Dual fuel spark curve units

[disco stu]

So just doing a bit of reading on LPG spark advance needed and came across a mention of a plug in unit for changing the spark advance for the 2 fuels on dual fuel cars. I've done a lot of reading on LPG set ups in the past etc, and never come across these before. Anyone heard of them, or used them?

My initial researching was because I'm looking at making some mods to the NL ecu for LPG. I was thinking of trying to add in a second spark advance map dedicated to LPG, and then somehow get signal into computer to change to other spark map. This would mean changing both definition file and bin file, and will be a steep learning curve for me.

https://www.rasoenterprises.com/propane/33-ignition/63-dual-fuel-advance-curve

https://www.customcruisers.com/conte...es-timing.html#
These are a few different examples of these units from a bit of a google

https://gimme.com.au/product/programmable-high-energy-ignition-system-kc5442

This was linked to on a forum. Apparantly jaycar used to sell these and was another option. Still looking into these though. The old jaycar description says that it even includes optional knock sensing, which is another useful addition to get around the lack of a knock sensor on the NL

Keen to hear any thoughts from you wise folks on these

Cheers

Stu

[disco stu]

Updated the above post with some links that show the units I'm talking about

[Dicko1]

30+ years ago I bought an xd falcon, 6 cylinder. I fitted gas as it was about 8 cents a litre. I fitted a dual curve ignition gizmo and the result was brilliant. Gas used to be about 30% less efficient than petrol. After the unit was fitted the difference was around 5-10% and when driving the power difference was negligible. I had the car tuned on a dyno from a well known engine builder,conversion specialist. Results spoke for themselves...excellent. When I flicked from gas to petrol or viser versa the unit kicked in automatically .

[disco stu]

Thanks for that, sounds interesting-could be an easier option. I thought it would reduce the inefficiency of the LPG on petrol tuned cars. I better check the LPG injection kit that I've got though, just in case it actually modifies the spark also. This one works off petrol injector pulses, so maybe

Keen to know how these might work with multiple coils. I've worked out that the Jaycar thing only works with single coils, so that option is out, or maybe you need 3 of them to work with the 3 coils in the NL....something like that

[disco stu]

Found this option, same maker as the injection kit I'll be installing: https://www.ac.com.pl/products-autog...ag-tap-03/341/

Price from the UK was about 50 pounds plus postage from LPGshopuk.

I'll send them an email to find out some more details. Thought this might be an option for others

[disco stu]

I'm gathering there isn't much interest in any of this given the proliferation of crickets, but I'll update what LPGshoUK said anyway.

They said that the best gains are from adding the TAP to cars running CNG. The gains from LPG are meant to be negligible, so better off saving your money for putting in fuel. This contrasts a bit with a lot of other stuff I've read about the ignition advance making a significant difference in power and economy with LPG. I was hoping for a bit of increase in torque as well

[Dicko1]

i THINK THE DAYS OF RUNNING LPG ARE OVER. tHE PRICE INCREASE BY THE GOVT(READ...THIEVING BASTARDS) HAS NEGATED ANY ADVANTAGE.

[disco stu]

Yeah, your right-its an absolute crock. LPG here is about 86c/L, petrol currently is 108c/L. I'm currently just running around on petrol in all our cars. I'll be filling up today which will give me a good comparison to LPG running costs

I'm banking on petrol going back up again though. When that happens LPG will be worth running once again, but only when you already have the conversion done. I payed $290 for this LPG injection kit from a guy who didn't want it, apparently a lot more efficient so I'm hoping that was worth the risk in the long term (car currently on mixer set up, so its just an install and set up myself job rather than needing an installer to be payed)

The next option for those wanting to save a decent chunk on fuel is biodiesel. I just thought up the LPG equivalent-bottle your own methane!!

[Dicko1]

Yeah, your right-its an absolute crock. LPG here is about 86c/L, petrol currently is 108c/L. I'm currently just running around on petrol in all our cars. I'll be filling up today which will give me a good comparison to LPG running costs

I'm banking on petrol going back up again though. When that happens LPG will be worth running once again, but only when you already have the conversion done. I payed $290 for this LPG injection kit from a guy who didn't want it, apparently a lot more efficient so I'm hoping that was worth the risk in the long term (car currently on mixer set up, so its just an install and set up myself job rather than needing an installer to be payed)

The next option for those wanting to save a decent chunk on fuel is biodiesel. I just thought up the LPG equivalent-bottle your own methane!!

Let us know how you go. When I was based in Nhulunbuy the chopper pilot who flew me around was converting the local fish and chip shop oils into fuel for his tojo wagon. Went well, cost bugger all and smelt great!!!

[disco stu]

Part of me really wanted to get a diesel rather than a petrol model, but the cost of fuel pump really put me off, especially considering most of the older unregistered diesels (ie in my price range) were left to die because of fuel pump issues

I like the idea of making biodiesel, but I worry I don't have the energy and motivation to follow it all the way through at the moment and keep up with making it. If the right car at the right price comes along maybe I'll give it a go

[disco stu]

So it turned out that a jaycar I was driving past had 2 of the ignition remapper things for $11 each. I almost bought them both, with the 2 things holding me back being that for a 3 coil ignition system I will need 3 of the units, and they no longer sell the programmer for these kits. I've actually located a hex file for these, not sure if its for the ignition unit or for the programmer, but I figured there would be some way to still program them. If it was just the programmer I would have taken the risk.

Anyone how is running a single coil ignition system on LPG should give one of these things a whirl

[disco stu]

I've got the non diesel povo fuel alternative

https://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-your-Honda-Accord-to-run-on-trash/

Don't know why I never thought of wood gas before now!

[Dicko1]

I've got the non diesel povo fuel alternative

https://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-your-Honda-Accord-to-run-on-trash/

Don't know why I never thought of wood gas before now!

If I could afford some of the power tools in the clip...I,d be driving a mercedes and fuel would be the least of my concerns...

[disco stu]

But as any hard core diy'er knows-you end up spending more doing these projects than you actually save, but the intention is there!