I bought my first biodiesel today. This will be an experiment to see how it works out.
The stuff is hard to find here. For two years I have been calling or stopping by new sources as I discover them online or from newspaper articles. While there is a lot of enthusiasm, nobody actually sells the stuff. Two major petroleum distributors, the type who make farm deliveries, are listed in national biodiesel registries but face to face they say they have never sold any and have no idea where to find a source. And their minimum delivery would be a lifetime supply for me.
I have found small co-ops in Sacramento and Berkeley (none in Sonoma County) who have been written up in the newspapers, but upon inquiring I was told they consist of the founding members, aren't accepting new members, and wont sell to the public.
Finally I found a neighbor who intermittently gets a 350 gallon tank in his driveway refilled. I think he's a co-op member but is willing to resell what he has to anyone. I bought 20 gallons.
This seller uses biodiesel in a VW pickup, a fairly modern one, and said he runs it 100% (B100) except in what we call cold weather, which means overnight lows below 40 degrees but seldom freezing. In this 'cold weather' (I can hear some of you snorting) he advises B70 for easier starting. He didn't mention jelling, just that the stuff wouldn't ignite easily in the morning. I've read it will gel somewhere around freezing.
I think I will drain my half tank of diesel and try running this at 100%. I want to explore worst-case cold starting. (And now that the weather is turning warmer, I don't expect to be on the tractor below 45 degrees). If I begin the experiment using a half tank then I can still pour the real diesel back on top of it to make B50 if I have to.
Re the usual concerns - I replaced the fuel line with modern hose from NAPA five years ago so I don't expect fuel hose softening as some warn against. The tank is transparent and I can see its clean, so I don't expect to loosen a lot of crud. (another biodiesel warning. The stuff has greater solvency). One of my goals is to have cleaner exhaust. Recently I spent hours using the backhoe and the continual diesel exhaust was a nuisance. This raw fuel doesnt smell anything like diesel, more like linseed oil. It will be interesing to see how the exhaust smells.
Stay tuned for updates ........
And if someone else here is running B100, I would like to hear your experiences.
The stuff is hard to find here. For two years I have been calling or stopping by new sources as I discover them online or from newspaper articles. While there is a lot of enthusiasm, nobody actually sells the stuff. Two major petroleum distributors, the type who make farm deliveries, are listed in national biodiesel registries but face to face they say they have never sold any and have no idea where to find a source. And their minimum delivery would be a lifetime supply for me.
I have found small co-ops in Sacramento and Berkeley (none in Sonoma County) who have been written up in the newspapers, but upon inquiring I was told they consist of the founding members, aren't accepting new members, and wont sell to the public.
Finally I found a neighbor who intermittently gets a 350 gallon tank in his driveway refilled. I think he's a co-op member but is willing to resell what he has to anyone. I bought 20 gallons.
This seller uses biodiesel in a VW pickup, a fairly modern one, and said he runs it 100% (B100) except in what we call cold weather, which means overnight lows below 40 degrees but seldom freezing. In this 'cold weather' (I can hear some of you snorting) he advises B70 for easier starting. He didn't mention jelling, just that the stuff wouldn't ignite easily in the morning. I've read it will gel somewhere around freezing.
I think I will drain my half tank of diesel and try running this at 100%. I want to explore worst-case cold starting. (And now that the weather is turning warmer, I don't expect to be on the tractor below 45 degrees). If I begin the experiment using a half tank then I can still pour the real diesel back on top of it to make B50 if I have to.
Re the usual concerns - I replaced the fuel line with modern hose from NAPA five years ago so I don't expect fuel hose softening as some warn against. The tank is transparent and I can see its clean, so I don't expect to loosen a lot of crud. (another biodiesel warning. The stuff has greater solvency). One of my goals is to have cleaner exhaust. Recently I spent hours using the backhoe and the continual diesel exhaust was a nuisance. This raw fuel doesnt smell anything like diesel, more like linseed oil. It will be interesing to see how the exhaust smells.
Stay tuned for updates ........
And if someone else here is running B100, I would like to hear your experiences.