markz
100 TW
16lbs of wood = 1G of fuel
Woodgas, more green than ev?
- Thread starter nutnspecial
- Start date
16lbs of wood = 1G of fuel
Harold in CR
100 kW
Wayne Keith figures he gets 1 mile per pound of wood. That's a V8 engine in his pickup.
speedmd
10 MW
markz said:
16lbs of wood = 1G of fuel
Wood varies greatly depending on moisture content. Bone dry, pound for pound, most wood types are roughly equal in energy content and roughly equal to most other fuels- liquid or solid. Some hard woods are even a bit more energy dense than most coal types. Interesting stuff.
markz
100 TW
A chord of wood gives Wayne 5200 miles. $50/chord in Alabama.
1lb of wood gets Wayne 1.25mile
Looks like Waynes truck is a early 90's Dodge Dakota, so V6 or V8 engine.
Less then penny a mile!
Runs 37% more efficient then gasoline!
No smoke
Start on gas, run it for a few minutes and switch over to wood.
-----------------> I AM SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be nice to just buy one already to go.
Do I need to buy a carberuted truck, or can it be done on a EFI truck. I am thinking a 1992-1996 Ford F-150 4x4, auto, extended cab.
$50/chord in Alabama. 1lb of wood gets Wayne 1.25mile
Looks like Waynes truck is a early 90's Dodge Dakota, so V6 or V8 engine.
Less then penny a mile!
Runs 37% more efficient then gasoline!
No smoke
Start on gas, run it for a few minutes and switch over to wood.
-----------------> I AM SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be nice to just buy one already to go.
Do I need to buy a carberuted truck, or can it be done on a EFI truck. I am thinking a 1992-1996 Ford F-150 4x4, auto, extended cab.
Harold in CR
100 kW
Not completely certain about EFI. It didn't exist when I was into Alt fuels. An Impco Propane conversion kit was what was used in the early 80's so guys could run propane instead of gasoline, or switch from one to the other, if Propane was not available in the area.
Turning off the fuel supply for an injection pump, doesn't seem like a good idea ? Carbureted would be simply turning off the gasoline supply, using an in the cab valve.
You might need to wear out Google and report back.
Turning off the fuel supply for an injection pump, doesn't seem like a good idea ? Carbureted would be simply turning off the gasoline supply, using an in the cab valve.
You might need to wear out Google and report back.
nutnspecial
10 MW
Cool, I'm glad you're excited about it markz! Even a bought vs built gasifier for stationary vs auto will require alot of operational knowledge you'll need to acquire I bet. Honestly it sounds like a big undertaking but an awesome and worthy one if you are serious when making a goal.
To me it's most useful for running stationary IC engines when offgrid for various uses including larger infrequent power generation or supplimentation to what is otherwise a reasonably modest but adequate solar pv array and bank.
Anyway, it's true efi ic can be made to run on lpg and cng, so syngas is probably not out of the question. However, the more complex the efi, the more difficult or expensive it is to trick it into running something other than gasoline, and properly.
If it were me, I'd make a decent stationary gasifier powerplant first, then look into bottling the gas to be used as lpg or cng in the auto world. That would beat having a rather eccentric woodstove powering your vehicle, imo, and would suit my needs of mostly sporatic and short trips.
Most people go for carbs afaik, for simplicity and cheapness. For ford I think 86 might be close to cutoff for ranger and 3/4 ton trucks, so you can get an antique plate too (states)!
. . . . . .
As someone mentioned steam vs syngas and usefulness, I hear that argument. Steam or even 'rocket heaters' have huge advantages for specific uses. Syngas is far more complex a process, but fully mimics sequestered fuels that need much mining and refining. It's the green diy for internal combustion comparable in some ways to ethanol and vegatable oil.
The benefit is diy and decentralized sources, but the reason is supplemented neutral use of energy vs the overuse/dependence of already sequestered fuel.
To me it's most useful for running stationary IC engines when offgrid for various uses including larger infrequent power generation or supplimentation to what is otherwise a reasonably modest but adequate solar pv array and bank.
Anyway, it's true efi ic can be made to run on lpg and cng, so syngas is probably not out of the question. However, the more complex the efi, the more difficult or expensive it is to trick it into running something other than gasoline, and properly.
If it were me, I'd make a decent stationary gasifier powerplant first, then look into bottling the gas to be used as lpg or cng in the auto world. That would beat having a rather eccentric woodstove powering your vehicle, imo, and would suit my needs of mostly sporatic and short trips.
Most people go for carbs afaik, for simplicity and cheapness. For ford I think 86 might be close to cutoff for ranger and 3/4 ton trucks, so you can get an antique plate too (states)!
. . . . . .
As someone mentioned steam vs syngas and usefulness, I hear that argument. Steam or even 'rocket heaters' have huge advantages for specific uses. Syngas is far more complex a process, but fully mimics sequestered fuels that need much mining and refining. It's the green diy for internal combustion comparable in some ways to ethanol and vegatable oil.
The benefit is diy and decentralized sources, but the reason is supplemented neutral use of energy vs the overuse/dependence of already sequestered fuel.
markz
100 TW
Off grid is another great use. I am thinking its a carb setup because every youtube video I have seen puts the wood gas into the round air can at the top of the engine. How easy is it to rip out the EFI and install a carb, that info would be easy to find. I just dont like to buy vehicles that look shabby. I would totally buy one for a truck if the price was right. There's got to be people in Alberta doing this. I have ZERO welding skills.
nutnspecial
10 MW
You would definitely think there's some people up there running these on autos. When I decided I wanted offgrid permaculture(-ish), I started visiting places to see firsthand all the details that just cant be read or watched on video. The same approach may hold true for me or you concerning making and or operating a gasifier so I hope you find someone fairly nearby to learn or even get setup from.
Fyi, for a few years (afaik) the manifolds remained the same after adoption of efi or tbi etc, so stripping efi for a carb could be easy even without really custom adapters.
Let us know how you make out and good luck!
Fyi, for a few years (afaik) the manifolds remained the same after adoption of efi or tbi etc, so stripping efi for a carb could be easy even without really custom adapters.
Let us know how you make out and good luck!
markz
100 TW
Found this website from youtube video. Can buy a book. This guy does gensets, not driving vehicles.
http://www.woodgasifierplans.com/
Buddy says $1500 for a DIY setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8un7W2QpZag
Seems professional, not some hillbilly from the backwoods. Like how he talks and welds with no welding lenses. Again seems like a pro.
It seems like a carburated engine is the easiest to convert.
When gas prices increase I will be looking to do this.
In the meantime, my ebike, a motorbike and a fuel efficient car is sufficient, maybe a truck if I can find a cheap one. With the down turn in the economy there will be tons of cheap vehicles for sale.
http://www.woodgasifierplans.com/
Buddy says $1500 for a DIY setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8un7W2QpZag
Seems professional, not some hillbilly from the backwoods. Like how he talks and welds with no welding lenses. Again seems like a pro.
It seems like a carburated engine is the easiest to convert.
When gas prices increase I will be looking to do this.
In the meantime, my ebike, a motorbike and a fuel efficient car is sufficient, maybe a truck if I can find a cheap one. With the down turn in the economy there will be tons of cheap vehicles for sale.
Dauntless
100 TW
I think that's all our links. No need to buy a book, the FEMA plans are free and the web is loaded with info that's probably better.
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=45442
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=70565
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=45442
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=70565
markz
100 TW
That clean cut welding pro hillbilly says a pound of wood per mile or 2, with his fancy nice looking units.
Yet the other backwoods hillbillies says 16 pounds of wood is equal to a gallon of gasoline, so 10 - 15 MPG.
Guess they are both right. It comes down to how the wood is burning and the mixture rate.
I think Wayne Keiths Dodge Dakota's are newer EFI/TBI but he took that stuff off to go carb. I could study the styling of the truck more to pinpoint the years of his Dakota's, but the key is its just a carb intake, and have to accomodate accordingly. Fuel pumps etc, trans lines etc etc etc. Thats just from my cursory study.
Also another contradictory statement is the filtering method. Clean cut hillbilly uses charcoal to start, but everyday maintains the filter. Hay or whatever. Wayne Keith uses hay and never touches it, just every now and then tosses it and restacks his hay to the right density. Too much no flow, too little fouls the engine.
I am learning a lot.
Yet the other backwoods hillbillies says 16 pounds of wood is equal to a gallon of gasoline, so 10 - 15 MPG.
Guess they are both right. It comes down to how the wood is burning and the mixture rate.
I think Wayne Keiths Dodge Dakota's are newer EFI/TBI but he took that stuff off to go carb. I could study the styling of the truck more to pinpoint the years of his Dakota's, but the key is its just a carb intake, and have to accomodate accordingly. Fuel pumps etc, trans lines etc etc etc. Thats just from my cursory study.
Also another contradictory statement is the filtering method. Clean cut hillbilly uses charcoal to start, but everyday maintains the filter. Hay or whatever. Wayne Keith uses hay and never touches it, just every now and then tosses it and restacks his hay to the right density. Too much no flow, too little fouls the engine.
I am learning a lot.
nutnspecial
10 MW
Not that this is that much of a spectacular thing from 'E', but if propane (which is often retro'd onto IC) is anything like syngas the system holds up great to disuse.
I just got a fresh fill and charge for my '79 clark/hyster lift and it fired right up and ran like the months and months never passed. Amazing- I think it's been about 1.5 years just sitting with it's milky hydraulics and engine oil (water ingress from 2011 flood), and it runs just as well with the monotrol hyrdo tranny/ steering/ lift. Electonics, pumps, seals are just fine too. The darn thing is a 'tank'- knock on wood
I just got a fresh fill and charge for my '79 clark/hyster lift and it fired right up and ran like the months and months never passed. Amazing- I think it's been about 1.5 years just sitting with it's milky hydraulics and engine oil (water ingress from 2011 flood), and it runs just as well with the monotrol hyrdo tranny/ steering/ lift. Electonics, pumps, seals are just fine too. The darn thing is a 'tank'- knock on wood
markz
100 TW
It all seems fairly easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kihm4GCO4tg
Looks like one of his trucks is a full size 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck. Those however are fuel injected, so it seems he converted the engine to carb, I never seen a round air filter like that on a fuel injected.
25-30% decrease in power, but 37% more efficient then gasoline.
From that info, be best to over size the engine, so go higher then a 350.
http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/deals-on-wheels-2/1162
"Mostly, we're interested in prime woodgas candidates like V10 Rams and V8 Dakotas."
----------------------------------------------
OK I got more info on this. You can use an OBD1 type EFI.
Here is a list. http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/support/Knowledgebase/Article/View/15/0/obd-1-car-support-list
HP to weight ratio is a main consideration. Also wind profile. Thats why they go with the Dakota's and V10 Dodge Rams. But you can use anything in reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kihm4GCO4tg
Looks like one of his trucks is a full size 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck. Those however are fuel injected, so it seems he converted the engine to carb, I never seen a round air filter like that on a fuel injected.
25-30% decrease in power, but 37% more efficient then gasoline.
From that info, be best to over size the engine, so go higher then a 350.
http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/deals-on-wheels-2/1162
"Mostly, we're interested in prime woodgas candidates like V10 Rams and V8 Dakotas."
----------------------------------------------
OK I got more info on this. You can use an OBD1 type EFI.
Here is a list. http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/support/Knowledgebase/Article/View/15/0/obd-1-car-support-list
HP to weight ratio is a main consideration. Also wind profile. Thats why they go with the Dakota's and V10 Dodge Rams. But you can use anything in reality.
j bjork
1 MW
There are some discussion about efi vs carburetor, efi is very much to prefer.
Then you can tune the ignition to suit both gas and liquid fuel. You can also use mixed fuel scenarios. Where you start on liquid fuel, and turn it down as the gas gets good enough to run at (if you dont want to wait)
You can also run on gas, but use liquid fuel as acceleration enrichment.
And you can have less sensitive equipment in the corrosive gas flow. You can achieve that with a carburetor too, if you have the gas entering under the carburetor. But it will be more work to do so.
Then you can tune the ignition to suit both gas and liquid fuel. You can also use mixed fuel scenarios. Where you start on liquid fuel, and turn it down as the gas gets good enough to run at (if you dont want to wait)
You can also run on gas, but use liquid fuel as acceleration enrichment.
And you can have less sensitive equipment in the corrosive gas flow. You can achieve that with a carburetor too, if you have the gas entering under the carburetor. But it will be more work to do so.
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