Hey, Texans:
I have been watching and reading this list for a while now, and it seems that it might be helpful to promote better communication among biodieselers (including wannabes, longtimers, SVO'ers, etc.) in Texas. Two reasons: 1) it is a big state with widely spread enthusiasts, and 2) it is kinda hard to overcome the 'good-ol-boy' gas and oil tradition.

As examples, Austin is organizing a biodiesel group, with their first meeting 23 May. I am going to be in San Antonio for a solar energy event (Solar Fest, 8 June, Maverick Park) . A fiend and I are going to show our SVO and biodiesel activities.

To the goal of better communication, I have emailed everyone I could find whose profile had a Texas address and an email address. I have gotten responses from El Paso, Grapevine, and Austin, among others, and I know there must be a lot more. If anyone else would like to participate, please email me at DavidWPotter@starband.net and I will add your name. I hope to hear from you, and maybe we'll see you in San Antonio!

David W. Potter

Hello,
I am a high school teacher and I am determined to produce biodiesel in the Rio Grande Valley in August. what I need are some good tips on where to find equipment and what to look for when buying a diesel car.
Basically, any information that you can throw at me the better.

Thanks
Merrick Tracy

Hey, Merrick:
Welcome to the Forum! Small world: I grew up in Harlingen and my dad still lives there. I get down there occasionally as well.

You will find your answers on this Forum. One of the best ways is to do a search (blue word "search" at the top of most (all?) screens). Or just browse the categories. There is a wealth of info already posted. There are several other websites supported by members; you can search for those, too. In a way, many things have already been thrown at you--and everyone else. And, at the risk of sounding like a shill, I'll tell you that you can also get a copy of Tickell's book, From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank.

Regarding vehicles: Don't buy an Isuzu P'up! (Just kidding. I have one but have a hard time getting any energy out of it: it's a lazy P'up.) Since I am not looking now (and may have suspect taste), others can help here. Again, searching the forum is a good idea. I have heard that if you take off the oil cap on a Diesel engine while it's running and it blows air out, you don't want it. Bad valve guides?

I live near Orange Grove (2-3 hours north of Weslaco) and I am putting together a processor now. I have done a couple of test batches. Let me know and you can come see it. There are also a few others around South and Central Texas (growing slowly) who can help.

David W. Potter

Dave my name is Brook GOlling I am currently working with Whitman Direct action to promote small scalle bio diesel processing in Central America this summer. We are driving a Bio diesel bus all the way down and have run into some trouble crossing the boarder from El Paso we might be held up here for a few days or a week. To make good use of our time I am looking for some home brewers in the area that I could talk to and possible get some bio diesel donated and or buy some at cost. we have been storing Bio diesel on our bus and looking like we are coming up about 100 gal short to get to Quatemala on B100. If you know some contacts within a few hour drive I would love to try and talk to them, my e mail address is Freeskier24@hotmail.com THanks Brook

I Live in San Antonio, Texas and am going to try to convert an old Silver Eagle Bus/Motorhome into SVO. I would like to contact anyone In Texas with simular intersts.

Thanks, Nick

nickinbrazil@yahoo.com

You lucky guys have the National BioD Convention in San Antonio next month February 4-7 at the Gonzales Convention Center. Check it out and visit our booth.

Doug Felt
800-874-8976
Dixon Pumps Inc.
PO Box 80008
Billings MT 59108
Fax 406-245-5606
www.dixonpumps.com
dfelt@dixonpumps.com

I live in Orange Grove Mr Potter . I am modifying my processor right now but would like to get a hold of you and see your set up

Anyone near Plantersville/Magnolia?

My shop is over in Pinehurst , not for from Magnolia .

Hi I live in Nome,TX @ 15miles west of Beaumont,TX. I have a 2000 & 2006 Dodge.
I have been making for over a year. Recently have started blending because of cost and labor.
Everything has worked out so far.
I am using WVO & RUG plus Jet A when cold.
Seems so far to be adding horsepower and millege. Cost are @ $.50 to .60/gal.
I am glad to see others in Texas.

Hey by the way. I process quite a lot of fuel.
lets just say it is hundreds of gal.per week.
I sell of road to farmers and such.
Very seldom pay for oil.

any one out there magensol washing? i would like to buy a few pounds and try some,i am located in the victoria area.
grease junky

I am in the Austin TX area. I am looking to start making Bio-d but I would like to talk to others who are successfully doing it

Love2hunt... I am hoping to begin test batches within the next week or so.. Please let me know how it's going for you. Maybe we can get together and help one another in this endeavor. I am in Leander.

Love2hunt, I am in Plantersville and my sister lives in south Austin. I come up occasionally and if you need some help PM me.

quote:

Originally posted by riceman:
Hey by the way. I process quite a lot of fuel.
lets just say it is hundreds of gal.per week.
I sell of road to farmers and such.
Very seldom pay for oil.

hey I live in nederland and work at the exxonmobil polyethlene plant on highway 90,I would like to find out more about bio-diesel.My e-mail is mwdixon@yahoo.com

I live in Mesquite, Texas and am serious about homebrew of Biodiesel. If anyone in my area is willing to talk or converse in any manner let me know. I am new to this site

Raven, Sorry to take so long to reply.

I still have not started the process. How did your batch turn out?

Love2hunt at suddenlink dot net

Love2Hunt.
I have NOT prsued it either. I live in a neighborhood and don't want to create issues with neighbors. Got one neighbor that calls the law at the drop of a hat. Didn't like my camper, boat, etc... I really don't want to explain to police why I have methanol in back yard.

Hi Everybody;
I am new to the forums and wish to apologize if I am posting in the wrong thread. But I can not seem to find a thread that would be suitable for what I need. So; I am posting where I think it might do me the most good. (Close to the boarder).
Does anyone hear know anything about the Jatropha Cuscas Plant.
My knowledge of the plant is that it’s seeds are very high in oil content. It is 4 times better than soybeans, And many times better than corn. In warmer climates, it needs no alteration to use as fuel. Many times superior to petroleum Diesel fuel.
The help I need is to locate one or both of the ranches in Mexico already raising this plant and try to buy seeds or seedlings from them. Raising this plant in the USA is not a good Idea as it can survive light frosts only. It survives and yields fruit on less than 10 inches of rainfall per year. And will grow on land that would not support corn or soybeans.
One ranch is in the state of Veracruz Mexico & the other is in the state of Quintana Roo Mexico.
My plan is to retire this year and move to Mexico. I speak the language very well and my wife is a native born and raised Mexican. (kinda cute too)
I have enough money to buy over a ¼ million Acers of land (perfect for this Plant) in Mexico, But not enough to plant all the land with this plant. The plant produces seed in the second year and each year after that for 40 to 50 years. The oil in the seed contains a natural, organic insecticide, so it is insect resistant. Animals do not eat it. It can withstand 3 year droughts (of course in a drought year it would not produce, but you would not loss your trees). Pruned properly, it can be held to an average height of about 6 ft. making harvest buy hand feasible. This is a great Plus as the Mexican government smiles on any business venture that creates jobs.
Out put in oil is about one to one and a half liters per tree, per picking and depending on rainfall , 1 to 3 pickings per year.
I might need a little financial assistance. Any financial help no matter how large or small will be greatly appreciated and if successful, rewarded in like manner.
Just think. It just might give you and your family a great vacation spot to visit now and then. And you would ALWAYS be welcome.
If you don’t have money to help but wish to contribute. When I am set up. Come and work with the field hands (kind of like a get back to Mother earth vacation)
MY Reasons for doing this;;;;
I am not doing this to get Rich. My retirement money is more than sufficient to support me and my family VERY well in Mexico.
I am doing this so my family and the families of those that help me will have NO financial worries in the future. AND to help the USA in it’s need, to stop using polluting crude oil.

My qualifications for such a project ::::

#1, Owned and successfully ran a small tomato truck farm in North Carolina, in my youth. Anyone that knew me then would tell you straight up. I have a green thumb.

#2, Owned a nice size construction Co. for 26 years, in north Texas. So I have lots of experience handling people and planning workloads.

#3, I have been told many times by many different people that I have excellent people skills.

#4, I speak the language.

#5, The local customs are not new to me.

#6, In the area I am looking the people know, like, and respect me. Hiring help will not be a problem. Paying them might.

The very first thing I need help with is locating those two ranches in Mexico already growing this plant so I can get healthy seed stock.

Thanks for your time Boomer
( boomersdiamonds@aol.com )