My CNG conversion

[Kelpie]

I want to do this because I know that CNG 'suck' some power if im not wrong... and as it is, my tucson's pickup and power is already very slow. Any slower then lane change, filter or want to overtake, I feel... will become more difficult and dangerous liao.

 

We often heard about "some" or "little" power loss when using CNG. But when I compare the normal Honda Civic 1.8L petrol engine with the Honda Civic 1.8L NGV (run purely on CNG and not available locally), the bhp is 140 and 113 respecitvely. So on the surface, it seems to me that CNG offers a great deal of power loss against the petrol version given equal engine capacity. Unless, Honda is no good in making a 1.8L Natural Gas Vehicle.

 

Regards,

[Arowana1]

see merc ngv model. engine specially designed to counter cng loss of power. i think they put in 8 spark plugs instead of the usual 4.

 

i wonder if the loss of power is due to higher ignition temperature? if so, maybe those gadgets that can up spark plugs voltage to 16v is the solution?

 

im still researching but not much concrete data available.

[Kelpie]

Same here. I can't find a concrete analysis on how CNG loss power. Only words from installer that the loss is minor. Unless, we send in a CNG converted car for dyno. In the Honda 1.8 CNG example, there is a power loss of 27bhp based on paper specification.

 

Regards,

Edited January 21, 2008 by Kelpie

[Arowana1]

minor is relative. i can detect loss of power in my ride even when i change petrol grade. so for cng, im sure loss will be major for me although i think can live with it. after all, im on hybrid now... tortoise on the road

[Kelpie]

minor is relative. i can detect loss of power in my ride even when i change petrol grade. so for cng, im sure loss will be major for me although i think can live with it. after all, im on hybrid now... tortoise on the road

 

But a 27bhp loss in Honda Civic CNG example is pretty substantial leh. However, bhp wise, Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Civic NGV has more or less the same power. If only CNG cylinders come in block dimensions.

 

Regards,

[Zanter]

15% lost can be felt but may not be significant depending on your driving. From the testing of the Camry 2.4 at pineapple, I would say the losses are on the upper end of the rev range. So if u just potter around town etc its not v noticeable.

 

If u rev a lot say @ traffic lights & wanna outdrag people, you will certainly feel the loss. I guess its a acceptable trade off cos CNG is so cheap? Whether you convert or not will depend on whether there is a nearby CNG station cos it makes no sense if you travel all the way from the East just to pump @ the West.

[Kelpie]

1. Actually the concept behind hydro power generated car is good unlike CNG where you need to bring massive cylinders and add weight to the car.

 

2. See this:

http://waterdriven.com/?gclid=CMiG49DohpECFRwZewodpSSLAA

 

Regards,

[Zanter]

Snake oil?

[Mach]

Total conversion cost is around $3.6K with GST. Can pay by installments with DBS/POSB card so it makes the conversion more bearable on the pockets.

 

Too bad can't do it across the Causeway. Their conversion prices seem very cheap by our standards, even for specialist CNG conversion workshops - RM6000 including a 65l composite tank !

 

http://star-motoring.com/news/story.asp?fi...5&sec=motorsupp

[Dirtrider_ak]

It is actually more of a power to weight ratio loss. Then modified CNG conversion it has to be tuned on the dyno to get it spot on. Additional weight is power loss. But you can use torque to compasate this loss. Rev more. You burn more get more power. Low end sucks but high rpm is good... due to high octane

Edited January 21, 2008 by Dirtrider_ak

[Perrier]

So has anyone tried Scantruck engineering? Theirs is a 55L tank and holds 19kg according to AAS. The refuel nozzle is located above the normal fuel nozzle.

 

http://www.aas.com.sg/features/p54-55CNGfeature.pdf

 

http://www.scantruck.com.sg/landirenzo.htm

 

http://www.landirenzo.com/layout.jsp?idz=1...3&idprodotto=15

 

I have yet to enquire about the price but some PI already offer this brand instead of Melchers. Any idea which installer is Pineecle using?

 

What is the capacity of the 60L tank by Melchers? Is it the same 19kg?

[Retrox85]

i think there is a typo in the article and the correct amount of cng that the tank can hold is 10kg.

 

i hope that AD will start selling cng cars real soon after the 2 new stations are up, i am really interested in getting a cng car for the savings in fuel cost

[Genie47]

Actually it is slightly more like 12-13kg but the system will not let you empty it out completely. Some pressure must be maintained to deliver the gas. Remember, the gas is delivered under pressure negating the need for real injectors.

[Perrier]

thats why I have written to them.

 

I also asked for the pricing, waiting for them to revert back.

[Genie47]

Just went to visit the Mandai station this morning. The signboard is UP!

 

It says SMART and the symbol is a green leaf. "SMART, powering the future of automobiles" or something like that.

 

Went up to take a peak. The facility is BIG! Like one-third the size of a bus interchange. Big roof. Can't see how many filling station but I saw large white CNG storage cylinders. Really big long ones. Bigger than the ones from Petronas in JB.

[Luvknowmore]

Hi Genie,

 

I have done the conversion with Melcher. Mine is the 66L tank. The last pump at Jurong Island is 9.9kg only (S$11.00). But you have mentioned that your 60L tank can pump 12 -13kg? Is there any tuning needed (from Melcher)to achieve that? I need to get the fact right before talking to them.

[Phelan]

Sun morning. In at 8am for me. After wash car pump petrol, in SG by 1030am.

 

Be patient. A station will open locally in 1 or 2 weeks time. Most likely Jln Buroh.

 

Was passing by SPC jalan buroh station yesterday and saw that the cng dispenser is up. A few people around doing work so i guess they are testing it now. shouldn't be long before they start selling cng

[Genie47]

There must be residual gas in the cylinder. Should be more. Also depends on the pressure from the compressors at JI. Remember there were problems in JI some weeks before? Mandai shouldn't be a problem. You can check out JB. Most of us are going to Tampoi Utama Petronas at Taman Perling. Getting there is easy. Coming back needs a long roundabout because the turn off to Skudai Highway back to Woodlands is blocked due to the construction of the flyover U-turn. Need to go to PG Highway and then U-turn then back to Skudai Highway and back.