Recent Posts

21

Chemistry and process / Re: Chemists! Is using 50% KOH & 50% NaOH in 2 Stage Process stage 1 OK?

« Last post by nigelb on May 11, 2025, 05:03:31 PM »

Isn't shed alchemy brilliant.

Not so good when it goes wrong but if those episodes are kept to a minimum it's happy days.

22

Chemistry and process / Re: Chemists! Is using 50% KOH & 50% NaOH in 2 Stage Process stage 1 OK?

« Last post by neisel on May 11, 2025, 11:42:13 AM »

I suppose making bio has turned us all into chemists to one degree or another, though I'am a v. amateurish, ignorant, incompetent one.

I went ahead & as you predicted it turned out fine. 145L of WVO consumed 450grms of KOH & 350 of NaOH with 16L of v. meth, followed by S2's 150 grms of NaOH & 4.6L of methanol mixed up a treat. 100% conversion, no explosions, no fires, no soap. Easy peasy.

23

Chemistry and process / Re: Chemists! Is using 50% KOH & 50% NaOH in 2 Stage Process stage 1 OK?

« Last post by dgs on May 11, 2025, 09:49:22 AM »

 Can non chemists also answer this?

It's fine. I've been doing it for years.

Dissolve the potassium first, then add the Sodium when it's warm, it dissolves quicker.

The glyc is always liqiud except for cold snaps in Winter when it can go partially solid. As you say its more viscous than just using KOH.

24

Chemistry and process / Chemists! Is using 50% KOH & 50% NaOH in 2 Stage Process stage 1 OK?

« Last post by neisel on May 10, 2025, 10:01:32 AM »

By OK I mean safety wise really. It's not going to blow up or spontaneously combust, is it?

I'm running low on KOH & am wondering if I can stretch it out to last this fuel making season by using 50% NaOH in my first stage instead of 100% KOH.

I use 100% NaOH in Stage 2 as I water wash & am not concerned with the viscosity of the glyc since it gets washed away before it gets even remotely hard.

Presumably the glyc in my 50/50 scenario would be more runny than that produced by straight NaOH & less runny than straight KOH glyc?

25

Vehicles / Re: Volkswagen T5 2.5tdi 2007 on bio ?

« Last post by Davedewhurst on May 07, 2025, 08:54:28 AM »

4 years late but not too sure mate
did you try it? how did you get on?
Wondering the same as my T4 is now dead

Cheers

26

Chemistry and process / Re: Enhanced glyc processing

« Last post by Davedewhurst on May 07, 2025, 08:49:42 AM »

Thanks chaps!
This was helpful!
Almost time to make another batch!
Cheers

Dave

27

Chatter / Electronics/electrics question

« Last post by Vijay on April 16, 2025, 06:05:37 PM »

Hi all,

Just in case there's any of you electronics wizards still around on here.

I'm looking for a 240v testing setup, where I can test electrical items safely without tripping the main fuseboard. I'm looking to have something that would trip on a test setup instead. Has anyone ever seen or made something like that?

Cheers

Vijay

28

Chatter / Re: End of an era!

« Last post by nigelb on March 15, 2025, 11:17:12 PM »

The thing is...I dont know of any Beauford that have a front wheel drive set up. All are either pintos or Laurel engined and all are rear wheel drive.

29

Chatter / Re: BBB 2025

« Last post by Julian on March 15, 2025, 02:27:05 AM »

Thanks, Chug. Do my best to make it this year.  Missed the last two and got BBB withdrawal symptoms!

30

Chatter / BBB 2025

« Last post by Chug on March 09, 2025, 12:56:51 PM »

I thought I'd better let folks know that the BBB is on different days this year coz it's Lynda's 70th so it will be the first weekend in August 1st, 2nd 3rd.