has any one put any thought in alternative fuel sources

[kev80]

I was wondering if any was thinking of using alcohol,propane or any other fuel source. thnx
p.s. And how they would do so.
. p.s.sorry if I'm being to intrusive.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

you mean in a vehicle or otherwise?

[kev80]

Vehicle, I have thought about it alot, and was wondering if any one had done so.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Nope, aint done it, all i can do right now to keep them going
There are propane and CNG vehicles here but they have the same issue and that is refueling. There is a woodgas truck that is the best rig i've seen with practical applications so far

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

[kev80]

I've seen wood gas conversion, and alcohol dragsters, even propane vehicles in all shapes and sizes. I guess what I'm asking is wouldn't it be wise to able to run mutable fuel source. I.e. I used to live in foot hills in nor cal , there was is old timer (he was around 90 at the time) he had rigged his truck to run on gas or alcohol, at to flip of an switch.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Well i aint much help but others will get in here soon. I guess it depends on what you are prepping for and what you have available. If it all goes to s.. then there wont be alot of choices so multifuels will be better than straight gas in one way of thinking and the other is that there will be a huge dieoff and there will be supplies available . I think being the mobile civilization we are they will use most of the fuel looking for better greener pastures before dying. I'm pretty much going with foot or horses (maybe if I dont get hungry) for most of it.

[kev80]

I would love to an couple of horses, but I'm stuck living in an urban city area. Do to my wife.

[jimmycthemd]

I've looked into biodiesel but, like you, I'm in a pretty urban/suburban area. If I had the land to grow soy beans/corn AND had sufficient solar power, biodiesel would be the way to go. Guess I'd be stuck with a bicycle or lmd (leather movement devices...boots).

[kev80]

I like the idea of biodiesel, but I'm not running an diesel rig. I currently have an 72 ford on an newer model 4x4 chassy ( frame) with 351 Windsor. I get crappy mileage, but I can go nearly any I want, and it's an all steel body.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

In Europe (at least those countries that were behind the "IRON CURTAIN" ) "dual fuel" cars have become pretty common in the last 15 years. They run both Normal "petrol" (ie gas) and CNG/Propane I could never get a straight answer at the time as to which it was. I did not know enough of the language nor enough about the difference between propane & CNG to ask the question the right way.

And in recent years I have been thinking about being able to do that here. Even in my small suburb here in WNC, there is a CNG fueling station and would think it might be a good "option" to have the ability to run something different from most of the masses.

[Dennis W]

I built a wood gasifier, as I have plenty of wood around, but have not got around to testing it. I need to get an extra gas engine and build the filter to test it out.

[Bill Foster]

I have listened to a gent by the name of Steven Harris. He has a website called solar1234 dot com. He rates batteries, hates solar, but he loves alcohol. He tells how to make an alcohol still from old bread that you get free from the stores (you can tell the people that you work for pig rescue) and make an alcohol still and run your vehicle from it, or a blend of it. Remember that older vehicles don't necessarily like E-85, or in this case E-100, but a newer vehicle may not have any problems except that alcohol gets crappy fuel economy. In the PAW, running a motorcycle, car, or whatever on alcohol might be a good idea. Wood gasification for generators or pumps. Solar for homestead. Mixing it up is the way IMHO.

[610Alpha]

I always thought a good investment would be a tri-fuel generator or at the least NG/LP generator. If the power goes out you won't be able to pump gas but you would be able to buy LP tanks should your NG supply become interrupted.

I have heard Steven Harris, while I don't agree on his stance with Solar (specifically his ROI estimation with all the Tax Incentives that are available), he did a pretty good job of how to setup a battery bank in your home or in your vehicle. He stressed that its purpose was for minimal stuff like some LED lights and to charge your phone or run a small fan. He also has an audio on how to supply power from your alternator. He does sell a video on how to connect it all but he gives away the audio how to for free. battery1234 dot com

I am not sold on the alcohol fuel stance he has. I would think a wood gas conversion would be better, obviously depending on your locale.

[Machrism82]

I live an urban environment so means of refueling is limited. I have no mortgage and helps me do what I want. I'd love to have some roof solar panels and small battery pack to at least help my oversized house. I've also looked into a home generator since I have NG heat. Then again. I can't have a big NG tank installed on my property because of codes. So would small tanks be worth if something happened to the main line? Probable not. So I have to make provisions for a second heat source. Which I have. As far as vehicles go. A wood gasified vehicle for me is not possible. My truck is a 92 with TBI but manual transmission. Also my go anywhere, situation, emergency vehicle. So if something happens. It can be push started. I have seriously thought about getting a propane kit for it to run both. Just not sure if it works with TBI. So I might have to buy a carb. I'm okay with that. Also considering getting another truck to fit more of a DD/ heavy towing/ road trip vehicle. Probably an 08-10 Ford SD. Then I'll have to make provisions for that vehicle as well. Doing mods to increase reliability and Biodiesel compatibility. Maybe an electric or gas powered scooter like a Honda Ruckus would be worth looking into for around the property or lite muscle work. I wiegh around 140 and yet my Ruckus around town netted me 124 MPG. Anyway. This is my view on alternative fuel. Hope I'm not too far off subject. If so. Let me know.