New Wolverine Tech Centrifuge - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

harleyrkc · 04-20-2011, 22:09

I just got my Wolverine Tech centrifuge from Tim. The centrifuge is awesome but the inline electric heater that I had planned on using failed on the first go around. I ordered an M-67 drum heater that I'll try this week sometime. But I'm wondering what everyone else is using to heat WMO.

amaverick88 · 04-20-2011, 23:47

i dont have one yet but i have noticed most people use some sort of heater for the barrel. whether it is a barrel band heater or modifying the barrel to accept a water heater element. you could also use a convection method and let the power of the sun heat it up but that would be more in the summer since you are in michigan.

Ferroequinologist · 04-21-2011, 08:45

It probably failed because you don't get enough flow through it when going into a cecentrifuge.

harleyrkc · 04-22-2011, 12:29

Last night I unpacked the M-67 immersion heater I ordered from Old Grouch's and put it in a barrel that I recently took the top off. I was a little leary of putting a gasoline fired heater into 45-50 gallons of WMO, but it worked out perfectly. I started out a little slow while I got used to operating the heater but I eventually was able to run about 40 gallons through the new centrifuge.

I brought the barrel up to 215*f for about 30 minutes before I started the fuge. The average temp measured on the outside of the fuge was 165*, though it cooled to around 120* by the end of the run. I cleaned it out after I was done and removed roughly two or three measuring cups of sludge like material. I'm so glad I didn't go with a miniature fuge. The 10" bowl is awesome and if I find a way to more efficiently heat the oil without having to monitor it, I'll consider upgrading to the 13" bowl.

The oil is still somewhat black to look at but if I pour it into a cup and then pour it back out there's no visible solids left int he container. I this stuff clean enough to pour in the duece now?

TexAndy · 04-22-2011, 19:00

I don't know. Not knowing just HOW clean oil gets after centrifuging is the primary obstacle to me shelling out the cash for one.

kipman · 04-22-2011, 19:40

It is cleaner than What I have been running for 3 + years.

cbvet · 04-22-2011, 20:59

I've never heated the oil (or diluted it) before filtering. Of course I do my filtering in the summer.
No problems using "bag" filters.

harleyrkc · 04-22-2011, 22:40

I'm quite sure after seeing what I removed that even though the oil is black to look at, its considerably cleaner then it was before. And I'm quite sure I don't want any of the crap I removed being run through my engine.

The one thing I noted that has me convinced this works is that when I take sample, pour it into a clear cup, and pour it back out, there's no residue left. It just looks like I poured any new oil only darker. The oil is not cloudy, the water has been boiled out, and the color is consistent all the way through.

wreckerman893 · 04-22-2011, 23:02

I'm working on a wood fired one using an old gas water heater. (see pics)

Having been singed several times by the old immersion heaters in my young enlisted Army days I have to give you the "Oversized Testicles" award for using it.

Post pics if you have them.

harleyrkc · 04-23-2011, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by wreckerman893

I'm working on a wood fired one using an old gas water heater. (see pics)

Having been singed several times by the old immersion heaters in my young enlisted Army days I have to give you the "Oversized Testicles" award for using it.

Post pics if you have them.

Let's leave my testicles out of this. I actually have found it quite safe so far. Though it scared the **** out of me the first time.