Elsbett vs EZBiodiesel vs Plantdrive

[Mikadog]

Hello ol' mighty knowledgeables ones. We're VERY interested in installing a veg oil system but we're feeling a little confused with the different systems out there. Is there somebody out there who can briefly clarify and identify the pros and cons of these systems please? (in laymens terms if possible Ideally, we'd like to take road trips on some sort of veg oil system. Which system would be best? Both of us are mechanically challened so we NEED a dummy-proof system.

Thanks for all the wonderful info out there!

[Adam]

PlantDrive.....enough said.

Just kidding, I'm a little PlantDrive-centic because that is the kit I chose and installed. Oh, BTW, I am a mechanic dummy. Prior to installing the I had no automotive experience. I know I bring this up every second WVO post, but you should get a copy of "Sliding Home" by Ray Holan. It will take you from 0 to 60 on WVO knowledge in a few days. In just one section of the book he compares 9 commercial kits (pro/cons/costs), it also evaluates 3rd party components, takes you through a couple of different install, and give background info on collecting and filtering WVO. However, it doesn't cover biodiesel.

I was and still am very interesting in making biodiesel, but running on WVO is a lot easier to get into labour wise and in the long run cheaper. You don't have to continually buy hazardous chemicals and the overall processing equipment costs are cheaper. It costs more up front with the WVO kit and install, but that pays off over time with cheaper processing/labor costs to make the fuel.

[sahdot]

It costs more up front with the WVO kit and install, but that pays off over time with cheaper processing/labor costs to make the fuel.

Factoring in changing fuel lines (including those between the two tanks on auto-trans models) to Viton and re-sealing/gasketing the injection pump also with Viton to run bio long term has got to bring those up front costs closer together I think.

I would like to do both for flexibility, but I hear all the wvo on Saltspring has been locked up; commercial biodiesel, however, is available here much cheaper than dino.

-jim

[BCDelica]

Good Morning, heard great things about that book too, one day hope to read it!

Don't forget there's; Frybid, Greasecar, Vegie Cars, Go canola (moved to Europe from Canada, see product here), Golden fuel systems (was Greasel), Fattywagons (check out there injection line heater, too cool), Lovecraft, Noel, and there's more world wide big time. Point is there's many options available with considerations towards how you; drive, where you drive, process WVO, and budget. Considering the options and browsing the other veggie site is quite helpful.

[Adam]

The cost for my PlantDrive kit and total install costs was less than $1000. To date I've spent almost twice that on my filtering set up, but $1300 of that was a shed to contain everything. I'm running b50 right now and I haven't changed out my lines and seals, but I am keeping an eye on them.

[Mikadog]

Thanks for the replies! Adam, I'll look for a copy of that book this weekend. This may be another dumb question but my boyfriend and I were also trying to clarify the differences between SVO, WVO and biodiesel. We think we understand SVO and WVO but not too sure what EXACTLY biodiesel is made from. We understand it as a 20 percent mix of veg oil with diesel. hmmmmmmmmmmmm......I think we're confused.

[Adam]

SVO = Straight Veggie Oil
WVO = Waste Veggie Oil (most commonly used cooking oil)

While technically WVO can be SVO vise versa increasingly SVO seems to refer to using fresh unused, straight out of the bottle veg oil. While WVO (aka UVO or USVO) clearly states that you are using a non-food grade material to make the fuel, which negates the food for fuel argument.

Biodiesel is either WVO or SVO put through a chemical process called transesterification which basically chemically thins the oil so that it can be used in a diesel engine without requiring any heating of the fuel before it hits you injectors.

Fryer to Fuel is alos supposed to be a good book, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.

[Mikadog]

Thanks again for the clarification! I managed to find a copy of the Fryer book on amazon but do you know where I can find "Sliding Home?" I checked the local library and amazon but there was nothing by the author or of that title. Thanks to all those who can help!

[Adam]

I got mine for $30 CDN from the PlantDrive.ca site, but I don't see it listed anymore, it is still on the US site. You might be able to phone them up and ask for it. Plant Drive was the only CDN site I found it on.

It is also on the Green Logic site.

[Mikadog]

Thanks again for all the info!