Wood-gas Generator to Power Your Truck

If you have an older-model truck, a ready supply of firewood and a little ingenuity, you can build a wood-gas generator to run your truck.

I initially became interested in wood-powered vehicles as a kid when I saw an old World War II movie in which the hero escaped from invading Japanese forces in an old school bus powered by coconut shells. After that, if I came across any references to wood-powered vehicles, I read them. I even remember reading an article in MOTHER EARTH NEWS quite some time ago. (See the 1981 article, Wood Gas! Wood Gasification Powers this Truck.)

A couple of years ago, I bought a 1968 Chevrolet three-quarter-ton 4-wheel-drive pickup, along with a 1969 GMC three-quarter-ton 2-wheel-drive truck for parts. The GMC had a six-cylinder engine that was somewhat rusty, but still seemed to run OK. I thought, given the simplicity of its construction plus the generous engine compartment, it would be ideal for a wood-gas project.

Willie Hackett, the son of a friend of mine, did a small wood-gasifier project and put me in contact with Mike LaRosa through a wood-gas builder’s website. I built my gasifier based on one of Mike’s designs and was successful. The wood fuel is 2-inch-diameter lengths of hardwood limbs I gather in my woods and cut up with an old table saw. I dry the wood in the sun for a couple of weeks in a wheelbarrow with an old storm window on top of it. I also have used softwood scraps with similar effectiveness.

I have probably put about 500 miles on the truck running on wood. I have commuted 20 miles to work with it a number of times and taken many 10-mile trips.

I still am working out some bugs, such as reducing the amount of soot captured in the engine air cleaner, and eliminating a surging condition that is probably due to an air leak I haven’t found yet. The truck doesn’t have as much power with wood gas as it does with gasoline, but it will cruise at highway speeds and climb steep hills as long as I keep it revved up.

Rick Bates
Tully, New York

Scott's Contracting GREEN BUILDER, St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri.http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com, contact scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com for additional information

U.S. climate change bill unveiled

12 May 2010-- U.S. Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., have released their version of climate change legislation, the American Power Act 2010, that includes carbon dioxide reductions for power plants and revenue sharing for states that participate in offshore drilling.

The bill also includes a price for carbon starting at $12 and increasing at 3 percent over inflation annually, and a ceiling set at $25, which will increase by 5 percent over inflation.

The Senate's version calls for a 17 percent reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2020, 42 percent by 2030 and 83 percent by 2050. Power plants will have the first restrictions and manufacturers' restrictions will follow six years later. The bill will also give distribution companies that service electric utilities free allowances through 2029.

The bill also allows states to opt out of drilling up to 75 miles from their shores and can veto offshore drilling plans if an accident will cause a significant impact. However, states that move ahead with drilling will receive 37.5 percent of the revenue.

The legislation would pre-empt states' ability to implement greenhouse gas reductions and provide credit through allowances for states that already have cap and trade policies that are supposed to end because of federal law. Even though the Environmental Protection Agency will have authority over many of the new climate programs, the bill restricts the agency's ability to regulate GHG under several sections of the Clean Air Act.



Scott's Contracting GREEN BUILDER, St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri.http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com, contact scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com for additional information

Scott's Contracting, Green Builder St Louis 'RENEWABLE ENERGY' Missouri

Scotts Contracting St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri

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Scott's Contracting GREEN BUILDER, St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri.

Here are some additional Resources via Amazon.com
 Insulate & Weatherize ( Build Like a Pro)

The Homeowner's Handbook to Energy Efficiency: A Guide to Big and Small Improvements

Lowe's How-To Series on DVD - Weatherize Your Home

 Power from the Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity

Solar Electricity Handbook - 2011 Edition

12 Volt Solar Power: A Do it Yourself Guide (Simple Living)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home, 3rd Edition

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