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Unrelated to the above, but I visited a local establishment recently to buy a bag of hardwood logs for our multi fuel stove. Its a large, rambling site that features a mix of buildings, including several shipping containers, literally dozens of vehicles, many of which look as if they haven't moved for years, a whole host of sheds and a public weighbridge, and it sells all manner of stuff.
The gentleman I spoke to was very obliging and helpful, and when he'd sorted out my log order he asked if I wanted any red diesel. Now I think I've read that red diesel is for agricultural and construction vehicles, but that we're not supposed to use it in our cars (mine's petrol anyhow). I really have no idea why he asked me. Maybe I look like a farmer or a navvy. Worrying, really.
Sorry to digress.
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'A local establishment'.
The residents don't talk like Brad Pitt in the film 'Snatch', by any chance ?
Yes, use of red diesel in 'normal' road vehicles is an offence. If caught (and it's not common, they usually 'hit' builders merchants, farm auctioneers, etc. and sample tanks from a load of vehicles in one day) then the duy evaded is viewed as every bit of fuel required to run the vehicle since you owned it, unless you can provide invoices for road fuel for the vehicle.
I know of one person who had a Defender, and he'd run it almost exclusively on red for 5 years / 70k miles when he got caught. This was a few years ago.
He was heavily fined, and the vehicle was seized and forfeited.
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Now I think I've read that red diesel is for agricultural and construction vehicles, but that we're not supposed to use it in our cars (mine's petrol anyhow). I
Correct - if the police suspect an ordinary road vehicle is using red diesel (the red dye leaves a tell-tale mark on the exhaust tip), they can stop the driver and demand proof that the appropriate extra tax has been paid. I believe they can impound the vehicle too.
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Maybe he thought you were generating your own electricity at home via a Diesel genny.
Lots of people sensibly distrust our leaders and those who own them, and i expect lots of people in rural areas are making preparations for shall we say alternative futures.
As for red in cars, in some 4 million miles travelled in Diesel vehicles (mainly lorries) i've had my fuel tank dipped and checked once, around 1977 between Rayleigh and Basildon, so the chances of getting caught running red in a normal looking car i would suggest are quite slim.
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Maybe he thought you were generating your own electricity at home via a Diesel genny.
Lots of people sensibly distrust our leaders and those who own them, and i expect lots of people in rural areas are making preparations for shall we say alternative futures.
Most people in rural areas behave exactly the same as people living in towns. But with more greenery around them. And more guns (or at least, a far higher proportion of legally held guns).
I know of one person who is 'decidedly different' in their outlook. And even here, in (very) rural north Wales, they're viewed as quite odd and eccentric.
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The gentleman I spoke to was very obliging and helpful, and when he'd sorted out my log order he asked if I wanted any red diesel.
I believe some people use diesel to start log fires so maybe that is why he asked?
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The gentleman I spoke to was very obliging and helpful, and when he'd sorted out my log order he asked if I wanted any red diesel.
I believe some people use diesel to start log fires so maybe that is why he asked?
I can't imagine that anyone in their right minds would start a log fire with red diesel to aid. The house would stink of it, the risk of chimney fires, etc, etc.
Bonfires, yes. We keep a gallon or so of red diesel for that purpose, and it's great for getting a bonfire going (get it off a local farmer).
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Costco sell two grades of petrol, which they call Unleaded and Premium Unleaded, but only "Premium" diesel. From what I've read RON is a good indicator of "grade" of petrol, cetane number less so for diesel.
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It never occured to me that he might think I intended to light my fire with red diesel. A horrifying thought. I assumed he was after maximising the value of my visit to his premises rather than trying to get me to blow my house into permanent orbit.
Naturally we use firelighters, but being responsible householders we make sure the chimney boy has cleaned and safely exited the flue before doing so.
They don't talk like Brad Pitt at this "establishment", Rob, but more like Alexander in the Meerkat adverts. Interested in the idea of using red diesel to light bonfires. We do have a hazel hedge that dumps tens of thousands of leaves into our garden every autumn, so rather than making dozens of trips to the tip I might just burn them this year.
Edited by argybargy on 26/09/2017 at 10:49
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It never occured to me that he might think I intended to light my fire with red diesel. A horrifying thought. I assumed he was after maximising the value of my visit to his premises rather than trying to get me to blow my house into permanent orbit.
I don't know what you would have to add to your logs and diesel to get your house into orbit, AB, it doesn't burn that easily. But if you used paraffin or petrol, perhaps?
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It never occured to me that he might think I intended to light my fire with red diesel. A horrifying thought. I assumed he was after maximising the value of my visit to his premises rather than trying to get me to blow my house into permanent orbit.
I don't know what you would have to add to your logs and diesel to get your house into orbit, AB, it doesn't burn that easily. But if you used paraffin or petrol, perhaps?
Just pulling the proverbial leg, Andrew. For the logs I use firelighters, mostly.
However, I might give the red diesel a shot if I decide to burn my leaves this year rather than take them to the tip.
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Oops....duplicate reply.
Edited by argybargy on 27/09/2017 at 17:26
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