Dharam’s Veggie-Bus Conversion
Follow along at Green-Trust Offgrid as we convert Dharam’s Schoolbus to Veggie Fueled RV. Today we are building the heat exchanger for the fuel tank, and splicing into the coolant lines for heat.
Archive for November, 2006
Veggie-Bus Conversion continued
Once we removed the tank and emptied it of diesel, it was time to clean it. We scraped the outside of the tank, and brushed on a strong basic soap. After letting that sit we power washed the tank. For the inside, we put two gallons of muriatic acid, sealed up the tank, and rolled it over, and over, and end over ended it for a while to coat the interior. We then drained the tank, rinsed it, and put a gallon of Ospho in it and did the rolling and over ending again. Ospho converts rust to black primer, and we hope it will help protect the tank. The next step is to install the heat exchanger. I removed and tested the fuel sender, and it’s right on the money. Pics can be found in our photo album.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Everyone has heard the term recycling pushed into their faces for a number of years now, and although it is a good idea, not everything can be easily recycled, or there may not be local places to take it. A complementary approach is to be smart about packaging and materials so that there is less waste that needs recycling. Reduce the amount of “waste” you generate, reuse leftover materials for another project, then finally, recycle materials into something else. There is an excellent page on these processes, and more eco-tips, found at Global Stewards. Some are easy for the city dweller to accomplish, some tips are more aimed at us country folk, but there is good advice there for everyone.
That is the goal of this blog, something for everyone!
Skoolie Fuel Tank Removed
In preparation for the installation of the heat exchanger, we removed the bus fuel tank. This was quite a chore, since it’s been sitting in the elements for quite a few years, and the bolts and accessories were a bit rusted. Today we will clean up the tank, install the heat exchanger, and reinstall the tank. We will also install some of the electrics for his bus, including the shore power charger and transfer switch, the isolator, and the freshly rebuilt 150 amp alternator that Scott’s Auto Electric rebuilt yesterday. It needed brushes and diodes, and Jim Scott cleaned it up nicely.
The engine is a CAT 3208, and when we are finished, will have 2 fuel tanks feeding two filters (the veggie tank and filter heated with coolant), then a manual 3 port valve. That valve will lead to an electric purge/lifter pump, then the bus injector pump. The return from the injector pump then leads to a sight glass, another 3 port manual valve, and then the fuel tanks. Total cost on the parts id projected to be less than $800.
Luray, Melvin, and Tim Martin are providing the parts and welding up the filter and the heat exchanger assembly. The fuel pickup line is mounted to the exchanger to ensure that the fuel picked up is hotter than the rest of the tank, preventing the need for the whole tank to be hot before switchover. We will provide photo’s as we progress.
Dharam arrives with his skoolie!
Last night our friend Dharam arrived with his school bus. We are helping him convert it to an RV, and will be converting the diesel to run on Used Fryer Oil (UFO). Dharam is a house washer by trade, so hopefully, weather permitting, Green-Trust will get a fresh coat of paint, and look a bit more presentable. Pictures of the bus and conversion will be posted as the project progresses. We hope to take Dharam down to Woodhenge to pick up a set of used deep cycle batteries as a house bank for his bus.
Dharam obtained his bus from a friend of ours, Greg Archambault, from FloridaChurchBus.com. Greg is bringing us a bus next month for our church.
Energy Efficient Appliances - Front Loader Washer
We have a Sears Front Loader Clothes Washer (stacked with a Sears Propane Dryer). A bit more expensive than the standard top loader, the electric and water savings soon paid for it. We went with a Sears unit because it was less expensive than the typical off-grid Staber unit, and we had a local dealer and local service. EarthEasy explains the advantages of this type of washer:
- Larger capacity because of no bulky agitator. The average load increase is 30%. The extra space improves washing of bulky items like sleeping bags, bedspreads and throw rugs.
- High-speed extraction. Front-load washers spin at over 1000 rpm in American-made machines, and higher on European models. This is considerably faster than the 600-700 rpm spin cycle on top-load washers. Clothes come out drier and thereby reduce drying time. This saves energy, and helps the dryer keep pace with the washer during multiple-load washing.
- Gentler on laundry items. Gentler wash action, with no agitator.
- Quieter. No clunky sounds, just the whir of the spin cycle.
- Cleans better. Front-load washers clean many stains bettter than conventional top-load washers.
- Stackable. The dryer can be stacked on top of the washer for space savings. ( Not all models have this feature.) Models with controls mounted on the front can also be installed under counters.
- Energy conservation. Front-load washers can easily save over $100 per year in energy costs, and they use 1/2 as much water. Because they use less water, they also require up to 68% less electricity to heat the water, resulting in more energy savings.
Local Food: Fresh to You, Fair to Farmers
Nothing beats locally grown food for freshness and flavor. And buying local food is a great way to strengthen our local economy by supporting our farming neighbors.
What Is Local Food?
Food that you grow yourself in a home garden or in a community garden.
Food grown or raised in your local county that you buy directly from the farmer or producer at a farm stand, farmers’ market, through a CSA, or at a U-pick farm.
Food grown or raised in your local county that you buy at a grocery store, food co-op, cafeteria, or restaurant in the county.
Food grown elsewhere in your state or nearby region.
Why Eat Local Food?
Tastes best because it’s freshest
Supports local family farms
Strengthens our local economy
Protects our land and conserves fuel
Remember, the goal is not to ban long-distance food. The goal is to restore a balance of local and long-distance food—for the health of our communities, our farms, our land, and ourselves.
Brought to you by GardenShare.org
How much energy does a product use?
When we buy electrical devices, or we need to test one we have, we use a special meter called a watt-hour meter to see how much energy a unit uses over time. The meter we have is called a Kill-A-Watt, and it reports volts, amps, watts, watt-hours, power factor, frequency (important for tuning a generator), and time. Approximately $30, this is one tool no conserving household shoule be without. Take it when shopping for appliances for comparing energy consumption.
Steps for Saving Energy, and Money
1. Take these energy-efficient measures:
- Replace and recycle your old refrigerator and purchase energy-efficient models. Units only 10 years old can use twice as much electricity as a new ENERGY STAR® labeled model.
- Insulate ceilings to R-30 standards if your attic has less than R-19.
- Caulk windows, doors and anywhere air leaks in or out. Do not caulk around water heater and furnace exhaust pipes.
- Weatherstrip around windows and doors.
- Wrap heating and cooling ducts with duct wrap, or use mastic sealant.
- Install energy-saver showerheads.
2. When buying new appliances, be sure to purchase energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® labeled models.
3. Set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, and the air-conditioner thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting. 3 percent to 5 percent more energy is used for each degree the furnace is set above 68 degrees and for each degree the air conditioner is set below 78 degrees.
4. If your old air conditioner is on its way out replace it with ENERGY STAR® labeled energy-efficient model.
5. Use compact fluorescent lamps. You can lower your lighting bill by converting to energy-efficient low-wattage compact fluorescent lighting and fixtures.
6. Replace old windows with new high performance dual pane windows.
7. Clean or replace furnace and air-conditioner filters regularly, following manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Set the water heater thermostat at 140 degrees or “normal.” If you have a dishwasher. Otherwise, set it at 120 degrees or “low.” Check your dishwasher to see if you can use 120 degree water. Follow the manufacturer’s direction on yearly maintenance to extend the life of your unit.
9. Fix defective plumbing or dripping faucets. A single dripping hot water faucet can waste 212 gallons of water a month. That not only increases water bills, but also increases the gas or electric bill for heating the water.
10. Wash only full loads in a dishwasher and use the shortest cycle that will get your dishes clean. If operating instructions allow, turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle, open the door and let the dishes dry naturally.
11. Defrost refrigerators and freezers before ice buildup becomes 1/4-inch thick.
12. Install shades, awnings or sunscreens on windows facing south and/or west to block summer light. In winter, open shades on sunny days to help warm rooms.
13. Close the damper when the fireplace is not being used. Try not to use the fireplace and central heating system at the same time.
Offset your Automobile, Home, & Flight Emissions
What is TerraPass?
Ever wished you could do something about global warming?
It might seem there’s nothing you can do about global warming. The problem is just too big.
It might seem there’s nothing you can do about global warming. The problem is just too big.
Of course, we all contribute to global warming. We all have a “carbon footprint,” the total carbon dioxide emissions we create when we drive or fly or use electricity.
Eliminate your carbon footprint with TerraPass
The first step you can take to fight global warming is to reduce your carbon footprint through conservation. Drive less. Turn down the thermostat. Buy locally produced goods.
The first step you can take to fight global warming is to reduce your carbon footprint through conservation. Drive less. Turn down the thermostat. Buy locally produced goods.
Then use TerraPass to reduce your carbon footprint all the way to zero.
When you buy a TerraPass, your money funds renewable energy projects such as wind farms. These projects result in verified reductions in greenhouse gas pollution. And these reductions counterbalance your own emissions.
A new kind of environmental movement
Of course, global warming is too big a problem for a handful of people to solve on their own. It’s a global problem that requires action on a global scale.
Of course, global warming is too big a problem for a handful of people to solve on their own. It’s a global problem that requires action on a global scale.
But entrepreneurial groups are leading the way. City and state governments, forward-looking businesses, and enthusiastic citizens are banding together to show that a sustainable future is possible today.
Every TerraPass member has taken a simple positive step to fight global warming. Every TerraPass purchase is a vote for innovation, efficiency, and clean energy. Together, we have eliminated over 150 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Be part of a group that is driving change today.
Professionally, I'm an IT Engineer (Executive Level) and Electronics Tech. Philosophically, I'm a Green Conservative, and probably would have been a hippie in the 60's if I had been old enough. I live off grid, with Solar (PV), Wind, and veggie oil fueled diesel generator power, and have been teaching and living sustainable technology for over 10 years.
