Quote:
Originally Posted by mishalah
In the mid-1960's I worked a summer job for the local propane company doing tank maintenance (a great summer job while in high school), and all the trucks were propane powered. The one I used the most was a 1953 Chevy with the stock 6 cylinder, but also a big 1948 2-1/2 ton with a crane for moving tanks. Both were just carburetor conversions, and both seemed to have normal horsepower from what I could tell.
I can't remember much about efficiency because they'd get filled at the big tank station when they needed it. I do remember the filling operation was very dangerous because you could freeze your hands if the connections weren't made properly. I also remember that the engines in those trucks were spotless inside and required almost no maintenance compared to gas powered vehicles. BUT...I had a 25 gallon tank in each truck that was about 24" in diameter and 4' long. The tanks I see available today are a fraction of that capacity (10 gallons max). 10 gallons would only be good for around town driving. And, the cost of the tanks are ridiculous! Yeah, thousands of dollars if you want any useful capacity. That I do not understand at all. Those tanks should be a few hundred dollars at most.
So, it looks like another clean burning alternative is shot down by the government and greed.
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The tanks when filled with CNG have pressure of 3,ooo psi. also need to be inspected every 3yrs. the engines last 3 yrs longer. plugs engine oil stay clean. no carbon on the valves/intake etc. basicly no emissions to worry about. the exhaust would last forever ...
in your area there are several CNG stations . charge 2.49 for a unit of gas.. you will loose 10 % of the HP ..compared to gasoline.
the cost will come down soon ...the 2.50 a gallon gasoline prices killed the alternative fuels..for now....5.oo / gallon the owners of vehicles will have to do something...If the oil producing countries continue to have unrest they say cost may be not a factor ...no gasoline will be had ..like back in the early 70's...then this will take hold ........