Inexpensive CNG conversion kit for cars.
I realize that most modern cars have complex elaborate ignition computers that regulate the flow of air and gasoline into the engine using a vast array of sensors to prevent the need for tuneups, and improve ignition stability and gas mileage. I realize also that any conversion kit to CNG brings a new set of ignition parameters to the table, and that existing sensors, and computer settings will not work for optimal CNG ignition. Howerver that being said, it seems to me that a standardized electronic adapter could be created to "Fool" the vastly differing ignition computer systems in a "Standard" way, since the sensors used on most cars are nearly identical in electrical characteristics. (The computers are very different, but the output of the sensors is nearly identical) So to make an inexpensive "Universal" conversion kit, all you need to do is "Alter" the signal reports being sent back to the ignition computer from the sensors in a "Standard" way and you have a universally compatible conversion kit system. Then all cars could be converted with the same conversion kit. Has anyone approached the conversion kit problem from this angle? If this issue is taken care of then the rest of the conversion kit could be an EPA approved standard kit, and we wouldn't need to have every model year of every manufacturer go through the expensive EPA approval process. The pre-approved Universal kit could be used for any car and the mountains of Government "Red Tape" would be removed from the CNG conversion process.
Tags: CNG, Conversion, Gas, Inexpensive, Natural, Universal, kits
Views: 6973
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by W. Dan Chance on -
Add my name to your list for submission to a CNG conversion dealer. Of course I reserve the right to make the final decision until I hear the final price. I like the idea of getting several thousand potential customers to get a volume price. I drive a Dodge Ram 1500 getting one of the worst miles per gallon on the planet. I'm also looking at installing a hydrogen kit but since two scientists at MIT have just announced a super efficient means of producing hydrogen from water so if I wait I may get a better system than what is now available.
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Permalink Reply by Tildon Wood on -
I read the article and it does not show any performance data. I am working on a kit and testing it right now but it is more complicated with the computer system installed. It prevents the vehicle from using the full advantage of the hydrogen the engine is getting. I drive a Denali and just ran a line to my carb and will hook it up when I get home next week. I will post the results when I get them. I tried it last time to Denver where I am now from Tulsa and increased my mileage from an average of 14 to 16. My partner is in San Antonio and he is getting 23 with a Silverado truck with a V8.
Our unit uses stainless still and will corrode if the water levels get low and chemical concentration gets high. This Pickens group needs to focus on the politics of the natural gas conversions and put some people in place to run the gauntlet for the venders with state and federal departments. The cost/benefit must make sense. If it does not then we need to get the hydrogen units to be efficient and effective. We can increase highway mileage by 15% but it is not a turn key system. We need the gages, fluid levels and temperatures to be monitored and the auto makers need to work with us so this does not void warranties. If we run the fuel too lean it will damage the valves and polution systems.. Oh well. ------
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Permalink Reply by henry hill on -
Kind of curious, you have a Denali with a Carb ? What year might this vehicle be and what engine ?
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Singer on -
Count me in! I drive a 3/4 ton Chevy truck that gets about 11 mpg on the interstate! Let me know what I can do to help your cause. Thanks and good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Tildon Wood on
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I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH MY PARTNER IN TEXAS AND I WOULD LOVE TO GET A FEW TEST UNITS OUT FOR THE MECHANIAL TYPES TO TEST AND VALIDATE. THE TECHNOLOGY ON OUR NEW VEHICLES IS ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES WE HAVE TO OVERCOME. I DISCONNECTED MY BATTERY TO INSTALL THE UNIT SO THE COMPUTER WOULD RECONFIGURE THE GAS AND AIR MIX WHEN THE HYDROGEN GAS WAS BEING CONSUMED. IT LOWERED MY GAS IN THE MIXTURE AND TODAY WITHOUT THE HYDROGEN UNIT MY MPG IS STILL OVER 18 WITHOUT THE UNIT. SO THE COMPUTER AND OXYGEN SENSORS ARE PART OF OUR MPG PROBLEM. AND THIS IS A 6 LITER DENALI. WE ARE DEBATING HOW TO MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP ON THE PROJECT AND ALSO INTEGRATE THE UNIT INTO HOME HYDROGEN PRODUCTION WITH THE CNG SYSTEMS. THIS SHOULD ALSO INCREASE THE MPG ON CNG AS WELL. THIS PRODUCT WOULD BE GREAT FOR FLEETS WITH MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL ON STAFF.
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Permalink Reply by henry hill on
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One problem with hydrogen injection is that your O2 sensors won't detect the hydrogen as it is not a carbon based fuel. Just expecting to add it and lower gasoline consumption dramatically won't work, you must re-calibrate the O2 sensor outputs with an emulator. The best you can hope for is a little better combustion which will pick up a little power and allow reduced throttle. But again the gains will be limited as you cannot directly control the gasoline mapping without more intervention. Disconnecting the battery will often help a vehicle get better mileage for a while as you clear many maps of learned data and revert back to factory settings. However it is not going to help any more by regularily disconnecting your battery. Once every 6 months to a year is about as often as MAY make a difference ( won't work for everyone).
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Permalink Reply by Mark Feagins on -
To: Tom Colthurst
Actually, you are on the right track. A company in Florida, www.wisegas.com is converting EPA certified 2009 Ford Focus to CNG. I think they probably paid the upfront fee of $100,000 to certify a specific Model and year. Therefore, they need to convert 1,000 of these Fords for this to pay off before the 2010's come out.
Frustratingly, I understand the EPA standards. If not, you would have anybody with a wrench converting their engines using copper tubing, duct tape and butane tanks. It could be a really disaster when you consider the 50 million weekend mechanics across the country.
As long as the engine and computer are the same, the certifications should apply to other years.
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Permalink Reply by Robert Mann on -
The Kit with out some of the update stuff to the NFPA 52
Helo Mark this convertion is not for the backyard mechanics I am a VW Master Tech.Master ASE Car and Truck Tech, Master CNG Certified. For installs of these kits you should be trained and Certified. The NFPA 52 is the safty book that was build for a gas systems in the USA .
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Permalink Reply by Meilie on -
This is what I'm interested in installing in our vehicles. Some 25 years ago my husband saw a truck that was running on CNG in the Arizona area and he's hoping there's kit that exists so we can convert both of our vehicles. It would be wonderful if the dealerships would participate in this, but they just want you to buy a NEW car/truck. I don't want to contribute waste by dumping a pre-existing vehicle, besides, I just bought a new one in 2007. Unfortunately it runs on gasoline, not diesle, which I could then use bio-fuel.
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Permalink Reply by SJC on -
"...he's hoping there's kit that exists..."
Probably not because there is no money in creating kits for the 1000s of cars, truck, makes, model, years and engines. The kit makers design and develop kits for fleet trucks like late model GM and Ford pickups that businesses use.
This is why I have my page to list vehicles by year, make, model and engine type to find the most popular models and submit that information to kit makers. It is an expensive proposition to get a kit approved and no one wants to go through that for the sale of only a few kits.
http://push.pickensplan.com/forum/topic/show?id=2187034%3ATopic%3A5...
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Permalink Reply by Zaven Ouzounian on -
I saw one car converted by an auto mechanic during the 70's gas shortage but it was on a carborator system . I would be reluctant in doing a conversion on a new car, it may void the warranty.
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Permalink Reply by henry hill on
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There are all kinds of systems avilable for your vehicles, contact Technocarb Equipment and they can advise you on a system and a local dealer/installer. www. technocarb.com 1-877-888-5666
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