Propane anyone?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I have run propane before.
Using low amounts the MPG does go up, but the cost of the propane offsets any MPG increase.
If you use enough propane to increase the power, the operating cost per mile goes up.
Another thing, to build a decent system will cost a couple hundred dollars.
I used a Hobbs switch and a propane rated valve that was elecrically operated.
Those two items were 80 dollars.
I also used a regulator off an oxy/acetylene torch I already had.
That would have been about 80 dollars more if I had to buy it.
For my experiment I used a propane tank off a barbeque grill, which would not really be a good idea for regular use.
Frame mounted Manchester tanks, which would be a much better choice are expensive.
Last time I checked they were over 400 dollars.
Add in the wiring and plumbing, which is another 50 or 60 dollars and you see where it gets expensive.
Using low amounts the MPG does go up, but the cost of the propane offsets any MPG increase.
If you use enough propane to increase the power, the operating cost per mile goes up.
Another thing, to build a decent system will cost a couple hundred dollars.
I used a Hobbs switch and a propane rated valve that was elecrically operated.
Those two items were 80 dollars.
I also used a regulator off an oxy/acetylene torch I already had.
That would have been about 80 dollars more if I had to buy it.
For my experiment I used a propane tank off a barbeque grill, which would not really be a good idea for regular use.
Frame mounted Manchester tanks, which would be a much better choice are expensive.
Last time I checked they were over 400 dollars.
Add in the wiring and plumbing, which is another 50 or 60 dollars and you see where it gets expensive.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: On a farm near Malmo
I was thiking about trying somthing similar, but was unsure on how much to use. I was wondering if you can get it to lean? I also didn't know what to use for a nozzle. I was thinking about a vaporizer/regulator off of a irrigation power unit to insure no liquid gets in. The neighbor tried liquid pickup pulling and well you know what happened. Powerstroke injectors are pretty exspensive!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Propane is just more fuel, so no it will not be to lean.
Lean is a gasser porblem, that is non existant on a diesel.
No constant air fuel mixture exists since the diesel takes in a constant full charge of air on every intake stroke.
The amount of fuel injected in that air chage is what varies engine speed.
Full charge of air with a very low amount of fuel injected, the engine slows down.
Full charge of air with a larger amount of fuel injected, the engine speeds up.
So if we looked at a diesel using gasoline terms, lean means the engine is slowing down and rich means it is speeding up or doing more work.
Lean is a gasser porblem, that is non existant on a diesel.
No constant air fuel mixture exists since the diesel takes in a constant full charge of air on every intake stroke.
The amount of fuel injected in that air chage is what varies engine speed.
Full charge of air with a very low amount of fuel injected, the engine slows down.
Full charge of air with a larger amount of fuel injected, the engine speeds up.
So if we looked at a diesel using gasoline terms, lean means the engine is slowing down and rich means it is speeding up or doing more work.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: On a farm near Malmo
I didn't think you could be to lean but wanted to talk to somone that tried it first. My budy ran it on his Dodge for truck pulls and it would always pop when he spooled it up that made me a little hesitant to try it. Maybe he was using to much. IDK
