Frequently Asked Questions
top of page ↑
What is ethanol?
Ethanol is ethyl alcohol, essentially 200-proof grain alcohol used
as a motor fuel. An ethanol refining plant produces pure fuel-grade
ethanol, and then that ethanol is blended with a percentage of gasoline
to create a finished motor fuel. By law, a small amount of gasoline
is blended into the ethanol at the plant to denature it (making
the ethanol unfit for human consumption).
top of page ↑
How much do the units cost?
We offer 4-Cylinder systems for $289 (U.S.), 6-Cylinder systems
for $359, and 8-Cylinder systems for $379.
top of page ↑
How does the system function?
White Lightning conversion systems contain an intelligent electronic
manager run by microprocessors and a software that control the vehicle’s
stoichiometry (air/fuel mixture), in association with the lambda
probe. Our system bypasses the fuel injector connection, and connects
directly into the original fuel injector harness and to the fuel
injectors. When operating on E85, or any combination of ethanol
and gasoline, your engine needs an adjusted amount of fuel to be
injected into the engine to keep the air/fuel mixture in the optimum
zone. This is done by the system’s computer chip which gives
a linear increase of on-time to the fuel injectors (timeframe that
the fuel injectors are open). Once installed, the system continuously
monitors your vehicle’s engine emissions and adjusts supplemental
fuel injection through the O2 Sensors, which allows your vehicle
to operate at optimal performance running on gas, ethanol, or any
combination.
top of page ↑
Can White Lightning’s conversion system be installed in
any vehicle?
White Lightning can be installed in any vehicle with a multi-port
and sequential fuel injection system.
top of page ↑
Is ethanol good for my car?
Yes! E85 performs in much the same way that regular gasoline does,
and actually surpasses regular gasoline in key performance categories.
Your vehicle will run cleaner, cooler, and stronger on E85, and
will increase the engine life on your car.
top of page ↑
How does ethanol-blended fuel benefit the environment?
Ethanol is a much cleaner burning fuel than gasoline, offering
a significant reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon tailpipe
emissions. Research shows that every city and state that has switched
to ethanol-blended fuel has experienced improved air quality. According
to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2005 alone ethanol-blended
fuels reduce CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by 7.8 million
tons; this has the effect of removing the annual GHG emissions of
more than 1 million automobiles from the road. Additionally, ethanol-enriched
fuels reduce tailpipe emissions of volatile organic compounds, which
readily form ozone in the atmosphere. Thus, the use of ethanol plays
an important role in smog reduction.
top of page ↑
How is ethanol driving up prices at the grocery store?
The role of corn and ethanol in grocery prices has been grossly
exaggerated by critics who have much to gain in keeping ethanol's
potential limited. Research shows that energy prices have at least
twice the impact as corn prices in the grocery aisle.
Corn prices, made higher lately in part due to ethanol demand, do
have some impact on foods in which corn is an ingredient - namely
meat, dairy, and poultry. However, energy prices (spiking with oil
reaching all time highs), have a much more dramatic impact on food
prices because all foods are dependent upon this expensive energy
for processing, packaging, and transportation.
top of page ↑
What does "net energy balance" mean? What is ethanol's
energy balance?
Net energy balance is a term used to describe how much energy is
needed to produce a product versus how much energy that product
provides. Two professors that are long-time critics of ethanol claim
that ethanol has a negative energy balance, but this is simply not
true and has been debunked again and again by science. Scientific
study after study has proven ethanol's energy balance to be positive.
The latest USDA figures show that ethanol made from the drymill
process provides at least 77% more energy as a fuel than the process
it takes to make it. The bottom line is that it takes about 35,000
BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy to create a gallon of ethanol,
and that gallon of ethanol contains at least 77,000 BTUs of energy.
The National Resources Defense Council calls corn ethanol "energy
well spent." The net energy balance of ethanol is simply a
non-issue.
top of page ↑
Is ethanol using up corn that should be used for human food?
In the so-called "food vs. fuel" debate, one major misconception
is that the majority of the corn grown in the U.S. goes directly
for human consumption. This is not the case. Actually, only about
9 percent of U.S. corn is used for human consumption in products
like cereals, sweeteners, etc. The main uses for U.S. corn are for
livestock feed or for export, with the industrial uses category
(including ethanol) making up a smaller percentage. As ethanol refining
switches from corn-based processes to cellulosic, this debate will
no longer be relevant.
top of page ↑
How do I install the system?
The installation is simple and is made using connectors, without
cutting wires and without interfering in the vehicle originality.
Installation can be done by consumers with a basic automotive understanding
of fuel injectors. However, we recommend that a professional mechanic
install the product. White Lightning offers live phone support to
our customers and/or their mechanic. Most installations can be done
in under 45 minutes. For a quick visual overview on the installation
process, please click here.
top of page ↑
What is the warranty period?
White Lightning’s warranty period is 5 year, in accordance
with the clauses, terms, exclusions and restrictions set forth in
the warranty certificate. Click here, to review the warranty terms.
top of page ↑
Will ethanol hurt my car’s fuel system?
No. Ethanol-enriched gasoline can actually help absorb moisture
in a fuel system and help prevent frozen fuel lines in the winter.
With an ethanol-enriched gasoline, there’s no need to add
a de-icer in the winter. Ethanol is also a solvent, and will keep
injectors and other components clean.
top of page ↑
Does gasoline enriched with ethanol burn hotter?
No. Ethanol increases the octane rating of regular gasoline, which
means it burns more smoothly and slightly cooler. A gallon of 10
percent ethanol-enriched gasoline contains about 112,000 BTU of
heat energy, compared to 114,000 BTU for straight gasoline.
top of page ↑
If I have a gas vehicle and convert it to run on E85, can I damage
my engine?
No. There are currently over 50,000 vehicles on the road using
E85 conversion systems to burn alcohol fuels. There have been no
reports of engine damage due to the conversion system or running
on ethanol. In fact, burning alcohol instead of gasoline has been
shown to decrease engine oil contamination and extend engine life.
Alcohol burns cooler than gasoline providing additional benefits
in terms of engine life and performance.
top of page ↑
Is ethanol corrosive?
While ethanol is corrosive, it is not corrosive to the components
on your car. This is evidenced by the fact that factory built Flex
Fuel Vehicles and non-FFV’s have all the same engine parts.
top of page ↑
Does the conversion system change the vehicle originality?
No. The installation does not alter the originality of a vehicle.
The system plugs into the vehicle’s existing wiring harness
without cutting or splicing. It can be easily removed leaving your
car completely unaltered.
top of page ↑
What if I sell my car?The system can be easily removed leaving
the car unaltered.
The unit may be reused on any compatible vehicle with the same
number of cylinders and fuel injectors.
top of page ↑
Will I lose power from using E85 in my car?
No. Because E85 has a higher octane (typically around 105) rating
than most automotive grade gasoline (between 87 – 93) your
vehicle will deliver more horsepower and a resulting power increase.
This is evidenced by the Indy Racing Series, which runs exclusively
on ethanol. If you currently use regular or mid-grade gasoline you
should notice a significant boost in horsepower.
top of page ↑
Is it hard to start your vehicle on E85 in cold weather?
No. White Lightning provides easy starting even in cold weather.
In extremely cold conditions, it can require 2 key turns to turn
on the ignition. If you do experience some cold start issues, the
conversion system can be adjusted to a higher (richer) setting.
top of page ↑
How much will my MPG be affected?
Our customers and research have reported MPG reduction ranging
from 5% to 20% lower for E85. However, there are many variables
that affect fuel economy (weather, car condition, road grade, tire
pressure, air conditioner use, etc.) and results will vary. One
of the key advantages of White Lightning’s digital system,
is that it gets significantly better MPG than its analog competitors.
In most cases, decreased mileage is completely offset by lower E85
prices.
top of page ↑
Is E85 more cost effective than gas?
In most cases, E85 is more cost effective than gasoline, but this
depends on where you live. Typically, the cost savings of E85 offset
any loss in MPG and result in net savings. To fully analyze the
costs of E85 vs. gas, one must take into consideration the quality
of E85 as a fuel (which has an octane rating 105) compared with
super-unleaded gasoline’s octane rating of 93, and the longer
engine life for the vehicle resulting from E85 usage.
top of page ↑
What is the resulting difference of digital technology vs. analog?
The primary advantage of White Lightning’s digital system,
is that it gets significantly better MPG than its analog competitors.
top of page ↑
What is cellulosic ethanol?
Cellulosic ethanol is the future of the ethanol industry. It is
merely ethanol produced through a differing refinery process. Cellulosic
refining has the ability to reduce green house gases by up to 91%,
significantly reduce the ethanol energy output/input ratio, and
is capable of being produced on a commercial level throughout the
world. Cellulosic ethanol can be refined using such products as
wheat and barley straw, sugarcane or rice bagasse, sawdust, paper
pulp, small diameter trees, dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass
and other perennial grasses, and even municipal waste or household
garbage.
top of page ↑
What is switchgrass? Why is it a good potential source for ethanol?
Switchgrass, a perennial prairie grass, is one source likely to
be tapped for ethanol production because of its potential for high
fuel yields, hardiness, and ability to be grown in diverse areas.
Switchgrass' long root system - actually a fifty-fifty split above
ground and below - helps keep carbon in the ground, improving soil
quality. It is drought-tolerant, grows well even on marginal land,
and doesn't require heavy fertilizing.
top of page ↑
How close is cellulosic ethanol to being commercialized?
The technology to create cellulosic ethanol is available today
and is in the early stages of commercialization. Pilot-scale cellulosic
ethanol production is in place, and many companies are progressing
toward commercial-scale production levels. Estimates project that
the full-scale commercial production of cellulosic ethanol can be
in place as early as 2009.
top of page ↑
Is ethanol expensive to produce?
No. Ethanol costs about $1 a gallon to produce at typical facilities.
In 2004, ethanol was selling for $1.40 a gallon wholesale. However,
prices spiked higher recently because oil companies mismanaged the
switch to ethanol as a replacement for the additive MBTE. Once demand
and supply reach equilibrium, it is projected that E85 can profitably
wholesale for $1.40 a gallon without subsidies.
top of page ↑
What kinds of ethanol-blended fuels are available?
Ethanol can be blended into varying percentages in gasoline, the
two most common blends are E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline) and E10
(10% ethanol/90% gasoline).
top of page ↑
Can ethanol blends be used in small engines, such as boats, lawnmowers,
or chainsaws?
Yes - manufacturers of small engines realize that up to a 10% blend
of ethanol is very common in gasoline, so they make their engines
compatible with this fuel. Furthermore, conversion kits can be installed
on boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. that will enable the vehicle
to run on E85.
top of page ↑
Can my vehicle run on E85 even if it's not an FFV?
If your vehicle is not an FFV or a converted FFV, use of any percentage
of ethanol higher than 10% is not recommended. The American Coalition
for Ethanol believes it may be possible to use blends beyond 10%
ethanol in standard automobiles and is currently conducting research
on this topic.
top of page ↑
How much ethanol-blended fuel is sold in the United States?
In 2006, the U.S. produced and consumed about 5 billion gallons
of ethanol, most in the form of the E10 blend.
top of page ↑
How much oil can ethanol displace?
Research has determined that 1 barrel of ethanol (1 barrel = 42
gallons) can displace 1.2 barrels of petroleum at the refinery.
top of page ↑
How does ethanol effect gas prices?
Ethanol actually reduces the cost of gasoline by extending supplies
and providing an alternative to costly imported oil. The American
Petroleum Institute has estimated that the presence of ethanol causes
gasoline prices to be .27 percent lower than would occur without
it.
top of page ↑
Where can I buy E85 in my area?
A link to a complete list of gas stations offering E85 can be found
at http://www.E85refueling.com/. Today there are more than 1,300
gas stations across the nation offering E85 and that number is increasing
quickly.
top of page ↑
Is there any funding available to add E85 to my gas station or
convenience store?
Yes, sometimes there is. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
is a non-profit association that promotes the development of E85
vehicles and infrastructure. contact them by phone at (877) 485-8595.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 contains a new federal tax credit
to assist with the installation of equipment and infrastructure
to dispense E85 at retail outlets. This new incentive provides a
30 percent federal income tax credit, up to a maximum of $30,000,
to assist with the establishment of alternative fuel infrastructure,
including equipment necessary to dispense E85. This tax credit became
effective in 2006 and is scheduled to expire December 31, 2008.
Contact the Internal Revenue Service for more information about
this tax credit.
top of page ↑
Can I support ethanol in other ways?
Definitely. If your local gas station does not carry ethanol-blended
fuel, talk to the manager and encourage them to do so. Visit ACE's
Legislative Action Center to see what ethanol-related bills are
being debated by Congress and use the "Legislative Action Center"
under the Take Action menu heading to send a letter to your Senators
and Representative to express your views. If you are not already,
become an ACE member to show your grassroots ethanol support and
to receive the latest ethanol-related information through Ethanol
Today magazine and other ACE resources.
top of page ↑ |
