alcohol conversion

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The Institute for Solar Living is hosting two workshops this year on alcohol fuels which will not only cover the production of alcohol for on-site use, but also the conversion of machines that are currently using petroleum-based fuels so that they may use alcohol instead. I admire the Institute's purpose but I cannot afford the cost of the workshop ($167 for one day). My question: does anyone know of sources of information on how to convert machines to alcohol use? I am particularly interested in small engines of the type used on lawnmowers, tillers, post-hole diggers etc. The Institute has many other workshops including building with natural materials and photovoltaics. If anyone is interested in finding out more call 1-800 762-7325.

-- John Fritz (JohnFritz24@hotmail.com), March 03, 2001

Answers

It is rather a problem in the U.S. because alcohol production comes under the jurisdiction of a federal agency (ATF?) which basically makes the assumption that all alcohol is produced for consumption. You become a bootlegger if you are not licensed! We walk a fine line making our own beer/wine living in a dry county. To distil it would get us arrested extremely fast!

-- David C (fleece@eritter.net), March 03, 2001.

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There are a couple very interesting threads about this, we were just talking about it a couple months ago. Go thru the archives, I would imagine alternative energy. And it is legal to own a still as long as it is not for booze, it what we were told. I want to do this too.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), March 04, 2001.

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John, last time I checked you needed an ATF permit and -- depending on your local laws -- a state permit to operate a fuel-alcohol still. In the early days (mid-1970s) it was licensed as an experimental facility, but not sure what they call it now. You should know ahead of time that alcohol is a "lighter" fuel than gasoline and doesn't have the energy content of petroleum-based fuel. It will "power down" small engines adapted to burn it. That might not matter for a low-torque use such as a lawn mower, but your posthole digger will notice the difference in a hurry.

-- Cash (cash@andcarry.com), March 04, 2001.

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My wife's post hole digger runs on, oatmeal, bread, carrots, all kinds of meat and stuff. Appreciates a low grade alcohol AFTER the job is done.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), March 04, 2001.

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I've got a tab book "How to make your own alchohol fuels" by Larry Carley. You might wanna check the library for it. As I recall, if you don't want the "power down" problem mentioned above you've gotta enlarge the carb jets to accomodate more fuel to compensate for reduced energy value of the ethanol.

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), March 04, 2001.

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I did some research into this about twenty years ago. I figured I could make alcohol out of spoiled fruit. I figured I had a line on this, since my good friend worked at a fruit packing plant nearby.

NOT. She told me that they didn't have any spoiled fruit. I said, "no, you know, the stuff that is so mouldy and rotten that it's inedible." She told me that any fruit like that was simply sold to baby food manufacturers.

Yech.

JOJ

-- jumpoff joe (jumpoff@ecoweb.net), March 05, 2001.

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First.... jumpoffjoe - PLEASE say you are kidding!!!! PLEASE????

It is legal to manufacture alcohol or spirits in this country up to 200 gallons per year for personal use. Don't know about permits - never got one. I should think, though, that 200 gallons isn't very much if you are talking about powering machinery....

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 05, 2001.

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John the quickie answer is to drill the jet about 40% larger for alcohol fuel.Work your way up to the 40% over figure rather than starting there.It does not need to be anhydrous(200proof)70% alcohol is ok and actually more fuel effecient because of water being "cracked" by heat, steam expansion, and it's cooling effect.Make your own still and keep your mouth shut about it.(you don't even want to give F troop a reason to visit)Also keep your mouth shut about what you are using for fuel.....Because guess what? Even if you made it yourself you still must pay road tax on it.Look for early issues of mother earth news they have a lot of alcohol fuel info.look up home power.com on the net as well.look up biodeisel.you may find a newer(old)easier fuel to be in love with.

-- greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), March 08, 2001.

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