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06-03-2008, 06:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,066
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DonavonP:
The US Postal service has posted the results of their ethanol fueled equipment.
Source: www.keelynet.com and www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/16095 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
That is the results I have experienced. Fewer miles per gallon at a cost that is not anywhere close to break even.
I have owned a flex fuel vehicle since 2000 and when running ethanol it gets around 14 mpg instead of 18 to 20. If ethanol dropped the price of fuel to half the cost of regular gas then it would be worthwhile however as it stands the cost is prohibative.
__________________
Neil V
2001 Winnebago Adventurer WFG35U
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06-04-2008, 05:28 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
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BTU (heat energy) per gallon (LHV):
Ethanol - 76,000 BTU
Gasoline - 115,000 BTU
#2 Diesel - 128,400 BTU
Therefore, ethanol has only 76,000/115,000 = 66.1% as much heat energy per gallon as gasoline and 76,000/128,400 = 59.2% as much heat energy per gallon as #2 diesel. That's why it takes more ethanol to generate the same horsepower-hour output.
Rusty
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06-04-2008, 06:05 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Gretna, La
Posts: 211
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Big difference in the effeciency vs. the other fuels not to mention the added costs we are seeing at the supermarket from using corn, etc. to make this fuel which would be used to feed livestock and us. Also added costs of transportation of every thing we use.
Your tax dollar at ??work in congress.
Dave
__________________
GEAUX TIGERS
Dave, Miss Sue and Lucy the Scotty
00 Windsor, 40', Grand Cherokee Limited
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06-04-2008, 11:10 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 32,253
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All this time and money developing ethanol for fuel would be more wisely spent rebuilding the U.S. rail transportation system our government so foolishly abandoned about 40 years ago.
Railroad transportation is much cheaper than OTR trucks and airplanes per ton/mile.
ref: University of Iowa shipping study
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;GS Life member,FMCA " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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06-04-2008, 03:50 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: McVeytown, PA
Posts: 2,259
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Well I sure hope the Brain Trust  in Washington realizes this before they shove it down Americas throat. Anyone who knows anything about engines and fuel knows ethanol is not very efficiant.
You are so right Ray, rail it across the country to large urban areas. Then distribute it by truck from large break bulk terminals, like in the old days. It makes a whole lot more sense to me, especially with the refrigerated and non refrigerated rail containers available today.
__________________
Steve, Pat, Hakbar, & Root Motor
2007 National RV Pacifica 36'
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06-04-2008, 05:52 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 64
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Here is my "tested" experience with a 2004 Saturn to which I added a flex vehicle devise to run ethanol. (3.0 Honda engine) City driving with ten fills alternating ethanol and regular resulted in 22% less millage on the ethanol. Open road (long trips 150 miles plus) 16% (less) difference on the ethanol. So my choice when I fill depends on the calculated (using the above % figures and anticipated, city or trip), difference between regular and ethanol. For example, today I put in regular at $3.89.9, ethanol was at $3.24.9. At 22% I needed a difference of .85.8 or ethanol to be $3.04. Now if I had anticipated taking a road trip, at the 16% difference, which would have been .62.4, ethanol priced lower than $3.27.5 would be a plus. Yes, I carry a small calculator in the car.
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