Converting to CNG from LPG

[michaeleason]

I have a LPG pick-up truck, I bought at an auction.
My lack of Mileage (about 6 mi. per Gal.) combined with rising LPG cost have made this less attractive than in the beginning. I've been using the LPG 3 years. I want convert to CNG the cheapest way possible.
I have a 60 gal. propane tank in my truck and an OHG carberation.
Is anyone familiar with this set up is it convertable?
Are there used units or parts I can source?

[jetboatjohnny]

Re: Converting to CNG from LPG

I dont think you will come out ahead, I would stick with LPG or sell it and buy a CNG vehicle. Where I live right now CNG is 2.194 and LPG is 1.699.

[larrycng]

Re: Converting to CNG from LPG

I have a LPG pick-up truck, I bought at an auction.My lack of Mileage (about 6 mi. per Gal.) combined with rising LPG cost have made this less attractive than in the beginning. I've been using the LPG 3 years. I want convert to CNG the cheapest way possible.I have a 60 gal. propane tank in my truck and an OHG carberation.Is anyone familiar with this set up is it convertable?Are there used units or parts I can source?

They can

OHG (Over the Hill Gang) was Richard Baberstocks next venture and improvement over Impco. You have to get the CNG pins for the X-450 mixer and replace the LP pins. The height of the pins is critical (it will effect the air/fuel mixture and the air valve moves).

You then need to find an X-2 regulator for low pressure side. Any good high pressue will provide the reduction from tank pressure to around 100 to 150 psi. The X-2 is a positive pressure regulator, where your X-1 propane regulator is negative pressure.

If you can find Marilyn Miller (Ak Miller's) widow she was selling them a few years ago. I was buying the LP mixer and regulator for $250. If you want to mail me privately, I'll give you her phone number. But, the word on the street from a mutual friend is that she has dropped out of sight. Marilyn was using the cores from the original OHG's and doing a CNG machining and anodizing. They worked better than the original units and didn't tend to stick after many miles. Also, last time I talked to her Impco was trying to buy her out.

I have an LP unit with of over a 100K miles -- they are great.

Larrycng

[Curtis]

Re: Converting to CNG from LPG

Johnny's right. It's not going to pencil out. LPG and CNG are not going to interchange as simply as you might think. None of the components are really interchangeable. You have a low pressure system and cng is very high pressure. Best bet is to head back to the auction before gas prices start to sky-rocket again. A new truck (at auction) will probably be less than a conversion and get twice the gas mileage. That said, I'm going to move this over to the conversions forum. If you post a question in the relevent forum it's easier for people with similar interests to find. Best of luck and welcome to cngchat.

[clnbrnr1]

Re: Converting to CNG from LPG

Michael,what make-model pick-up do you have? Joe

[Curtis]

Re: Converting to CNG from LPG

They can

OHG (Over the Hill Gang) was Richard Baberstocks next venture and improvement over Impco. You have to get the CNG pins for the X-450 mixer and replace the LP pins. The height of the pins is critical (it will effect the air/fuel mixture and the air valve moves).

You then need to find an X-2 regulator for low pressure side. Any good high pressue will provide the reduction from tank pressure to around 100 to 150 psi. The X-2 is a positive pressure regulator, where your X-1 propane regulator is negative pressure.

If you can find Marilyn Miller (Ak Miller's) widow she was selling them a few years ago. I was buying the LP mixer and regulator for $250. If you want to mail me privately, I'll give you her phone number. But, the word on the street from a mutual friend is that she has dropped out of sight. Marilyn was using the cores from the original OHG's and doing a CNG machining and anodizing. They worked better than the original units and didn't tend to stick after many miles. Also, last time I talked to her Impco was trying to buy her out.

I have an LP unit with of over a 100K miles -- they are great.

Larrycng

Larry, I agree that it's doable, but you oversimplify. There's the Tank replacement, High Pressure lines and fittings, and of course a shop to pay to do the work and set everything up... Not really worth it on the truck he has.

[larrycng]

Re: Converting to CNG from LPG

Worth is really in the eye of the beholder. But you are essentially right I would be the same as starting from scratch. But the question was could it be done? Part of what I do is try to educate people. Sometimes it amounts to trivia and sometimes it worth something. I have been exposed to lot of info over the years, but in a field like Alternate fuels, specifically gaseous fuels, it is a specialized and small community in which information needs to be shared. I hope some day it will be as common as gasoline and diesel.

Later

Larrycng