LPG Transfer Pump DIY From Fuel Pump

If your car is running on LPG and you want to save even more money you can run on propane from cylinder propane tanks sold for domestic use (heating, food cooking). In this article I will explain how to transfer LPG from cylinder tank to car LPG tank.

LPG or liquid propane gas is a mixture of propane and butane. Different proportions are used in countries from as low as 40% propane 60% butane to as high as pure 100% propane.

Why propane is better fuel than butane?

Firstly, propane boiling point is much lower than butane. Propane boils at -43.6°F (-42°C) while butane boils at 30.2°F (-1°C). Why it matters? In cold weather you need steady supply of gas to your engine or else it will stall. If you have open loop system LPG could actually backfire breaking your intake manifold or air filter box. Running on butane your LPG reducer can freeze instantly and cut the supply of gas. Some northern countries change the LPG proportion in the winter to help drivers avoid such problems. Usually from 40% propane 60% butane it switches to 60% propane 40% butane.

If you consider transferring LPG from domestic cylinder tanks you must know that gas composition is probably worse than what you get at the gas station. Hovewer in theory you can drive on pure butane as long as it is in gas form. But keep in mind that at freezing temperatures you will probably have many problems. If the air outside is for example –20C it would again liquify butane in the intake manifold even if the reducer supply butane in gas form. Continue reading ‘LPG Transfer Pump DIY From Fuel Pump’