Compressed Natural Gas change over

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Permalink Reply by John Jinkerson on January 23, 2009 at 8:55pm

Bob,
I have done some research on this. You can buy components and do your own thing, but I have not found a company that you can pay to convert your car. Nor have I found in one place a complete conversion kit you can buy. Here is a link to a company that will do fleet conversions. http://www.baytechcorp.com/ There web site indicates that they will not do an individual car. Cummins builds natural gas engines. Of course you can buy a natural gas Honda Civic from a dealer. Also, Ford and GM make natural gas vehicles for some of their larger trucks. There are over 300,000 natural gas vehicles in use in the USA today accordig to the DOE web site. They appear to be mostly fleet operations (city buses, garbage disposal trucks, taxi cabs, etc.)

I can buy natural gas on a per gallon of gasoline equivalent basis more cheaply today than I can gasoline even with the drop in gasoline (oil) prices. The probelm seems to be a lack of natural gas distribution network. Truckers won't convert to natural gas because they can not drive across the country ... inadequate refueling infrastructure. That also stops most private auto consumers.

I think the reason no body wants to sell a conversion kit or sell individual conversion cars is because of the sringent testing requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency. You have to prove that you meet US emission standards on an automobile conversion which no one can afford to do for small volume.

There is a company here in Florida, WiseGas (http://wisegasinc.com), that contacted me recently with news on a project they were doing together with the DOE, whereby they were going to convert a group of cars that are 10 years old or older to natural gas. There were some requirements of the study and a cost to the conversion, but it did seem like a reasonable deal. They are also a dealer for Phill systems which is a home natural gas refueling appliance. Just refuel your car with natural gas right in your garage.

Hope this helps.

Permalink Reply by R Ellington on January 29, 2009 at 3:40pm

John,
Thanks for your reply. I appreicate your help. My uncle had some kind of special carburator on his
motorhome twenty years ago that let him switch from gas to propane at any time. I have no idea where he
got it but I do remember he had it installed after he owned the motorhome for a while. One problem we had
several times -- it caught on fire when the engine backfired!!! I remember he always kept a fire extingher near
the engine dog box which was between the two front seats. Best of luck to you. I am also looking in to the
HHO idea. I have heard both sides. One, that the hydrogen you get from electrolysis helps enough to be
worth it or two, that its a big scam not worth the expense. More "Due Diligence" is needed! Bob