learning by mistake/octane boost

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by parramethtrol, Apr 12, 2016.

  1. parramethtrol

    parramethtrol Subscriber

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    Hi Guys
    a while back i was using tetrosyl panel wipe in my diy mini army No7
    the tetrosyl isn't all that good, burns clean but doesn't seem to build pressure the way it should
    anyway long story short, i was filling the tank using a pipette as the filler is so small,
    dunno why but i picked up the methanol by mistake and added a pipette to the tank, realised and thought sod it a few mls won't hurt, topped the tank up with tetrosyl, it burnt like a champ much better performance than straight tetrosyl, i didn't add any more methanol and after a few more top ups with neat panel wipe the performance dropped back to tetrosyl normal
    I've thought about it a bit and can't see it doing any harm to the stove, 111t's can run on neat alcohol and the parts of both stoves are the same materials
    might be worth a try if you are using tetrosyl
    now using star chem panel wipe burns just like i remember aspen

    googled it and apparently ethanol is a little better,it's well known in the car world as a diy octane booster, never thought about it for stoves, but it works
    atb Bill
     
  2. magikbus

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    Ethanol is far better for burning in alcohol stoves as well as using it just as a pre-heat fuel. Nothing beats a pre-heat cup with some glass rope in it to act as a wick, burning ethanol. No fuss, no muss no waste. It burns hotter and longer than the methanol we get here. I get mine down by the docks where the sail boat people get their supplies. It's 90% ethanol with 10% methanol added as a poison so you can't drink it (gov't wants it's taxes you know) and it works great!
    Stan
     
  3. itchy

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    Interesting observation Bill. I agree, unlikely to do any harm the way you were using it. If it works, it works.

    However, I think the effect is likely different than the "octane boosting" effect seen in engines since boosting octane would be expected to reduce the pressure, not increase it. Is there any possibility there was a bit of moisture contamination in that panel wipe or in the stove prior to adding the methanol?

    Panel wipe and other camp fuels are light Naptha which is just a hodgepodge of hydrocarbons of various lengths and a few carbons shorter than what is found in kerosene. There should not be much difference in performance with different brands, provided they have not added something else.
     
  4. z1ulike

    z1ulike United States SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    I agree 100% and I also get my ethanol from a marine store. Then again, I live in a warm climate. Methanol has a higher vapor pressure and would be easier to get going in extreme cold.

    Ben
     
  5. parramethtrol

    parramethtrol Subscriber

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    Hi Itchy
    stove has always been in use, so don't think moisture was an issue,
    don't know why it works but it does
    there's quite a bit of difference between some panel wipes and colemans or aspen,
    i just get what is available at the local auto factors, they changed brands from tetrosyl to star chem, star chem is better in my stoves
    but if i end up with tetrosyl again I'll do a bit of experimenting

    the first post on this thread goes on about it a bit more in depth tbh car stuff makes my eyes glaze over ;), i was curious why and this seemed to explain it (enough for my curiosity anyway) http://www.evolutionm.net/forums/evo-how-requests-questions-tips/271419-how-boost-your-octane-using-various-formulas.html
     
  6. itchy

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    According to the MSDS for Tetroyl Panel Wipe, it is 60-100% light naptha. There is no information about about the other 0-40%. Sounds like they are not too confident about what they are putting in those containers on a day to day basis.:content:
     
  7. parramethtrol

    parramethtrol Subscriber

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    probably a fire retardant :lol:
    it's only for degreasing car parts so i suppose as long as it cleans and leaves no containments then it does it's job
     
  8. Murph

    Murph United States Subscriber

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    I'll wager the methanol boils at a lower temp, giving you a spot more pressure in the stove fount!

    My tuppence, Murph