[W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?

[Nathan Goodlet]

Mike
Natural gas is a whole different thing from LPG/propane, LPG/propane will sit in a fairly lightweight bottle under 135 psi and remain a liquid, at room temperatures. This means in a 20 gallon tank of relatively light weight you can get a huge quantity of gaseous fuel. CNG/compressed natural gas does not liquify, even at 3500 psi !!! and requires a very strong, very large container, and a VERY hard working and expensive compressor, and A LOT of energy is required to compress the gas required to run a vehicle even for short day trips. CNG has been limited to use by local fleets, police cars, UPS or post office vehicles.  Even then, without the increase of energy density implicit in the state change to a liquid, a CNG vehicle is lilited by significant weight of the tank, significant and costly work invoved in compressing the gas to 3500 psi or more, and the fact that the fuel is not at all dense, compared to a liquid state fuel.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike R. 
  To: 'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists' 
  Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 4:15 PM
  Subject: [W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?


  I just read a post on a benzworld forum from several propane/LPG users, including one with an SEC. 

   

  http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1224976&posts=3

   

  Nathan - didn't you post something a while ago about "converting" an MB to use either gasoline or propane? Now that the oil companies are in the "maximize profits, screw consumers" mode, maybe natural gas/propane would make more sense for a daily commuter. I have an '87 560SEL that could use this!

   

  Is this a difficult conversion? Can I do a fill-up at a hardware store propane station? I have a gas water heater and home heating system, which means natural gas is already delivered to the house. What is needed to fill up the car from that source?

   

  Later,

  Mike R.

  (702) 494-8056

   



------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  The MB Coupes Website!
  W126 SEC Mailing List
  Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/mbcoupes/attachments/20050909/022df7b8/attachment.htm