Thread: Increase the gas mileage...what works for you and your ride?

Originally Posted by HNSB

The energy returned is not the energy from the electricity being transferred to another form - the amount of electricity it takes to separate hydrogen and oxygen has nothing to do with the amount of energy that can be created by burning hydrogen and oxygen.

That said, I suspect it is still a net loss - otherwise we'd all be running out houses on HHO generators.

Yes it is. It takes the same amount of energy to disassociate the hydrogen and oxygen, minus the efficiency of your setup, that you get back when you burn it.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted. Since internal combustion engines are only about 30% efficient, that's a massive loss.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

The turbo concept is something that is completely alien to me, but obviously it works as Ford is doing it a lot now with the new cars. It's something I need to educate myself on...afraid of the up front costs though. Any websites you may recommend?

When I was a youngster my dad used to run LPG (propane) on a carburated vehicle, but I don't know if there are any fuel injection systems out there...would again have to educate myself. Only issue I could see there is finding fuel when traveling a distance. Would want to keep the gasoline option if I were to try LPG.
You guys have my wheels turning now...that's what I was hoping for! Keep it coming! Now I have some research to do.

Some people opt for a dual fuel setup. For example they have the standard tank in place and then add a cylinder for LPG. The only drawback to that, that I could ever see, was that the cylinder for the LPG took up space in the boot (trunk?) or the back of the tray right behind the cab in a Ute (pickup?). I don't know how you would go with placement in your vehicle.


Mick

Originally Posted by Crotalus

Yes it is. It takes the same amount of energy to disassociate the hydrogen and oxygen, minus the efficiency of your setup, that you get back when you burn it.

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted. Since internal combustion engines are only about 30% efficient, that's a massive loss.

is there anything you're not an expert on? Distinctive clunk. Indeed. Energy cannot be created or destroyed-ninth grade physics...impressive.

Originally Posted by MickR

Some people opt for a dual fuel setup. For example they have the standard tank in place and then add a cylinder for LPG. The only drawback to that, that I could ever see, was that the cylinder for the LPG took up space in the boot (trunk?) or the back of the tray right behind the cab in a Ute (pickup?). I don't know how you would go with placement in your vehicle.


Mick

Mick that's not a bad idea. Going with the LPG, do you know what kind of octane rating it has, and Shooter. We both know there's no replacement for cubic displacement. Nobody needs 6 L nobody needs Hemis, but they sure as hell are fun, aren't they?

Hello all good people,

as I have experience with LPG set up and conversion to LPG I can tell you that this will kill you gas engine because LPG is “dry” fuel. LPG does not contain special lubricants, mixtures which conventional gas does. It is not a speculation it is fact. Just get VW diesel or Mercedes bluetec and you are set for life. I`m getting 50-55 mil/g with my car.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

Mick that's not a bad idea. Going with the LPG, do you know what kind of octane rating it has, and Shooter. We both know there's no replacement for cubic displacement. Nobody needs 6 L nobody needs Hemis, but they sure as hell are fun, aren't they?

The one place I've been where LPG was in frequent use is the Netherlands - friend had an 80's Mercedes that was completely converted. LPG tank was pretty much most of the trunk. That car was not a speed demon, but pretty comfortable for getting around in the relatively short ranges (compared to Oz or US) that people drive in Europe.

Originally Posted by MickR

No, stick with big, but just get a Diesel engine. I love the family 4Bee4 with it's V6 diesel. Heaps of get up and go and great milage being diesel. I drive it like I stole it too. Just don't tell the wife (oh and I always take it easy when the kids are in the car too. )


Mick

On the same page with you there MickR - I have a Merc 6 cyl. diesel SUV with a lot of kick in it, and still get much better mileage (22.6 mpg is my 1,000 mi. avg.) than a Hyundai Sonata (17 mpg!).

The only problem with the newer diesel engines is that they require "clean" diesel to run well - <15 ppm sulfur. We're fine in the states, Western Europe, and Australia, but most countries in Africa, Central and South America are still selling regular s**tty old diesel, 50 ppm all the way up to 1,800 ppm (rural parts of Brazil)!!!

Anyway, all these newer diesel engines, while more efficient, faster, quieter, will eventually choke on the higher sulfur content diesels. The old style diesel engines, like Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, 80's Mercedes sedans, etc., will not only chew through dirty diesel without a hiccup - you can run them on kitchen grease and canola oil, whatever burns! I'm way into hi-tech, but I think it likely that we will be seeing serious fuel shortages within the next ten years or so, and when that happens, these old clunkers will be worth gold! I'll be driving my '08 Merc diesel as long as I can, but I am slowly looking around in the market for a fixer-upper LR Defender or Landcruiser... or even an older Mercedes G-Class!

Regarding the original question - I always keep my tires at higher pressure than the car manufacturer's recommendation. Makes for both better handling and mileage. I really like driving fast, but I try to keep it smooth - that makes a huge difference! Where I live is fairly rural, not many street-lights. Driving in urban areas, my mileage drops by about 30%. Diesels just don't like stop and go...

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

Mick that's not a bad idea. Going with the LPG, do you know what kind of octane rating it has, and Shooter. We both know there's no replacement for cubic displacement. Nobody needs 6 L nobody needs Hemis, but they sure as hell are fun, aren't they?

Sorry mate, I don't. I'll try to remember to ask next time I'm at the servo filling up the bike with high octane petrol...


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

Some people opt for a dual fuel setup. For example they have the standard tank in place and then add a cylinder for LPG. The only drawback to that, that I could ever see, was that the cylinder for the LPG took up space in the boot (trunk?) or the back of the tray right behind the cab in a Ute (pickup?). I don't know how you would go with placement in your vehicle.


Mick

That is common in many european cars running on gasoline. I don't know the specifics, but they install an additional LPG tank, and the car can use both.

Originally Posted by proximus26

Hello all good people,

as I have experience with LPG set up and conversion to LPG I can tell you that this will kill you gas engine because LPG is “dry” fuel. LPG does not contain special lubricants, mixtures which conventional gas does. It is not a speculation it is fact. Just get VW diesel or Mercedes bluetec and you are set for life. I`m getting 50-55 mil/g with my car.

I know many people with converted cars, and this does not seem to be a common issue.
Perhaps newer technology does not have this problem?