CNG tank fill or exchange... PNW... Anacortes, Port Townsend???
- Thread starter genec
- Start date
Talked to Sure Marine awhile ago telling me they shut the system down last January. He had his own compressor for filling tanks to 2500 PSI, unlike the local fuel stations that fill to 3600 PSI. Process was becoming too expensive, plus the compressor needed a rebuild. He still has it if someone wants to pick it up.
So it seems that upgrading our boat to propane is becoming more likely. Seaward sold their business to Whale and Sure Marine bought all the remaining conversion parts except for the oven. I can convert our Seaward Hillerange top burners to propane, but not the oven. If I can find a used Seaward propane stove that still works, I can use the oven burner from it in to replace the CNG burner in our stove. It may just make more sense to go all new. Trident makes a two eleven pound bottle locker that will fit in our starboard lazarette locker. Expensive, but more convenient than trying to fill our CNG tank.
If someone has a better idea, please let me know. I'm all ears. Maybe time to start a, "Go Fund Me", page.
So it seems that upgrading our boat to propane is becoming more likely. Seaward sold their business to Whale and Sure Marine bought all the remaining conversion parts except for the oven. I can convert our Seaward Hillerange top burners to propane, but not the oven. If I can find a used Seaward propane stove that still works, I can use the oven burner from it in to replace the CNG burner in our stove. It may just make more sense to go all new. Trident makes a two eleven pound bottle locker that will fit in our starboard lazarette locker. Expensive, but more convenient than trying to fill our CNG tank.
If someone has a better idea, please let me know. I'm all ears. Maybe time to start a, "Go Fund Me", page.
Why not go alcohol? As stated, that is what I am going to do.
I think the tradeoffs in terms of slower cooking and the like are not relevant to me. I don't want pressurized gas of any kind in my boat. I am keeping CNG for now, but will not go to LPG. Would be very expensive to try to put in a proper propane locker. YMMV.
Some interesting comments here.
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/origo-6000-stove-advice.190258/
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/origo-6000-stove-advice.190258/
Trident makes a two eleven pound bottle locker that will fit in our starboard lazarette locker.
Terry, make sure you can locate a vent such that it does not fill the locker with saltwater while underway.
Late to the game I know but I too am a PNW boat owner with a CNG system that I cannot get refilled. I have a 2 burner stove with broiler that is really nice which I'd like to stick with but can't find a replacement in that configuration. So my choices are to go propane or try to refill my bottle. I've spoken with Sure Marine about convert my system to propane but it's pretty expensive even with an external stern hung all-in-one system. The other option it to try to refill my bottle (I could probably go 5 years without doing this again with my cruising needs). Any recent suggestions for refilling a CNG bottle in my area? My bottle is probably pretty old. Thanks!
Man, did this turned into an education Genec, you might try this alternative fuel locator: Alternative Fuel Stations in 98164 (Seattle, WA)
Genec, you might try this alternative fuel locator: Alternative Fuel Stations in 98164 (Seattle, WA)
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 21,991
I looked at the @DinghySailor's link. Only one site showed up in my search identifying Compressed NaturaL Gas. It was in Marysville at the Waste Management station. They had a last confirmation of Nov 2020. Anybody know if they fill tanks for boat owners.
A guy in my zip code refills CNG. I thought he was also listed in the boat stuff for sale on SBO? Annapolis, though. This is a public service announcement. YMMV.
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Airports use the forks out on the tarmac. There is a CNG refill next to BWI Airport.
Virginia gas in Norfolk will refill CNG and I was able to get the tanks hydro-tested.
Anyone have experience with filling their tanks at the Marysville Waste Management facility? Do they have the adapter for boat style tanks?
If UPS can find sources to fill the tanks for its forklifts all over the U.S you should be able to locate them too. Those outfits may not like your "looks iffy-to-them" tank. If you use the same tank as UPS does, they shouldn't have a reason not to fill it. There must be lots of CNG distributors who handle forklift tanks but who don't want to bother with "custom" boat-sized tanks. So it can be about the tank as well as the source. I've had propane dealers give me looks about our "mini" aluminum propane tank and have to be convinced too.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 21,991
You would think that was the case. What the CNG boat owners are finding, at least here in the Pacific NW "No one wants to fill tanks with CNG".
Exploring teh "Alternative Fuel site for the major marina's and near by, there are no distributors of CNG, let alone willing to fill a tank of any size.
Perhaps in CT they still exist.