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Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 05 Jul 2018 05:02
by Peter Connan
Not sure, but speak to HansaFlex. They at least have (or had) a technical person who seemed to understand the questions I asked.

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 05 Jul 2018 06:47
by TijmenvdS
This is the second week they could not deliver an outstanding order to me, each time I call them they say they will find out what is going on and the just don't return calls :thumbdown:

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 05 Jul 2018 07:57
by ricster
That is no good, I am surprised though they seem so efficient...... sorry man....

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 05 Jul 2018 08:22
by Picasso
Peter Connan wrote: 05 Jul 2018 05:02 Not sure, but speak to HansaFlex. They at least have (or had) a technical person who seemed to understand the questions I asked.
Thank you very much for the info Peter :thumbup:

to Cedrik:

I think they are efficient.
I would say they had initially a little bit of spare capacity but the increased demand + the cold weather (with its reduced production output) brought them to a point were there is now more demand than what they can currently produce. :salute:

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 05 Jul 2018 08:36
by ricster
yeah, I think you are right. I know they are struggling to keep up with production, but no excuse not to call and say hey I can only supply "X" amount of diesel, or at least let him know what is going on. Luckily I haven't had any problem so far.

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 26 Sep 2018 16:48
by David M
The Firetruck has now used 400 l of biodiesel and I have been able to accurately measure open road consumption and the results are not great.

About 6 weeks ago I did a trip with my Conqueror Comfort in tow and got 8,03 km/l with normal diesel which I was over the moon with. Michael has really done a great job on that engine and even he can not believe how low the temps are and that it boosts to 1,3 bar with only a 10 mm pump.

So I have just done the dune trip with biodiesel (full tanks - 180 l and an extra 140 l) and the same rig (slightly bigger and heavier which I will detail below) and the consumption was 5,07 km/l.
1. There was about 250 kg extra in the trailer on the way there but was about the same as previous on the way back.
2. The tent has been raised by 20 mm and I had the awning packed on top of the tent under the cover so is probably a total of 150 mm higher than before.
3. There was about 250 kg extra on the back of the bakkie on the way there but was about the same as previous on the way back.
4. Included in the consumption figures was about 30 km of dune blasting, 1/4 mile drags etc which did not help.

I was hoping for between 6,5 and 7,0 km/l.

Doing a bit of reading up it would seem that biodiesel is not as combustible as diesel and this reflects in the consumption on the open road under load. 200 km from home I had to put in normal diesel and the difference was immediately apparent in performance and temp reduction.

I have more biodiesel arriving next week and will measure the around town consumption accurately. My gut feel is that it is going to come in similar to normal diesel around town at 6,5 km/l as the vehicle will not be under heavy load.

So as far as open road driving under load is concerned the cost of biodiesel vs normal diesel is very similar right now but based on predictions of the normal diesel price increases expected the biodiesel may come into it's own again.

Let's see if my investment in an extra 120 l tank on the back of the bakkie pays for itself or not. I was expecting it to on the first trip but so far it has cost me.

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 26 Sep 2018 17:03
by ricster
I see I do use a slight bit more bio than normal, however haven't worked it out accurately, but at still R6/L cheaper, I figured even if I use up to a 3rd more bio diesel, I should still be saving.

Keep us posted please :thumbup: :thumbup:

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 26 Sep 2018 18:07
by Michael
Well...... I also used some chip oil on the way to the dunes last weekend and here are my findings.

As Dave said, I also got 5,5km/L towing Atties Patrol bakkie. I was not loaded very heavy and his bakkie was also just a medium load. The engine sounded very much like before and temps were very low, so no problems there....... except the fuel consumption which is the heaviest I have ever seen.

Coming back I did not tow Attie and only added 40L of Biodiesel to the mix. I ended up getting 8,05km/L and got a staggering 925km on my main and 33L sub tank.
So it seems like the chip oil is doing ok when not working the engine hard, but when working it, its a little heavy.

Will be interesting to see if others experience the same as me and David.

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 27 Sep 2018 09:09
by offroadbiker
think the "problem" is with the right foot........ :oldtimer:

Driving like miss Daisy I do not see this fluctuation in my consumption :mytwocents:

Ok, so I have not towed since using the Bio Diesel so it can not be compared to David and Michael, however I did a Kruger trip (Krugersdorp, Skukuza, driving in Kruger and back to Krugersdorp) 160L of only Biodiesel so was around 1360km trip and my average was 8.5km/l no roofrack and tent.

Krugersdorp to Mahlapye in Aug fully loaded with rack and tent I got 7.8km/l on the chippie stuff.

For my shorter trips I have not gotten less than 7km/l.

So for me to date the Bio diesel is a huge saving.

Tinus should be able to give some interesting detail?????

Re: Bio Diesel.... The Iron Maiden is going Green !!!

Posted: 27 Sep 2018 09:22
by ricster
"think the "problem" is with the left foot........ :oldtimer:.......
Ummmm... I think you might find that your right foot may affect your fuel consumption......HAHAHAHAHAHAHA :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: