Ethanol/Diesel fuel???

[Doc]

I have been reading on the Forum and looks like most people are recommending Diesel engines. This seems to be for both the durability of the engine as well as the long term storage of the fuel.
As I have said I am still in the planning stage of prepping. But I like to look at things in a worst case scenario type of context.
With that being said, How would you make diesel fuel. I know that ethanol can be made. I have also heard of people running a diesel engine on vegetable oil. But in the PAW, what would be some sources of fuel for those diesel engines? Even if you had 12k gallons stored, if there is no more source, at some point you would run out.
The main reason is I am thinking about power. I know almost nothing about being off the grid but was seeing that people were using their generators to top up the batteries. I am sure that the battery maintenance is extremely important the second you have no more access to any. I would think that once they are gone your system is fairly worthless.
Please let this newbie know your thoughts. I am trying to understand how these systems work.
Thanks.

[BioG8r]

I produce BioDiesel, with that being said, I only have about 300 gallons of oil on hand right now. I am not going to be able to create power for the Extremely long run, I can store the veggie oil for a long time before I make fuel of it. Just keep out the water. my last 30 gallons cost me about $1.60/gallon to produce - Oil Was FREE - Ethanol, Sodium Hydroxide and electric for heating, stirring, pumping and drying were purchased. I would make it all the time if I had a steady supply of oil. Lots of headaches in collection and getting it before Griffin Industries (They were Sold last year IDK the new Name) has the producers sign a pickup contract.

I don't think there is a good answer for the internal combustion engine. The best fuel for stationary use would be Natural Gas. My wifes uncle has a gas well on his property and has put a water pressure compressor to use. He can maintain about 12lbs of pressure without much effort. That resource is nothing short of a godsend. Unfortunately that is about 200 miles from our home. We just found there is an old underground storage facility within a few miles of our home. Tapping that could be FUN!!

The most renewable source for internal combustion would be Ethanol, and regrow the base crop each year. But to produce more than just enough to keep the neighborhood liquored up, a person would have to go into larger production than most of us have resources for or the ATF would overlook. Not to mention the modifications to the engine the E would be used in.
Topping off batteries and minor power production is probably going to fall into the Solar realm.

I do use a small panel for each of three vehicles and a medium sized panel that tops off a small bank of batteries in the shop that would fire the two generators UNTIL the fuel runs out.
I wish I had made the choice to go Solar for the home years ago. I am hoping against all hope that Solar Panels will be free to all when O is re-elected (BWaaHaaaHaaa)

Diesel engines are longer lived, simpler, stronger, more economical than most any gas engine. I am biased but also supported by years of use.
Be wary of some diesels - just do your research and choose well.
If you are interested in BioD production see Utah Biodiesel and Journey to forever. There are many sites and companies that will help you but these two have Appleseed (home built) Plans and resources. If you just want to prove you can do it google Dr. Pepper BioDiesel, you can make it 2 liters at a time. Great to help you understand the Transesterification of Lipids.

[jimmycthemd]

Try doing a google search on biodiesel. It can be made out of corn-, soybean-, or peanut- oil as well as many others. There are several processes to make it.

[Doc]

Thank you for the replies. I have looked some of the information. Very interesting. I think that BioG8r is probably right. The internal combustion engine will be difficult in an extended PAW situation. I know that this might be a ridiculous question, but what about a steam engine?
Any thoughts?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Horse or look at wood gas engines from engineer775

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYGKn12Weu4

[BioG8r]

Matt is right, the woodgas is an alternative, when researching it, I was put off by the amount of wood it takes to power an engine for very long. I have about 7 acres of woodland and part of that is Walnut, White & Red Oaks that I will preserve until the very last.

[Doc]

Thanks Matt, I had seen the wood gas. It is a very new concept to me so was not even thought of. That is very helpful. I have a lot to learn that is for sure. It is nice that there is a place like this to bounce ideas off of.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Thanks Matt, I had seen the wood gas. It is a very new concept to me so was not even thought of. That is very helpful. I have a lot to learn that is for sure. It is nice that there is a place like this to bounce ideas off of.

I dunno this specifics it's way above my head but looks interesting

[1Admin]

I always kinda figured we had a 5 year horizon in the PAW.

If things were going to get better, they would within 5 years.

If things weren't going to get better, we had maybe 5 years on AE system batteries, 5 years on fuel. Most have/will store more, but figured on the low note.

Some of the remaining off road diesel we put up in 99 with PRI-D is still chugging away 13 years later.