Low Cost Fuel Project

[Scott & Heather]

Wow. you guys impress me...

Sean, thanks for the tip on the tax...I do try to be fair and square with my taxes even if the government doesn't return the favor. Concerning the engine risk, yes, I know it's a huge risk, and actually I'm considering transferring that risk to a smaller less-expensive vehicle and I'm possibly in the market for an old Mercedes Diesel...but back to the motor...so it's rated at 208 volts? So running it 120 is not nearly enough and could kill it I assume...so next question, how do I get 208 volts to it??? I'm confusled. Thanks SO much for your always polite and always informative help.

[Uglydog56]

A loophole for the road tax thing is that "additives" aren't taxed.  So if you cut it with diesel, it's not fuel, it's an "additive."  However, I do not know at what percent it is no longer an additive.

[Sean]

... the motor...so it's rated at 208 volts? So running it 120 is not nearly enough and could kill it I assume...so next question, how do I get 208 volts to it???

Probably the easiest and least costly thing to do would be to replace it with a 120-volt motor of the appropriate rating for your application.

Assuming you don't have 208 volts on your property, but you do have 240, you can use a "buck/boost" transformer to drop the 240 to 208.  A 1-kVA buck/boost transformer will run you about $150-$175 new.

Since a new 1/2hp 120-v motor would cost you $90-$150, you'd be money ahead to just change the motor.  That would be especially true if you got a few bucks for the old one, say on eBay or c-list.  For that matter, you can probably find a nice take-out motor in the same place.

HTH,

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Scott & Heather]

Fantastic...I will do as advised and sell this one on clist...it's nearly new, so I can off it and get a 120 jobber. Do you think I hurt it by trying to run it a few times on 120?  Thanks again Sean...

Side note, interesting about the diesel and "additive" issue. I do cut with diesel in every case because I cannot get enough oil to clean and fill the tank. Interesting...

[Sean]

.... Do you think I hurt it by trying to run it a few times on 120?

Sounds like the thermal protector did its job, so I am going to guess that, no, you did not damage it.

Side note, interesting about the diesel and "additive" issue. I do cut with diesel in every case because I cannot get enough oil to clean and fill the tank. Interesting...

FYI, the folks who regulate such things are wise to this particular trick.  Mostly because the bio folks have tried to get away with it ("oh, my 20% veggie oil is a lubricity additive"). FWIW.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Scott & Heather]

FYI, the folks who regulate such things are wise to this particular trick.  Mostly because the bio folks have tried to get away with it ("oh, my 20% veggie oil is a lubricity additive"). FWIW.
-Sean[/quote]

Cracks me up. Anyway, thank you much for the motor help. Within hours, a problem I would have banged my head on (until I read the motor label myself...duh) for days, was solved. Just be there for me when I'm stuck on I-75 with a very sick Detroit.