ECOLOGIC ENVIRONMENTAL AMBULANCE
So we have an exciting addition to the Ecologic Design's family. We have purchased an old 1991 Ford E-350 desiel ambulance van and recycled/transformed it into the Ecologic Environmental Ambulance. Purchased in Baltimore MD, the ambulance was driven to Virginia Beach VA where the amazing transformation and conversion took place.After many days and nights of exhausting work by a team of wonderful friends and family, the dream had been realized,... we hoped. Converted to run on pure waste vegetable oil from restaurant deep fryers, the Ecologic Environmental Ambulance was ready for the test and then onto to save the world.
The kit we used was made by VEG POWER http://www.vegpower.com/ makers and installers of vegetable oil fuel systems. Installed under the body of the ambulance, using one of the existing fuel tanks and incorporating the controls into the existing ambulance instrument panel, the conversion was top notch.
Die Cut Graphics made by Husky Signs http://www.huskysigns.com/ were installed to show off the conversion and promote the Ecologic brand.
Unfortunately gathering waste oil in Virginia Beach proved difficult due to very bad weather with monsoon like showers contaminating most oil supplies and other supplies being spoken for by a regional recycling company. We were able to retrieve a small amount of waste vegetable oil from a Vietnamese restaurant and blend it with diesel. After continuing tweaking and many crossed fingers, we were able to get the system running on the blend.
Near the Virginia and West Virginia border, we tried to pump more oil only to have our pump filters clog due to the high fat content of the oil, Yuk! Traveling through the mountains of West Virginia we put the ambulance and the conversion to the test running the blend with no problems. But due to filtering difficulties with the fat we stuck with bio-diesel or diesel for the next few stops and then hit it big in Kansas. We switched up our filters and got the pump system supplied by The Organic Mechanic http://www.theorganicmechanic.org/ all geared up and pumped 30+ gallons of clear waste fryer oil from a Chinese Buffet.
After getting back on the road we threw the switch to run off of pure vegetable oil. With no noticeable difference in performance, we were wondering if it was working only to be answered by the sweet smell of success in the form of an egg roll aroma coming out of the tail pipe! It was so glorious; we were driving 80mph (speed limit 75) on pure waste vegetable oil. The fuel we were using was not only a waste product being recycled; it was also a domestically manufactured product supporting American Farmers and workers.
Continuing into Boulder we were excited to get back into the mountains and into the design studio to create more environmentally friendly gear. Now we have an environmentally friendlier mode of transportation and method of material recycling.
Our products just got better by being greener. We can now offer products that have a higher green value. Think waste vegetable oil from your favorite restaurant could have been used in the processing of these great products instead of imported petroleum that is sucked from the land and its use is destroying the environment. The vegetable oil fuel used to help process and transport our products is better for the environment and the nation.
This is real Green Gear that really makes a difference. We should not be special regards to our transportation, start by telling the USPS, UPS, and FedEx that you want your products shipped using green fuel or energy. Most of the transportation fleet in the US is diesel, demanding biodiesel use will help the environment and the economy.
We will be actively adding content and stories about alternative fuels and our adventures. Also if you have anything you would like to contribute about alternative fuel, please email info@ecologicdesigns.com for a blogger invite so that you can post your stuff.
Remember Petroleum Freedom smells good, …like French fries, egg rolls, hamburgers, donuts….ummmm.
Much thanks to our Mechanics- Adam Barefoot and Scott Trimble of Scotts Automotive, Techs- Anastasia Milliken, Byron McCann, Peyton McCann, Ken Flowers, Lewis Trimble, Tucker, Graphics - Jamin McKee and Mark Johnson of Husky Signs, Ryan Brinkley, Herman Hall, Jason Kypros, Veg Conversion Kit Engineers- Greg Wicken and Lucas at Veg Power, Vegetable Oil Pump and Filter- Christo at the Organic Mechanic and of course support from the family- Ellie Lewis, Dave Murch, Don and Liz Lewis, Beverly Lewis, Eleanor Owen, Margaret Szerbicki, Leigh Lewis, Melissa Trimble, Kate Trimble, and anybody else who helped along this alternative fuel adventure.
In time the ambulance conversion and our adventures will be documented on its own page with more details and resources about alternative fuels and conversions. To be included on our mailing list please send an email titled "mailing list" to info@ecologicdesigns.com.
To more greasey adventures.
Take care,
Davidson Lewis
1 Comments:
What a cool vehicle. Congratulations on making all your hard work and research come together for such a environmentally friendly ride!! Plus it looks great.
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