Leaving it on propane is the best option. However, due to motor fuel taxes, I would not fill it from the farm tank.
We went to a truck scrap yard and purchased a second propane tank.
We changed tanks and called our LP supplier when the first tank ran dry. They would send a delivery truck to us the next day or two and fill both tanks first thing in the morning. However, we have a fantastic working relationship with our provider.
To convert it to gasoline, you’ll need a new fuel pump, carburetor, and ignition system.
And, as previously stated, if it has the mechanism that Schwan utilizes, it may take a little longer.
What is the best way to convert my propane tank to natural gas?
You can either call the propane provider to empty an in-ground propane tank, or you can simply use up the propane in the tank, then switch to natural gas and leave the tank in place. You may have to pay someone to dig up and remove the empty propane tank, depending on local rules.
What is the cost of converting a truck to natural gas?
It turns out that there aren’t many technological hurdles to overcome. Converting existing vehicles to run on natural gas is actually rather simple. Unfortunately, if you tried it yourself, you’d almost certainly break the Clean Air Act’s prohibitions against changing gasoline systems, a violation that could cost you up to $5000 in fines for each day you drive the altered vehicle. So, if you want to go green with your wheels right now, you’ll need to hire a licensed compressed-natural-gas (CNG) installer. I went to NatGasCar in Cleveland to learn more about aftermarket CNG systems. It’s a start-up company that installs a natural gas fuel system alongside gasoline cars. They showed me their newest innovation, a dual-fuel Dodge Caravan that would be used as an airport taxi. It runs on gasoline at first, then changes to natural gas as the engine warms up.
The compressed-natural-gas fuel tank located behind the rear seats in the cargo area is NatGasCar’s most important and expensive component. The company employs a Type 4 tank, which is the most modern type available. It has a plastic composite core coated in carbon fiber that helps it to be lighter, and it’s rated for severe impact and puncture resistance.
The fuel regulator sits between the tank and the engine, reducing the 3600 psi fuel tank pressure to an useable 125 psi fed to the engine. The fuel regulator is heated to keep it from freezing due to gas expansion. The lower-pressure gas is delivered to the engine, a Chrysler Pentastar V-6 that can run on a variety of fuels. It’s crucial to have a flex-fuel engine since it has toughened valves and valve seats, which are required for CNG operation. A parallel fuel rail carries the natural gas, and a second set of injectors is plugged into a smart adaptor that allows both gasoline and CNG injectors to be used on the same injection port. For the Pentastar engine, natural gas has an optimal air-fuel ratio of roughly 16.8:1, whilst gasoline has a happy ratio of 14.6:1. As a result, the new injectors’ programming must be slightly modified. The wire harness in the NatGasCar intercepts signals from the engine-control module and turns on either the gasoline or CNG injectors, depending on which fuel is selected. The signals for the gasoline injectors are changed so that the natural gas injectors get the right amount of fuel. This method, only minor fine tuning is required, and the car’s engine-control unit takes care of the majority of the work.
Fueling Woes
So, with a new gasoline tank and a little fiddling with the fuel injectors, I should be good to go, right? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Natural gas is distributed to millions of residences around the country. However, what appears to be the ideal distribution network is actually the natural gas cars’ biggest headache. Natural gas is given at roughly 0.5 psi at home, but it must be pressurized to 3600 psi in cars. You’ll need a compressor if you wish to use CNG in your car. Because compressed gas storage in residences is prohibited by a National Fire Protection Association safety requirement, a stand-alone multistage compressor pump in the garage must be hooked up to the vehicle’s fuel tank and immediately fill it. This results in up to 22-hour fuelling times (even longer than equivalent home charging times for electric vehicles). Honda’s Civic Natural Gas comes with a Phill ($4500) home compressor system, which is the only one of its kind on the market. NatGasCar is working on a compressor system that can fill up a car in eight hours; the current goal price is $3500. Some states have subsidized the construction of high-speed filling equipment at petrol stations, which can take as little as 4 to 5 minutes to fill, similar to gasoline. However, because these systems are expensive to establish, just 941 high-pressure CNG filling stations are distributed across the country, largely in New York, California, Utah, and Texas.
Economics
It’s true that fueling CNG vehicles is inconvenient, but is it worth it? Natural gas costs between 79 cents and $1.50 per gasoline gallon equivalent (gge) across the country. Because natural gas has a higher octane rating, CNG vehicles have the same or better relative fuel economy per Btu as petroleum-based vehicles. Our test drives revealed no degradation in performance and a range of roughly 250 miles. However, there are some astronomical early setup fees. The cost of a fully installed conversion ranges from $6500 for a simple system to $12,000 for a top-of-the-line installation with a high-capacity, composite fuel tank. Add $3500 to the total if you want a home fuelling compressor. Even at the low end, the conversion will cost you enough money to buy over 1800 gallons of gasoline at today’s pricing.
The destiny of CNG vehicles will eventually be determined by these pricing. High gasoline prices have historically sparked a rush of investment in less expensive, cleaner fuels, followed by a drop in demand when costs decline. For the time being, CNG has a high entry cost, making it only practical for taxi services and other fleet operators, but economies of scale may reduce costs for the average car buyer in the future. And if the price of gasoline remains above $3 per gallon, the change may occur sooner rather than later.
Is it possible to convert my truck to run on natural gas?
A vehicle or engine that has been converted to run on a different fuel or power source is known as an aftermarket conversion. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can modify conventional vehicles and engines to run on propane, natural gas, or electricity.
Models, fuels, and technologies vary, and many OEMs provide alternative fuel and advanced technology automobiles. When gasoline engines are adapted to run on alternate fuels, these vehicles are classified as conversions. In the same way, vehicles that are currently in use can be transformed. Models, fuels, and technology are all different.
What Fleets Need to Know About Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversions, Retrofits, and Repowers was published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Important considerations, “pro tips,” and best practices for converting automobiles to run on alternative fuels like natural gas and propane are discussed in the research.
The EPA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and state agencies such as the California Air Resources Board have established emissions and safety criteria for all vehicle and engine modifications.
Is natural gas more cost-effective than propane?
While choosing a fuel for your home, consider its safety, cost, efficiency, and environmental impact when making your decision. For each of the aforementioned concerns, you’ll find everything you need to know about the benefits and drawbacks of natural gas and propane.
Safety
Both fuels are extremely combustible and should be handled with extreme caution. However, because of the infrastructure (and bureaucratic red tape) associated with natural gas pipes, leaks can be difficult to detect and repair. This is because, before taking action, utility firms and the public utility commission must agree on how to fund repairs or upgrades.
In San Bruno, Calif., for example, a natural gas pipe controlled by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) exploded in 2010, killing eight people. The gas pipe was found to be damaged after an inquiry, and PG&E had previously been ignorant of the damage.
Although propane tanks have the potential to explode, this is a much less common scenario. Because propane tanks aren’t connected to a large network of gas lines, the impact is minimal.
Furthermore, while some natural gas suppliers add a sulfur fragrance to make it easier to notice a leak, natural gas leaks can be difficult to detect because the fuel is odorless in its natural state.
Propane is considered a safer heating fuel due to the severity of a mishap, however rare it may be.
Environment
Despite the fact that natural gas is a greenhouse gas, it produces half as much emissions as coal. Even yet, it has a higher toxicity than propane, which is neither hazardous nor harmful to the environment. If propane were to leak into the earth, it would have no effect on the water or soil in the area.
Nonetheless, both are still considered environmentally beneficial fuels. However, we give propane a minor advantage as a green fuel in this round.
Cost and Efficiency
The exact cost of propane vs. natural gas for your home is determined by a variety of factors, including whether or not your home is equipped for the fuels. However, for the purposes of this comparison, we’ll look at the cost of propane and natural gas in terms of BTUs and gallons.
The average cost of natural gas was $6.23 per 1,000 cubic feet, or nearly one million BTUs, at the time this article was written. Propane costs $2.41 a gallon on average in the United States. Natural gas contains approximately 11.20 litres of propane per million BTUs. That implies you’ll spend $6.23 for natural gas and $26.99 for propane for the same amount of fuel.
The more efficient the gasoline, the less you’ll consume, which affects the total cost. Furthermore, propane is the more efficient fuel in general.
Propane has 2,516 BTUs per cubic foot, while natural gas has 1,030 BTUs per cubic foot. Propane has more than double the energy content of natural gas.
Natural gas has a lower cost per gallon, but you’ll require more of it to heat the same appliances. Naturally, if you receive two times the heat from propane, you’ll need less of it.
What is the purpose of a gas conversion kit?
When one type of gas is more easily available than another, fuel conversion kits are employed. They convert liquid propane (LP) to natural gas (NG) and vice versa for gas wall and ceiling heaters.
Is it possible to substitute natural gas for propane?
- Despite the fact that propane and natural gas are both fossil fuels that burn similarly, you must convert your equipment when switching.
- Most, but not all, natural gas appliances can be converted to propane. The main issue is that natural gas is kept at a lower pressure, and some appliances, even with changes, can’t withstand the higher pressure of propane.
- When transferring from one to the other, you must switch out the valves and switches to appropriately manage the flow because they have different densities and amounts of energy.
- When switching from natural gas to propane, it’s crucial to consult a professional because the work is extremely technical and can be harmful if the person executing the work doesn’t have the necessary skills.
Is it worthwhile to switch to CNG?
Such infrastructural concerns are becoming more prominent in debates about alternate energy sources. It’s an issue that inspires both hope and frustration because of the huge logistical obstacles. CNG is one of the solutions for consumers looking for alternatives to gasoline. It is cheaper, homegrown, and significantly cleaner to burn than oil.
There are two major roadblocks: conversion costs and limitations, and a shortage of facilities to refuel once you’ve made the switch.
The latter, according to Ockers, is just a matter of CNG getting its foot in the door, primarily through fleet vehicles, or company cars and trucks. Corporate owners are likely to be able to afford the switch, and their fleets would generate the necessary demand for new outlets to emerge. Laclede’s auto CNG customers are mostly fleets, with some coming from out of town. According to Ockers, the utility recently powered 47 school buses traveling from North Carolina to Kansas City.
“I believe it is the paradigm that will most likely succeed in terms of creating natural gas infrastructure,” he said. “First, get the fleets and companies in order, then go on to the general public.”
There’s also some evidence that the market is growing. The Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is currently exploring establishing a public CNG station. At Lambert, there are already private natural gas facilities, which are largely used to fuel shuttle vehicles for surrounding parking complexes.
“If you own and operate your own fueling station, your per gallon cost is much lower since the compression is what you’re really paying for,” Ockers explained. Under such conditions, gas prices could fall to roughly a dollar per gallon.
According to Ockers, CNG is compressed to 3,600 psi. The compression is required in order to fit enough fuel onboard to provide the vehicle with sufficient range. The 3,600 figure is a good middle ground. Reduced storage capacity and range would result from lower pressures. Higher compression would allow for more gas to be stored, but it would necessitate thicker, more expensive tanks.
According to Ockers, oil became the primary fuel source in the early days of automobiles because of its widespread availability and inexpensive cost. Its popularity was boosted by the technological simplicity of building gas engines. Furthermore, oil has a high energy density, making transportation easier because less fuel could deliver more energy.
CNG vehicle owners who have a gas line to their garage and purchase the necessary equipment may be able to fill up at home. However, because compression would have to be done on-site, fueling would take many hours.
Costs that are incurred up front can be difficult to swallow. According to an information sheet from NGVAmerica, a trade association that promotes natural gas and hydrogen vehicles, converting a light-duty vehicle to CNG can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $18,000.
Part of the rationale for the large initial outlays, according to Ockers, is EPA rulemaking. Every prospective engine/chassis combination conversion kit must be certified by the EPA. The kits must then be re-certified every year, which costs tens of thousands of dollars. The criterion both boosts the cost and limits the amount of conversion combinations that can be used.
“Because (the EPA) has taken such a battering,” Ockers added, “they finally released updated rules for conversion systems this month.”
As a result, there is a three-tiered process based on the car’s age. He claims it loosens some of the agency’s mandates. According to Ockers, the decision will likely pave the way for a larger-scale switch to natural gas. He also expects that tax incentives included in pending legislation would be included in the NAT GAS Act, which is presently being considered by Congress.
“It’ll probably be a few more years before more conversion kits become available,” he said. “It will be determined by demand.”
CNG vehicles are primarily built as conversions in the United States, while Honda has offered its CNG Civic GX as an off-the-shelf alternative for over a decade. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of more over $25,000, it’s approximately $7,000 more expensive than the LX, its gas-powered rival. The supply is still restricted. According to Honda, the closest dealership that carries the automobiles is in Kansas City. Meanwhile, for the 2011 model year, GM has introduced CNG fleet vans.
Trucks and SUVs are the most popular vehicles for conversions. However, NaturalDrive, an EPA-certified vendor, does offer Chevrolet Impala conversions. NaturalDrive estimates that approximately 9 million vehicles globally run on natural gas, with 150,000 in the United States.
Is natural gas more cost-effective than gasoline?
- In an accident, lighter-than-air natural gas evaporates, making it a safer alternative to flammable liquid fuel.
- While equivalent models of natural-gas and gasoline-powered cars get the same miles per gallon, you’ll spend far less money on petrol. The cost of natural gas is around half that of gasoline. Because of the cleaner-burning fuel, you’ll need to replace the oil less regularly, according to Okhtay Darian, an energy engineer with Associated Renewable Inc., a New York-based energy consulting firm.
“A typical gasoline-powered automobile gets 32 miles per gallon, but a CNG-powered car gets 43 miles per gallon,” Darian explains.
- According to the US Energy Information Administration, eighty percent to ninety percent of the natural gas we use comes from domestic sources.
- Drive in the fast lane: NGVs can utilize a high-occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lane at any time in several states.
What is the meaning of a CNG conversion?
Converting a gasoline-powered vehicle to one that runs on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline is known as CNG conversion.
T Boone Pickens’ “Pickens Plan” for American energy independence includes CNG conversion.
Why should I convert my car to CNG?
Converting a car to compressed natural gas helps the environment while also saving money on gas. Natural gas burns cleaner than gasoline, resulting in less hazardous emissions. The majority of CNG vehicles may be refueled at home or at dedicated stations.