CNG Sources

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Jim Ewing

I've been meaning to post this for a while but I keep losing it. Actually that's why I wanted to posti it so it would be in the archives and I'd always know where to find it. But I digress... If you are a CNG equipped Hunter you may find the following web site interesting: http://afdcmap.nrel.gov/nrel/ It's an interactive alternative fuels locator. You tell it where you are and it tells you all the nearby places to buy CNG. (And other fuels if you have a space shuttle or nuclear sub etc.) Jim "Prospect"
 
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Rex Noel

Awesome

Very cool. Does anyone know the details of how you use one of these filling sites? Can our cylinders be filled to the proper pressure, etc? Also, is it a do it yourself operation, or does an operator do the filling?
 
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Patrick Ewing

Awesome indeed

I have added this site to my favorites list along with you. If you find yourself in Seattle, I will buy you lunch. Thank you Jim.
 
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Frank

Reference Library

Phil, This would be a great link for the reference library
 
Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
Word of Caution

Several years ago it was possible to obtain CNG fuel at a location which shall remain nameless which sold fuel for motor vehicles. Because of the connection setup an adaptor was needed. Because of the small volumes I needed the company really didn't want to bother selling me fuel (about 1.50 to fill a tank!) so I tried to buy an adaptor from Sure Marine. Well...... they wanted to know where I was buying the fuel and, unknown to me at the time, I found out it was illegal for them to sell me the fuel. Shure owns the tanks - not us - and they don't allow anybody else to refill them. What I said may not be exactly correct but it is the gist of it. Safety (tanks need to be maintained and checked, etc.). Shure threatened me and the company with a suit and that was the end of a cheap gas source. The message here is if you find a source it is recommended you keep it to yourself. In the Seattle area the two places I go to, Shilshole Marina and the Chandlery at Eagle Harbor Marina on Bainbridge Island (first choice), is not listed. Next week I'm going to check out one of the places (won't say which) to see if I can get some fuel there. And last but not least, thanks for the URL!
 
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Patrick Ewing

John, I expected something like that

I have 3 or more empty tanks and will help with an adapter if it will help you. Sure Marine is another of those companies which will use these kind of predatory marketing practices still too common in the marine industry and I will not do business (or refer any) with them any longer for other similar reasons. The market value of a tank of fuel is about $1 and they charge $21. They even tried to tell me that they owned my tanks and that I could not fill them anywhere else. They later offerred to sell me a spare tank for $400. I still haven't figured that out. A tank of fuel in Pender Harbor was $80 Canadian and it was $120 further north. They seem to think it is ok to charge anything that they can. The propane suppliers are trying to move in the same direction through legislation which is disguised as safety enforcement. I think that they will have more trouble than the cng bunch has now. Do not get me wrong - I am all for meaningful safety regs. Let me know what you find out or if I can help you. ( patrick.ewing@juno.com ) If the market is locked up locally, I may go east for some other supplier.
 
Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
Pender Harbour Gas Cost

One of the reasons for the high cost of CNG at Pender Harbour is that transport is my commerical boat which must have insurance for carrying explosive or dangerous materials. Eagle Harbor and Shilshole Marina, the last time we bought fuel, was well under $20. Since we don't use the oven (we don't have one), and we use an electric hot plate whenever we have power (hydro), a tank will last us well over a year. At this rate the cost isn't exorbidant, just a little high considering the use. In the overall scheme of things, compared to other costs for owning a boat, it's almost insignificant. We have a spare tank and it would be really nice to be able to fill both of them at the same time at the prices car drivers pay, not to mention the convenince.
 
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