Oil price forecast

[The Pinkfingers]

delicat's post sums up what I suspected. I don't share the optimism of some above...

Ditto

SO this begs the question that a quick look through the other section did not answer, so I'll ask it here. Assuming my prediction above gains substance and your only reliable source is a local one, are you better off to have a machine in your garage and make biodiesel, or convert your van?

What about a two tank system? One for WVO and one for straight diesel. I agree that when you're on the road driving over Canada, and your tank nears empty, it's unlikely you're going to simply pull up to a random restaurant and get their WVO.

But with a two tank system, you can use WVO locally and diesel on the road.

[BCDelica]

All Canadian waste vegetable oil conversion are two tank systems, with the exception of some Mercedes motor which are capable of a single tank system. David's advice is bang on the money, or bang on the money you'll save!

Being able to take my Delica, packed with camping gear for two weeks, and drive for 1100 plus km's on just what's in three tanks underneath is in a word, nice. Well I topped up at 1150km cause I didn't want to risk running dry. And can't wait till someone sets up a great little on the road process system to add WVO when available.

Cheers

[FalcoColumbarius]

Does anyone remember a guy called Marshall McLuhan? An amazing visionary. Delivered a lecture to board members at IBM in the late sixties about how this military communications system would be in every household in roughly 30 years, coining the term "Global Community". McLuhan went on to talk about tribalism developing within society, people with common interests banning together.

The IBM board members thought McLuhan had gone off the deep end, why on Earth would the military let the Internet get into the hands of everyday punters?!

Meanwhile, here we are. In a world that is fast getting into little social tribes.

What has this got to do with fuel economy in a Delica van? As I mentioned in another fuel economy thread, we have this network already in place, people all over western Canada. The Delica Nation.... smiles... So when are we going to put together a fuel co-op for the Delica Nation?

Falco.

[JMK]

I had a similar thought about using that network as a Roadside Assistance network as well. So, for example, if a Delica owner was passing thorugh my neck of the woods and ran into distress, he or she could look at their network directory, and call me, and if I was available be happy to help with whatever resources I have locally at my finger tips. In my own case, as I suspect many others are, I am tied to radios (incl ham frequencies which I don't normally monitor - VE6JMK) and cell phone all day at work, and I am mobile, so that sort of situation is an opportunity that can be maximized. A bit of a security blanket for ALberta and BC, I suspect it thins out a bit through Sask and Manitoba.

Could be called, 'The Tribe of the Challenged'.

[sean]

I think all the views are valid ones. The supply issue is one that needs to be discussed. I think that as more people realize the potential of WVO for both straight fuel and as biodiesel the demand will grow. But the majority of people will keep on doing it the way the have always done it. Buying fuel at the pump and not wanting to think outside the petroleum box. They said that when oil hit $100 a barrel that it would be a wakeup call yet we all still see brand new hummers, SUV's and large pickups leaving the car lots. Are people changing their habits to lower their fuel consumption ? I don't live on the mainland (thank goodness ) but when I go there I can't believe how many people are still driving all by their lonesome. Even here in Courtenay we have a decent bus service but they are relatively empty most of the time. My wife and I purposely bought our house right in town so we could walk to most of our services (library, grocery store, work etc.). IMO most people will not bother trying to use an alternative method, they will just suck up the price, bitch about the price and still punch the gas pedal at every light and stop sign.

As for the supply issue, I agree that restaurants are beginning to realize the potential of this oil. We here in COurtenay are organizing our selves and starting a coop with written agreements. We are working out an advertising scheme to promote these businesses that supply us. I think that being paid for oil is one incentive but some owners I talk to would love to add this to their"green" features. Like saying their restaurant powers 4 vehicles and saves "X" amount of carbon release into the atmosphere. The publicity and promotion possibilities in this aspect go a very long way in creating new customers and a "buzz" around it. This can spin in to more money than what they might make selling it.

As for long road trips on veg, I am setting up a system where I can carry fuel for at least a 2000km road trip. Even if that does not get me all the way to where I want to end up, the savings are well worth my initial investment in the WVO system. There are also coops throughout the states, some in Canada and also here on the island, that sell to people passing through. I found a website a year ago that had a map of places throughout the states you could fill up, I can't find it now though. I am also in the beginning stages of creating a road trip system complete with centrifuge and heating system. Worth trying to setup some spots along the way in the pre trip planning. I disagree that you will find the same response as in Vancouver. We are ahead of the curve out here. Went to a trip to the east of Canada last year (delica-less) and not one person I talked to about my converted vehicle had any idea about the ability of diesels to run on veg! I was blown away! Maybe here in BC I associate with like minded people who are energy alternative aware, but the difference to me was profound. So going to a restaurant in the Yukon and asking if you could grab some oil and have a meal whilst the oil is processing into your tank would be great.

I think the true supply issue will come when cities and municipalities start running their city vehicles on bio. They will lock in contracts and pay quite a lot for the veg, and they also will use a lot.

I think to sum up my thoughts, the system is not perfect but I have driven over 8000km now on veg oil. My investment of $1000 is now a the break even point. I am now saving money every time I drive. But even without the pocket book saving I am aso helping reduce pollution and reliance on non renewable resource. That to me is worth every ounce of my energy to try and make the supply chain work, involve my local community in a worth while venture, and educate people that there are alternatives. I do think that the discussion is a very important one. The supply is not endless and their will be competition for this as things move forward.
Sean

[konadog]

I think to sum up my thoughts, the system is not perfect but I have driven over 8000km now on veg oil. My investment of $1000 is now a the break even point. I am now saving money every time I drive. But even without the pocket book saving I am aso helping reduce pollution and reliance on non renewable resource. That to me is worth every ounce of my energy to try and make the supply chain work, involve my local community in a worth while venture, and educate people that there are alternatives.
Sean

Don't forget the all too often neglected entertainment factor. I have not yet even done the WVO kit project, yet, but have been enormously entertained and educated about the subject and am very excited about the upcoming day when Hazel makes her first WVO run. I may even take on the entertaining project of bolting it in... well, then again I can see that collecting the oil connects you to your transportation like growing or collecting your food and or winter heat connects you to your sated belly and comfort. True satisfaction that money just can't compete with.

[loki]

All Canadian waste vegetable oil conversion are two tank systems, with the exception of some Mercedes motor which are capable of a single tank system. David's advice is bang on the money, or bang on the money you'll save!

Being able to take my Delica, packed with camping gear for two weeks, and drive for 1100 plus km's on just what's in three tanks underneath is in a word, nice. Well I topped up at 1150km cause I didn't want to risk running dry. And can't wait till someone sets up a great little on the road process system to add WVO when available.

Cheers

The elsbett system for the delica is a single tank system, you just need to mix 5% diesel under 0 degrees.

with this system you can put what ever you feel like in what ever mix, diesel, boi-diesel, and/or WVO(Plus 5% diesel under 0 :))

[MJB]

not a deli but I thought this was funny, how to retrain your ride

[jessef]

And can't wait till someone sets up a great little on the road process system to add WVO when available.

Cheers

Hope to be able to conjure one up with a lot of help from you guys.

Jesse

[loki]

And can't wait till someone sets up a great little on the road process system to add WVO when available.

Cheers

Hope to be able to conjure one up with a lot of help from you guys.

Jesse

The system I will be using to filter/de-water will be pretty easy to turn into a portable one and the time it takes to do it makes it very feasible, could put it on a trailer, rear or roof basket, but I think I will try building it into the spare tire area, this project will have to wait till later in the summer though I think.

[marsgal42]

This gentleman http://biodieseladventure.com/english/index.php had a WVO plant in the back of his Land Cruiser.

I chatted with him when we came through town; Japanoid handled his logistics for this part of Canada, and he was there when I collected Gumdrop after a bit of service work. He approved of Gumdrop: "I used to have one of those!"

Don't recall seeing a word about him in the local media. Figures.

...laura

[FalcoColumbarius]

This gentleman http://biodieseladventure.com/english/index.php had a WVO plant in the back of his Land Cruiser.

I chatted with him when we came through town; Japanoid handled his logistics for this part of Canada, and he was there when I collected Gumdrop after a bit of service work. He approved of Gumdrop: "I used to have one of those!"

Don't recall seeing a word about him in the local media. Figures.

...laura

I met those guys at Japanoid, I must have just missed you, Laura. Have you seen the sample that they left for Shogo? Two phials, one before, one after, The before phial is a golden coloured WVO; the after distillation phial is clear, I'll bet that runs well in the engine and doesn't attract bears.

Falco.