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With gas prices rising, my husband and I have been looking for alternative ways on how to power our diesel motorhome. We've already added some solar panels to it. Now, we are considering of converting it so that it can run on vegetable oil as well. I know that it's environmentally friendly, but is it really economically friendly as we would like to think it is? Thoughts and feedback are welcome. |
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Re: Running on Veggie Oil |
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I'd strongly suggest that you first check with your engine manufacturer if your engine is fit to run and if they would even allow you to use a biodiesel kit on your engine. Surprising as it may sound, a lot of engine manufacturers actually discourage the use of these biodiesel kits to let your engine run on vegetable oil. They say that it doesn't work and they would often not be willing to replace your engine parts if you're still under warranty with them. |
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Re: Running on Veggie Oil |
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First of all, do you have a place near you where you can get gallons of used vegetable oil on a regular basis? Back in the day, it's quite easy for you to go to a restaurant or diner and then ask some from them, and they will give you that for free. From what I know, that's not anymore the case since they enforced the $1.00 tax credit, it's been so much harder to get restaurants and diners to spare you a few gallons. |
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Re: Running on Veggie Oil |
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I agree with harold. Before you even contact your manufacturer or do anything to your RV, try and see if you'll have a steady supply of available used vegetable oil that you can use. Years ago, this was definitely something worth doing. Not only do you get to save on fuel. You even get restaurants to pay you just so that they can get rid of their used oil. From what I heard, McDonald's and other fast food chains would be willing to pay as much as $25 to you so that you can help them get rid of their grease. Aside from the tax cuts, there are now larger companies that are willing to pay them to get their oil and haul it away for no extra cost.
Bear in mind that converting your RV or any vehicle so that it can be powered on vegetable oil can cost at least $2,500 just for the processing unit. You might want to think this a little bit more, in my opinion. |
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Re: Running on Veggie Oil |
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Actually, they stopped the $1.00 tax credit for fast food chains and restaurants to get an accredited company to haul out the used vegetable oil since January 2012, so that part shouldn't be a problem.
For me, it will first all depend on what model and brand is your RV. Even though there are claims that DP vehicles can run on used vegetable oil, this is not really the case. What I know is that it works fine for early models of Cummins, TDI Volkswagons and Mercedes vehicles. Other DPs don't run as smoothly with the used vegetable oil if you compare the ride when you use plain ol' diesel. |
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