Demand for model diesel fuel?
 

I have been entertaining the idea of commercially offering model diesel fuel. To that end I have been talking to people knowledgeable in making model fuels. Even with ridiculous ethyl ether costs, it seems at least possible to produce at a price point near the retail price of glow fuel. I said “produce”. Overhead and profit is a different matter and flex considerably with volume. What I cannot assess is the demand for model diesel fuel. I don’t know if this is a chicken or egg problem? i.e. : Would diesel be used more if fuel were readily available? If so, how much so? In short, how many gallons would you buy, if model diesel fuel were once again easy to source? Assume theoretical price in the $40/gallon range, + shipping. At this point let’s not get into a discussion about formulations, please. While formulas are important, those variables are not enough to make/brake this as a business model. (pun intended) I just sticking my toe into the water, here. I am asking for numbers, please.

I don't know anybody running diesel. However the main problem IMHO is distribution. Hazmat charged to ship fuel makes the price prohibitive when gas can be had on every corner. All of the sudden buying a new gas engine for a few hundred dollars makes burning $60 dollar a gallon fuel unrealistic.

David

Dave,

Thanks for the reply. I run and fly diesels. They are ultra-reliable. Rarely flame out. Use not glow plugs. Start easily, once you know the drill. Provide 4 stroke performance in a smaller package. Don't have an ignition coil/battery, use approximately 1/2 the amount of fuel, just to name a few.

You are right about the HAZMAT situation. It also applies to glow fuel, too. Therefore the purchase case quantities help spread the impact. That is why I by in case quantities. The cost to fly diesels is approximately = to glow, but fuel supply is a thing.

And yes, 10% ethanol petrol is everywhere. The much preferred ethanol free is available, but harder to find.

It is ironic the only reply I got was from somebody who does not fly diesels. Perhaps you just made the case i was asking about demand. No criticism, just ironic.

I wish you luck if you decide to take this on. I was just trying to be the voice of reason and maybe a skeptic. Thanks for understanding that.

david

Oh David,

I never had any issue with your feedback. I simply find it remarkable that the apparent number of people who piddle with diesels would not want to establish a reliable source of fueling them. Perhaps making their own fuel is adequate for the need. Ironically, diesel are in regular use in Europe and Australia. I can tell you they are powerful and fun, if not popular. Dan

the same can be said about compact cars over there "diesel are in regular use in Europe and Australia".

david

Dan,
Those of us that play with the diesels are always looking for a reliable source for fuel rather then resorting to JD starter fluid, kero, oil home brew. One way you could provide the difficult part and save cost is to provide the ether, ignitor and oil in say a pint or quart size then we could just add the kero. This would keep it below the HAZMAT minimum and keep the cost in a more reasonable range. Just some thoughts.

I have been working on finding a fuel mix that doesn't have a lingering aroma. I know some guys say if is don't stink it ain't diesel, my wife has a different opinion. With normal commercial diesel fuel I think the kero is the component that leaves the smell. The problem is that the kero calms down the ether to allow it burn rather then going into detonation. The option is to use 30 - 40 SAE mineral oil in place of the castor (or maybe a blend) and use odorless kero. The mineral oil will control the detonation and since diesel doesn't run at that high a temp will protect the engine just fine.

Best, DennisT

You don't say what country you are in/shipping from. I think quarts or litre containers may be the best alternative. Most guys (and one girl) run somewhat smaller motors with the diesels. Hazmat fees are better that way too, maybe, I am guessing you are in the US. As mentioned, the ether and DII is the hardest stuff to get. Amsoil here is hard to find and ether is only in the spray cans, and is diluted in my neighborhood.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Yes I am in the US_midwest actually.

I will take the points in kind:

Oil - The debate about the best oil rages. I maintain castor is simply mandatory for model diesels and that any fuel must have some amount of it. The reason is castor will not flash and thus break down and become "fuel." That said, a castor/syn mix might work. I know many disagree. My default is the oil must be at least 1/2 castor.
Kerosene - I have heard mineral spirits are a substitute for kerosene, but I have tried it. There are those who advocate additives to counter the kerosene odor.
, a-Cetane improver - I totally gave up sourcing Hexyl or Amyl nitrate/nitrites. In the US, its just not going to happen. The good news actually is, Power Service, or any of the readily available diesel cetane improvers at a truck stop does work. I agree Amsoil is especially good, but hard to get. Whichever, you must experiment with the correct quantity. I have been using a capful per quart of fuel, or roughly 1.8%. It works for my conversions and pure diesels OK.
- Selling components - This is a possibility I had not considered. I would have to check into the affect on HAZMAT.

However, on one has actually answered the question I posed. So, let me ask again. If model diesel fuel and or components were to become available, how much would you use? I can not purchase raw material, much less justify a business, fuel or components, without some idea of demand.

Thanks again, everyone.

Sorry to interject again. But why not use Jet-A instead of diesel? It would cure the smell issue.

David

David,

I have not tried anything but kerosene because the smell actually appeals to me. I don't mind the oil either. It's part of the deal. Guess we can accept I am "unique." If switching to Jet-A, mineral spirits, or anything else which is acceptable solves the smell issue, and providing that change makes people flock to flying diesels (pun intended), then that is the way to go. But I still need some idea of demand before contemplating any business plan. I do appreciate the feedback and may try Jet-A myself. Dan

When we need a space heater we burn Jet-A. Thankfully in a small town like I am in it's easy to go the airport and buy it. It's actually cheaper than buying a 5 gallon can of kero. Of course we have to supply the can for Jet-A

David

Hazmat charges are a funny thing. I've ordered diesel fuel and not been charged even though it contains very volatile ether. Then, I've been charged hazmat on shipments of castor oil.

diesel fuel
 

Agree with stuntman. provide the ether, oil and ignition improver as a mix and we can add the kerosene. I would go for that as the only thing I can't get is ether. If you could just sell ether you would have it made!!!
Max

Jet A smells the same as regular Kerosene and commercial #2 diesel. I’ve tried all three. Jet A is a lighter color and twice as expensive as Kerosene. I just use kerosene in my fuel and that suits me fine.

Mineral oil doesn’t have the same properties that castor does - which can be detrimental to a Diesel’s life. Thinking the oil controls the detonation is also a bit of a falsehood as a model diesel is basically a controlled detonation engine. The best thing for a diesel is a big prop and running undercompressed. This puts the least strain on the conrod.

The finest diesel fuels around are made with 4 ingredients. Clean kerosene, diesel, or Jet A; castor oil, ignition improver, and diethyl ether.

Agree about the kerosene and Jet-A all smelling the same. Only odorless kero has almost no aroma but it will not run well with standard blends because the ether gets to energetic unless mineral oil is used. I disagree about the detonation in diesels. In the older fixed compression engines that ran 70 - 75% ether the balance 30 SAE mineral oil. they ran fine unless you used all castor oil (see Adrain's article on fixed compression https://adriansmodelaeroengines.com/....php?cat_id=44). As we got into variable compression heads and switched to lower ether and added kero (to lower cost) and castor oil, the kero has the stuff to calm the ether and it runs smooth. Racing fuels have other component's that allow higher rpm without excessive compression.

Best, DennisT

I’ve seen the ignition improver listed as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate. What are the properties of each?

Diesel fuel mixture...
 

I have experiemented with different mixtures and one of my favorites is with MARVEL'S MYSTERY OIL, ether and 2cycle oil. Runs really well but expensive. The smell is almost pleasant with plenty of power to work with and easily tuned.

The other is a mix with used fryer(peanut) oil. Peanut has a very high flashpoint. Comparable to castor oil, and smells a whole lot better. Costs much less and mixes with almost all common components. Obviously if you are allergic to this oil, DON'T USE IT, as it may make things worse by breathing in the fumes.
I can mix a us gallon of this fuel for about $27.00. For as longer run times a 6oz batch runs for 11min in my diesel. You may or may not get these results i did......
Diesel Dan

[QUOTE=

The other is a mix with used fryer(peanut) oil. Peanut has a very high flashpoint. Comparable to castor oil, and smells a whole lot better. Costs much less and mixes with almost all common components. Obviously if you are allergic to this oil, DON'T USE IT, as it may make things worse by breathing in the fumes.
I can mix a us gallon of this fuel for about $27.00. For as longer run times a 6oz batch runs for 11min in my diesel. You may or may not get these results i did......
Diesel Dan[/QUOTE] Have you tried the peanut oil with methanol to make glow fuel?

Hi Dan:
Can you post your formulas for Marvel Mystery oil and peanut oil
mixes?
Thanks,
John

I got into diesel conversions because of the price of nitro fuel. Anyway....no because i can run my compression engines without a glow plug and they take less up keep.
If one could aquire nitro methane i'm sure the peanut oil would be fine.
Diesel Dan

Diesel fuel mixture...
 

60% marvel's mystery oil
30% havoline 2cycle oil
10% ether

My compression is fixed and fuel may run better in your engine because of the tuning ability.
Good luck.
Dan

This idea that mineral oil is required to “calm the ether” is pretty far out in left field. The whole purpose of the ether is to cause a controlled detonation. The warmer the engine is the easier it is for the ether to detonate. They need heat to run correctly. Mineral oil was used 60 years ago because that’s all they had. Castor oil replaced mineral oil for a lot of reasons. One being a better lubricant (It’s affinity for sticking to hot metal is incredible) and the other being cheap.

Ether (if you need it) is available from John Deere, or you can get medical grade
The Building Board: Search results for Ether

My friend Dave says that after he started using good ether, he didn’t bother with the ignition improver.

Actually, it is the mineral oil that clams the ether, Way back in the day the Drone Diesel which is a fixed compression engine (around 18.5 : 1) used a fuel of 75% ether, 25% 30 SAE mineral oil (motor oil). If you used castor it wouldn't run right. In conventional diesel they use standard kero (which smells) and that calms the ether. If you use the odorless kero with castor it doesn't work well, if you replace the castor (or at least 90% of it) with mineral oil it will be fine. Here is a good source for information on running high ether fuels, it deals with fixed compression but the principle is similar except the kero does it in commercial model diesel fuel. AdriansModelAeroEngines.com :: Fixed-compression Diesel Operation
Best, DennisT