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 Converting from Diesel to CNG
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sob
Senior Member

USA
91 Posts

Posted - 01/25/2013 :  05:32:48 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Has anyone done a conversion from Diesel to CNG ? If so, how much did it cost. What problems have you had ? Payback time ?


My "Super" thinks he would like to move that direction, me I'm not opposed to the idea, but would like to have a clue as to what I'm getting myself into. Also know that the newest bus we have here is a "06". So I'm not sure how cost effective it would be.

B

offroadwolf1
Active Member

33 Posts

Posted - 01/31/2013 :  3:20:20 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
OK give me a little more info. What kind of bus and what engine is in it now. Are you looking at swapping the engine over to a whole new one? Or trying to build the one you have now to an alt fuel engine. Huge expense either way. Fuel tank install, fire suppression system install, new engine, new electrical harness for the engine and one to tie into the bus. Very expensive to convert a bus over. You will save money on the fuel purchase but most I have seen loose fuel mileage. Now where do you work on this bus? The building has to be converted to allow repair of that vehicle inside if its not already set up for natural gas vehicles. So given those few ideas if you convert one bus as long as it last you the next 500 years you should break even.
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bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 02/01/2013 :  04:12:22 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Have you looked at propane? Looks like you need to be buy new buses to me so why not just pay the extra $7,500 for propane. Much easier to work on and fuel than CNG and will pay back the extra money extended in a very short amount of time. I booked propane this summer for $1.07 (before any taxes) and now the feds have renewed the incentive to 50 cents per gallon. So we're paying 57 cnets per gallon!

Bryan
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sob
Senior Member

USA
91 Posts

Posted - 02/01/2013 :  05:31:58 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thank you to both of you for replying. Just the info I needed.

But to answer the questions asked. We have a mixed bag of vehicles, Cummins, IH and Cats. Transits and Conventionals. They range from "92 to "06".
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offroadwolf1
Active Member

33 Posts

Posted - 02/05/2013 :  3:18:49 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Just a little more info bwest is right on track, if you want to go to an alternative fuel vehicle the propane is much easier to work on than a CNG vehicle.
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