Author Topic: Where has the joy gone? (Read 9345 times)

Tony · « **on:** August 13, 2012, 12:19:17 AM »

Used to be that making bio from oil was just about the most satisfying thing ever - now I find it a complete drag.

Very easy to get blasé about it - even though I still think it's a bit cool that homebrew runs the car, there seems to be little appeal to it anymore. Maybe anything that becomes a financial necessity will suck the fun out of doing it.

Julian · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2012, 02:07:19 AM »

Funny, I've been feeling the same way.

I think it's because the stream of new ideas and discussions surrounding them has rather dried up. I used to enjoy a sort of pioneering feeling but that no longer seems to be there.

Keef · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2012, 09:34:05 AM »

I hear what you're saying, the worst bits for me are the collections themselves and everything to do with fuel being covered in crap.

However, I'm sure if we tried a month on dino, the joy would return.

K.H · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2012, 07:17:58 PM »

Ive never particularly enjoyed the chemistry side,i much prefer playing about with the mechanical side so ive been pretty happy with it this summer,what with building a new set up.
I dont experiment much with methods and cant be bothered to try and save a few pence here and there,just things that make the process easier for me,i do a 2 stage, now non titration so im pretty up to date but i dont really experiment with lowering the amounts
The plus side is things very rarely go wrong batch wise

nigelb · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2012, 09:32:47 PM »

The last time for me when the joy disappeared was when i was making smaller batches every week. It got to be a real chore. However, when the new plant came on line the joy returned.

I still get a kick at the moment. I need to get some more made this weekend so I've got plenty for when i return from the Run2France over the bank holiday weekend.

What are you guys looking for...another production method?

Nige

Rotary-Motion · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2012, 10:17:13 PM »

i know what ya mean i myself have been there or here, the mundane routine that must be done as let it slide and it all backlogs and its does this quickly fo sho...

but only a down time and it does pass, and also noted that the making and inventing of things drys up it can bring this on also, as once perfected for individual needs it just become another job so to speak...

keep thinking and keep improving and inventing, its what the palce and us are all about...

Julian · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2012, 10:31:05 PM »

Good to see you're still around, RM. Hope all is well with you.

oakwoodtv · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2012, 11:36:34 PM »

Being a newcomer to making bio the wonder is still with me turning crap old oil in to fuel
Enjoy collecting from the pubs having a chat and a pint

julesandtash · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2012, 07:42:25 AM »

I really enjoy the making it still, I just hate the collecting bit.

You are right though that the ideas and discussions have virtually dried up, VOD has been very quiet for the last couple of months.

I cant see that we are at the pinnacle of home brew biodiesel development yet, there must be other things to do

Tony · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:23:06 AM »

Yeah I think you have it spot on. Best fun I had recently was testing Keith's drywash drum so it must be the tinkering

Annoyingly I don't seem to have anywhere near as much time as I once did for tinkering; I still haven't finished building my new processor and I'm looking forward to that. Trouble is the next free time will spent welding a patch on the Delica and sorting out ball joints and steering gators. Always seems to be a backlog of other jobs - and winter is encroaching.

Head Womble · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2012, 09:20:24 PM »

So it's not just me then, we're all flagging a bit.

I enjoyed building my new shed but ran out of steam and it's now where near finished.
I need to get shot of 400 ish liters of gly and 440L of solid crap (my failed batches) before I have enough room get it finished,
but other stuff always gets in the way.

Tony · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2012, 09:31:09 PM »

Well the missus is away for a week in Oct so I'm going to spend it annoying the neighbours with the angle grinder and welder - processor #4 must live!

Head Womble · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2012, 09:50:08 PM »

Don't forget the pics Tony

I'm still trying to get a suitable vessel for my upgraid, but as yet no joy.

Glycer-rides · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2012, 12:24:13 AM »

I can relate to this as well, the homebrew bio-ennui.
Thing is, wvo filtering is waay more routine, lacking the alchemy aspect of bio.

Recently, at least 2 long standing members on VOD have (v. kindly) offered loads of their whites foc. Tempted to ask them why making bio does not appeal.

Soupstone · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2012, 12:43:22 AM »

I've noticed the FOC whites as well, if you went back a year I would have jumped at them.

Since then I've gained a couple of good collections, have a stockpile, and am not using my own whites either.

Although in hindsight, free whites converted to bio and fired in the kerosene tank is a 42 ppl saving, or £462 per tankful of kerosene.

Time for a rethink.

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Where has the joy gone?