Lots of Biodiesel Questions

[tucker0104]

I am looking at getting a early to mid 90's F-250 and am wanting to run biodiesel when I do get it. I live in North Carolina and the winters to get a little chilly. Does anyone else have experience with biodiesel and cold weather? How do you keep the fuel from gelling? How do you get the grease? Do you just walk up to a manager or owner and say I am trying to make biodiesel and I would like to take your grease? Just wondering... Thanks for any help.

[tubular031]

Every batch of BD I made would have a little different temp that it would start to gel at. Most were in the 40s. After I made a batch I would put some in a baby food jar and put it in the fridge for a few hours. Most passed this test. Then into the freezer and very few passed this test. If you blend that BD with about 25% diesel it should not gel till below 30. Test each batch and you will get a feel for it.

Yep start by talking to everyone you can at the place you want to collect from. Its not as easy as they make it sound on the TV. Many will turn you away. eat there alot and become a known person and your chances will go up.

[tucker0104]

I live in north carolina and the winters definitely get below 30 degrees. How can I keep using biodiesel even during the winter and not have to worry about gelling?

[bbboomer]

As Tubular said it can vary from batch to batch.
Diesel anti-gel is not effective for bio so blending is the probably your best option.
A 50/50 mix will normally get you through most winter temps in your area.
I mix mine then put a sample in a jar where I park my truck. If it is good to go so am I.

[ridiculously_necessary]

note at borderline cloud temperatures it can day a day or two for the bio to cloud.