Biofuel Conversion Pondering
So I have some thoughts here. Anyone with the dual fuel tanks could try this one.
Currently, B5 is about the only biodiesel mix that won't turn to total jelly at low temps. However, if you heat the fuel, it liquifies again. So a system could be set up in the H1 where one tank is heated while the other runs standard diesel. Operation would be as follows:
1. Make sure Tank 1 (Diesel) is selected.
2. Run vehicle, warming up engine and Tank 2 (B50 for example)
3. Once Tank 2 reaches 50F or whatever temp is required for liquidity, switch from Tank 1 to Tank 2.
4. Run on Tank 2 until getting close to destination.
5. Return to Tank 1 to clear lines of Tank 2 fluid before parking.
Pain in the ass, yes. However, with a garage, and engine block heater, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. You'd have to monitor Tank 2 with a thermocouple to make sure it's temp didn't drop too much while you went in and picked up your doughnuts...
But anyway, this is a makeshift cold weather system to allow the vehicle to operation on biofuel. The local MB dealer said they have people who run their diesels in the same fashion, some using vegetable oil in some as well. I know you can make a fuel from vegetable oil, but not certain on how that one works. They do have some sort of heating element.
This would only be practical for you every day H1 drivers.
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~2005 Stealth Gray H2 SUV.
~Wishing for an H1 to appear in the driveway some day...
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