This thread is show where the design is and allow users to add their input as to where it should be going.

Where it is now:
The boys at simple centrifuge have developed a good product and are producing it. I believe their prices are out of line and that leaves the door open for competition.

Using the simple centrifuge design as a starting point we have two directions:

1) Bigger
2) Cheeper

What do you want? We could scale the product up 50%-100% or we could cut the cost by 25%-50%.
Of course we could also do a bit of both if that is the sweet spot. My initial feeling is to do cost first then a seccond project to address larger scale.

Comments?

My 2 cents worth: Bigger is not really a concern since I would use a cf for my personal WVO processing. Whether its 10 gallons/hour or 5 gallons/hour or 1 gallon/hour makes little difference as long as it can run unattended and reliably. So I would vote for cost reduction. I would love to be one of your testers. Let me know. Thanks.

I'm in the same boat as misjeff. I just want it for personal use, and on a tight budget, cost is the bigger issue. I can run all night if I have to, or make the circuit run with check switches so it turns itself off when it's done. The centrifuge is definitely the biggest cost. I'm looking for alternative options for making my own because of that very reason. I'd love to be part of the testing. I'm a research and development engineer, so I love doing that kind of thing. Again, finances are tight though. Your site is awesome, and it has helped me a ton. Thanks so much.

I agree. The first phase is underway, I have completed my first pass design and have sent it out for quotes. Cost appear to be on track to give those on the front end a complete machine for under $1000. I will be sending out a newsletter to all registered users to let them know of this opportunity.




That said, I believe that the second phase should be a smaller and even lower cost personal/mobile unit. I would like to get that price down to about $500. Interestingly, it appears that the downside of this machine will be its "gunk" collection capacity rather than its ability to produce "Gs" though overall flow rate will be less because of the total time the oil spends in the machine.

Finally, if you are vise-grip and duct tape type check out the fastcote's "Big Pot" enclosure. One of the users found a source for 1/3HP 3650rpm for $15 and I can sell you the machined rotor for $400.

Leon

Leon,

Thanks for the big-pot reference. I am always thrilled when I can "MacGyver" something myself for less than half the cost of having it done. I am running it as we speak (and monitoring it from across the house via Ethernet camera). There is something really satisfying about the sound that thing makes when is spinning away.

I can not thank you enough for your innovative engineering ideas and open source designs. For anybody on the fence with this thing, trust that Leon will come up with an optimum design that is efficient and cost-affective. I am still thrilled I went with his immersion heat stack instead of hot water tank or drum heaters.

Hello All!
I am new to this forum and thank all of you for your great ideas and concepts.
I am interested in assisting with the combined efforts being generated on the WVO Centrifuge.
Please let me know how I can assist, and count me in.

regards, Vern