How to Convert to Compressed Natural Gas
Compressed natural gas (otherwise known as CNG) is a fossil fuel used in cars. Conversion to compressed natural gas can be an expensive, difficult process. But it can cut your transportation costs dramatically--in some cases by more than half. It also reduces toxic emissions by nearly 70 percent. If you're concerned about the environment and looking for an alternative to diesel and conventional gasoline, CNG is an excellent substitute.
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Instructions
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Find out if there are CNG refueling stations in your area. You don't want to go through the hard work of converting, only to find you have no place to fill your new tank. Use the maps provided at Alt Fuel Prices to locate the stations in your city.
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Analyze the pros and cons: would it be smarter to convert your used car or buy a new one that already runs on natural gas? A new car may cost thousands of dollars, but depending on where you reside, you'll be eligible for a combined federal and state tax credit worth several thousand dollars. However, if you own a new car and run out of CNG, you can't simply switch back to gasoline with the push of a button the way you can if you convert your used car. Keep in mind your personal needs: New cars have a limited driving range of about 250 miles; standard cars are built for much longer driving ranges--as much as 600 miles.
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Contact a mechanic or conversion expert about the make and model of your car. Make sure your model can be converted; the compressed gas tanks not only take up a lot of trunk space, they can be quite heavy, more than many small cars can handle.
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Purchase a compressed natural gas (CNG) kit online. CNG conversion kits come with many parts, including a fuel changeover switch, so you can go from gasoline to natural gas and back again whenever you wish. There's a pressure gauge, an emulator, filling nozzles and lots of heavy wiring, straps and screws. Don't forget to purchase the cylinder (or tank) and the cylinder valve--they don't come with the kit. You can buy all the supplies and accessories from the same online source and convert it yourself if you're mechanically inclined.
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Install the conversion kit per the manufacturer's instructions. It generally takes two people 6 to 8 hours to install the kit, not including the cylinder. If you are not handy with tools, find a certified installer. Companies like CNG Outfitters or CNG United offer plenty of installation options. For special information on safety in handling a cylinder, visit the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles online.
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References
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- Photo Credit Just fill it up. image by Saskia Massink from Fotolia.com
