Excursion Vegistroke install, Full story - Page 3 - Diesel Forum

greasy_Exc · 05-29-2008, 11:48 AM

So far 206 gallons consumed and no problems (if you don't count my learning curve for cleaning

) I went through my first V3 filter on a 400 mi trip to see family, I was incorrectly using my centrifuge (not getting the oil hot enough) and a batch that I assumed was clean was not... Well, this is a learning experiance, and I will pass my knowledge on so the next person can benifit. First off, if you do decide to purchase a centrifuge, the OC-20 is an exclent product(got mine from homebiodiesel.com Dennis was a pleasure to do buisness with, and he gave me a very fair price

)! I will post pictures of my setup later. I have the OC-20 mounted to a topless 55gal steel drum, driving this is a 1/2 hp 120v motor from granger.com and a power steering pump from my local junk yard. I pulled the pump off a chrystler V8 that was just sitting around (lots of those in that yard...) it is the remote reservor type, and I did it like that because I don't want hot oil shooting out of the hard mounted resorvor

I was able to pick up some 200psi hose from my local ace hardware store, along with the mounting hardware (some lag bolts). I found that the 200psi hose can take the 80-100psi pressure along with the 200* heat of the oil. The motor and pump are mounted to some scrap 2x12" wood that I had laying around, I found a 5500 watt 240v hot water heating element (when 120v is hooked up, the heat is cut in half) and with the various fittings needed, the whole setup cost about $350. Now I can heat the oil, turn on the pump and walk away, very little mess and its good. As I said, Ill post pics of the setup later.

edoubleupvlx · 05-29-2008, 11:28 PM

hey greasy, How much did your custom tank cost? Did you talk to vegistroke about the ses light? I used a snap disk contoller for my heating elements as sunwizard did. Once I left my oc-20 rig for a few hours and the pump motor lost power and the heating elements went dry and almost caused a fire. Now I have the snap disks attached to the pipe at the elements just in case the motor stops and It shuts them off. They are about 10 bucks a piece at home depot next to the water heating elements.

ajohansson · 05-30-2008, 01:22 AM

I am one of those guys who started GFS and ended up pretty much a frybrid but I am not unhappy having my 44 gallon diesel tank being converted to my veg tank. I have had no problems with that aspect of it. Everything else on the kit pretty much sucked and I spent alot of blood, sweat and tears getting back up and running properly. It's nice to hear that finally someone is making tanks for the excursion. When I did my kit with GFS a year and half ago no one was doing it and I could not understand why. I'm stoked to hear you guys getting your x's converted with V3's. You should have years of trouble free operation and at $5 a gallon it will pay for itself in no time at all.

Pancreas · 05-30-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajohansson

I am one of those guys who started GFS and ended up pretty much a frybrid but I am not unhappy having my 44 gallon diesel tank being converted to my veg tank..

When you say pretty much a frybrid guy did you do the fuel return thing I read about? I kind of want to talk to someone who has set up the fuel return system to see what’s all involved. I really like the frybrid system it looks clean I just wish they would sell parts separate lol.

greasy_Exc · 05-30-2008, 03:09 PM

-edoubleup: I got a very good deal on mine because the fabricator had never made this type of tank before, and required that I leave my truck there for several days.. That being said you should be able to purchase one for ~$1500 from Brian, but I hear he is on vacation and will not be available until september.

-Ajohansson: I am interested in converting my diesel tank to hold veggi, what did you have to do? Do you have any pictures of it off the X? Any help would be great

**MJPliska** · 05-30-2008, 03:21 PM

ajohansson, how long have you been running SVO in your factory tank? I ask because we have run some tests with stock-type fuel level sensors in B99 and SVO, and found their life significantly decreased in those fuels. We sell a lot of fuel level sensors to the WVO conversion industry for aux tanks, since our fuel sensor does not have any exposed electrical components and consequently works fine with those fuels.

Regards,
Michael Pliska

airfooter · 05-30-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pancreas

When you say pretty much a frybrid guy did you do the fuel return thing I read about? I kind of want to talk to someone who has set up the fuel return system to see what’s all involved. I really like the frybrid system it looks clean I just wish they would sell parts separate lol.

The 'new' Frybrid PSD kit is a Vegistroke V3 module and is plumbed very similar to Vegistroke - deadheaded. Otherwise, it uses Frybrid computer, HIH, heated fuel pick-up (superior to all others) and Frybrid Tank - under truck or in bed. (I recommend a FPHE too for good measure!!

)

The 'regulated return' idea is waaay over-rated and is actually counter-productive in a VO conversion. We like to utilize the added 50 plus degrees the VO can pick up in the heads!!

Not trying to start a cackle debate, but I believe most of the 'noise' that is 'cured' by reg return is from eliminating the air trapped at the ends of the fuel rails. You will do this every time you purge your VO system. The injector starvation angle is just way over exagerated. My stock injectors had 240k (HARD

) miles on them and #8 looked just like all the rest...

greasy_Exc · 05-31-2008, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJPliska

ajohansson, how long have you been running SVO in your factory tank? I ask because we have run some tests with stock-type fuel level sensors in B99 and SVO, and found their life significantly decreased in those fuels. We sell a lot of fuel level sensors to the WVO conversion industry for aux tanks, since our fuel sensor does not have any exposed electrical components and consequently works fine with those fuels.

Regards,
Michael Pliska

I used the ISSPRO ultimate 9" fuel sender, and I have had no problems. This particular sender was recommended by both Veggistroke and my installer due to its compatibility with WVO.

chaunbot · 06-07-2008, 12:15 AM

*** did frybrid up the prices?

greasy_Exc · 06-07-2008, 02:53 AM

for the same reason that "collecting" WVO is now called "stealing". This stuff has become popular, and now that means demand is up so costs can skyrocket. I never understood that. Computer processor speed and performance demand goes up and prices drop. Trash demand goes up, and equipment to used to recycle it quadruples in price.

Pancreas · 06-07-2008, 12:37 PM

Yeah the exscursion one like trippled from a couple of months ago.

chaunbot · 06-07-2008, 01:03 PM

I looked into frybrid a few months ago and the kit for f250 was only 1200 now its 1725. Bull****.
Complete Frybrid kit for the 1994-1997 PSD
This kit does not include a tank, the tank must be selected separately. Orders will not be accepted without a tank or tank kit purchase.
View kit contents here

Does not include a tank so we can further hike the cost and **** you more.
Will not accept orders unless you buy a tank, what a crock of ****

airfooter · 06-07-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaunbot

I looked into frybrid a few months ago and the kit for f250 was only 1200 now its 1725. Bull****.
Complete Frybrid kit for the 1994-1997 PSD
This kit does not include a tank, the tank must be selected separately. Orders will not be accepted without a tank or tank kit purchase.
View kit contents here

Does not include a tank so we can further hike the cost and **** you more.
Will not accept orders unless you buy a tank, what a crock of ****

Thats funny! Yeah, getting the best possible product available WILL cost more. There have always been Rolls Royces and VW Beetles (or Kia's) on the market. This is one of those situations where ya get what ya pay for!

BTW, the generic Frybrid kit was $1695 and PSD kit was a little more - BEFORE the V3 kit became an option. I'm sure the pricing is somewhat dictated by Vegistroke, since they are supplying V3's...

greasy_Exc · 06-07-2008, 10:40 PM

Airfooter,

I know you are a frybrid fan, but you have to admit simply because gas prices have gone up the opportunity to raise prices for these kits came about. Companies will only charge what people are willing to pay. Capitolism is great, but sometimes it really sucks a$$... It would be nice if there were still companies who just cared about quality and customer satisfaction rather than bottom line.

airfooter · 06-14-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greasy_Exc

Airfooter,

I know you are a frybrid fan, but you have to admit simply because gas prices have gone up the opportunity to raise prices for these kits came about. Companies will only charge what people are willing to pay. Capitolism is great, but sometimes it really sucks a$$... It would be nice if there were still companies who just cared about quality and customer satisfaction rather than bottom line.

Yeah right, what company do ya know that does that? Walmart? Give me a break.

Build this 'system' yourself (I did, remember?) and see what it costs in (top quality) materials and please include the TIME you'll spend designing and collecting those materials - 'one off'. I think the kit is a deal. I am buying one for my 'new' Ex right now. I know full well I can design/build a very nice system without anybodys help - over 65,000 miles of 100% trouble-free VO operation is proof.

Do ya really think Frybrid or Vegistroke are 'getting rich'? I seriously doubt it. I know what these parts cost and what they sell them for - there is a profit (of course

), but it ain't that lucrative a business. Now GC, Loathecraft, etc - they are making a killing! They sell $200 worth of crap for $1300 - and apparently LOTS of them. They also tell ya to pump WVO thru a fancy filter right into yer rig. Believe me, the junkyards are filling up with these 'conversions'. (right beside the WMO-burning rigs

)

The truth is, this is a dead-end job. There is a very limited supply of this 'free fuel', if there is any left (for free). The competition from biodieselers and the traditional renderers is getting VERY steep. The longer diesel stays high - the worse this will get.

Call Frybrid right now, the first thing they'll tell you is to secure a source of VO. I know for a fact they have lost quite a few 'sales', because folks found out they could not find a long-term source. Is that the type of 'customer satisfaction' yer lookin' for?

The 'quality' speaks for itself - there is no competition in that department. Yeah, I'm a 'fan' of quality. FWIW, I get nothing for promoting their product - I paid the same price as you would...

Anyhow, I'm gonna start encouraging people to burn WMO!

WVO is really NASTY...