using a heater for veg oil?

annsvan · Post by **annsvan** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:42 am

I am thinking about fitting a heater to enable greater use of SVO in the winter months. Has anyone used a heater? Also what type of heater? I have found a company selling various types of heater (vow2.co.uk) has anyone bought one?

your comments would be appreciated

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:16 pm

Sorry annsvan, but I am not going to be much use here, as I will just be using a higher diesel to oil ratio for the winter. I will however be keeping an eye on the thread, as I would never say never to adding a heater. keep us informed

andyfb78 · Post by **andyfb78** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:23 pm

do a proper conversion:
http://www.dieselveg.com
http://www.smartveg.com

these Vow heaters, whilst very well made, will not do the pre heat job properly. Cold start is the issue.

Please, please please read the 'why convert' stuff on the diesel veg website.
http://www.dieselveg.com/why_should_i_convert.htm

I know they want you to buy their stuff, but having tried the different fuels (biopower) and simpler heaters including the Vow2, you will get problems eventually with fuel filter waxing, engine oil contamination, and piston ring build up. what they say is accurate, and after my own experimentation I have had to admit they are right.

There is a lot of talk on this site already about veg oil, but I've been investigating this for a couple of years now (before my tax post) and a proper conversion (or a low percentage mix) is the only way if you value your engine...( i have a dieselveg one. visit them, they are very helpful and it will save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run if really want ot go this way.)

Sadly, there is no easier way.....

good luck

Andy

annsvan · Post by **annsvan** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:26 pm

Thanks Andy for your extensive response. There is a lot to think about. I will follow up your references.

Thanks again

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:20 pm

Really interesting contribution andyfb78 - I've been reading the stuff on the links. My only thought is its a pity there istn some way of putting the (new) diesel tank somewhere where it doesnt cause a loss of useable space (i.e. underneath the vehicle). Has anyone looked into that with the Bongo?

Also, what happens about veg oil waxing in the tank in cold weather and/or how it is successfully pulled out of the tank and warmed prior to injection. Is that taken care of by the conversion equipment or am I missing something?

Finally, it would be great to then start cleaning up waste oil by as simple a method as possible and then using it. One BF member is simply filtering through j-cloths but is this really good enough esp if using the oil 'neat'. Apologies for dragging this topic round and round the barn but you sound like you got this subject well taped.

Mike

andyfb78 · Post by **andyfb78** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:21 am

Hallo,

I will post some pics of my conversion when I have settled a little.

I have had to get a tank made up as I also didn't want to have a tank inside the vehicle. It goes under the left hand side, under the sliding door and is about 35litres. Fills from under the bonnet with a long long run of hose.

As for winter tank waxing, they recommend just adding a little diesel (5-10%) to prevent this. you only switch over when the system is hot, so the thicker veg oil doesn't reach a restriction (the filter) until after is has been heated and can still be drawn from the tank until the temperatures get very low.
You can always run on diesel anyway..

I guess if you want to use it in extreme cold then you will need to add a tank heater as landrovers do for diesel in the arctic.
This is also why you should only really use rapeseed oil, others have higher melting points and so are more waxy at higher temperatures... if you follow my rambling...

Filtering waste oil, they sell kits for that too. It needs to be down to 1 micron to be safe, so you can start with socks and jay-cloths, but it should then go through a series of finer filters to get it to 1 micron. Otherwise you'll get filter clogging and pump expiry. (they have a selection of failed pumps on show, where the shaft (15mm diameter steel shaft) has sheared due to the simple overloading on the pump due to blocked lines.... Fortunately bongos have a more robust pump, but none the less I'm not gonna take that risk.

They have been very helpful at dieselveg and when I finally get my bum in gear I'll do an article thingy...
(moving house and jobs at the moment so it is kinda not number 1 at the mo.....)

Hope that helps... sorry to be a little distracted....I'll be more helpfull sooooooooooon......

Andy

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:47 pm

Excellent andyfb78 and we will all be really interested to see the pics. Why dont you go down the same niche product road as Willinton (split chargers), Haydn (low coolant alarm) and Dave Mason (terp gauge modification) etc. and see if anyone will produce your diesel tank design for other Bongo owners to buy.

annsvan · Post by **annsvan** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:44 pm

yes, to put a tank under the LHS sounds ideal, also to fill up from the front. You seem to be way ahead of the rest of us Andy, I too will look forward to your pictures when you have time.

using a heater for veg oil?

using a heater for veg oil?

thanks Andy

tank