Is anyone using Wood Gas to power their A?

[roccaas]

A friend who is into renewable energy and "home production" was interested in whether an A would make a good Wood Gas conversion.

I figured it would as the conversion was popular before WWII, and with the improvements in conversion ovens, the A might make a robust and attractive conversion.

[Bruce Adams]

I guess if you want to have a big BBQ on your trunk rack like those WW 2 cars had it would be interesting. Those cars also had to be started on gas then they cut the charcoal gas fumes in after starting the engine. My understanding is they made a dual intake manifold to permit the dual fuel supplies.
I believe there is an example in the Danish WW 2 Resistance Museum, a converted AA made into a "Gun Truck / Tank" for someone to see how the fuels were introduced.

[anteek]

Supposedly there is an A with a gasifier in a museum in Sarasota,Fl

[H. L. Chauvin]

Maybe this may not apply for this conversion; however, read some time ago where some guy tried a similar non-taxed fuel & either got arrested or received a warning on a public highway.

Why?

Reason was he was not paying Federal & State gasoline tax which is mandatory while operating a vehicle -- similar to against the law to use cheaper farm tractor fuel to operate a car on a public highway.

[old car guy]

What about the all electric cars do they still have to pay a road or fuel tax f they are totally electric? That would have to ne a nightmare on top of the original cost that they paid like a telsa.

[Joe K]

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Originally Posted by old car guy

What about the all electric cars do they still have to pay a road or fuel tax f they are totally electric? That would have to ne a nightmare on top of the original cost that they paid like a telsa.

I think the electric cars get a "pass" on Federal Gasoline Taxes - this in effort to encourage those so inclined to go ahead and buy their enviro-vehicle.

State tax is not so clear and may depend on your state. But enforcement is quite a bit less? Or at least they're not looking and certainly take the Federal as their example.

Back to Gen-Gas for a Model A.

This VERY possible for several reasons.

The Model A is typically an "open" car. Good ventilation is a requirement when using Gen-Gas which is mostly carbon monoxide. To put a Gen-Gas in the back of a Model A Pickup is almost a no-brainer and requires very little adaptation of the vehicle.

Being a smaller vehicle, the fuel needs of the Model A are quite modest. A smaller Gen-Gas generator is thus required.

Also, the low compression engine of the Model A is VERY adaptable to the wide range of combustibility of Gen-Gas Generator output. Higher compression engines are more finicky regarding proper air-fuel ratio.

Also, the Model A is typically a "short trip" type of vehicle. Frequent stops for ice cream or at the dump or at the auto parts store are pretty much standard for a Model A. And the frequent stops can be used for stoking the Gen-Gas unit and shaking down ashes.

Also the Model A doesn't have the complication of "emissions abatement technology." Things like gas recirc, PCV valves, computer controlled emissions and catalytic converters.

One downside reported at www.woodgas.net was increased engine fouling. The gen-gas principle has been tested extensively by an Australian who reports about 5000 miles between required engine tear down and clean up/clean out. Some wear of piston walls and rings beyond the normal was noted. And tar plating out on the manifold and gas passages in the engine. This on a 1950s vintage passenger car I believe. (High compression?)

Interesting subject which I have been following since the 1978 oil embargo.

http://www.woodgas.net/files/FEMA_em...y_gassifer.pdf

Joe K

[Mike V. Florida]

I can't find them but there were pics here on fordbarn

[H. L. Chauvin]

Sometimes thinking realistically ahead for future vehicle power might allow some to avoid future surprises when changes do occur.

The horse drawn buggy whip manufacturers learned a lesson when cars came out.

And, after seriously thinking a bit, it appears that the current big push for electric cars today is rapidly leading towards producing very small electric cars & probably for safety compliance, they will naturally all have non-hand-held built-in cell phones.

Then a little later, some may be able not only to receive a free cell phone, but a free cell phone with a free small electric car attached.

Next, comes an increased subsidy to augment payment for the current residential utility bill to include paying for the increased electricity used to charge the electric car batteries.

Lastly, if one has a gas station in some neighborhoods, he may look like a buggy whip manufacturer only selling potato chips & cokes in lieu of pumping gas.

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Sometimes thinking realistically ahead for future vehicle power might allow some to avoid future surprises when changes do occur.

The horse drawn buggy whip manufacturers learned a lesson when cars came out.

And, after seriously thinking a bit, it appears that the current big push for electric cars today is rapidly leading towards producing very small electric cars & probably for safety compliance, they will naturally all have non-hand-held built-in cell phones.

Then a little later, some may be able not only to receive a free cell phone, but a free cell phone with a free small electric car attached.

Next, comes an increased subsidy to augment payment for the current residential utility bill to include paying for the increased electricity used to charge the electric car batteries.

Lastly, if one has a gas station in some neighborhoods, he may look like a buggy whip manufacturer only selling potato chips & cokes in lieu of pumping gas.

And someone who drives a car that uses gasoline will be viewed as non-progressive. Sort of like people with Iphones look at cellphone users today.

And people who own a car that burns wood will be viewed as a TERRORIST.

"How dare you eschew the system? You need to FIT IN like the rest of us!"

Sorry. I like your analogy and where it was taking the thought and figured I would add to the fire.

Joe K

[Al 29Tudor]

A couple of weeks ago I was at the Tampa Bay Auto Museum in St Pete, FL

http://tbauto.org/

I saw the 1929 model A Tudor converted to run on Petrol for starting then switch to the gas collected from burning charcoal in a hopper at the back of the car. Very Interesting. Most if not all of the fifty to sixty cars are licensed and driven.
I had a very nice visit with one of the docents and one of the owners and his wife.

Al Leach

[QGolden]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Maybe this may not apply for this conversion; however, read some time ago where some guy tried a similar non-taxed fuel & either got arrested or received a warning on a public highway.

Why?

Reason was he was not paying Federal & State gasoline tax which is mandatory while operating a vehicle -- similar to against the law to use cheaper farm tractor fuel to operate a car on a public highway.

That does not really make sense, you are allowed to produce your own BioDiesel and burn it in your vehicles, lots of folks do these days. and you can obtain a permit from the TTB (BATF) To distilled your own Ethanol for use in private vehicles. (Not as common, who wants to invite the BATF inspectors onto there property). But the point is that there is a process to obtain the permits, and if i recall, they are no charge.

[t-head]

Throw Another Log on the Fire and stop by and learn more about it and see period photos covering wood on The Old Motor.

And coal as seen below.

[H. L. Chauvin]

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hydrogen cell review 1/2013 - Water Powered Car


waterpoweredcar.com/hydrogencellreview.html‎

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I will give you some free advise, I have no reason to lie. ... 25% of their revenue and the Gov. don't like it, because it cuts gas tax by approx. ... Run a car on 100% water is ILLEGAL and the FBI, NSA or CIA will come and take you out by the ...

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Above is in response to reply no. 11 above.

Have no idea if the newspaper article I read was accurate or true because so many reporters & articles in the press today are downright questionable.

Anyway, quite a few years ago the guy in an article was bragging to everyone about running his car on an alternative fuel, i.e., water, by generating hydrogen made through electrolysis.

Some Government officials caught wind of it & threw a lump in his punch bowl by telling him gas taxes had to be paid -- according to the article, the guy abandoned his project.

Article went on to say someone else got caught using illegal Red Diesel in his car which did not include taxes for highways.

If it doesn't make sense, get used to it -- change is a good description of what is occurring today because to change, one has to destroy the old & create a new happening.

And don't be surprised if meat prices continue to go up with corn becoming scarce while using it to make ethanol -- it is all under control as long as we sit down & accept it?

All of the above reply articles & photos are very educational.

Hopefully one day some young mind may discover a clean fuel we never heard of before -- let us just hope it can be used in a Model A.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Many may also remember the J. C. Whitney 1950's catalog ads, where every so often a new super-duper fuel saving product was offered, e.g., something like:

1. One thin shiny metal device to place between the intake manifold & carburetor to add air thus getting 10% increase in fuel economy.

2. One set of spark plug igniter contraptions without a gap to get a 10% fuel economy increase.

3. Another high intensity cylindrical device with attached wires to replace the coil wire to the distributor to obtain another 10%.

4. And, naturally, a high intensity coil to augment no. 3 above to obtain another 10% increase.

5. An atomizer magnet or some absentminded professor's device placed on the fuel line to obtain a 15% increase.

6. Some type of glass water jar device with tubes to add 5% or so.

Can't remember all of them, or the details; however, later some comical mechanical guy reported in a former yesteryear car magazine that he bought all of J.C. Whitney's fuel saving devices.

Next, he installed them on his car, drove to the Post Office, & much to his dismay, his fuel tank overflowed. !!!!!

[Brad in Germany]

The gas generator powered Model A's was discussed earlier with photos, etc. Here is the link:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105907



Fordially,
Brad in Maryland

[colin1928]

In Australia these were common for many years after the war on the farms they were charcoal burning not wood My great Uncle had 1 he live more than a tank of fuel from town so fuel for him something to save and he was from the depression and believed it would come again the up side was it cost nothing to run the down side took 30 minutes to get hot and make gas and only 50% power less than 1/2 top speed

[Kevin in NJ]

The gasifier systems only make sense when no other fuel is available. They are very inefficient and difficult to maintain. I also believe they produce way more emissions.

Until we figure out better ways smaller cars running very efficient engines is a first step. Plant based diesel might be an interesting alternative. Europe has a bunch of very high mpg diesels available in their market. There is our short term solution. Long term will be some more clever systems all based on fancy computers. What I do not know.

Keep in mind a properly restored A will get over 20 mpg and pass emissions for a late 80's small car.

[bart78]

I saw a 8N run off wood one time. It was kinda neat but look to be more of a pain in the but. I do know a guy that makes his own diesel out of plastic. The setup looks like a big still. Says he makes it for around twenty cents a gallon. Mainly just electricity cost.

[bigguy]

If you live in Va. they charge a $100 fee a year if you own a Hybrid Car! Governor this is for the fuel tax that we save and the state looses because they get better gas mileage.