Don's Geo Tracker Project - 2- - Charcoal

[don_mannes]

I spent about 4 hours the last couple days switching my wood gasifier in the Tracker over to my charcoal gasifier. It actually went a lot smoother than I expected. I still have to hook up the instrumentation to it and the water drip but I already flared it off this afternoon.
This pic shows the charcoal gasifier ready to install after the wood gasser is removed.

Next pic shows the charcoal gasifier in place on the bed and ready to hook up.

I am using the same furnace heat exchangers for cooling the gas and the same straw filter as the wood burner and the same blower and flare setup. This makes the switch over easy now and when I go back to burning wood again.

Here the gas pipes from the cyclones to the coolers are installed.

Here is the first flare using only one 12v bilge blower for suction. It took 2 minutes and 45 seconds for the flare to light and it would stay lit after 3 and a half minutes. Before you chastise me for flaring inside I have to tell you that I had 2 man doors open for a good cross draft and I only flared for less than 4 minutes because I did not expect that tall of a flare that close to the ceiling. Then I went home for supper.
https://youtu.be/Pl9xvmXT8u8

[paulstowing]

that’s some nice flames don does the new unit weigh less than the old.

[don_mannes]

does the new unit weigh less than the old.

Oh yes Paul, less than half as much

[rustyold36]

Very cool Don, Be interesting to see the MPG. Is that how you measure it? I guess it depends on how you store or carry it.

[trigaux]

Hi Don
The radiators are - still useful with a gasifier coal?

[don_mannes]

Cool gas = dense gas; dense gas = more power.

[TomC]

HOW SWEET IT IS!!! That little Tracker was the neatest woodgas vehicle before. And you mad it MORE sweat. I like the decrease in weight. How is the temperature coming out of the cyclones? Do you need the radiators if you weren’t going back to woodgas.
You used that “forge” style nozzle. I didn’t understand; does that spin from the air or do you manually spin it to break up glassy stuff? ( I forgot the word for it)
What kind of top do you have on the Tracker. I’ve looked at several this winter and I don’t like the way the convertible tops fit. Looks like you have something solid like a sheet of something.
As expected— GREAT JOB TomC

[don_mannes]

Thanks Tom.
I don’t have the thermocouples hooked up yet and I did not run it very long so I don’t know temps yet. The nozzle slug turns by hand and has to stay in the closed position while running to maintain the clearance needed for air velocity. I made the top out of 3/8th inch plywood

[trigaux]

Don

The" tracker" engine is injection or carburetor?

What year?

[trigaux]

The “tracker” can - it operate on coal gas or gasoline?

[tritowns]

Lookin good Don!..

[don_mannes]

1995 Tracker with multiport fuel injection will run on gasoline and/or woodgas

[k_vanlooken]

Looking fantastic Don… driving on Black…

[glgilmore]

OK Don! Is that charcoal fired beastie going to be in the line up at Argos? Sure hope so!
Gary in PA

[trigaux]

You turn off the fuel pump before operating the coal gas?

Like to do, Gary Gilmore, with its Ford Ranger !

[dbaillie]

Hi Don, when you say half the weight what does that work out to? Or is it just a best guess? Looks beautiful. I hope to get to that level with my builds someday.
Best regards, David Baillie

[d100f]

Fantastic I cant wait to see more .
Well done Don

[abnervalbuena]

Nice Don, looks “genie type”. I have a question for you, related to your square wood gasifier. Is the hearth also square? I was eager to ask you that, but hadn´t had the chance. Sorry because this chat is for your charcoal project, but this was my chance. Thanks in advancce.

[BillSchiller]

Don, you’re one of the most innovative people I know. You trifuel vehicle looks great.

[don_mannes]

Or is it just a best guess?

Best guess David is 1/3 the weight of the wood gasser.