Considering a CNG conversion for your vehicle?

Converting your vehicle to a Bi-Fuel system with a CNG conversion can be confusing if you are not familiar with the process, so we’ve laid out a few steps to help get you started. Here’s what you can expect:

•  The first step in the process is the tank. You will need to decide what type of tank will work for you, and where you want it to be installed.  Some research will be needed for this, but the tank is an important step.
• Now it’s time to get a bid. As you shop around, make sure the tanks and brackets are included in the price.
• If you plan on installing the system yourself, you will need to buy a conversion kit, and you will also need a good mechanical background.
• Now its time to install! We will use the Millennium system for our example.

 

 

• A fuel regulator is mounted under the hood in the engine compartment. There are high-pressure lines coming from your tanks, and a low-pressure line going to the engine.

• CNG tanks will need to be mounted. They are generally placed in the cargo area, however, you maybe be able to put them other places such as: under the bed of a truck, behind seats, or sometimes under seats.

•    Inside your vehicle, usually on the dash panel, a fuel control switch will be installed. This switch allows you to change the fuel you are running on at any time, as well as monitor the amount of fuel in your CNG tank.

•    A control computer will also be installed with wiring that connects to your injectors, your 02 sensor, tack wire, and tanks. You may also need a stepper motor and mixer, or a fuel rail, for your injectors.
•   The regulator and computer are tuned to your specific engine after everything has been installed.
• Your CNG conversion is now complete! Just fill up with Natural Gas, and you are on your way to money savings, and extended engine life.

A few things to remember with CNG:

• If it is below freezing you will need to warm up your engine on regular gas for best performance. This usually only takes about 5 minutes.
• Some vehicles lose more power than others, and the power range is usually different for every vehicle. You will need to become familiar with how your particular vehicle responds.
• The time needed between oil changes is usually extended, sometimes even twice as long or more! The percentage of time you run on CNG versus gasoline is what determines this.

So there’s an overview of CNG conversions. The video version can be found at http://youtu.be/2_N-eou07MA

If you have any personal experience you would like to share, or if you have any questions, please leave us a comment.