Community Forums

jeldaz · 06-02-2011, 03:13 PM

With the price of fuel going through the roof I was wondering if any RVer's have converted to CNG. I am about to purchase a 1999 Georgie Boy Cruise Master and am considering converting it to dual fuel, CNG/Gasoline. Operating on CNG and a back up of gasoline when I am between fuel locations. Any thoughts positive or negative would be appericiated.

Belgian · 06-02-2011, 03:43 PM

I have thought about that same conversion. My understanding is one of the problems is with refueling with CNG. It is quick if you are at a commercial station. but very slow (16 hours) for a car if it's empty. Also there aren't a lot of stations around. The other option I have thought about is a propane conversion. Propane is available everywhere and can be filled quickly. One compairisson I don't know about is the cost per gallon vs MPG of gas and propane. One other benifit of propane is you already have a propane tank installed. You would just need a regulator (maybe) and solenoid valve and a propane carb, which is just a venturi with a butterfly.

GOLDWINGER2 · 06-02-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belgian

I have thought about that same conversion. My understanding is one of the problems is with refueling with CNG. It is quick if you are at a commercial station. but very slow (16 hours) for a car if it's empty. Also there aren't a lot of stations around. The other option I have thought about is a propane conversion. Propane is available everywhere and can be filled quickly. One compairisson I don't know about is the cost per gallon vs MPG of gas and propane. One other benifit of propane is you already have a propane tank installed. You would just need a regulator (maybe) and solenoid valve and a propane carb, which is just a venturi with a butterfly.

You are both fuel injected, how would a carb work?
J

w6pea · 06-02-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDWINGER2

You are both fuel injected, how would a carb work?
J

Interesting.

Belgian · 06-02-2011, 04:43 PM

J, not sure it would work??????? there is also the ECM which comes into play and emission standards. The engine doesn't care where it gets fuel from, gas, propane or CNG. In very basic fuel system all you need to do is stop one fuel and start another and the engine will run. Same with fuel injection, no psi from the fuel pump and the engine will stop. But pour gas, vapor propane or vapor CNG down the intake (metered) and the engine will run.
There are companies that convert cars to dual fuel. They advertise the ability to refuel from your home via the natural gas coming into your home. The NG does have to be condensed into a liquid and and that is a costly and time consuming process thus the 16 hour to refuel a car if it is empty. One other plus is the amount of NG in the USA, reported to be in the 100s of years.

She and I · 06-02-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDWINGER2

You are both fuel injected, how would a carb work?
J

You would have to spud in a spray nozzel in the air intake.....then a solenoid would switch between gas and propane............kinda sorta
basic. but more involved. They may make kits for some models(engines)....but the price of the vessel to hold cng or propane...would be cost prohibitive....also you would loose aprox 15% in milage....propane costs follow gas prices so ..they got ya.......cleaner burning and engines last longer....but not worth the aditional costs.........
Richard

Gary RVRoamer · 06-02-2011, 07:31 PM

You would need a certified conversion package and there is none for the Ford F53 motorhome chassis. Maybe not too big a deal since there is one for an F350 gas engine already. But not cheap and you need a big CNG tank installed somewhere. And I've never heard of CNG kits for used vehicles - it is always for new ones and usually fleets at that.

Where did the 16 hour refill figure come from? Is that refueling from a home natural gas line and compressing yourself somehow? Any CNG refill station will pump the liquid CNG at about the same rate that gas or diesel pumps and take about the same time.

Belgian · 06-02-2011, 08:54 PM

Gary, The 16 hour refill is from a home NG source. The NG vapor does need to be liquified in order to pump it into a tank. You're right about commercial stations pumping NG in a liquid form, like the way they pump propane. That is one of the stumbling blocks with NG, not enough commercial stations.

jeldaz · 06-02-2011, 09:00 PM

I have been researching the CNG Conversion and a web site I have been looking at is www.ewsews.com/cgnhome.html. It is informative and being on a fixed income and love to RV the price of fuel is a great concern. This link/web page also gives a link to all refueling locations in USA and Canada, plus a monthly check on the prices. With gasoline at almost $4.00 + per gallon the CNG equivalent is at around $1.60+ depending on location of fuel station. They also sell conversions kits.

GOLDWINGER2 · 06-02-2011, 09:59 PM

Was just funny that the word carb would even come up. MH'ers like myself with carbs have to always defend the outdated fuel delivery method. Me, myself,I would just leave it alone. There will be a few blown engines before the bugs are worked out. And your warranty?
Would probably end like the guy who "chipped" his 8.1, not good.
J