LPG Conversion

[Guest]

I have been considering the pro's and con's of having an LPG conversion and running on dual fuel. Has anyone done this or have info on it? I have a garage very, very near to me who are main LPG converters (for cars), I will get a price tomorrow, but believe it could be about £2,500. (but would also save congestion charge in the Thames /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif)

Cheers,

 

[longjohnsilver]

There's a doctor who has converted a hunton Gazelle (I think) who has written several articles in MBM. Kim may well know more. Your main problem like petrol is finding convenient suppliers.

 

[paulrossall]

Think this has been covered before, try doing a search. My Volvo 940 runs on LPG and the system is brilliant. However there are lots of cowboys doing these conversions so make sure you get someone who has a good track record.

 

[Guest]

I have checked the LPG conversion site http://www.lpg-boats.co.uk they only name one conversion company, but as I said this garage next to me has been doing this for solely for years, I checked that site for filling up and there are now loads of places shown, there are two near where I am mooring at Chatham, one at Medway Bridge and one at Gillingham. I am just concerned at how big a tank I would need (because I want to keep the petrol as well), they talk about a 92 ltr tank. As I said I will get a price tomorrow, I don't know if they have done a boat before, but it can't be that different, except probably 50% cheaper. The site says the running costs are 50% cheaper could this also be true?

P.S. I have done a search as you suggested and found some very useful info, sorry for bringing it up again, but leaving it here for a bit it may give others the chance to think about it again.

 

[clyst]

Sounds a bit scary Grumpy ol' chap all that petrol AND gas on board!! hope you dont smoke !!
What about your insurance Co are they happy? Just a though.

Cheers

Terry

 

[Guest]

Good thinking batman, I will do both tomorrow, if the price to convert is too much then i will call it a day. As for smoking I think I will have to take out the humador out anyway to make way for the gas /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

Perhaps there could be another meaning soon for going out for a blast with me. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Col]

He's based on the Itchen, boat is called Causation. Just been re- enginged with 502's


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[Col]

Grumpy, you need to speak to Calor marine for this convertion, not a car converter.Firstly, Tanks are much, much bigger for boats- car tanks are useually spare wheel shaped/ sized, cos normally mount in spare wheel well.Secondly, Not sure if filler nozzles are same fitting, be a bit useless if you couldn't fill it up, wouldn't it!

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[trev]

I think you may find you need to go to a marine fitter to get your conversion approved - especially for inland use. I think there is only one firm doing that right now, but name escapes me.
Also I seem to remember some controversy over dual fuel systems for boats using inland waterways. but OK at sea - don't understand that!
As mentioned before - if you have it done by a car fitter, the connections and pipework may not be to the 'approved' marine standard. Don't make a cosly mistake, perhaps talk to someone who's done it.

Trev

 

[ChrisP]

Don't know if it's changed but I know that up until recently the Thames didn't allow gas to be used as a motive fuel. I don't think it's covered on the BSS. Could be wrong and have no poblem bowing to gerater knowledge. I think it would be a case of no BSS no can use.

ChrisP

What do you mean the sea gull in front's walking !!!

 

[cngarrod]

Calor removed their backing / support etc from marine LPG last year, as such there are no more Calor approved fitters.

But, there are still some around i am sure!

Been thinking about this myself, but there seems to be an equal amount of horror stories and fairytales so might be a tough call.

I know of a Fairline sprint that didn't like the conversion at all.. and Falcon 23 that seemed to get on with it.

Cheers,

Craig.

 

[Guest]

Could someone please fully explain BSS

 

[cngarrod]

Hi Grumpy,

You will find a marine conversion is a lot more in depth than the car equivalent. 2 things really.. (1) the filler has to minimise any waste or potential waste, so is a far higher grade that the vehicle version (2) safety with the taniks etc - whilst there are the masses that claim having a petrol boat is a licence to have a floating bomb, the potential to then have a tank of LPG makes it worse.

Calor Marine used to endorse / support and organise a fully qualified specialist marine installation team around the UK - but they withdrew their support last year. Whilst there are still fitters out there that can do the marine installation, only time will tell if there are going to be enough refuelling points to make it worth while.

Medway Bridge Marina used to be an installation point (i say "used" because i have no idea if they still are after last april, when i was last there) - might be worth dropping in and having a look.

MBM publish an annual update each year on refuelling points, Pro's and Con's etc - personally i would wait for that to come out later this year before deciding.

I have a mate who works for Calor as a quality engineer, i have asked him to check out the story next time he is in head office.

One other point - will all the kit you will be carrying, are you going to have enough room for another tank and more weight? or you planning on towing it?

Cheers,

Craig.

 

[cngarrod]

Simple - bloody expensive, time consuming licence that allows you to cruise at 4 knots on some rivers in the UK.

The medway does i think need it, as does the thames past St Kats.

I think Aztec just had his done and passed, but not sure.. check the posts form a week or so ago...

Cheers,

C

 

[Guest]

Luckily for them /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif I am out with the Chatham mafiosa today being shown the ropes. I will make some enquiries about the Medway Bridge location. I guess it would be daft to take on the conversion with a 18 mth pay back period, only to find that in 12mths time there are no filling stations. I will update you when I get any more feedback. Thak you all so much for your kind help, where would I be without you /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[Guest]

OK got it, I have heard about those, but I was under the opinion you could get a visitor licence for a day or whatever e.g. up on the river Avon. Will be VERY important I check re the medway river as I got the boat to potter about with my little daughter, don't want to find that after an LPG conversion they don't permit me to go there. I know for a fact that you cannot travel by the Channel Tunnel on the Le Shuttle if you have an LPG converted car, would be the same for boats I would think. (on a trailer)

Thanks for the info.

 

[andrewa]

Grumpy

Call Richard Neville at Marine Solutions he knows his stuff ex-calor and has been doing it for a number of years 01438 715388 probably get answerphone but will call you back. Don't use a car company, system is very different in a boat and i'm afraid more expensive.

 

[Xenopus]

Now on second LPG boat - highly recommended if you're in an area where there's good availability. Really found no downside at all. If the conversion's done properly (important - recommend Richard Neville at Marine Solutions) then there seems to be no difference between running on petrol or LPG - except the engines are happier, its quieter and lots lots cheaper.

good luck

 

[Guest]

I had a LPG converted Bayliner 2855, I had no problems whatsoever in 3 years. The performance seemed the same but the consumption somewhat higher, presumably because fuel is sold by volume not weight and LPG is less dense then petrol (which is less dense than diesel). The cost of conversion was about £3k and I think I recovered the cost in a little over two years. I recommend that you fit the biggest tank/s practical as you might well use the boat with less restraint.

It might be worth checking how much petrol you personally use over a season and then you will have some idea of the economics.

 

[Xenopus]

If its any interest to you there is a picture of sorts of our conversion (together with others) at:

http://www.iwemaenterprise.nl/Hunton36.htm

On the safety side it seems to me that LPG is probably safer than petrol alone due to the sensor array fitted (four in our boat) that pick up not only gas but petrol vapour - since either will explode I'd really like to know if they're in the bilge!!

I would really get in touch with a marine conversion specialist as the safety aspects of a boating conversion are really best dealt with by people who are used to them.

good luck