[W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?

[Mike R.]

Nathan,

OK, natural gas might be good for my BBQ, not for the SEC. 

 

Any benefits to doing a LPG/Propane conversion to a 560 engine? It does
sound like there might be enough energy there to have some decent results. I
could put a single large propane tank in the trunk, maybe a 40 pound bottle.
Unless I'm unlucky enough to have a problem like Ken Buck, getting
sandwiched between to 18-wheelers, the LPG tank should be fine up against
the gas tank. It shouldn't be too hard to seal the passenger compartment
from the trunk, the rear speakers would be the biggest holes. Monkey S**T
would take care of the rest. I could make a blow-out panel in the bottom of
a side well in the trunk just in case. 

 

Have you seen a US MB running LPG?

 

Thanks,

Mike R.

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From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Nathan Goodlet
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 7:39 PM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Propane fuel?

 

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. <mailto:mramay at att.biz>  

To: 'Mercedes <mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>  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
<http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1224976&posts=3>
&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

 


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