I like the idea of a 200 gallon tank of diesel but the problem is that at different times of the year the formulation changes. Here in the North that's a big deal as fuel can gel in the middle of the winter if it's a summer mix. I do use Power Products in my fuel but still I wonder. I did have fuel a few years ago start gelling in the float bowl.
PTO generator
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I like the idea of a 200 gallon tank of diesel but the problem is that at different times of the year the formulation changes. Here in the North that's a big deal as fuel can gel in the middle of the winter if it's a summer mix. I do use Power Products in my fuel but still I wonder. I did have fuel a few years ago start gelling in the float bowl.
The trouble with those things is that you become a slave to them. They never tell you about cleaning them, parts wear, how much wood you need to make them work, etc.
PV is still the best solution if you ask me, it's a field that will just continue to improve and now a company has exceeded the 33% efficiency ratio:
Solar panel breaks "third of a sun" efficiency barrier
Diesel can be stored for years if you keep moisture out as much as possible. An additive for fungus and to resist gelling is recommended. I have about 100 gal of heating oil for my kubota powered 10 KW genset. Sandy left us w/o power for about 70 hours. Ran the gen non stop on 1 yr old diesel with no problem. i also use the diesel for my tractor, but only fill about once a year. We sat in comfort and barely heard the genset running. 3 zones of geothermal heat pump worked flawlessly, as did the fridges, freezer, well, etc.
paul
My 50kw Winpower is no typo. It could punch out 50kw continuosly with the JD 4020. My F-935 is/was 22 hp when new. But, my demand is not 50kw, its probably less that 6kw. No matter, the F-935's motor can deliver enough kinetic energy for the Winpower to convert it to electricity for my use. If my demand was for a higher electric power than is equivalent to the 22 hp on the mower, then it would brown down. Or I could throw my JD 1070 back on (35 hp) and see if that's enough motor (18kw load). But the alternator is wired to handle the current equivalent of 50kw service in case I need to run a small town. Then I would need the 4020 (100 hp?) to deliver the equivalent engine hp.
When I bought the Winpower at a farm auction, all the buyers were told it would take 100+ hp to run it. But I was not going to dry corn, I wanted a furnace, well, lights, fridge, TV/radio and a battery charger. So I was the only one who bid after a lot of discussion and opinions by the know-it-alls : $600. I can still hear the auctioneer yelling: "SOLD. The auction is today folks!"
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sdkubota
Platinum Member
An excellent fuel additive is PRI-D. I have read their testimonials where diesel fuel over 10 years old tested as newly refined. It can also be added to old fuel to re-vitalize it says the maker. I just pourchased some off of Amazon...not cheap but only 1oz per 16 gallons of fuel is required. They also make a gasoline additive called PRI-G.
That's good to know. I have an empty 255 gallon oil tank that I can fill with off road diesel.
The problem with fuels is they do run out at some time. Let's say we have a real problem in ths country, look we just had a bad storm and people will be out for a week or more. So now I have a 100 gallons of reserve and let's say my power uses 1 gallon an hour, well that's only 100 hours, even a 250 gallon tank runs out in a little over 10 days and that's at 1 gallon an hour usage. Now I have to hope I can refill the tank at a wild card cost or my investment is a big paper weight.
The only way I can see it is if that was complimented with alternate energy. Next summer I'll have my microhydro in and my windmills. That with the PV means I run continuously without any fuel for a total outlay of 15 to 18K. That's what I want. I can see the point of temporary fuel tanks but that seems like band aid to me. I'm happy to have a back up tank to run my tractor but it's not something I can rely on for long term use. I want something that can go for several months regardless what happens with fuel. Relying on fuel scares me.
The only way I can see it is if that was complimented with alternate energy. Next summer I'll have my microhydro in and my windmills. That with the PV means I run continuously without any fuel for a total outlay of 15 to 18K. That's what I want. I can see the point of temporary fuel tanks but that seems like band aid to me. I'm happy to have a back up tank to run my tractor but it's not something I can rely on for long term use. I want something that can go for several months regardless what happens with fuel. Relying on fuel scares me.
sdkubota
Platinum Member
Rarely will you need to run a generator non-stop and in most instances hour on, hour off when requiring heat or cooling. Without the need for heating, 4 hours/day could keep your fridge and freezer working within required temps.
Yes, I understand what you're saying but the bottom line is a gen set relies on a variable commodity (fuel) with an unstable expense and availability. So lets say it runs 1 month on your fuel supply, now what do you do?
