I am Sue's other half Rod. I am contemplating installing the diesel gas system into my Patrol for better fuel economy and performance while on our big lap. I have done a bit of research on the system and have read the testimonials,(if you can believe them) and the write up is very positive with an increase in the number of Km from a tank of fuel from 900km per tank to 1200Km a supposed 30% increase and better performance by 10% as a miniumum.
Rod
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"No matter what happens travel gives you a story to tell"
I have diesel gas on my discovery. First up I think your increase figures are stretching the truth a fair bit and the power increase is simular but in saying that these aremy findings. The power increase is noticable, when going up a hill wth gas off, when the motoer start to load (work a bit), if you turn the gas on there is an imediate responce and increas in speed, not an extra gears worth but its nice to have. If you have a 100 litre tank of deisel and a 20 litre tank of gas you will travel around the same distance as if you had 120 litres of diesel, the saving comes in because the gas is half the price. For me the major benifet is a cleaner more complete burn of the fuel which means less carbon in the motor, you could extend service times (I dont). I am also a diesel mechanic by trade with over 30 years service, so in a nutshell would I have it again, you bet I would but not with the thought of saving money. cheers blaze
Thanks for your comments. To install the diesel/gas system was not purely for a cost saving but is an influencing factor. from the web site of Diesel Gas Australia it is promoting 20% cost saving in fuel, which if coinverted by the cost of the 28 l of gas shoule add to approximately 10% to 15% fuel economy.
The testimonials are all positive, which is a good berometer when researching the system. I will talk with the installers over the next couple of weeks when I can hang up the Nail belt when I have finished all the rush internal refurbishemts.
Regards
Rod
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"No matter what happens travel gives you a story to tell"
thanks for bringing up this matter it has been on my mind for some time and I think I know where I am going now by the way what is the cost of this addition
I have a 2006 Iveco 3.0 litre common rail turbo diesel towing a fifth wheeler.The rig was new when we bought it in 2006 and weighs in at 9.8 tonnes on the road.
I had a Diesel Gas Australia system installed by their Brisbane agent in April 2008 with 37,771 km on the odometer.
I tow the fiver about 50% of the time and record all refuels.I have a 165 ltr diesel tank and 80 ltr LPG tank.Typically it get two diesel refuels to one LPG refuel.
Diesel consumption figures at system installation were:
14.03 ltr/100km
7.13 km/ltr
20.24 MPG
As at fill up yesterday the odometer read an additional 66,572 km i.e. since LPG system installation.
The diesel consumption figures are now:
13.20 ltr/100km
7.58 km/ltr
21.52 MPG
I re-did the sums using actual figures about two years ago and it gave me an improvement in fuel of just over 7% and it would take over 200,000km to break even with the cost of system.I was not eligible for LPG rebate.
So if you are considering it for improved fuel economy then you really need to do the sums for your own situation.
However if you are doing it for extra power, as I was, then in my view it is well worth considering.I definitely have an extra gear when going up the range at Toowoomba or Cunningham Gap.
Another thing to consider is availability of LPG autogas. I have more than once run out of LPG for 100s of kms when out west.
Additionally Diesel Gas Australia require that you have the system serviced every 12 months by one of their agents to maintain warranty. Their agents are not easy to find away from the major centres and non-existent out west. The service costs $70 - $90 to replace the $10 filter.An easy DIY job.
In summary I would tend to agree with what blaze said that there is an improvement in power and clean burning of all fuel with a very small improvement in fuel economy.
Cheers
Mike
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Enjoying a full time RV lifestyle since September 2006. Iveco 65C17 towing 33ft Cardinal fifth wheeler.
Thanks Mike and Blaze for your great input. You have convinced me not to install the diesel/gas system as I don't think I will be doing 200,000K to redeam the cost of installation.
Another system is the 2 1/2 inck exhaust system with clean bends. A friend has one installed on his Nissan and claims 10% bertter fuel econonm and greater power at $500.00.
Thanks
Rod
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"No matter what happens travel gives you a story to tell"