Re: LPG/CNG cheaper?

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Tom, at $1.65 a gallon and a 10% poaer and fuel efficiency loss, I can't see LPG or CNG (CNG has a 2-4% greater loss) as being cheaper in the US. Gasoline has pretty much stabilized at ~$2.10 a gallon here. $1.65 + 10% = $1.81 + 10% (for the power loss) = $2.00 (rounded up). For the $600+ cost I don't think it's worth it. There is the argument that gasoline will only rise in price, but LPG should rise in direct proportion since it's a by product of producing gasoline. CNG wouldn't rise quite as much, but there is a steady demand for it for heating and industrial use, like producing electricity. As long as it's fossil derived costs will only go up over time. Now if you built the engine for higher compression to gain back that 10% of power, you should gain the 10% in economy back as well. I guess that's why you mention that single fuel is best! If an engine needs rebuilding it could be built at 10:1 compression and still have the ability to run on gasoline in an emergency and !
 be relatively efficient with LPG/CNG (CNG only engines are typically built for 11:1 compression in Australia and New Zealand -- that would be rough on today's gasoline!). When I move back to SC maybe I'll get a copy of Mother Earth News from the 70s and look at a methane generator. Could run a vehicle around the farm on that anyway! ;> 


On May 6, 2005 Tom Jennings wrote:

> On Thu, 5 May 2005 fljab@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> > is LPG that much
> > cheaper to run?  Is there anyone running it on a converted vehicle
> > that can answer that?
> 
> Most dual-fuel setups are LP mixers that bolt on top of the carb
> in place of the air cleaner. With a solenoid you run the carb dry
> of gasoline, then switch on the LP. It's inefficient as hell.
> You're far better off doing single-fuel.
> 
> I've run LPG on my 232 for 17 years now. No complaints. I pay
> $2.50 or so at the BBQ tank fillers at the local gas station, but
> $1.65 at Mutual Propane, a big regional dealer. They now have a
> card-lock system so as soon as I get my card I can buy LP 24/7.
> 
> As a rule of thumb, you'll get 10% less MPG on LP vs gasoline.
> Reason: BTUs energy per unit volume.
> 


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