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Posted by Jim Levie on May 4, 2008, 3:46 pm
Please log in for more thread options
wrote:
>
> Used to be real common around here but nobody does it anymore. Even
>the local propane supplier quit using it to run there trucks. Back
>when propane was $0.45 a gallon it made a lot of sense. You get less
>mileage, slightly less power, hard to find places to fill up, and a
>few other negatives most of which have been covered by other people.
>One positive side is longer engine life. It just runs cleaner and
>doesn't wash the oil film off the cylinder walls.
>
> One interesting fact. Propane tractors used to have more HP than the
>gas equivalent. The reason was that they had a higher compression
>ratio.
Another factor in the decline of this conversion is the complexity of
an OBD II vehicle (anything built since 1996). In the days of
distrubutors and carbs, this was a fairly easy conversion. That's not
the case with computer managed fuel and ignition.
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Posted by Bob Gentry on May 4, 2008, 11:13 am
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wrote:
>Engine in question is a 5.3 liter Chevy Vortex (Silverado truck).
>
>Outfit in Canada has a conversion package that allows you to use propane and
>petrol to run your vehicle. Automatically switches to petrol if propane
>pressure runs low, or you can manually switch (while in motion) back and
>forth. Supposedly exceeds EPA clean air requirements.
>
>Since I am already buying propane, and, have a wet hose by which I can fill
>extra tanks, this seems to be an excellent way to beat the cost of petrol.
>Right now I am paying $ 2.40 for a gallon of propane. Petrol (here in
>Oregon) is running $3.55 per gallon currently.
>
>At a savings of $20 ± per tankful, this might have a payback within, say, a
>2 year period. Downside would be the tank I would have to lug around in the
>back of the truck. However, the savings would allow me to take more trips
>with the 5th wheel.
>
>Has anybody in this group tried this, or know somebody that has? I am going
>on the assumption that there will always be a large price differential
>between these two energy sources, especially since you pay a heavy tax on
>the petrol.
>
>All comments appreciated. If you tell me that I am stupid to consider this,
>please tell me why!!
>
>Ivan Vegvary
>
Hi Ivan
A number of years ago I bought a truck/5th wheel combination from a
lot in Sequim, WA. The trailer was a 24ft and the truck a '52 Ford
that had been converted to gas/propane by a shop in Sequim (Eric's).
MPG: using gas- solo ~12, towing ~10. Using propane - solo ~10,
towing ~8.
At the then prices of both fuels I was reasonably happy. Power wise,
not so happy.
The truck was rigged to switch between fuels with the flip of a dash
mounted switch. So when we came to a long pull we'd switch to gas.
Keeping things properly tuned was a real problem.
Eric's was really good but a 2 hour drive away.
I let a local shop do a tune and the mileage took a real beating.
Dropped to 6mpg gas towing and on the same trip 3 (no that's not a
misprint<sigh>) three mpg on propane. They never could figure out
what they did wrong.
Sold the Ford and bought a Dodge/Cummins. (But that's another story)
At today's fuel prices and present engine efficiency I wouldn't even
look at a gas/propane conversion.
Hope this helps
Bob
rgentry at oz dot net
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Posted by Ivan Vegvary on May 4, 2008, 3:41 pm
Please log in for more thread options
> wrote:
>
>>Engine in question is a 5.3 liter Chevy Vortex (Silverado truck).
>>
>>Outfit in Canada has a conversion package that allows you to use propane
>>and
>>petrol to run your vehicle. Automatically switches to petrol if propane
>>pressure runs low, or you can manually switch (while in motion) back and
>>forth. Supposedly exceeds EPA clean air requirements.
>>
>>Since I am already buying propane, and, have a wet hose by which I can
>>fill
>>extra tanks, this seems to be an excellent way to beat the cost of petrol.
>>Right now I am paying $ 2.40 for a gallon of propane. Petrol (here in
>>Oregon) is running $3.55 per gallon currently.
>>
>>At a savings of $20 ± per tankful, this might have a payback within, say,
>>a
>>2 year period. Downside would be the tank I would have to lug around in
>>the
>>back of the truck. However, the savings would allow me to take more trips
>>with the 5th wheel.
>>
>>Has anybody in this group tried this, or know somebody that has? I am
>>going
>>on the assumption that there will always be a large price differential
>>between these two energy sources, especially since you pay a heavy tax on
>>the petrol.
>>
>>All comments appreciated. If you tell me that I am stupid to consider
>>this,
>>please tell me why!!
>>
>>Ivan Vegvary
>>
>
> Hi Ivan
>
> A number of years ago I bought a truck/5th wheel combination from a
> lot in Sequim, WA. The trailer was a 24ft and the truck a '52 Ford
> that had been converted to gas/propane by a shop in Sequim (Eric's).
> MPG: using gas- solo ~12, towing ~10. Using propane - solo ~10,
> towing ~8.
> At the then prices of both fuels I was reasonably happy. Power wise,
> not so happy.
> The truck was rigged to switch between fuels with the flip of a dash
> mounted switch. So when we came to a long pull we'd switch to gas.
> Keeping things properly tuned was a real problem.
> Eric's was really good but a 2 hour drive away.
> I let a local shop do a tune and the mileage took a real beating.
> Dropped to 6mpg gas towing and on the same trip 3 (no that's not a
> misprint<sigh>) three mpg on propane. They never could figure out
> what they did wrong.
> Sold the Ford and bought a Dodge/Cummins. (But that's another story)
> At today's fuel prices and present engine efficiency I wouldn't even
> look at a gas/propane conversion.
> Hope this helps
>
> Bob
> rgentry at oz dot net
Bob, thanks for your reply. Yes, it has helped, along with all the other
comments above. Propane does not look like a wise option.
Ivan Vegvary
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Posted by Martin H. Eastburn on May 4, 2008, 9:44 pm
Please log in for more thread options From what I was paying for propane - it was at the Therm price.
So gasoline or oil or water or propane - different price, different power
and the like. The price was that about what premium gas would cost.
I'd find out more facts before I spent money to change.
Some day it might be the only game in town but now - not sure.
Martin
Martin H. Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
TSRA, Endowed; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member.
http://lufkinced.com/
Ivan Vegvary wrote:
> Engine in question is a 5.3 liter Chevy Vortex (Silverado truck).
>
> Outfit in Canada has a conversion package that allows you to use propane and
> petrol to run your vehicle. Automatically switches to petrol if propane
> pressure runs low, or you can manually switch (while in motion) back and
> forth. Supposedly exceeds EPA clean air requirements.
>
> Since I am already buying propane, and, have a wet hose by which I can fill
> extra tanks, this seems to be an excellent way to beat the cost of petrol.
> Right now I am paying $ 2.40 for a gallon of propane. Petrol (here in
> Oregon) is running $3.55 per gallon currently.
>
> At a savings of $20 ± per tankful, this might have a payback within, say, a
> 2 year period. Downside would be the tank I would have to lug around in the
> back of the truck. However, the savings would allow me to take more trips
> with the 5th wheel.
>
> Has anybody in this group tried this, or know somebody that has? I am going
> on the assumption that there will always be a large price differential
> between these two energy sources, especially since you pay a heavy tax on
> the petrol.
>
> All comments appreciated. If you tell me that I am stupid to consider this,
> please tell me why!!
>
> Ivan Vegvary
>
>
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Posted by on May 4, 2008, 10:00 pm
Please log in for more thread options wrote:
>Engine in question is a 5.3 liter Chevy Vortex (Silverado truck).
>
>Outfit in Canada has a conversion package that allows you to use propane and
>petrol to run your vehicle. Automatically switches to petrol if propane
>pressure runs low, or you can manually switch (while in motion) back and
>forth. Supposedly exceeds EPA clean air requirements.
>
>Since I am already buying propane, and, have a wet hose by which I can fill
>extra tanks, this seems to be an excellent way to beat the cost of petrol.
>Right now I am paying $ 2.40 for a gallon of propane. Petrol (here in
>Oregon) is running $3.55 per gallon currently.
>
>At a savings of $20 ± per tankful, this might have a payback within, say, a
>2 year period. Downside would be the tank I would have to lug around in the
>back of the truck. However, the savings would allow me to take more trips
>with the 5th wheel.
>
>Has anybody in this group tried this, or know somebody that has? I am going
>on the assumption that there will always be a large price differential
>between these two energy sources, especially since you pay a heavy tax on
>the petrol.
>
>All comments appreciated. If you tell me that I am stupid to consider this,
>please tell me why!!
>
>Ivan Vegvary
>
I have worked with Propane conversions and dual fuel conversions on
vehicles. Used to be there was no road tax on propane for vehicles in
Ontario. Now there is. The price advantage is almost gone.
The installations require frequent inspections and certifications.
Propane powered vehicles are not allowed in many tunnels or
underground parking areas. Propane is heavier than air so collects in
low spots in event of a leak. Very wide flamability limit, and
therefore explosion hazard in case of a leak - this is why so many
valves are required in propane vehicle systems.
For dual fuel you will use more propane than gasoline due to lowere
energy density.
In most states you will be charged with evading road tax if you run
non-taxed propane as a vehicle fuel.
In cold weather you will almost definitely need to start on gasoline
unless you get a liquid injection system.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
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> Used to be real common around here but nobody does it anymore. Even
>the local propane supplier quit using it to run there trucks. Back
>when propane was $0.45 a gallon it made a lot of sense. You get less
>mileage, slightly less power, hard to find places to fill up, and a
>few other negatives most of which have been covered by other people.
>One positive side is longer engine life. It just runs cleaner and
>doesn't wash the oil film off the cylinder walls.
>
> One interesting fact. Propane tractors used to have more HP than the
>gas equivalent. The reason was that they had a higher compression
>ratio.