cost of fuel oil and efficiency

[bbob203]

I'm starting to design an off grid power system and a 1.6 td among other things are gonna be part of it. I suspect fuel oil is much cheaper than diesel but have no idea about it. My plan is to build a generator out of an eco motor have some solar panels and maybe a small hydro elctric system all charging batteries etc. to be continued...

[theman53]

Fuel oil is off road diesel. I found out by going to Holmes oil for work and asking for Off road fuel for the place I was working. He handed me the keys and said go to tank #1. About 2 weeks later was going in for home heating oil, guy said no problem, here's the key head to tank #1. I came back and asked him about it saying I swear just 2 weeks ago that had off road in it. He just laughed at me and said it still does, they are the same thing. Interesting enough they had different prices, so now if I call I will ask what the cost of off road is and call back after a bit and ask about fuel oil.

[lovinthedeez]

https://homepower.com/

it's a magazine run by a bunch of folks where I live.  I have a bazillion issues that I'm getting ready to recycle if you want them.....Good stuff there in so many ways..

[bajacalal]

I suspect fuel oil is much cheaper than diesel but have no idea about it. My plan is to build a generator out of an eco motor have some solar panels and maybe a small hydro elctric system all charging batteries etc. to be continued...

It's not. It's about $0.50 cents a gallon cheaper than road diesel, depending on what state you're in and where you're buying it.

I admire your creativity, but if you want to get a diesel generator, just buy one. You can get a working system with for less than you would spend trying to make a car engine work. You can get something in the 10-20 kw range for under $1000 at construction equipment auctions or from military surplus (if you go this route, make sure it's a 60 cycle generator and not something they hook up to a USAF jet's 400 hz electrical system). A lot of these will have air cooled Kubota or Deutz engines with is another bonus. If you want something smaller and more portable (around 5000 watts), they're available as well with diesel engines, though less common than gas units.

[Wayland]

I live off-grid, and built my house a few years ago with a 5500 watt Chinese Yanmar clone. I bought it used for $600. It is a 3600rpm unit, so a bit noisy, but very efficient, using about 750ml of diesel an hour. After building the house I sold the generator to my  Dad, and he's still using it, and has had no problems. I'm currently running a 6hp Lister, circa 1970, driving a 3500 watt generator head. I picked this one up for free with very low hours on it. Fantastic, simple machine. Still available fairly easy used, and new parts can still be had quite cheap. Unless you need tons of power, I think a Vw diesel would be overkill, and fuel economy might suffer.

I have a tiny microhydro system, putting out about 25watts@12volts. This charges my battery bank (4 6volt 220ah golf cart batteries) during the winter months and powers my lights, washing machine, computer, stereo, and most of my shop tools. In summer I have 400watts of solar that provides most of my energy needs. My generator only gets started to run my welder, compressor, or during the "shoulder" season when sunlight is low, but the creek hasn't started to flow yet.