Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
Darryl McMahon wrote: > Robert, > I think the electric motor is the way to go. I'm leaning that direction. With electricity remaining at 6 cents per kWh, it's likely cheaper too! > If you want a chipper / shredder, there's this: > http://www.electricfencecompany.com/too-5101.html For $775? Yikes! The shredder I got from my friend was free. > One of the electric tractor guys has a converted Amerind MacKissic > Mighty Mac chipper shredder. 9 hp gasoline engine replaced with a 1.3 > hp 36-volt DC series motor. Says it works well. Another has reported > using a 240-volt AC 5 hp motor on a conversion, and is very satisfied > with it. The 3 horsepower Briggs is probably only 3 horsepower at 3 600 rpm--in other words, flat out! I had to run it like this for the corn and sunflower stalks or else it would bog. I've seen electric motors at Princess Auto (and they have a 1 hp model on sale for $140 right now.), but I imagine I could pull a decent one out of a washing machine if I really scrounged around. > DC probably means lugging batteries, but AC usually means being close to > an outlet. That's not a problem here. > Outdoor household 240 volt outlets aren't that common in > Canada in my experience. I have provision for 240 service near my garage door. The electrician put that in for me when we built the house, just in case I wanted to put in a gas compressor for my truck. > Personally, I'd likely go with the beefiest > 120 volt AC motor I could find. 20 amps at 120 volts is 2400 watts, or > over 3 hp. With the advantage of electric torque, that might well be > sufficient. Yeah, I would think so. Anything bigger than a centimeter in diameter won't be going into the shredder, anyway. >You probably need to talk to a motor shop or some other > industrial motor application shop to find motors like this, not a > regular household item. I know just the place! >Perhaps the motor from an electric snowblower - > they're about torque and working on a regular household outlet. We don't have snow blowers out here. We don't get enough snow to make it worthwhile. Up in Terrace, however, nearly everyone owns one of those things. > A motor rated at 3,000 to 3,600 RPM is probably best for matching to the > existing gearing. Given that this is the operating rpm for the gas engine, I'd say you're right. Thanks for your advice, Darryl! robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
Robert, I think the electric motor is the way to go. There are a number of leaf shredders available now that run on household current. Google for Vornado electric leaf shredder (one now on ebay), or Flowtron or Flowtron plus. There are undoubtedly others, Patriot is a brand name I have seen in the past, as well as Sears and McCulloch. If you want a chipper / shredder, there's this: http://www.electricfencecompany.com/too-5101.html One of the electric tractor guys has a converted Amerind MacKissic Mighty Mac chipper shredder. 9 hp gasoline engine replaced with a 1.3 hp 36-volt DC series motor. Says it works well. Another has reported using a 240-volt AC 5 hp motor on a conversion, and is very satisfied with it. DC probably means lugging batteries, but AC usually means being close to an outlet. Outdoor household 240 volt outlets aren't that common in Canada in my experience. Personally, I'd likely go with the beefiest 120 volt AC motor I could find. 20 amps at 120 volts is 2400 watts, or over 3 hp. With the advantage of electric torque, that might well be sufficient. On a 15 amp outlet, you can pull 1800 watts max, or almost 2.5 hp for short periods (not continuous duty). However, if you are hand-feeding, you should not be running at maximum load continuously anyway. You probably need to talk to a motor shop or some other industrial motor application shop to find motors like this, not a regular household item. Perhaps the motor from an electric snowblower - they're about torque and working on a regular household outlet. A motor rated at 3,000 to 3,600 RPM is probably best for matching to the existing gearing. Darryl McMahon robert luis rabello wrote: > A friend of mine recently "donated" a shredder for my use. After > rebuilding its carburetor (hateful things, carburetors!) and > re-lapping stuck valves, changing gaskets and cleaning GUNK out of the > fuel tank, it's running fairly well again. (It still needs a > replacement throttle return spring, but I'm trying to solve one > problem at a time . . .) > > I used the machine for a couple of hours this afternoon and made a few > observations. Plant stalks contain quite a bit of water. The huge > sunflower and corn plants we grew this summer reduced down to a > surprisingly small pile after going through the shredder. I'm left > with quite a bit LESS material than I'd initially believed I would > have. Compacting all of that "yard waste" takes up far less room, and > the shredded plants will compost more effectively in tiny pieces than > they would with their stalks intact. (Keith likes to say that > bacteria have no teeth!) The resulting pile has a strangely sweet > aroma. (I know that cellulose is basically plant sugar, but I really > had no clue that it would smell like it could ferment "as is".) > > However, the 3 horsepower shredder uses quite a bit of fuel for such a > little engine. I burned nearly four liters of gasoline in two hours > of operation, whereas the engine in my truck (running at part throttle > cruise on the highway and probably cranking out about 25 horsepower) > can take me about 40 kilometers down the road at 100 km / hour, or > roughly 20 minutes of driving, on the same amount of fuel. Therefore, > my supercharged, fuel injected truck engine requires .4 liters of fuel > per "horsepower hour", while the shredder needs .67 liters of fuel per > "horsepower hour". That's better than 25% more fuel being burned to > get the job done. (Low compression, carb technology is likely the > culprit here, coupled with the fact that on the freeway, my truck > engine isn't exactly working very hard, whereas I had to have the > shredder running full tilt in order to handle the big sunflower stalks.) > > It seems to me that an electric motor would be far better suited to > the task than is the very noisy gasoline engine. Perhaps a low speed > diesel, with its high torque, would do nicely as well. Either option > seems superior in my mind, as it bothers me on some level to burn > fossil derived gasoline for the sake of my "organic" garden . . . > > Of course, the same thing could be said of rototilling. I'm certainly > not going to invest in one of those tiny horses I've seen around here > to do that job for me. > > > > robert luis rabello > "The Edge of Justice" > Adventure for Your Mind > http://www.newadventure.ca > > Ranger Supercharger Project Page > http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ > > -- Darryl McMahon http://www.econogics.com It's your planet. If you won't look after it, who will? ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archiv
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
I just came in from outside, having helped my son clean his bunny cage. Shredding the biomass material significantly speeds the composting process. Water vapor is VISIBLY rising from the composter and the pile sitting on the ground next to it. This is particularly interesting because it's been very cool and rainy here for the two days, and I actually DID all this shredding on Sunday morning! Power composting works really well! Maybe I ought to take the electric motor swap a bit more seriously . . . robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
fredOn 11/8/05, Paul S Cantrell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Okay, now that I'm done grunting Tim Allen style... US$1,000??? Ouch! How about a 5 hp electric motor for less than $100? Or better yet one recovered from junk?On 11/8/05, Fred Finch < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Robert, Check this modification out!! http://www.hscsupercharger.com/ fred-- Thanks,PCHe's the kind of a guy who lights up a room just by flicking a switch History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives. - Abba Eban ___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
Paul S Cantrell wrote: > Okay, now that I'm done grunting Tim Allen style... > > US$1,000??? Ouch! Yeah, but the coolness factor can't be underestimated . . . However, the blower on my truck only cost me about $150, and it gets used every day. > How about a 5 hp electric motor for less than $100? Or better yet one > recovered from junk? That was my point, initially. robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
US$1,000??? Ouch! How about a 5 hp electric motor for less than $100? Or better yet one recovered from junk?On 11/8/05, Fred Finch < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Robert, Check this modification out!! http://www.hscsupercharger.com/ fred-- Thanks,PCHe's the kind of a guy who lights up a room just by flicking a switch History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives. - Abba Eban ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
Fred Finch wrote: > Robert, > > Check this modification out!! > > http://www.hscsupercharger.com/ Yeah, NOW we're talking!!! robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
Mike Weaver wrote: > They used to make electronic ignition kits for 1 cylinder engines - I > put one an an old Yamaha. It was years ago but I suppose it is still > around. If I really WANTED to do so, I could build a computerized fuel / spark management system for this thing and burn just about any combustible fuel I could get my hands on. However, for a machine that's used for only a few hours once or twice a year this just doesn't seem worthwhile. An electric motor would be simpler, quieter, and up here in BC where electricity comes from hydroelectric generators, far less polluting! robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
Check this modification out!! http://www.hscsupercharger.com/ fredOn 11/7/05, robert luis rabello <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: DHAJOGLO wrote:> Robert,>> I'm not sure what type of engine you have, but an option might be to modify it to use ethanol and then delay the timing to get higher compression.I'd like to run ethanol in my truck!Getting higher compression out of a Briggs and Stratton engine wouldinvolve milling the cylinder head. For the amount of time the shredder will be used every year, that hardly seems to justify themachine shop expense. I've also seen tiny turbos in my internetmeanderings, and while installing one of those would be really cool(Robert's turbo shredder!), I'm probably better off to swap the engine with an electric motor when it dies.> You could buy the horse and feed it the cornstalks and compute your milage based on that!Then I wouldn't need the shredder, would I?robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice"Adventure for Your Mindhttp://www.newadventure.caRanger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
They used to make electronic ignition kits for 1 cylinder engines - I put one an an old Yamaha. It was years ago but I suppose it is still around. John Mullan wrote: >I'm sure not all small engines fall into this category, but I have seen some >where the magneto coil was slightly adjustable for timing purposes. Perhaps >filing the mounting holes so they are elongated to allow slight adjustment? > >John > >-Original Message- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Zeke Yewdall >Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 4:04 PM >To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org >Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost! > > >It should be relatively easy to modify the ignition timing on a >magneto driven lawnmower type engine. The magnets are usually on the >flyweel/blower on top of the engine (or the other end from the drive >shaft, for horizontal shaft engines). They trigger the magneto which >is fixed to the engine block. I guess it actually sparks during the >end of the exhaust stroke too since it's on the crankshaft instead of >the cam? If you could adjust the positioning of the trigger magnets >on the block, or rotate the flyweel in relation to the crankshaft by >modifying the keyway, you could adjust the spark timing. We would >always hit stumps with our little lawnmowers, which slowly shears the >flywheel key off, and eventually the ignition gets too far out of time >for the engine to run any more so you have to take it apart and put a >new key in. > >Adjusting valve timing is harder, since these usually use a 1:2 gear >reduction. You could shift it one tooth off, but this is probably >about 20 degrees -- too much I think, and you really need to be able >to adjust the intake and exhaust valve timing separately. Regrinding >the cams could also work, but that's probably way more work than is >justified for a little gas engine. Even more work than milling the >head. > >I'd be tempted to run it from biodigester gas. That should only >require replacing the carbureator with a relatively simple air/biogas >mixer, and probably derating the horsepower a bit based on the heat >content of the biogas. > >Zeke > >On 11/7/05, robert luis rabello <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >>DHAJOGLO wrote: >> >> >> >>>Robert, >>> >>>I'm not sure what type of engine you have, but an option might be to >>> >>> >modify it to use ethanol and then delay the timing to get higher >compression. > > >>I'd like to run ethanol in my truck! >> >>Getting higher compression out of a Briggs and Stratton engine >> >> >would > > >>involve milling the cylinder head. For the amount of time the >>shredder will be used every year, that hardly seems to justify the >>machine shop expense. I've also seen tiny turbos in my internet >>meanderings, and while installing one of those would be really cool >>(Robert's turbo shredder!), I'm probably better off to swap the engine >>with an electric motor when it dies. >> >> >> >> >>>You could buy the horse and feed it the cornstalks and compute your >>> >>> >milage based on that! > > >>Then I wouldn't need the shredder, would I? >> >>robert luis rabello >>"The Edge of Justice" >>Adventure for Your Mind >>http://www.newadventure.ca >> >>Ranger Supercharger Project Page >>http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ >> >> >>___ >>Biofuel mailing list >>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org >>http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org >> >>Biofuel at Journey to Forever: >>http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html >> >>Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 >> >> >messages): > > >>http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ >> >> >> >> > >___ >Biofuel mailing list >Biofuel@sustainablelists.org >http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org > >Biofuel at Journey to Forever: >http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > >Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 >messages): >http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > > > > >___ >Biofuel mailing list >Biofuel@sustainablelists.org >http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org > >Biofuel at Journey to Forever: >http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > >Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): >http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
I'm sure not all small engines fall into this category, but I have seen some where the magneto coil was slightly adjustable for timing purposes. Perhaps filing the mounting holes so they are elongated to allow slight adjustment? John -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Zeke Yewdall Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 4:04 PM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost! It should be relatively easy to modify the ignition timing on a magneto driven lawnmower type engine. The magnets are usually on the flyweel/blower on top of the engine (or the other end from the drive shaft, for horizontal shaft engines). They trigger the magneto which is fixed to the engine block. I guess it actually sparks during the end of the exhaust stroke too since it's on the crankshaft instead of the cam? If you could adjust the positioning of the trigger magnets on the block, or rotate the flyweel in relation to the crankshaft by modifying the keyway, you could adjust the spark timing. We would always hit stumps with our little lawnmowers, which slowly shears the flywheel key off, and eventually the ignition gets too far out of time for the engine to run any more so you have to take it apart and put a new key in. Adjusting valve timing is harder, since these usually use a 1:2 gear reduction. You could shift it one tooth off, but this is probably about 20 degrees -- too much I think, and you really need to be able to adjust the intake and exhaust valve timing separately. Regrinding the cams could also work, but that's probably way more work than is justified for a little gas engine. Even more work than milling the head. I'd be tempted to run it from biodigester gas. That should only require replacing the carbureator with a relatively simple air/biogas mixer, and probably derating the horsepower a bit based on the heat content of the biogas. Zeke On 11/7/05, robert luis rabello <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > DHAJOGLO wrote: > > > Robert, > > > > I'm not sure what type of engine you have, but an option might be to modify it to use ethanol and then delay the timing to get higher compression. > > > I'd like to run ethanol in my truck! > > Getting higher compression out of a Briggs and Stratton engine would > involve milling the cylinder head. For the amount of time the > shredder will be used every year, that hardly seems to justify the > machine shop expense. I've also seen tiny turbos in my internet > meanderings, and while installing one of those would be really cool > (Robert's turbo shredder!), I'm probably better off to swap the engine > with an electric motor when it dies. > > > > You could buy the horse and feed it the cornstalks and compute your milage based on that! > > Then I wouldn't need the shredder, would I? > > robert luis rabello > "The Edge of Justice" > Adventure for Your Mind > http://www.newadventure.ca > > Ranger Supercharger Project Page > http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ > > > ___ > Biofuel mailing list > Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): > http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
It should be relatively easy to modify the ignition timing on a magneto driven lawnmower type engine. The magnets are usually on the flyweel/blower on top of the engine (or the other end from the drive shaft, for horizontal shaft engines). They trigger the magneto which is fixed to the engine block. I guess it actually sparks during the end of the exhaust stroke too since it's on the crankshaft instead of the cam? If you could adjust the positioning of the trigger magnets on the block, or rotate the flyweel in relation to the crankshaft by modifying the keyway, you could adjust the spark timing. We would always hit stumps with our little lawnmowers, which slowly shears the flywheel key off, and eventually the ignition gets too far out of time for the engine to run any more so you have to take it apart and put a new key in. Adjusting valve timing is harder, since these usually use a 1:2 gear reduction. You could shift it one tooth off, but this is probably about 20 degrees -- too much I think, and you really need to be able to adjust the intake and exhaust valve timing separately. Regrinding the cams could also work, but that's probably way more work than is justified for a little gas engine. Even more work than milling the head. I'd be tempted to run it from biodigester gas. That should only require replacing the carbureator with a relatively simple air/biogas mixer, and probably derating the horsepower a bit based on the heat content of the biogas. Zeke On 11/7/05, robert luis rabello <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > DHAJOGLO wrote: > > > Robert, > > > > I'm not sure what type of engine you have, but an option might be to modify > > it to use ethanol and then delay the timing to get higher compression. > > > I'd like to run ethanol in my truck! > > Getting higher compression out of a Briggs and Stratton engine would > involve milling the cylinder head. For the amount of time the > shredder will be used every year, that hardly seems to justify the > machine shop expense. I've also seen tiny turbos in my internet > meanderings, and while installing one of those would be really cool > (Robert's turbo shredder!), I'm probably better off to swap the engine > with an electric motor when it dies. > > > > You could buy the horse and feed it the cornstalks and compute your milage > > based on that! > > Then I wouldn't need the shredder, would I? > > robert luis rabello > "The Edge of Justice" > Adventure for Your Mind > http://www.newadventure.ca > > Ranger Supercharger Project Page > http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ > > > ___ > Biofuel mailing list > Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): > http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
DHAJOGLO wrote: > Robert, > > I'm not sure what type of engine you have, but an option might be to modify > it to use ethanol and then delay the timing to get higher compression. I'd like to run ethanol in my truck! Getting higher compression out of a Briggs and Stratton engine would involve milling the cylinder head. For the amount of time the shredder will be used every year, that hardly seems to justify the machine shop expense. I've also seen tiny turbos in my internet meanderings, and while installing one of those would be really cool (Robert's turbo shredder!), I'm probably better off to swap the engine with an electric motor when it dies. > You could buy the horse and feed it the cornstalks and compute your milage > based on that! Then I wouldn't need the shredder, would I? robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Power Compost!
Robert, I'm not sure what type of engine you have, but an option might be to modify it to use ethanol and then delay the timing to get higher compression. That may result in a more efficient system. You would have to have a supply of ethanol though and you may not be able to delay the timing if its a magneto style engine (can one delay timing on a magneto?) > >A friend of mine recently "donated" a shredder for my use. After >rebuilding its carburetor (hateful things, carburetors!) and >re-lapping stuck valves, changing gaskets and cleaning GUNK out of the >fuel tank, it's running fairly well again. (It still needs a >replacement throttle return spring, but I'm trying to solve one >problem at a time . . .) > You could buy the horse and feed it the cornstalks and compute your milage based on that! > >Of course, the same thing could be said of rototilling. I'm certainly >not going to invest in one of those tiny horses I've seen around here >to do that job for me. > > > >robert luis rabello ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Power Compost!
A friend of mine recently "donated" a shredder for my use. After rebuilding its carburetor (hateful things, carburetors!) and re-lapping stuck valves, changing gaskets and cleaning GUNK out of the fuel tank, it's running fairly well again. (It still needs a replacement throttle return spring, but I'm trying to solve one problem at a time . . .) I used the machine for a couple of hours this afternoon and made a few observations. Plant stalks contain quite a bit of water. The huge sunflower and corn plants we grew this summer reduced down to a surprisingly small pile after going through the shredder. I'm left with quite a bit LESS material than I'd initially believed I would have. Compacting all of that "yard waste" takes up far less room, and the shredded plants will compost more effectively in tiny pieces than they would with their stalks intact. (Keith likes to say that bacteria have no teeth!) The resulting pile has a strangely sweet aroma. (I know that cellulose is basically plant sugar, but I really had no clue that it would smell like it could ferment "as is".) However, the 3 horsepower shredder uses quite a bit of fuel for such a little engine. I burned nearly four liters of gasoline in two hours of operation, whereas the engine in my truck (running at part throttle cruise on the highway and probably cranking out about 25 horsepower) can take me about 40 kilometers down the road at 100 km / hour, or roughly 20 minutes of driving, on the same amount of fuel. Therefore, my supercharged, fuel injected truck engine requires .4 liters of fuel per "horsepower hour", while the shredder needs .67 liters of fuel per "horsepower hour". That's better than 25% more fuel being burned to get the job done. (Low compression, carb technology is likely the culprit here, coupled with the fact that on the freeway, my truck engine isn't exactly working very hard, whereas I had to have the shredder running full tilt in order to handle the big sunflower stalks.) It seems to me that an electric motor would be far better suited to the task than is the very noisy gasoline engine. Perhaps a low speed diesel, with its high torque, would do nicely as well. Either option seems superior in my mind, as it bothers me on some level to burn fossil derived gasoline for the sake of my "organic" garden . . . Of course, the same thing could be said of rototilling. I'm certainly not going to invest in one of those tiny horses I've seen around here to do that job for me. robert luis rabello "The Edge of Justice" Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
