My CNG conversion

[Genie47]

Just export the car with the kit to some country who desperately needs bifuel cars. India and Pakistan are prime candidates.

[Albeniz]

Installation of CNG tank takes up precious boot space, especially for smaller-sized cars.

 

Is there any reason why the cylinders can't be installed on the roof?

 

What I could think of is raised center of gravity, resulting in car more prone to overturning. Is this an issue?

 

How nice if I could install CNG on the roof of picanto. That would be a very cheap car to run.

[Genie47]

Seriously. You should ask LTA.

[Friendstar]

its really a silly ques

 

there are 1000000 reasons why cannot mount on roof.

 

and safety concerns will make up 99% of the reasons

Edited June 7, 2008 by Friendstar

[Albeniz]

In the event of a leak, it will be quicker to disperse into the air (as it is on top), so less dangerous.

 

In the event of a collision, the impact is usually from the side, the top is less affected.

 

The CG won't be raised by too much as it is not really that heavy. If there is really a need to, one can still add a balancing weight at the bottom.

 

It is common to carry 2 bicycles on the roof, and I have even seen external luggage boot mounted on top of a car. The CNG tank is not really that heavy compared to those.

 

Think about it. It might not be that silly actually. It is just that we are trained to accept things in a conventional way without questioning.

Edited June 7, 2008 by Albeniz

[Boyboy]

it will sure LOOK silly

 

but if u wanna lup, might as well lup two or three tanks.. man.. the range u can get on CNG alone, with some petrol to act as your "reserve"

 

oh wait.. height clearance perhaps? but for most normal cars (not SUV), i don't think tanks will pose an issue

[Albeniz]

Ah Boy, of course I am not telling you to put the cylinders on top of your Getz, lying in a bare, naked way. You could install some external cover kits to make it look less ugly.

 

Height won't be an issue as your Getz (with tank on top) still won't be taller than a Nissan Urvan/ Toyota Hiace.

 

Looks-wise, hippo-rolla used to be ugly when it was first introduced in the early 2000s. But everyone has grown used to it after a while.

Edited June 7, 2008 by Albeniz

[Boyboy]

nah. i won't even consider roof tank.

 

i considered sacrificing my boot space before. not a problem. but the problem is that my ROI will take way too long. i calculated liao. maybe i dun drive all tt much

 

if i wanna go bi(fuel) , i will get a new car with bifuel to fully exploit the green rebate. no point forking out my own $$$ to gamble on CNG. but if got rebate to offset CNG installation, i will definitely go for it.

 

no kids with no intention of having any. so boot space can just forget it. if really need the space, i rather get overhead luggage carriers than to lup my CNG tank on the roof. at least i can remove my overhead luggage carrier when i don't need it.

 

never underestimate the drag from items slung on ur roof. i can feel quite a bit of difference with a BOOT mounted bike rack.

 

what more CNG on the roof

 

and of course, no matter how u conceal, it will still look weird. and u can't remove the CNG as and when u wish unlike a luggage box

[Albeniz]

A luggage box on top of the roof is not a bad idea, if boot space is a constraint.

[Luvknowmore]

Sunday Times mentioned there are over 50 CNG installers in Singapore....true???? I thought only 5 or 6???

[Snappyg9]

I wonder whether we are able to convert our ride in MY... only cost less than $2,000

[Friendstar]

exactly the same?

 

wat about warranty issue?

[Friendstar]

but very hard to access... i mean sooner or later.. u'll have lots of junk in the roof rack.

[Friendstar]

In the event of a leak, it will be quicker to disperse into the air (as it is on top), so less dangerous.

 

In the event of a collision, the impact is usually from the side, the top is less affected.

 

The CG won't be raised by too much as it is not really that heavy. If there is really a need to, one can still add a balancing weight at the bottom.

 

It is common to carry 2 bicycles on the roof, and I have even seen external luggage boot mounted on top of a car. The CNG tank is not really that heavy compared to those.

 

Think about it. It might not be that silly actually. It is just that we are trained to accept things in a conventional way without questioning.

 

 

the tubes and pipings? run outside the car?

[Friendstar]

in the event of a side way or rear collision, the tank may come crashing on the other car, shattering windscreen.

 

the tank is at least 66kg in weight and with gas about 76kg... the structure of the roof may not be sufficient to hold the tanks firmly... and ur tank will become a potential/hazardous projectile during e-braking.

[Friendstar]

braking distance will be affected drastically becos the car will nose dive more...

 

adding immense pressure on the front tyre and disc to brake sufficiently.

 

nose diving is known to cause inefficient braking... inefficient braking means ???

[Albeniz]

The tubes may still run along the internal side of the car, but some drilling may be necessary.

[Friendstar]

from the roof to the engine... thats quite a long way leh...