Can Alcohol be used in a SVEA123?

Has anyone ever tried burning Alcohol in a simple SVEA123. I know the jet orifice for the SVEA123 is for gasoline or Naphtha, but would it be adequate for the Alcohol.

I certainly understand the btu output would be less of course, but would be enough to get by in pinch or user preference?

I was thinking about trying it out, but wanted to see if someone has had success or failure with this endeavor?

Thank you in advance for your contribution and cheers.

David

 

The jet would be too small, I believe it has been tried.
Duane

 

Self-pressurization would likely fail.

What would be the basis for ‘user preference’ for alcohol in a 123?

 

Try it, post your results.
Seriously

 

There was a whole conversation just recently about converting an Optimus 99 to run on alcohol:

Converted my Optimus 99 from white gas to alcohol!

At a minimum you will need a new jet, drilled out to 0.6 mm dia. Best fuel seemed to be ethanol, since it has a higher energy content than methanol and any unburned fuel in the exhaust isn't toxic. Isopropanol was also tried and has an even higher heat content, but it too is toxic. And then there is the whole question about the stove possibly getting too hot and the fuel boiling, overwhelming the safety vent.

If you do this experiment, please post the results. It would be really cool to have a multi-fuel 123. (Not sure why exactly... but it would still be cool.) Just be careful.

 

Brass is easy to machine, look for what is called a “pin vise” hand drill, and a selection of micro-sized drill bits.

Much more fuel flow compared to gasoline is necessary for alcohol to achieve the correct air fuel ratio. It could be a bit hazardous in operation, consider for one thing the elastomeric (rubber) gaskets and the SRV are not going to like pure corn-squeezins at all.

 

@hikerduane

Hey Duane good to hear from you


@Ed Winskill

Ed, some folks prefer using Alcohol stoves or alcohol as a primary fuel source. I do not have any preference. I enjoy all the stoves.


@snwcmpr

I’m stuck at work until Monday, but I would like to try and experiment Monday or Tuesday. Will post finding for the group.


@PWDolkas

Thank you for the link and additional information! Will report back as soon as I am able get off my work stretch. Maybe Tuesday I try and experiment.


@Fettler

Thank you for the suggestion regarding the micro bits. If this works, will have to look into seals that are fuel and alcohol resistant.



Does anyone know off hand what is the current Svea123 jet orifice size?


Cheers,


David

 

This I understand fully. I like alcohol stoves; that is, those designed for use with alcohol, and I own several. I also understand a preference for alcohol above other fuels, though I don't share that particularly.

But the Svea 123 and 123R (my most-used stoves), are 'white gas' stoves in their nature and design. For the reasons mentioned in the thread, they are not especially given to conversion.

But again, I understand, though do not share, the desire to experiment with certain fuels in stoves designed for other fuels.

 

I agree with Ed.

But I find it fascinating when someone successfully breaks a old rule.

 

@Ed Winskill and @snwcmpr

I agree there is consistency and safety with using stoves designed for certain fuels.

I was thinking if a spare jet for the Svea 123 with the appropriate jet size would be safe to use Alcohol, then it could be used as a back up option if needed.

Brunettes are great, but it’s nice to know there are blondes and red heads as options!

Cheers,

David

 

With a mini pump and the right jet they might work but the first issue is they are designed to run about 20 minutes and alcohol will cut that to 13 minutes at the same power if you get the same power. That limits usefulness.

 

David-

Jet size for standard 123 is just about 0.01" dia. That's the size of wire that just fits through. It's also the same for my MSR Firefly, which also burns white gas.

-Paul

 

Indeed, as a purely theoretical statement. But what would be the real-world need for such a 'back up option'?

If one is prepared enough to have the 'appropriate jet size' on hand, one would likely have naptha at hand, too.

I can easily visualize this 'back up' concept with white gas and a kerosene stove. If I had my 00 empty in the pack, and found that I brought the Coleman fuel bottle only along, I'd cook my outdoor meal with white gas alone. The risks are easily addressed outdoors. No modifications would be needed.

I get the interest in the concept, certainly. I've been here long enough to appreciate the interest many have in using fuels other than that for which a stove is designed. Just only my point of view....

If one is going to travel through far lands, there are many mulitfuel stoves from which to choose....

Chalk it up to my view of the Svea 123/Sigg set, without which in the backcountry I have never been for many years!

 

If you're going to experiment with a stove not designed for the fuel you're planning to use, please do it outside, in a cleared area, and have a fire extinguisher handy. (I don't think a Svea 123 will be a hazard with alcohol, but safety first.)

....Arch

 

Alcohol is a backup because it can be made at home.

 

In the early days of automobiles, alcohol was actually more widely available than gasoline. The early Model Ts were designed to run on either gasoline or ethanol, because Henry Ford wisely realized that there were far more stills out in the backcountry than filling stations.

 

The earliest cross-country motoring enthusiasts had to obtain gasoline at the local Drug store.

 

This one ability led to the then Standard oil company realizing its monopoly on gasoline was under threat so it rallied the religious groups to declare alcohol a sin starting prohibition

 

...which in turn must have led to a huge proliferation in backyard stills.