LPG Conversion

[Neil_P]

Does anybody have experience with converting to LPG. I am considering the conversion to my Fairline Carrera with twin Volvo AQ151B's. Where can you fit the cylinders? Most suggestions are beside the engines. How much fuel can they hold? Any problems etc.

Thought it may be an alternative to diesel. Should cost less to convert.

Regards

Neil

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[whisper]

Do a search on LPG on this forum. I think a couple of people here have, in the past, done what you are proposing.

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[Neil_P]

Thanks for tip. Just read the results of the search. Some very mixed opinions. Just makes things more confusing.

Regards

Neil

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[Dave_Snelson]

Yes, I\'ve done it

My Windy 8800 is LPG and petrol. It has 2 Volvo V6 Vortec 205HP engines. The conversion was done back in '99 by Calor Marine (as was) and I am having the gas carbs upgraded with new bits to bring them up to date (better technology).

Assuming LPG is readily available in your area, you will need to check that your motors can run on gas before you do anything. If they will convert, then get a survey done by a reputable conversion specialist, they will advise on where to locate tanks, sizes etc. Tanks come in various sizes and you will be surprised at where they can fit them without being obtrusive. Mine are 2 x 200L and are stowed mid-ships under the decking.

I buy my LPG at 32p per litre and running on it is great. The engines are quiter, with no discernable loss of power, and they burn cleaner. When you change the oil, instead of coming out black like old engine oil does, it comes out honey gold, like it went in! No kidding!

It is much, much cheaper and quicker to convert your boat to LPG, you'll be back on the water in 2-3 days having parted with about £5k.

Then there is the strong rumour that red diesel won't be around much longer - but I won't start that debate here!!

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[pistonbroke]

Re: Yes, I\'ve done it

Quote:

Then there is the strong rumour that red diesel won't be around much longer...

That is quite possible, but how long do you think you'll be able to buy gas for 32p per litre?

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[Dave_Snelson]

Re: Yes, I\'ve done it

Like every one who tries to second guess what this government, or indeed our esteemed friends in Brussells are going to do, I could be wrong!!

However... there is a known lobby for the "harmonisation" of taxes on diesel fuel. Brussells see this as a British anomoly - and they don't like it.

There is an equally strong lobby, in Europe and the UK, to encourage people to use more eco-friendly fuels such as LPG, and LPG is not on the monetary radar screen yet because so few people use it for transport.

That and the fact that there is a 400% over production of the stuff which goes into storage each year. There is also a stated intent on the government sponsored web-site, "Powershift", to keep taxation of LPG low.

All I have done, is back a horse based on what little I know, mixed with what little I can guess. Of course, I could be wrong - and I frequently am

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[Solitaire]

I've been through the LPG route and have come out the other side with a diesel! Origially had a V6 which went bust and then had a V8 which went the same way. AQ151's are old engines - don't even contemplate it! I'd never do it again. Its going to cost you in the region of £5k plus for a twin conversion and you will need to work out how much you use the boat as to how long it will take you to make the outlay back before you go into "profit". In three years of heavy use (between problems) I only just made it into the black and that was only becuase I sold the kit on! There are those who haved converted big 7.4 lumps and you could then say OK, its worth it. But I repeat on 151's no way - put the cash towards a diesel conversion and you'll put value on the boat as well. You'll also get longer range. If you want all the facts and figures I can give them to you over a period of three years - PM me. Also consider where you do your boating - if its the Solent then OK and parts of the South West - Torquay and Poole (Cobbs Quay) have it. They have been trying to get it into Weymouth for ages but as I understand it at the moment still no luck.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboat-training.co.uk>Serious</A> Fun<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Solitaire on 25/09/2003 10:49 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

Yes I had a conversion on a new 5.7 Merc. No problems whatsoever in the four years I ran it.
However I only just got my money back, it didn't result in a greater resale value so in my case it was all a waste of time.

As to the feasibility af a diesel conversion, this is going to cost a lot. Whether it will ever pay you back depends on the Government resisting Europe. I really cannot see them trying overly hard when it will mean lost revenue.

As to the increased value of your boat afterwards, I think a lot of opinions are based on 'wishful thinking' . It would be interesting to hear of actual enhanced prices fetched against the cost. I note from the various 'Buying secondhand' articles in the mags that old diesel boats only have a preand don't forget the high cost of servicing a pair of diesels to maintain the guarantee.

Geoff




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[Guest]

Well I made a mess of that, it should have read....

Yes I had a conversion on a new 5.7 Merc. No problems whatsoever in the four years I ran it.
However I only just got my money back, it didn't result in a greater resale value so in my case it was all a waste of time.

As to the feasibility af a diesel conversion, this is going to cost a lot. Whether it will ever pay you back depends on the Government resisting Europe. I really cannot see them trying overly hard when it will mean lost revenue.

As to the increased value of your boat afterwards, I think a lot of opinions are based on 'wishful thinking' . It would be interesting to hear of actual enhanced prices fetched against the cost. I note from the various 'Buying secondhand' articles in the mags that old diesel boats only have a premium of a few thousand pounds, certainly nothing like £20 -30k and don't forget the high cost of servicing a pair of diesels to maintain the guarantee.

Geoff



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[oldgit]

This subject has been raised many times.Can only comment that having been involved with a trade that has been trying out gas power for some time,the results have not been good.
Engines dying in the middle of motorways with frequent stalling and tickover problems being not unusual.

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[martynwhiteley]

Quote :"As to the increased value of your boat afterwards, I think a lot of opinions are based on 'wishful thinking' ."

Didn't know my boat was that popular /forums/images/icons/wink.gif.

But let's use a Birchwood 27 to consider resal values.

There's two I know about for sale at the moment, both diesel.

One 1985 with twin Volvo 30's, and they want £30K.

One 1982 with single volvo wanting £23K.

I paid £15K for mine with twin petrols, and it was vgc in every other respect.

It only cost me a net £6,750 to covert to a new Merc D120/Alpha.

On the basis of the above, I'd be silly to advertise it for less that £25K if I wanted to sell it, so it's a no brainer on whether it's worth it is it not?

BTW, my boat was converted to LPG by the prev owner, and then the conversion was removed. It seemed your wasting time converting 'small' petrol engines. You need to be looking at V8's to make it worthwhile, and IMHO forget it anyway.



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[Guest]

Martyn

I agree with you, if you can do a diesel conversion for £6K it is an excellent idea, but most of the conversions you hear about are £13k - £20K per engine and I dont see how that is economical.

Geoff

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[Solitaire]

You have to keep your ears to the ground. I found my Yamaha as a result of someone who wanted/needed to put a bigger diesel in his boat. The engine cost me £4k and fitting has added about another £2k. Of course if you have an old boat you have to look as the breakeven point on buying and fitting from new. I estimated that it was going to cost in the region og £18K to fit a new Yamar 240 with Bravo 3 to my boat - that was not worth it - so as I said I just kept my ear to the ground.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboat-training.co.uk>Serious</A> Fun