I have been looking into a diesel truck. my reasoning behind this is i plan on making my own fuel. my current job as a union boiler maker here in northeastern pa i have to drive 160 miles somtimes one way to work anything that will cut my fuel cost is a PLUS. i have looked into all my options there is, SVO with the whole converstion, making your own with a BD processor, and even almost bought into the Diesel Secret Energy scam. i havnt bought a truck yet but i am looking to buy a F350 any year range from 03 to 07. i have never made bio diesel and i worked with guy who does make it but i havnt seen him in awhile. my questons are is is hard to make? i dont have garage i have a 20 by 20 shed do to the location i live in..F---in city. do i have to make it inside or can buy one of those processors and keep out side under a roof? and how long would it take to make around 100 gallons? any info you can give me will deffinitly help me out. i really wanna do this not only for the money saving but also to help out the american farmer. thanks ahead of time for anyone whos helps me out.

paul local 154

 

The years span you are considering takes the 7.3L Powerstroke out of the picture.
The newer, 6.0 and 6.4, are not as reliable as the 7.3 and do not get the fuel economy of the 7.3. By finding a nice 2002 you will get the 7.3. The 2003 and 2004 6.0s had problems, they've been fixed but if you buy one make sure all updates have been done.

You can make BD outside but there is a smell and your neighbors might object, some guys make it in residential areas with no problem others get complaints I think it depends on the source of your waste VO.
Time to make 100 gals depends on how big and what design your reactor is. smaller batches, 30 to 50 gals are easier to manage

Look at this site to get a basic reactor design, can be built for about $200.
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/mainpage/

 

ya i have heard the 6.0s had problems in the earlier years. i am loking at an 06 tommorow. thanks for info i saw someone posted a processor on here named the BioPro 190. does anyone one here have it know someone who has it. i might just buy that considering the space i have isnt very big.

 

Most of those ready made jobs run a few thousand $.
It almost defeats the purpose of making BD.

A 20 X 20 shed will certainly house an appleseed

 

is there somewhere i can get plans to make one??

 

Everything you need to get started can be found here: http://www.biodieselcommunity.org If you have questions just come back and ask.

 

on average how much methanol and how much lye would be required to make one gallon of bio fuel?

 

A little less than a quart of methanol and 30 grams of lye per gallon. That's a rough average for used veg oil from typical restaurant.

 

i think i am going to purchase the bio pro 190. do to the hours i work i would not be able to set time aside to mess with separati tanks and the testing. i will let you all know how it goes when i get it up and running.