[C38] CNG propane conversion. lines?
D. R. Strong
drstrong at ucdavis.edu
Tue Dec 22 10:11:23 EST 2009
Tom: Thanks for the informative post. We have grey plastic lines that
carry the CNG from the tank to the stove. Is not a different kind of
line needed for propane?
regards, Don
Tom T. wrote:
> Hello gentlemen,
>
> I can't imagine a problem converting from CNG to propane. I've done
> several natural gas to propane conversions on home heating units and
> with them, the only thing you do is reduce the jet size to make a more
> oxidizing (lean) flame, otherwise you will have a reducing (rich)
> flame if you don't reduce the jet size. I do heating and air work on
> the side and have done several home conversions from natural gas to
> propane and vise versa on heaters and hot water heaters.
>
> I have never bought jets for a natural gas to propane conversion. I
> use a small hand held collet chuck drill bit holder with a set of
> small drill bits. I start by finding a drill bit that fits the old jet
> exactly and make a note of it. I then solder up the old jet and drill
> through the solder with a smaller drill bit.
>
> If there is any yellow in the flame, I repeat the above procedure
> going to a smaller drill bit and check the color of the flame again.
> I repeat the above procedure until the flame is totally blue with no
> yellow showing. A blue flame indicates complete combustion with
> absolutely minimal O2.
>
> Some stoves, hot water heaters, and HVAC central home units offer
> their products with conversion jets to make the conversion from
> propane to natural gas or visa versa but sometimes there are small
> other differences between the two product lines other than just the
> jet. Whatever the differences are, they must be minimal because from
> comparing two seemingly identical space heaters for different gasses,
> I could not see any differences other than the jet sizes but the
> manufacturer listed totally different part numbers for the two units
> so there must be some small difference.
>
> As simple as a boat range is, I doubt there would be any problem
> changing the jet size and trying it. If the procedure
> wasn't satisfactory, just drill out the solder and return the range
> back to stock.
>
> I would be highly surprised if changing the jets to a smaller size
> wouldn't produce a perfect conversion but since the conversion is so
> simple and cheap, why not try it if your range and oven is in good
> shape otherwise?
>
> Not only is propane cheaper and easier to find than CNG, it also
> provides more BTU's for more efficient tank efficiency.
>
> One property of CNG that was highly praised in the 70's when it first
> became popular for boats was that CNG is lighter than air and would
> not concentrate in bilges making shipboard use safer. In actual
> practice, some boats have been blown up with CNG from overhead cabin
> lights making little or no difference in actual safety experiences
> between the two gasses in enclosed vessels like ours reducing the
> popularity of CNG.
>
> Anyway, that's my two cents. As I type this, I'm sitting here keeping
> warm near a non-vented gas space heater converted from propane to
> natural gas. Propane to natural gas is an easier conversion than visa
> versa because all I needed to do was enlarge the jet instead of making
> it smaller making soldering the jet orifice unnecessary.
>
> Tom Troncalli
> Renata #95
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* David Epstein <mailto:davidepstein at seicontrol.com>
> *To: *Catalina 38 Listserve <mailto:listserve at catalina38.org>
> *Sent:* 12/22/2009 1:23:11 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [C38] New Owner w/ CNG question
>
> Hi Jay,
>
> Congratulations on your "new" boat, and welcome to the C38
> family. I know Broad Reach very well. We used to race against
> them, and I even raced on it a couple of times.
>
> I have never had any problems finding CNG. You can get it a gas
> dock that is not too far from San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) in
> Shelter Island in the SD harbor. I think it might be called
> Pearsons Marine Fuels. You don't have to get your tank filled, you
> just remove yours, exchange it for a full one, and you are on
> your way. In fact, I always try to get a tank when we are in SD
> as they seem to put a bit more gas in the tanks than they do in
> Marina del Rey. As I recall, you get as much as 2300 lbs, and we
> are lucky to get 1900-2000 lbs in MdR.
>
> Personally I would not consider changing to Propane, unless you
> are planning to spend a lot of time in Mexico or other areas
> outside So Cal. CNG is lighter than air, making it much safer
> than Propane, which will settle in the bottom of the boat.
>
> Let me know if I can be of any help to you, and again, welcome.
>
> David Epstein
> C38 #122, SuperStar
> Marina del Rey, CA
>
> At 01:17 PM 12/21/2009, you wrote:
>
>> Greetings All. We recently purchased C-38 Hull # 311 "Broad
>> Reach" with the original CNG system. The boat is going to be a
>> San Diego boat and I was wonder what other So Cal owners have
>> done to fill their tank. Is there an exchange site around, do
>> you use an adaptor and fill at the auto stations, or has everyone
>> given up and converted to propane? Love the boat overall, but
>> this CNG issue may be a hassle for weekend cruising. Would also
>> like to hear from other C-38 owners in the area to exchange ideas
>> and information. We can be contacted off list at
>> jsorensen at novarx.com <mailto:jsorensen at novarx.com>
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Jay & Dorothy Sorensen
>> C-38 #311 "Broad Reach"
>> San Diego, CA
>> _______________________________________________
>> Listserve mailing list
>> Listserve at catalina38.org
>> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>
> David Epstein
> President, Sound Solutions
> Chairman, CEA TechHome Division
> Member of the CEA Board of Industry Leaders
> Member, CEA Division Executive Board
> Tel 310.398.0032
> Fax 310.398.0036
> www.soundsolutions.com
> <http://www.soundsolutions.com/>www.ce.org
>
> <http://www.ce.org/>
>
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--
Donald R. Strong
Professor
Section of Evolution and Ecology
University of California Davis
95616
530 752 7886
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