that can be mounted on a stand and taken off for easy placement in your work area. This might seem like a small thing, but any type of tray to organize all the pieces, screws, nuts, bolts, etc will be a big help for keeping track of anything you might take off or out of your car. Believe me you do not want to be searching for a small screw out in the driveway.

Once you have all your tools and parts you can get started. I would call whatever vendor you decide to purchase your SVO kit from and discuss you car in particular. See if they can give you any hints or tips that might make your install a bit easier. You should also discuss what is in the kit you purchased and make sure there are not accessories that you might have missed that you will need for your engine.

You will also need vegetable oil so your car will start and run. When doing this type of major overhaul to your car it might be a good idea to do some routine maintenance. Be sure to check your fluids (oil, transmission, ect…), and make sure you do not need to change anything. If you do need to purchase anything you might be able to get a discount at your local auto store for buying in bulk.

These vegetable oil conversion kits start at around one thousand dollars and go up from there depending on your option selection. If this is a car that you will have forever you might want to look at some of the higher dollar conversion kits.

On the other hand if this is a car that you are just toying around with start small and make sure that this is an endeavor that you want to be involved in. You may also want to check and see if it makes more economical sense to buy each part piece by piece. You may get a better deal by hunting for parts.

Either way SVO conversion is great for everyone involved. Whether it you, your community, or the environment, everyone is a winner.

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