Re: LPG in cars

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

> > Saw a post on using LPG in cars, and there are many
> > advantages to it. The main dis advantage is where to
> > fill up. Can't you just fill up at home?

On Sun, 8 May 2005 hh7x@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> The dis-advantage is not finding a place to fill up -
> a site I posted previously has a location finder - enter
> Zip Code or your location address & up comes a filling
> station address & hours of operation....... even a Map.


I've been driving a car with LP-only for 18 years. I do
long-distance road trips all the time (OK, 2 - 3 times a year)
plus I commute sporadically to Irvine from LA -- 100 miles/day.

First off, if you are the type who insists on getting $5 of gas at
11pm, you won't like LPG. You gotta plan ahead.

THe first few years of road trips I used to get panicky.  It was
made worse by having an 18-gallon tank, and hadn't dialed the
engine in, so I had about a 200 mile to empty range. Not good!
Even so, I never ran out, though I came close. I drove from Denver
to San Francisco on a Sunday along 80, though in general you have
to be careful on Sundays when things are closed.

In 1996 I bought a brand new 35-gallon tank from Manchester.  Also
got an AUtotronics LP feedback computer; I now have nearly 400
mile range.  Good enough!

In cities, it's tough to find fuel. In the boonies, easy, though
it's often pricey and mom'n'pop close early. Campgrounds, RV
places, etc all are listed in books.

I think I have a few thousand brain cells now solely devoted to
detecting white horizontal tanks and fill pads. I see LP
everywhere.

Around town, I have a few favorite fill stations. A usurous place
open late but about $2.50/gal. About 5 miles away, $1.80/gal 9a =
5m 6 days. Downtown LA, about 6 miles, 24/7, about $1.90. Down I5,
towards work, over $2, open til 8pm. Mutual Propane, in Orange
County, $1.65/gal with cardlock.

When I drive various routes from LA to Santa Fe or Tucson, I have
multiple redundant places to fill up. 24/7 in Kingman AZ, though
most close up by dark.

If I fill up at 430pm, I get to drive another 300 miles or so, at
65 mph that's 4 - 5 hours, hell I'm on a road trip, who wants to
drive at night?




> The dis-advantage is the WEIGHT of the affordable fuel tank -
> all STEEL and weighs a TON.

Eh. The fuel weighs 4 lbs/gallon, gasoline weighs 6 lbs/gallon.
Overall, I don't think my LP system with a full tank weighs
that much more than gasoline.

My 35 gallon tank weighs 70? lbs?

> Custom Tank for your Matador of Lite Alloy ?
> $Five Thousand Big Ones.

Manchester Tank: $600 new. Or check truck junkyards; they would
LOVE to get rid of those things. Be warned, they need
recertification every 12 years, no big deal if they're not rusted.