LPG conversion

jakub · Post by **jakub** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:39 am

for anyone who might wonder about LPG conversion I am listing figures from previous years,
in 2005 and 2006 I did 988 miles altogether, consuming 711,25 litres of 95 octane unleaded petrol, that works out to 44,7 litres 100/km or 5,3 MPG (US gallon),
in summer last year I did LPG conversion for the price of around 400 euro/500 USD, since then I did 1369 miles consuming 957,7 litres of LPG and some unrelevant amount of petrol (for starting up and switching off only), the average works out like 43,5 litres of LPG per 100/km or 5,4 MPG,
there is more to it, with warm engine starting up on LPG makes no difference, there is also some feeling that on low rev engine runs little bit more smoothly on LPG while on the road I have sneaky suspicion that on LPG the acceleration is slightly better and, especially up the hill, the engine has more umph, but obviously I can not measure it,
all in all the LPG installation already paid itself off, however I wouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be driving as much as did last year if it wasnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t so damn cheaper on LPG

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:29 pm

OK we need details such as the carb or whatever it is that you use. Is it off the shelf? Company name etc?

How big a tank do you have and where is it?

Pictures.....?

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:57 pm

Jakub,

What is the current price per liter of Petrol vs. LPG?

Also does the LPG engine sound similar to a petrol fire engine?

Sounds like a great solution for European fuel costs.

Here in the Eastern US 5 Gallons of 87 octane costs about $13 USD. To refill a 20 pound propane container which google says is about 5 US gallons costs $13.99 USD. So based on your mileage studies it really would not save any money here in the US to convert....at current fuel prices.

I realize that with the cost of Petrol in Europe that your situation is very different and I applaud you to do what ever you can to keep these old trucks out and running.

Bill

jakub · Post by **jakub** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 4:00 pm

the carb is same, with some small tube inserted just above the throttle, both installation are controlled electrically through the control box hidden in the glove box, fuels can be changed at will anytime desired, I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t know how to post pictures here but if anyone would be kind to do so I can forward some pictures

the tank is 100 litres (80 real capacity as it can not be totally filled) but tanks come in all sort of shapes and sizes, it is matter of personal choice, mine fits nicely on the back disguised as a wooden crate, anyhow all bits of installation are either hidden or painted olive drab

sound of the engine is the same, if anything, but this is only the slight feeling, on LPG low revs are smoother, by the sound there is no way to distinguish between fuels, but exhaust smell gives the game away,

as for prices, here in Poland (but that unfortunately goes for most of Europe) the litre of unloaded 95, cost around 1,4 USD (5,2 USD per gallon), LPG is less than half that, and at least in Poland LPG is basically available at every petrol station,

so for you folks in the US the LPG conversion doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t make much sense financially, at least as long as your politicians doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t find out that taxing fuels can be easily done, but for us in Europe LPG can be interesting alternative

KEVINABR · Post by **KEVINABR** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 3:18 pm

hi jakub what is the lpg kits that you used ? is it off the shelf? price please? live here in the uk thanks

jakub · Post by **jakub** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 4:16 am

the mixer and solenoid valves are Italian Lovato, the elctronic control box and tank are Polish made, the dosing injector to the carb has been made to order but it is simple bit of pipe with thread on it, let me know your e-mail and I can post you some pictures, total for parts and labour was some 280 GBP,
mind you I didn't get the road LPG cerificate since all parts are certified for vehicles up to 3,5 ton, so oficially this installation does not exist,
then again classic registered vehicle and my GMC is that do not require MOT every year so who cares

Corne Lauwerijssen · Post by **Corne Lauwerijssen** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:31 pm

I also did the conversion 2 years ago and its a real succes. It works just as good as on gasoline and much cheaper. And no trouble with starting the engine, summer or winter. Since this year it is 12volts and it is really perfect

Start like a modern truck.

I like it

CornÃƒÂ©

gerardsrik · Post by **gerardsrik** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:59 pm

I have a question you said that your truck since this year 12 volts is. Have you build the lpg conversion in first thing with a 6 volts system?

Are there any LPG components that are running at 6 volts instead of 12?

I like to build an LPG instalation in our truck but don't want to change the 6 volt electrical system.

any advice is welcome,

thanks
Rik

jakub · Post by **jakub** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:37 pm

I also didn't welcome change from 6V to 12 v, so I use simple but efficient system, I have two ,motorcycle 6V batteries stashed under passanger seat, one is connected in parallel with electrical system the other is in line with first one, this way on both batteries I get 12V, of course one is beeing charged (parallel) while the other is discharging, then once in the while I switch connection and story goes other way round, also I did connected them to the system via light switch this way big current is not drawn from small bettery when starting the engine, the 13 Ah battery is good enough for at least 6 hours drive, LPG stops working below 8V,

in case of batteries being flat the gasoline valve has manual overide so it is possible to start on gasoline with all LPG system dead

While at it I would like to give many thanks to CornÃƒÂ© Lauwerijssen of Netherlands whom I met through this forum and whose comments on LPG greatly easied work on my GMC, once again Corne many, many thanks

Corne Lauwerijssen · Post by **Corne Lauwerijssen** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:25 pm

No thanks needed Jakub, thats what friends are fore

At the time I was looking and calling around for an lpg installation,
I heard that 6 volts electrical valves can be custom made, but its expensive and you are forced to buy an extra set for spare,
because these are not available on the market.

First I used it on 6volts and it works as long as the generator is charging.
Thus no succes, then I used a 12v battery uncharged under the seat. Works as long as you dont forget to charge it with the batterycharger and
due to age it was not good anymore.

I know 2 guys who use a voltage converter 6 to 12v, but these are expensive, use a large amount of current and not relaible in my eyes.
But works.

One guy always tried to convince me to use a 12v alternator like he did, but i didnt want to. It was 6volts and orginal with NOS electrical engineparts, thus worked fine and looked good

Last year september I was with this guy at a flea market and found alternator, bought it for 5euro. He finally conviced me and the price was good. Had it rebuild with correct pully for 20 euro.
Total price for this conversion with battery is around 200 euro, same price as a voltage converter.
And I dont care so much about orginality anymore under the hood since the vaporizer and hozes sits there also. And the small alternator is not an eyecatcher. I left the regulator in place with the wires, I only took the
internals out.

New the truck start like a modern car and I can use all modern 12v equipment. Ive really have no bad experiences, only very good
experiences. While thinking about this, I still need to change
the bulbs in my trailer

I do also have to thank Jakub very much, I have an orginal WW2 Delco key switch and no keys. He had a set made for me! Very happy with it!

gerardsrik · Post by **gerardsrik** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:04 pm

Thanks guys I think i sleep a night over this. The 6 to 12 volt conversion seems the most ideal. Two 6 volt batteries under the seat is not an option because I stuff a lot of crap in there

Thanks

Rik

Corne Lauwerijssen · Post by **Corne Lauwerijssen** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:05 pm

Hi Rik

I have an adress in Belgium of a guy how sells complete new installations
for around 750euro these days. You can choose lpg tanks up to 230 litres
like I have, this doesnt affects the price. This guy is very reasonable btw.

I built it in myself and have it on my license.

Best regards,

CornÃƒÂ©

gerardsrik · Post by **gerardsrik** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:57 pm

Corne Lauwerijssen · Post by **Corne Lauwerijssen** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:55 pm

Hi Rik

Its in Stekene, its between Zelzate and Antwerp. I dont have the
adress here. His name is Rinus Walhout-De Visser

I let you know as I have his adress, remember me when I forget... Iam
very busy at work.

CornÃƒÂ©

gerardsrik · Post by **gerardsrik** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:32 pm

Thanks CornÃƒÂ©

Maybe i can find some thing about the net of this. Will look ad this forum regaly thus When you post the adress i will read it.

Thanks,

Rik

Corne Lauwerijssen · Post by **Corne Lauwerijssen** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:56 pm

I have his adress,

Bettestraat 27a
Stekene

003237794814

Ask for a little discount, I got 100euro discount for a friends Dodge last year. Payed 650 for it.

One hint, if you are going to buy a tank larger than 150litres.. Ask me then for advice or help, not easy to explain in English why this is.

gerardsrik · Post by **gerardsrik** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 3:05 pm

Thanks CornÃƒÂ©

I think i will go for 2x 80 litres lpg tanks. That way i can mount them under the payload floor out of sight.

I 'll keep you up to date about this.

Rik

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:30 pm

What is the physical size of those tanks? There is not a lot of space under the floor on a CCKW cargo for a tank than is not short and thin.