CNG conversion confusion??

[altfuelinterest]

Hello from California. I am currently working on finding a solution for all the confusion in the natural gas vehicle world.
Does it seem like anyone who claims to be involved with cng or alternative fuels is extremely bias? Have you been treated like you are stupid just for asking honest questions? It would be nice to educate people about natural gas without pushing upon them personalized opinions. How many people have been shut down for just trying to get some honest information?
Safety should be a common goal among all of us looking to convert our vehicles to natural gas. Should people with a screwed up moral compass be allowed to steer us in a direction that benefits them in some way?
Is there anyone out there that is sick of it too? We need to stand up to the online bullies and fight for our natural resources and reduce the dependence of foriegn oil. Even though I'll probably be deleted, I still think we should stand up for what is right and continue to promote good things and good people whenever possible.
thanks for reading

[afvman]

Re: CNG conversion confusion??

New Member,

So...what was your question?

afvman

[jetboatjohnny]

Re: CNG conversion confusion??

Sounds like a rant to me

[David Burklin]

Re: CNG conversion confusion??

Hello from California. I am currently working on finding a solution for all the confusion in the natural gas vehicle world.
Does it seem like anyone who claims to be involved with cng or alternative fuels is extremely bias?

I think regardless of the industry, you will find people with Bias. We always tend to believe our line of thinking is the correct one. This particular industry may be heavy with those sorts, because we are passionate about what we believe in. NG (in my own biased opinion) is about more than saving money on fuel. It's also about reducing foreign oil dependence, environmental issues, and probably other things I've failed to name. There are lots of level heads out there that will offer good advice. You just have to be willing to run into those who aren't, steer around them and continue on.

Have you been treated like you are stupid just for asking honest questions?

Yes, and I've also gotten some really good responses. I never let somebody else's egocentric response hurt my feelings. I just look for another response that is more on target and let mr ego go on down the road thinking he's cool for telling me what noob I am.

It would be nice to educate people about natural gas without pushing upon them personalized opinions. How many people have been shut down for just trying to get some honest information?

I have been looking at the NG industry for the best part of a year now, and just got my first vehicle. At times, it was difficult to find information, but perservereance prevails. Keep at it and you'll learn what you need to know. Remember those who helped and forgive those who hindered.

Safety should be a common goal among all of us looking to convert our vehicles to natural gas. Should people with a screwed up moral compass be allowed to steer us in a direction that benefits them in some way?

Again, people tend to try to drive their own agenda, whatever it is. Any sensible person can see it, and decide what information they garnered is worth the air it vibrated or the pixels it toggled.

Is there anyone out there that is sick of it too? We need to stand up to the online bullies and fight for our natural resources and reduce the dependence of foriegn oil. Even though I'll probably be deleted, I still think we should stand up for what is right and continue to promote good things and good people whenever possible.
thanks for reading

Sounds a bit defensive here. This community, while it has those who like to challenge or push the envelope is largely full of friendly people who if presented with a well thought out post, will respond in kind.

[Andy-Paul]

Re: CNG conversion confusion??

David Burklin gets an AMEN from this corner of the forum, and I wish to add to what he has said. As (more or less) an engineer, I back nat gas as transport fuel. Have I chosen a bias? Yes. Am I prejudicial? Please decide for yourself. Here are a few of my reasons.

First and foremost, I believe that the whole world needs to have a diversified transportation fuel portfolio. We have diversified our food sources, our supply chains, and our investment portfolios, so why are we still stuck on *one* transportation fuel source--35 years and at least 4-5 price shock cycles after the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973? Conversely, do I hope or expect transport NG to end the use of petroleum? No. I just hope to innoculate the world economy (including ours!) somewhat from the consequences of utter dependence on petroleum products.

Second: Nat gas is a good alternative because there is a whole lot of it, very widely distributed over the earth. That at least hinders cartel pricing. Along the same lines, there are probably as many ways to make it as there are to lose one's money in Las Vegas, another hindrance to cartel pricing.

One of those synthesis methods involves a three part catalyzation of human sewerage, so production volume can be population driven--more people require more energy, right?

Third, let's discuss hydrogen as fuel. To get there from here will require a multistage paradigm shift, including the one already begun by the growth of ICE-electric hybrids in the transportation sector. From my perspective, methane appears to be the best feedstock for hydrogen separation, so it would seem sensible to work NGVs and their fueling infrastructure into the mix now to ease a hypothetical transition to hydrogen at some future date.

Any questions? Ask away. The people on this forum have a pretty good grasp of the subject, in my experience. Furthermore, their questions to my answers and answers to my questions have both taught me a lot and driven me to learn more.

Andy-Paul

[cngmike]

Re: CNG conversion confusion??

Opinions are like butts every one has one, and some are one. That being said, this forum, as far as conversion are concerned, there is only one rule! All conversions discussed need to be EPA, DOT and CARB compliant. We have wasted WAY to much band width on this subject.

I have been involved in CNG since 1991, it is my opinion that in the future there will be no one dominate fuel there will be a mix. Like most houses today have a mix of vehicle types. IE a sedan and a pickup truck or SUV to haul the toys. I for one could very easily own a smart car or a sparrow for my daily commute. As well as a NG Caravan for my wife's daily diver kid hauler. But what about hauling my tent trailer to visit family in Iowa, There is nothing on the foreseeable future, so a Gasoline pickup. If the infrastructure had kept up building at the same same rate as the early 90's this would be a different discussion.