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[lozzzzzz]

I did some work on the Scimitar yesterday, I want to tax, MOT and insure it next month.  Didn't really get much done on the bio processor.  I did however go to travis Perkins to see how much they would rip me of for a sheet of plyboard.  I deemed it an accepetable rip off, but there was no way it was going to fit in my normal car.  I thought about cutting it up but the cut up bits would have to be pretty small too. 

So I thought about it, its only a mile away I'll walk it. 

I walked to town, and walked back with it on my head   8ft x 4ft   

About half way a van driver stopped and took pity.  Then I did this:  (now I'm marking or rather I'm avoiding marking)

[lozzzzzz]

I got a bit more done on the processor last night.  I got all the wood cut to size, a nice tight fit minimising the number of bolts needed to hold it all in. 


I'm not sure if I mentioned the pump still leaked after fitting another new seal.  But I then discovered the seal housing was cracked.  Looks like thermal fatigue.  With a new part costing £70 ish delivered I've asked a friend at work to TIG it up and he's done a great job. 


I'll put it back together soon and test it again.  Fingers crossed I can get the lining for the bunding, the pump stops leaking and I can get closer to finishing. 

More to come

[Dickjotec]

Looking good.
I am sure you have thought of it but if not I would put some sort of removable strut on the wheel side of the system just to make sure it can't drop down on to the wheels when full.

[lozzzzzz]

Good point Dick.  The thought had crossed my mind, but so had the thought of using up against the wall at the back of the garage.  I'll see how easy it is to maneuver the thing round when its done and add some struts depending on how it goes. 

[lozzzzzz]

Got some more done this afternoon.  It might not look much but I was fairly pleased with progress.  I just got on with it, instead of staring at it for ages which is my usual trick

I hammered an old Wok to make the flat bottom more round, then cut a hole in it and welded on a bit of tube.  And there you have it, somewhere to pour the oil in



And with the gauze


I also did something weird with the thermometer you gave me Dick.  I hope you don't mind.  I bought a tank fitting and soldered the thermometer housing into it.  This required turning down the thread first.  Then it soldered together nicely




On that note, I thought I'd hold off on drilling the tank until I'd confirmed that it can go anywhere right??? as long as its not too near the heater and its well below the oil level. 

I've been looking at the solid state relays too.  I seem to be able to get some that use have a 12v DC input and some have have higher voltage, and some are AC up to mains voltage.  What voltage is the switch you gave me meant to operate at, and is it AC or DC or does it not matter?

Thanks

More to come

[nigelb]

Make sure you change that tank connector seal for one made of viton.

[Dickjotec]

Temp sensor mod looks good. As you will be mixing the oil position does not matter but, as you say, keep it away from the heater. About half way up the oil does it for me.
That looks like a spatter guard on top of the wok? I think you need something that sits in the wok as you will find it will block and fill up with oil, on the spatter guard it will just run off the sides. ( does SWMBO know you have the wok?)
By switch I assume you mean the pressure switch? If so I think it is designed for mains so you can put any voltage on it, up to 240, but it is only low current, don't put 13A on it AC or low volt DC is fine. If you are beginning to think about your control system don't forget the count down timer to switch everything off, you will be glad you included it one day!
Keep at it. When do you get the toyota back?
Tank seal can be hdpe if you haven't got any Viton, bio attacks rubber so as Nigel implies it will leak.

[lozzzzzz]

I asked what material the tank connector seal was made from and they didn't know.  I thought I might have to change it. 

It is a spatter guard Dick, is it too fine then? 

I'll get the solid state relay jobby in about a weeks time and I intend to get the timer too, I agree that's a vital safety feature. 

Regarding the tank connector seal, you mentioned you cut HDPE out of cartons?  Would an old engine oil carton be thick enough material?

Mr Two is with the bodywork doctor for a while.  The garage owner is a friend and is doing the repairs very cheaply, but it can take a long time, I would hope it will be ready in about a month.  I can't wait to see it, he works magic!!!!!!



A further update on progress....

I tested the pump again yesterday, while I was filling it up there was not a drop, then I switched it on, and there was a good dribble but it seemed to stop leaking again straight away.  I think this was the seal finding its position.  Hopefully it stays not leaking now

I've also got round to picking up a lorry curtain for making the processor bunding an covering the lean-to.  Its massive!!!!


There are a few holes here and there, but I know these can be repaired.  It took a good two hours of practice to perfect the art of repairing the stuff though

Then I lined the trailer with it and forgot to take a photo. 

More to come

[Dickjotec]

Yes too fine for a first filter. You will be processing thick oil at times and you want to be able to get it in the processor. The first filter is just to get bits out that would damage the pump. I use various kitchen strainers. The other problem you would encounter with it is that as you pour the oil on it it will clog and the oil will run off the sides, testing the bund! You need something with sides, some use a wire waste paper basket.
This is the type I find best.


What did you use to weld the lorry tarp?
Regarding the seals I use bits cut from an IBC but a double thickness of oil container may be ok with a little gasket seal.

[lozzzzzz]

Right you are i'll find something with a slightly less fine mesh.   I'll have a look about for what i've got to make a seal with at some point.

I used some tarp to weld the tarp it was a pain, and the result looks messy but it appears to be working

I put and offcut under a thin sheet of steel and heated it until smoke came out from under the steel, then removed the flame and pushed down in it.

[Dickjotec]

I have done plastic welding with a heat gun. Try heating the tarp in a localised area with a fine, say 10mm nozzle on a hot air gun then rolling a wooden roller along the join line. You will probably need a piece of mdf below it the get sufficient pressure.

[lozzzzzz]

A fresh MOT this morning and 6 months Tax  



I got the lining finished:
#

And the the tank insulated and mounted:


I feel like I made very little progress this morning, but it should look a lot more complete with another hours work I think, certainly the bottom end anyway.

More to come

[Dickjotec]

Like the temp gauge, real quailty there!

[Julian]

Look, look ... I spy an untidy sofa.

PVC isn't bio proof, it tends to sweat.   For that duty though, it should hold up OK.

Looking good, keep up the good work.

[lozzzzzz]

Thanks Dick, it's a lovely gauge, given to me by a local bio expert

hmmm, the sofa....   That is on the dark side of the garage, the side I have little control over

Thanks Julian, I feel like its getting there now.  I should have the bottom end finished really soon. 

The lorry side is pretty thick, I guess it would take a little while to get through it.