Thrive Off Grid

He is out of India and selling for $1200 bucks lol. Im not worried Im more flattered than anything. haha.

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Yeah, that’s the best attitude in my opinion. Had it happen to us a few times, not quite as flagrantly as that guy though lol! It’s a normal part of design work, and unless you have super valuable IP worth the cost of the lawyers, a ‘first to market’ advantage is probably the best you can hope for.
I’m always pleasantly surprised at how smart and supportive the average customer usually is. Don’t get me started on Amazon though…

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You should call them and try to make a deal for like a signature model. :slight_smile: India is going to be a pretty hot market for those in the near future. They wanted 2030 for the end of ice vehicles, and they coupled their RE policy with their country’s electrification plans. Their biggest markets for vehicles are 2-3 wheelers so charging up a rickshaw with a gasifier isn’t as big of deal as a car. They also make a lot of charcoal already.

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Finally!! Getting work done on the VersiFire!! I will start on controls tomorrow and hopefully we will have it ready to test some time in March :fire:

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Very interesting! Excited to see how it performs when you start beta testing… like you said i can see many applications for this.

Very nice work!!

Was that blue box on the side of that valve a 3D printed add on to control a standard valve? Id be interested in any info or a closer look at that too.

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No we buy them of Amazon. However our Servo controlled valves will now be custom 3 D printed and will replace our old method of adapting existing valves.

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This guy is experimenting with the same idea that Matt is using only in a much smaller scale.

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just be forewarned that 3d prints can leak between the layers. I would probably look at injection molding for a product if you want it watertight. The basic process is typically a piston that shoots goo into usually an aluminum mold.

There is also a way to do non-contact sensor for height.

I would look it up but our internet is out, and I am paying for data.

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If your prints leak you have a problem with your printer. Ive been running the crap out of that printer the parts dont leak.

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Im using prox switches, they are non contact. They read a metal target. There are ultrasonic sensor that dont need a metal target but those are expensive along with the linear sensors. The prox switches make the best sense, they are low cost, easy to get.

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Ok guys now that warmer weather is coming back. Im going to work on a new DIY gasifier kit. The plan for now is we will offer a pre welded kit and a non welded kit. The non welded kit will just be a flange set insulation retaining rings the grate and the stand legs. The rest the builder will need to source on there own. The pre fabbed version wil not use the Harbor Frieght tank. We will cut and roll the shells in house and then pre weld these assemblies along with other items that are welded. Other items both kits will need are two 15 inch diameter barrel drums with lids. One will be your hopper and the other will be a saw dust filter. You will need to source an Amateck Lamb blower for your start up blower. Hoses, pipe fittings, valves, engine adapters etc all your own. The idea here is to get a very low cost unit on market and then let the user source the additional items without mark up from our end. Builders will be encouraged to use the the TOG forum to show case builds and share ideas and parts sourcin or here on DOW of coarse. << (had to add that as I stole this writing from my forum so I didnt have to re type all this.)

Ok the new design: Why cant we have both a wood gasifier and a charcoal gasifier all in one? Well that is the idea; this unit will be both a full blown Imbert wood gasifier and a down draft charcoal gasifier all in one. However it can only be set up as one or the other. But you will have the option to set it up in either configuaration at any time. In the down draft wood gasifier mode, you will install the restriction plate and then there are three jet ports for a three jet / nozzle set up. You will install ball valves on all three of these jets for shut down. Yeah I know its crude but its simple and low tech. Those that can weld for either version can also source a 6 X 2 butt weld pipe reducer to install in the hearth of the unit. This will help fuel flow and better direct process heat. This we will not supply as they are very expensive.

In charcoal mode you simply remove the restriction plate and block off the back nozzles and install the charcoal nozzle with the water atomizer. This plus the water tank we will supply with both kits.

I have parts on order and will be doing a build video using the Harbor Frieght tank. Yes I will cut it apart with a grinder and through sparks all over myself :(. The things I do for you!! lol

So more to come.

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Sounds like a great idea Matt , now who was it said you cant please all of the people all of the time ,me thinks this is a great idea and the best of both worlds !
Dave

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Yeah the Unifire? (Universal Gasifier)

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The Bi-fueler maybe?
S.U.

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lol I was the thinking the UniFire might get me put on some list. haha.

Im going to stick with the Harbor Freight Gasifier as it is one the top searches. So going to take advantage of it.

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OK matt just curious , is there a cooling rack or this must be mostly a charcoal unit–how far could i drive my 1.8 pontiac vibe before refueling. or is this unit for off grid solar charging ? GOOD LUCK with your goals- should be good sales ,with all the mix up from costly solar batterys green new-china deals going.

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Its DIY you can add what ever you would like. I only plan to offer the gasifier components and some parts to build construct the filter. The builder can then add coolers and what ever else they want. It will be full blown Imbert so no in that mode it is a dedicated wood gasifier. However I will recommend setting it up in charcoal mode first to learn that way before attempting running it in wood gasification mode.

It will be interesting as this will have a revistion for a very dense ceramic insulation insert that will be required for its construction. That we will not supply just basic components to keep cost as low as possible. Our old wood gas units did not have this. We only insulated the hearth. This will have thicker insulation and both the hearth and reduction will have this insulation liner.

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OK thanks matt may i ask how long it would run a 4 cyl engine charging a battery bank about 1200 amp hours not sure how many watts need to charge the battery bank- i think thats about a mid range size battery bank for off grid power? THANKS

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I have no idea I have to build it first :slight_smile:

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OR would it be posible to add a auto add fuel as its used up on that model unit.I dont have a solar battery bank either.