#1
IP: 74.196.165.121
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Propane engine conversion
Anyone know of a propane conversion of an Atomic 4. Can you even get a propane engine approved for marine use?
Advantages: Cook and cruse with same fuel. No ethenol and water problems. Able to take more safty measures with one rather than two fuel sorces. Thanks. |
#2
IP: 68.126.199.192
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Propane conversion for an Atomic 4...that scares yesterdays dinner out of me. In the event that turkey blew up, you’d be sailing 250 above the earth…and have no rudder control
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#3
IP: 24.152.131.220
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The dark side
I had my el Camino converted to propane back in the early 70's so I can speak from some level of experience. The problems:
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Neil 1977 Catalina 30 San Pedro, California prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22 Had my hands in a few others Last edited by ndutton; 09-26-2011 at 08:13 PM. |
#4
IP: 24.224.206.117
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Not for me...I'd swim first.
About 20 years ago our Hospital Ambulance was propane (Military Hospital in Halifax)....it had no guts. An athlete on a 10 speed could take us off a light...and try to keep speed in a hill...360 engine with the guts of a 4 cly...it was embarrassing.
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Mo "Odyssey" 1976 C&C 30 MKI The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts the sails. ...Sir William Arthur Ward. |
#5
IP: 24.136.67.99
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Oooh!
Charles, there are many that would work for the A-4, all you need do is look at small forklifts with the same approximate displacement or HP rating. You will also need to run the engine closer to 220 for a good running propane set-up. I have done a few and wrenched on quite a few. I also have suppplied some tooling to Ack Miller for their propane carbs. I have been considering it for my ole C-4 Corvette with a 383 and a turbo.
I really think it is not e good idea unless you have the room and the venting to support at least 3 cannisters. And as per Hanley where do you get fuel IF you travel. Propane is clean and fairly efficient if you can run at the temps that propane requires however at those temps the cabin will bemuch warmer and a heat exchanger is a must as well as a 210 degree t'stat. It would be an interesting project and not that difficult, I just wouldn't recomend it. I have been a bit involved in developing a fuel injection for propane to be controlled by a computer also. Dave Neptune |
#6
IP: 216.115.121.240
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I brought up the subject about LNG last year, not much really to find.
Propane is heavier than air, LNG is lighter. The fire risk with propane might be about the same as gas.
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Whiskeyjack a '68 Columbia 36 rebuilt A-4 with 2:1 "Since when is napping doing nothing?" |
#7
IP: 24.152.131.220
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Did he just call me Hanley? Well, I 'spose I've been called worse.
And where do you get and how do you transport fuel even if you don't?
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Neil 1977 Catalina 30 San Pedro, California prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22 Had my hands in a few others Last edited by ndutton; 09-26-2011 at 11:23 PM. |
#8
IP: 24.136.67.99
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OOps
Sorry Niel, no dis intended~but Hanley may have though that an upgrade for you.
Sometimes the typing starts and the brain just doesn't work well. Per Russ, LNG would be pretty safe by comparison however I'm not sure how much power it can make. I have no experience with it. Dave Neptune |
#9
IP: 24.152.131.220
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FYI, natural gas aka methane has about half the therms of propane. If stored in a liquid state (the 'L' in LNG) you'll need a cryogenic plant to maintain the extremely low temperature required - - around negative 250 F. Once it returns to a gaseous state either the volume or the pressure skyrockets. My partially full CNG stove fuel is currently stored at 1500 PSI in what looks like a SCUBA tank.
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Neil 1977 Catalina 30 San Pedro, California prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22 Had my hands in a few others |
#10
IP: 199.173.226.236
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I think the leak issue would be too much to overcome for an enclosed engine.
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#11
IP: 206.125.176.3
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We have an LNG dock (with storage tanks on shore) here on the Chesapeake. The ships that come in to the dock are B-I-G and look like they are housing a couple of nuclear reactors.
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-Shawn "Holiday" - '89 Alura 35 #109 "Twice Around" - '77 C-30, #511 with original A-4 & MMI manifold - SOLD! (no longer a two boat owner!!) |
#12
IP: 128.183.140.38
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And that off-shore LNG pier at Cove Point is HUGE. I have Landsat photos that show it's clearly visible from orbit. At night, it's lit up like like a Christmas tree, visible from MANY miles up the Bay.
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@(^.^)@ Ed 1977 Pearson P-323 "Dolce Vita" with rebuilt Atomic-4 |
#13
IP: 199.173.226.236
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The ships use the LNG for fuel too
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Tags |
fuel system, propane |
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