Which alternative fuel has best bang for the buck?

[MongoVB]

Well after doing some reading, I was just wondering what system will yeild the best overall bang for the buck long term? It seems to me that WVO/SVO type systems would be the most profitable, but what about CNG, and propane? Propane in virginia seems to be around 3.50 a gallon and CNG appears to be quite a bit cheeper, but the inital cost of a CNG setup would be quite a bit more. My problem is I don't do a whole lot of trips over 1 hour in length. How long before the oil is warm enough to flow say on bothe a 70 and 40 degree day? What about shorter trips? would it still be worth it? Also how long would propane last if you are just using it for mileage and not so much power? I understand it depends on the size the tank used but give me some numbers.

[MongoVB]

Anybody?

[JohnnyReb]

For me its WMO, I get it for free.

[hheynow]

Figure how many WVO miles of free fuel will equal the cost of the kit plus installation (your time is worth money). If you're paying for WVO add in its cost. Figure the time and energy needed to collect the oil. Figure the cost to set up your filtering station and the electricity to run it. Do you have a space for your filtering station? Then figure if your trips are long enough to warrant flipping fuels. Then decide if it's worth the dedication and periodic trips to collect your oil. Then decide if you will own your vehicle long enough to warrant a conversion. Still interested?

[drcampbell]

Originally Posted by MongoVB

... Propane in Virginia seems to be around 3.50 a gallon ...

A gallon of propane has half the energy content as a gallon of #2 Diesel fuel.
It's not much of a bargain at that price.

EIA Energy Kids Page

[MongoVB]

Originally Posted by hheynow

Figure how many WVO miles of free fuel will equal the cost of the kit plus installation (your time is worth money). If you're paying for WVO add in its cost. Figure the time and energy needed to collect the oil. Figure the cost to set up your filtering station and the electricity to run it. Do you have a space for your filtering station? Then figure if your trips are long enough to warrant flipping fuels. Then decide if it's worth the dedication and periodic trips to collect your oil. Then decide if you will own your vehicle long enough to warrant a conversion. Still interested?

I have been asking on another thread how long it takes for the oil to heat up enough for use. I know it may depend on outside temps but lets say 40 in winter and 75-80 in summer. How long would it take to be able to switch at those temps? I was looking at a CNG kit for around 2k with out the tank. One kol thing about the CNG kit is you can buy a home refill station that you can run directly off your house gas supply. On the flip side my home gas bill on a budget payment is already 163.00 a month due to a 35% increase this year A WVO/SVO turn key kit will run anywhere from 1500 to over 4K depending on from who and what you buy and in some cases.

[waytallwhitey]

My DFA kit was $3800 with a 60 gal tank. It automatically switches to the wvo tank approx 3 miles from my house and automatically purges itself when I shut it off. I had some friends actually do the installation for me and it went without a hitch for them; and I haven't had so much as a hiccup from it and I have close to 1,000 miles on mine in two weeks

[robertwoodling]

With the cost of the bio pro 190 I purchased included, my bio diesel costs me less than $2/gallon. No conversions necessary.

Without the capital cost included my biodiesel costs .86/ gal.

Figure out your annual mileage and apply the savings.

I spend approximately 1 hour/ week collecting, filtering and converting waste vegetable oil.