Car Runs On Acetylene

Car Runs On Acetylene FARM HOME Cars 4-6-15 Lee Barber, a Massachusetts welder for 30 years, has converted an old car to run on carbide gas from a generator he placed in the trunk. Special precautions were taken to keep water from splashing into the carbide which could cause uncontrolled production of excess gas. An antibackfire valve was also added to prevent accidental (and disastrous) flashbacks from reaching the gas generator. A modified propane carburetor was installed, in addition to the original carburetor, to provide dual-fuel capability for initial testing and operation. Many oldtimers will recall the carbide gas generators used years ago to provide lights in homes, schools, businesses and other places. Carbide gas, made by adding water to a mixture of calcium carbide (a product of limestone and coal) still provides light in some remote locations, such as mines, where electric power is unavailable. Carbide gas is commonly referred to as acetylene gas. Barber says he started out looking for a practical substitute fuel that was not a petroleum based product, as in propane. Acetylene appeared to be ideal because, as he points out, the raw materials - limestone and coal - are abundantly available in this country. In his area, the going commercial price in 100 lb. quantities is right at 20 cents/lb. After studying tests and reports on other acetylene gas applications, Barber first sought a fuel-air mixture of mostly acetylene. However, he's now on his fifth-generation fueling system and is using a ratio of about 6% acetylene gas to 94% air. Barber doesn't have precise figures yet but is satisfied that fuel cost per mile with acetylene is much lower than it would be for gasoline. Barber says he has a great deal more work to do on acetylene power to make it practical. This is a spare time project which he works on when time and money are available. Nonetheless, he has done enough testing and driving to know that the concept will work: "There is no apparent difference in engine acceleration and power when burning acetylene compared to using gasoline." Emission tests conducted on his experimental car at the Springfield Vocational Center, Springfield, Vt., showed 0.6% hydrocarbons and 0.1% carbon monoxide when the engine was idling at 600 rpm. Barber would like to obtain financial backing for additional testing and development of the system, which he calls Ace Car-Go, and get it ready for production. However, he presently has no plans to make and sell conversion kits for current autos. At the moment, there.is a legal controversy clouding future activity on his idea. Rexarc, 'Inc., makers of acetylene generators and related equipment, is attempting to block Barber's work on the grounds that his plans for acetylene powered automobiles are unsafe. Barber, however, remains undaunted and says he plans to continue his own experimenting. He cautions interested persons that acetylene gas is very flammable and that anyone working with it must know what they are doing and handle the material properly. He notes that acetylene gas generated in the system he's using in his car has much lower pressure than does the gas stored in tanks and used in welding. Barber is willing to answer questions and share test data he has accumulated so far for his acetylene car. However, he asks that anyone wanting information please send a large business-sized, stamped, selfaddressed envelope and $2 to help offset the cost of printing, and his time spent answering. questions. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Lee Barber, Ace Car+Go, Boyle Rd., Gill, Mass. 01376 (ph 413 863-9086).

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