Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 16-06-2013, 13:06   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: St. Croix usvi
Boat: 1979 Mainship trawler 34'
Posts: 4
pirate DIESELS VS BIOFUEL

I just purchased a trawler and thinking about converting it to burn vegetable oil, do any of y'all have any ideas and input
dale robins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-06-2013, 05:10   #2
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 290
Re: DIESELS VS BIOFUEL

Dont do it Dale. Although you can get the engine to work on bio diesel quite well, it will give you lots of trouble in the long run. The reason is that biodiesel doesn't store well and will gum up your fuel system if you dont use the engine all the time. and replace the fuel regularily. Some years ago both Beta Marine and Yanmar issued statements to the effect that you can use biodiesel in their engines up to a maximum of 5%.
NCboatrx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-06-2013, 05:57   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Yuma Island
Posts: 1,579
Images: 15
Re: DIESELS VS BIOFUEL

Biodiesel and vegetable oil are two different things.

Biodiesel is processed by a technique known as transesterification.
vegetable oil is merely that, filtered.

Any advice offered by anyone not knowing the difference is likely suspect. A Google search will garner all sorts of information, and it is up to you to sift through it.



That said... Since the OP mentions burning vegetable oil...

My first consideration would be availability. It's not that easy getting "grease" on the mainland (restaurants?) I can't imagine trying to source it at sea, and less so in the Carib.
tamicatana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-06-2013, 13:12   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,002
Re: DIESELS VS BIOFUEL

Most fast food places lock thier grease bins because they get paid by the company picking up the oil. 20 yrs ago, they would have been happy for you to steal it.

Unless you have a source, it's not worth pursuing. Even then, if you are asking, it's probably not worth pursuing.
valhalla360 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-06-2013, 13:33   #5
Registered User
 
cheoah's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North Carolina, USA
Boat: Big brick box and a '62 Airstream Ambassador. Formerly Pacific Seacraft
Posts: 1,017
While you could certainly do it, you would have to deal with the availability issue previous posters mentioned, plus seperate tanks, preheaters, etc. if you're handy and don't mind being dead in the water fixing things at anchor or dock, go ahead. You would have to be a real enthusiast to make it work I think. If you have a restaurant, and it makes sense not to sell it, that's another story! Still with barrels/tanks of oil, you will have a bit of a mess on your hands.

As far as biodiesel goes, I don't burn in in my boat but I burn a ton of it at the farm. I've had to change fuel lines in my truck and older combine, and I've got a bunch of late model green tractors that tolerate it fine. I never let it sit for any amount of time, as it is hydrophilic and also eats at any natural rubber in the fuel system. Seems like a bad fit for a boat and you won't find it on the fuel docks anyway.
cheoah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-06-2013, 13:44   #6
Registered User
 
markpierce's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central California
Boat: M/V Carquinez Coot
Posts: 3,782
Re: DIESELS VS BIOFUEL

Using an organic-rich fuel in a marine setting sounds like a problem.
markpierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-06-2013, 14:25   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: St. Croix usvi
Boat: 1979 Mainship trawler 34'
Posts: 4
Re: DIESELS VS BIOFUEL

Tanks guys for your input, as all points of view on a subject are to be considered.
dale robins is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:07.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.