Time for CNG Conversion to Propane??

Stu Jackson · Nov 8, 2011

http://www.safgas.com/index.php?action=website-view&WebSiteID=470&WebPageID=14067

You don't need to change the stove, just the burners. Call Seaward with the # of your stove (inside the top, lift it up).

If you install propane, you need a locker for the tank, vented overboard and sealed all around including the top. Unless you mount it outside.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...Id=11151&catalogId=10001&page=Propane-Systems

Steve Dion · Nov 8, 2011

There are several CNG stations in the SD area. Have you considered building an adapter and refilling the tank yourself?

stuart.hamer · Nov 8, 2011

I exchange my CNG tanks here:

Pearson Marine Fuels Inc. 2435 Shelter Island Dr San Diego, CA 92106

They're Ok - about $35 a tank. I would be interested in buying an adapter if anybody here has details though.

I wouldn't consider changing to propane unless you're planning some long distance cruising to places without CNG. I have three tanks, which could last me a long time though.

Stuart

Stu Jackson · Nov 8, 2011

Steve Dion said:
There are several CNG stations in the SD area. Have you considered building an adapter and refilling the tank yourself?

Thanks for reminding me, Steve.

Here's how: http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=CNG_Refill_Adapter

Cherie320 · Nov 8, 2011

I would not change to propane unless I could not get CNG. Propane is a safe fuel when used properly, but when the trouble to change out the components is added to an increased safety risk, however slight, I say no. Revisit the issue in a few years. YMMV..................Pat

capshroud · Nov 8, 2011

You can switch to propane, but its a pricey conversion. The stove can be converted, but you'll still need to add a propane locker, and all the writing and safety systems plus new gas lines. CNG is getting more available with all the vehicles now using it. if you get an adapter to fill at and not exchange at a marina, a refill should cost $5.00 our less.

Benny17441 · Nov 8, 2011

CNG stoves did not come equiped with thermocouple switches. A thermocouple switch will detect if the flame in a lit burner has gone off and will shut off the gas supply. It is a safety issue incorporated in current propane installations. You may convert your CNG stove for propane use by replacing the burners but just be aware that the flow of propane will continue in the event of a flameout. There is a simple solution and that is not leave a lit stove unattended until all the cooking is done and it has been turned off.

Benny17441 · Nov 8, 2011

Most of these propane filling stations are operated by corporate America. I'm sure that their attorneys will frown on the practice of allowing the use of homemade adapters because of liability issues. If there were a large demand which could financially sway their attorneys concerns they would probably be marketing certified adapters themselves. If you can find a mom and pops operation or a simpathetic attendant you may be in luck but do not count on either for the long term.

stuart.hamer · Nov 9, 2011

I did a search online. There are lots of similar posts on other boards discussing the use use of adapters to fill up your own tanks. Benny is right though, and to be honest with you - If i ran a gas station I wouldn't want some guy using his home made adapter playing around with 3000+ psi.

stuart.hamer · Nov 9, 2011

I did a search online. There are lots of similar posts on other boards discussing the use use of adapters to fill up your own tanks. Benny is right though, and to be honest with you - If i ran a gas station I wouldn't want some guy using his home made adapter playing around with 3000+ psi.

Steve Dion · Nov 9, 2011

I believe that most of the CNG stations are self serve.

bustedrudder · Nov 10, 2011

This link lists available stations by state and access.

I considered converting when we first acquired our 40.5 but once you find a source CNG is safer and better.

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_locations.html

timvg · Nov 12, 2011

I hope the CNG tanks are always available. We can get them locally at Alamitos Bay Marina fuel dock and in Newport Beach. We have 2 extra tanks that we always have stored in the starboard cockpit hatch (the one opposite the table).

Definitely, CNG is the best way to go, as long as you can get it.

Steve Dion · Nov 13, 2011

We just refilled 4 tanks this past week. The tanks were all at different stages of fill, but the total cost was $6.61 for ALL four tanks. There happened to be an attendant that was doing a repair on the 3600 PSI filling receptacle and he gave us a little training. It was very quick to fill a tank (20-30 sec. est.). We filled our tanks to 3000 psi.

Our current dealer in the Rio Vista area is now charging us $25 for an exchange tank (2200 PSI). The cost for CNG at the station we used was $2.38/gal (equivalent). The emptiest tank took about $1.80 to fill.

Steve Dion · Nov 13, 2011

Oh, I almost forgot. I wanted to give Bill Roosa a special thanks for giving us the information we needed to build our own CNG refilling manifold.

It is not cheap, but the cost savings is enormous.

Stu Jackson · Nov 13, 2011

stuart.hamer said:
I did a search online. There are lots of similar posts on other boards discussing the use use of adapters to fill up your own tanks. Benny is right though, and to be honest with you - If i ran a gas station I wouldn't want some guy using his home made adapter playing around with 3000+ psi.

As Steve mentioned, this is not an issue. Why? 'Cuz there are lots of cars out there would converted to CNG back in the old gas shortage days, for example. That's what the filling stations are for, for refills.

Allan12210 · Nov 13, 2011

Benny17441 said:
CNG stoves did not come equiped with thermocouple switches. A thermocouple switch will detect if the flame in a lit burner has gone off and will shut off the gas supply. It is a safety issue incorporated in current propane installations. You may convert your CNG stove for propane use by replacing the burners but just be aware that the flow of propane will continue in the event of a flameout. There is a simple solution and that is not leave a lit stove unattended until all the cooking is done and it has been turned off.

Benny brings up a really good point here. Being an Origo guy, I wouldn't have known about this. I was talking to my friends last week with a Hunter 46 and they said they forgot to turn off the oven control on their stove while using the top burners. Turns out when using the stove/oven they shut off the solenoid first and let the flames burn out the remainder of gas in the line. Is that a standard protocol even with a thermocouple protected LPG stove? Somehow they forgot to subsequently turn off the oven control before the next time (probably because they don't use the oven as often as the burners). Luckily when it was discovered no ensuing fire occured but it scared them. So, it sounds to me like that is a conversion to LPG and they are not aware of the safety risk. I will tell them. I think there are a lot of unsuspecting people out there who purchase boats in the secondary market that have been converted from CNG to LPG.

Allan

Time for CNG Conversion to Propane??

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