Home compressors for CNG cars

[turbo6bar]

I've been googling and reading CNG forums about home compressors. It seems like the technology hasn't caught up so that we can fuel CNG cars/trucks from our home natural gas line. Well, there are compressors out there: Chinese cheapos, smaller US built ones that require regular, somewhat expensive rebuilds, and some homebrew solutions that don't sound very safe.

I want to convert a car and truck to run dual fuels: gasoline and CNG. I figure a 3-5 GGE tank would handle about 90% of regular use, and at $0.74/GGE for natural gas at the meter, there's potential for significant cost savings.

Comments?
Jurgen

[red-beard]

At the convention over the summer, there was a US company selling CNG compressors for the home. Let me see if I can find the info.

[kaisen]

Ask Sid.... he and his dad have CNG powered trucks for the business and have a CNG compressor

[red-beard]

I think it was these guys:

Refueling at Home

[turbo6bar]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I think it was these guys:

Refueling at Home

That seems to be the most popular one, but it has a poor reputation. Many say it won't last long before needing to be sent off for a rebuild. Interestingly, you can actually lease these from utility companies and Honda, IIRC. That would be a way to reduce risk.

So far, the best 'deal' I've found is a refurbished Fuelmaker FM4 for $5400. It's rated for 4000 hours before a claimed on-site $800 rebuild.

However, I found that individuals can get up to $2000 federal tax credit for 'alternative fuel infrastructure,' but the equipment must be new. There's also a 50 cent per gallon tax credit for sellers/users of CNG, but individuals cannot claim the full amount. A business, however, can. The federal government is putting forth several nice incentives to get folks onto natural gas.

[porsche4life]

Eric is correct. We have had a few CNG trucks around. The only one right now is an '05 silverado 2500. Dad picked it up with 150 on the clock for 8k....


We do not however have a fueling station. The nearest gas line to our house is over a mile, and it would cost us something like 20k to get it to the house.... So....

But in OK I can get 3600PSI for 1.35/gge. It takes 10mins tops to fill up. For us the he compressor just wouldn't make sense. I know a friend of my dads did the math and said the compressor only saved a few cents per gallon when he figured rebuild costs.

So, how much do you drive, because you are looking at a minimum 12k investment, and realistically more like 15-16. A 5gge tank won't get you very far, our truck has 20gge and it's good for 200miles...

CNGnow has tons of good info, including a map of stations. Check out how many are in OK....

If you want to buy an already converted trick let me know and I'll fill you in on where the sweet spots are, and what to watch out for.

[red-beard]

A rebuild every 4000 hrs would end up being about every 500 days of full use. I guess it would depend on how far you have to go with vehicle. If you refill completely everyday (8 hours), a rebuild about every year and a half. If you refuel only by 50%, then a rebuild every 4 years. I guess you need to factor that in.

[turbo6bar]

If I were in OK, I definitely would not get a compressor. Here in TN, however, stations are very rare.

If I depreciate the machine and conversion kits out over 5 years, it'd be just a little better than break even. After the 5 year mark, however, the cost savings are significant. It really depends on the durability of the compressor. Will it hold some value over time? Will a rebuild truly cost only $800? Will gasoline stay around $3.50/gallon? Unless hydraulic fracking is banned, I don't see natural gas prices going up dramatically.

If I could get my diesel on a natural gas/diesel mix, I'd be all in.

The compressor really is the stick in this equation.

[kaisen]

Why not LP?

[porsche4life]

It takes 10 mins on a commercial compressor. That same fill takes all night at home. The compressors that do it in 10, cost about 250k...

[Joe Bob]

I would look for providers near your area. Why buy the infrastructure if you don't have to?

If there isn't any, bug the local politician who claims to be green and ask WTF?

[GH85Carrera]

In my area there are several CNG stations within a few miles of my home or office. The one closest to me has been in place for over a year. The local university wanted to change their vehicles to CNG but decided not to because that station is down so often. To put in their own compressor with the ability to supply their fleet would be several million bucks. For me to go to CNG would require me to either drive a few miles out of my way to get to the station. If someone is already there I have to wait on them. The home units would be great, but are too expensive for my needs.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Why not LP?

LP or LNG?

LP is basically propane, which is much more expensive than Natural Gas. LNG is cryogenic natural gas, which will not stay LNG unless kept cold.