Switchover.ca Straight Vegetable Oil Hybrid Conversions (SVO) for Diesel Vehicles and Generators
Providing installation, maintenance and consulting for Straight Vegetable Oil conversions on diesel vehicles and generators.
Guilt free driving is right around the corner, read on...
Soon to be Converted:
Jack Jung, Cheers Restaurant,
North Vancouver
Jack, click here:
The Owner's 2003 VW Jetta TDI Wagon. Vancouver to Calgary on less than a litre of diesel.... that's over
1800kms/fL (fossil litre) or 0.06L/100kms...
...incomparable transportation economy.
Did I mention that my SVO fuel was free?
Double valve, NADA delay purge timer.
Scott Kerr, Switchover Installer,
Switchover shop
Click on a photo to view it. Click here for more photos..
Congratulations! You've almost left the world of fossil fuels behind. Complete these simple steps and join the community of Diesel - SVO Hybrid owners.
Step 1: Obtain a Diesel Vehicle
Step 2: Brows this website and Plantdrive.ca.
Step 3: Contact us for a quote for your specific vehicle and to schedule a Hybridization Conversion appointment. Make a deposit to hold your conversion date.
Step 4: Drop off your vehicle at our SVO Conversion Facility in South Vancouver and pick up your SVO Hybrid 2-3 days later.
Step 5: Obtain used cooking oil from a local restaurant and bring it home to remuve the impurities or ask us about our full service oil delivery service whichg akes the hassel out of fuel sourcing.
Single Tank:
Suitable only for 1980's-mid 90's Mercedes Benz. SVO and diesel are mixed in the same tank. 90% SVO in the summer, 60% SVO in the average Vancouver winter. Cheapest reliable system SVO system available on the market. Very popular in Germany.
Double Tank
The Double Tank is the standard system for SVO users in North America for every diesel car, truck, and generator other than Mercedes Benz. SVO is held in a 45-65L or custom sized tank and a toggle (or computer) operated valve is used to select SVO as a fuel after the vehicle has warmed to its operating temperature (3-5 minutes). Prior to shut down for >2 hours at at time, the toggle is used to "Switchover" back to diesel, thus purging the lines of SVO and replacing them with diesel, which starts better when cold.
This SVO tank can be unheated for reliable driving during summer or mild winter conditions (>-5C). The tank can be heated with a HotFox Tank heater for cooler conditions.
Extras
Computer controller - fully automated SVO fuel managment
Fuel guage mounting. Not included in kit install.
Extra buzzers and indicator lights.
(The Standard kit ships and installs 1 SVO light. A combination of lights can help the operator customize and manage the SVO system)
Kit type Parts Labor
Single Tank: $350 $399
Double Tank (unheated) $849 $899
Double Tank (heated) $1099 $1199
Buy Now
Single Tank: na na
Double Tank (unheated) $949 $1049
Double Tank (heated) $1199 $1299
--both kits include Delay Purge Timer
--custom tanks not provided or installed
Double Tank (unheated) call us
Double Tank (heated) call us
Old F250 (no tank needed) $649 $899
Old F250 (w65L unheated) $869 $899
<03 E350 (unheated tank) $869 $899
<03 E350 (heated tank) $1099 $1199
others....call us
custom tanks not provided or installed
call us for a quote
Dual Tank (unheated) $849 $899
Dual Tank (heated) $1099 $1199
Most diesel cars, trucks, and liquid cooled generators can be converted to burn SVO.
Check www.plantdrive.ca and any of the other conversion sites on the web.
If its been done, chances are we can do it.
We don't provide installations for vehicles with DPF (diesel particualte filters) or vehicles under manufactorer warranties.
Prices shown are web only purchases, include tax, shipping to Switchover.ca, and do not included fuel guage mounting (price varies between $50-$100, TBD at first viweing). Additional costs may be as high as 15% and will be assessed at first viewing. Funds will be refunded by Switchover if costs associated with inspection at first viewing are not accepted (minus a $50 admin fee). Custom built quotes may vary in price.
Virtual Tour of Single Tank and Double Tank SVO conversion kits coming soon
How much does it cost?
$400-1500 in parts and $500-1500 in labor. Check the make / model section.
How long does the conversion take?
2-3 days.
How does it affect my car?
Read the papers in the 'Community' section. Power and performance are unaltered. Emissions are greatly reduced. Longevity depends on oil quality. Good oil may improve engine health with higher lubricity.
How much $$ can I save? The kit can ROI in 6-12 months and reduce diesel consumption by 90%.
Is it truly green?
Used cooking oil is carbon neutral and a waste product. It is much greener than Tar Sands diesel, much greener than Site C electricity, and much greener than biodiesel from food crops or rainforest palm oil. It has no sulphur, less NOx, and is not toxic.
For a additional FAQ resource, go to the:
BC Sustainable Energy Association SVO info page
http://www.bcsea.org/learn/get-the-facts/renewable-energy-technologies/svo
client docs
Parts Questions? See Plantdrive.ca
Parts
Parts Deposit: $200.
Labor
Labor Deposit: $200
Start with conservatively long purge cycles at least 5 minutes or 5km before your parking location. Slowly work the purge cycle down. If the cars resists starting after sitting, increase the purge time.
Don't leave the system in SVO mode when parked or idling. If you don't want to run a whole purge cycle, park, turn off the vehicle, switch to diesel. Upon start up (less than 2 hours later in the summer, 1 hour later in the winter) start the vehicle and immediately toggle to SVO.
Run at high RPM every week on the highway.
Purge with a full tank of diesel every couple months. Add fuel conditioner to diesel fuel during this tank.
Replace diesel fuel filter a few weeks after running SVO.
Monitor fluid levels. Check water at drain of both SVO filter and diesel filter weekly.
Select and filter your SVO properly. No cloudy SVO allowed. Should be clear, strong tea colored. Beer-ale colored at most. No sludge.
Change engine oil at 2/3 time rather than 3/3 (regular interval). Monitor for increasing engine oil levels. If noticed (very rare), have engine oil inspected; vegetable oil may be passing a seal and entering the crankcase.
VM2 Filter Elements: click here:
Collection can be accomplished by establishing a relationship with a local restaurant. Provide them with containers or request the pour it back into its cardboard and plastic cubbie (photo below). Collect weekly or when requested. Plantdrive.ca sells funnels stands which make it easier for the restaurant staff to pour the oil back into the container.
A pump and wand can be used to extract from these containers. PlantDrive also sells this.
There are many options for treatment.
A) Let it settle for 2-3 weeks. Pour off the top 90% into your SVO tank. Called sedimentation.
B) Filter it through a set of reducing micron filters (diagram and photo at right). Final water separating filter advised. Pump, containers, and filters reqiured.
3) Purchase a centrifuge and add it to your system to reduce your treament time and increase your volume. Suitable for community scale treatment. See http://wvodesigns.com/.
Contact Ross Muirhead,
plantoil3_gmail.com
604-740-5654
For polished used cooking oil SVO fuel
30% less than diesel pump price, locked price for 1 years contract.
Oil delivered to home address in container with pump.
http://plantdrive.ca/html/learn_more.html
Conversion parts can be ordered directly through Plantdrive.ca or through Switchover.ca.
Contact us for more details.
Filters & filter housing, like those shown in blue to the left can be orderd here
Filter (2 pack): $20 note 2 desired micron sizes: 50, 30, 30, 10, 5, 2
Housing (2 pack): $30
Fitting (4 pack): $ 20 thread to barb 3/4" hose.
Switchover in the news:
http://www.kwantlen.bc.ca/hort.html
Nelson Daily News: Paul & Clair Kelly's Dodge 2500
Download File
An experimental investigation of the performance and gaseous exhaust emissions of a diesel engine using blends of a vegetable oil
svo test 2009
Performance, smoke characteristics and economics of pre-heated used vegetable oil utilization in Philippine public utility jeepneys
Hot News: US military warns oil output may dip causing massive shortages by 2015
Hey Jack,
Great speaking with you today.
Here's what we're looking at.
Converting your 1980 Mercedes 300D to a heated double tank SVO Hybrid with single tank capabilities. This means you'll be able to run 50/50 SVO/Diesel in your stock diesel tank and 100% SVO in your heated SVO tank.
Parts: (tax & shipping included)
Two Tank conversion Kit: $1099
Includes VM2 heated filter, Veg Therm 12V heater, valves, toggle, relay,
indicator lights, HotFox Tank heater, 45L tank (14 x 18 x 12high)
Coolant Circulation Pump (110V) $230
Plugs into household power with pump and timer to pre-heat coolant before
leaving for work and allows early switchover from 50/50 to 100% SVO
Coolant Heater (110V) $50
Labor: (no tax)
Two Tank install $1199
Coolant Circ pump & heater $99
Buy Parts Now
Download, read, print, sign, and
bring to conversion drop off.
Scott Everett, 91 Delica
"I've now been using my Switchover installed SVO kit for about six months. In that time, I've driven around 4000 km on vegetable oil. At this pace it will take about 1 year to recover the cost of the conversion. My truck runs great, and I've been liberated from a hopeless dependence (scroll-> on the oil and gas industry. Switchover explained all the details of the kit and performed the install quickly and professionally. Furthermore, they've made themselves available post-install to answer any questions I have. A top-notch operation run by folks that really care about making a difference"
Scott Everett
1990 Mitsubishi Delica
Squamish, BC & Canmore, AB
Photo: Scotty & Van Participating in a Kwantlen College Hands-on Lab & Demonstration
Ross Muirhead, 83 Mercedes
"After doing research on the differences between running my '83 MB turbo diesel on bio-diesel or on straight vegetable oil, I decided on the later for several technical and environmental reasons. By going to SVO I could better control the fuel I was putting into the car in that it had no fossil (scroll-> fuel component and I could be my own fuel supplier. I contacted PlantDrive in Salmon Arm and the technical advise I got was very helpful and encouraging as I could use the single tank system, add a new 5 micron heated filter and an extra heating line and I was done. Switchover, the installer in Vancouver received the parts and completed the conversion in less than an day. I now have been running on SVO (with some diesel in the colder periods) with no problems to report. Switchover tighten up the new connections after 2 weeks as they did need it with expansion and contraction taking place. Its great to know we have a made in B.C. supplier of SVO conversion kits and knowledgable technical guys to complete the install and service.
Ross Muirhead
Roberts Creek, BC
Peter Kok, 1990ish HiAce
I couldn't believe how smooth my truck runs, I think there may even be a slight (very slight) increase in power. Thanks for spending the time to get it done, I really appreciate it.
John Crowley, off-grid, Valemont, BC
This 15kW Cat/Terex Diesel generator has been converted to make off-grid power far more cleanly than before on a combination of diesel fuel, locally produced small-batch biodiesel, and SVO. It is an integral part of a farm power system in rural BC that includes PV panels and a battery bank. The SVO system involves a 2nd fuel tank and pump, filter/heater, and vegtherm inline DC heater. There is a plan to connect an electric water heater as a SVO tank for future full winter usage powered directly off the main gen. panel.
Scott Kerr, 97 Jetta Turbo
I love driving my car on veggie oil. When I switched over, driving went from a mundane necessity to a great conversation starter. The guys from Switchover are totally professional and friendly. Their installations are the best I've seen, bar none. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Paul & Clair Kelly _ Cedar Creek Cafe (link here)
“We used to give away our restaurant’s used fryer oil to biodiesel makers, and buy finished biodiesel back at a $1/Litre. Geoff at switchover.ca put together a great system for our ’04 Ram 2500 (Common Rail 5.9L Cummins H.O.), and we’ve been running WVO for 5000km now with great success. With biodiesel in our main tank to start and stop the engine, and WVO in the supplemental tank, we are running fossil-fuel free for most of the year."
Martine & Joyee, 2003 E350 Handy Dart
"When we converted our bus to a motorhome, we knew we wanted to run on veggie oil . Geoff designed us a very functional system for collecting, filtering and burning veg on the go. We would recommend Switchover to anybody wanting to convert a diesel engine to veggie oil."
Geoff at Switchover.ca recently completed a conversion on my 1986 Ford F250 XLT. I have been amazed first of all, how user friendly the system is. I have noticed no lack of power while driving and the exhaust smells like burnt veggie oil instead of toxic diesel smoke. Geoff was very attentive to detail and with good customer communication ensured that the process went smoothly.
Paul Cordy, 1990 Mitsubishi Delica
Switchover has done a fantastic job converting my Delica. Without any change in performance my vehicle runs almost for free. Weekly visits to my local white spot provide all my driving energy needs and enough to save up for some road trips! I especially like they way they integrated the spare tank fuel guage in my centre console and installed pump and filter so that I never have to pour oil into my tank... no spills, just like filling up at the station. Best of all, since I drive about 7-8 hours per week and no longer pay for diesel I have calculated that the system will pay for itself in a year and a half! And i am carbon neutral too! Diverting waste streams into productive reuse is one of the keys to sustainability, and Switchover is leading the charge! Now I can't wait till diesel prices skyrocket... let them fly!
Paul Cordy
PhD Candidate
UBC Mining Engineering
Geoff Hill has been dedicated to grassroots biofuels and renewables development in North America for about a decade.
He is now an active dealer/installer for PlantDrive, in addition to his other renewable-energy related academic and business endeavours.
I have always enjoyed working with Geoff, and look forward to working with him on projects in the future!
Yee Tong, 1991 Toyota Hilux Pickup
The SVO conversion on the '91 Helux has been running reliably, and the power performance is equal to that on diesel from the pump.
I know less than the average dude about cars, but I am someone that needs to know in detail how something 'new' works before I am willing to step out of the box.
I am a cook and a gardener, so it was an important factor that the hardware is simple and surprisingly minimal enough that I even I can understand how it works.
The SVO conversion also means that I have double the fuel capacity for those long trips out in the boonies.
I am still amazed when I think about how straight forward the switchover was.
Yee.
PlantDrive Conversions
Germany
One German Company
Great Britan here
Golden Fuel System (East Coast)
Richard's F250
“Switching to veggie oil is as good an investment as putting a basement suite in your house” Richard Lemaire, Builder/General Contractor
email: switchover.ca_gmail.com
ph: 604.505.3656
Location:
Kent St. between Heather & Laurel
Vancouver, BC
604-505-3656
switchover.ca_gmail.com
Call or email Geoff Hill, Owner, to learn more and schedule your conversion today.
Top Testimonial: “Switching to veggie oil is as good an investment as putting a basement suite in your house” Richard Lemaire, Builder/General Contractor
Copyright Geoff Hill 2009
PlantDrive.ca
Endorsed Installer
