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Preamble
For easier comprehension,
this Article was divided into 2-parts. Part-I dealt with some basics and
now, Part-II would dwell on how to go about converting one’s Car to
‘dual-fuel’.
Choosing CNG/LPG Retrofitters:
A lot of confusion prevails presently as to what exactly constitutes
a ‘Kit’ – more so when one can get a locally fabricated
LPG ‘ensemble’ confined to the bonnet of a Car only for as
little as 5k, where as exactly the same ‘bill of materials’
under fancy Italian names is passed off for as much as 15k.
To over simplify,
the ‘Kit’ comprises every thing from the ‘Filler-Nozzle’,
the ‘on-board’ Storage Tank, to the various mandatory mechanical/solenoid
valves, under-chassis to within bonnet ‘Plumbing’ to Evaporator/Mixer
and their electrical/electronic ‘Control-Gear’.
Consequently, CNG/LPG Kits come in two basic 'varieties' - the 'RTO' approved
ones and others which are not – with the latter proliferating the
market place encashing on the ignorance of would be ‘converts’.
The former are obviously more expensive but make your conversion 'street-legal',
enabling you to draw your ‘supplies’ from the respective Roadside
Retail outlets. Retro-fitters of such Kits are obliged to give you a Certificate
stating their RTO approval particulars as well as those of your Car -
such as its Regn and engine/chassis #s.
Such a Certificate will enable you to seek endorsement on your RC from
the concerned RTO for 'dual-fuel' - a responsibility you must put on the
Retrofitter before you pay him up fully. Thereafter, you will have to
apply to your Insurance Co. by paying the additional premium towards the
cost of the Kit for your Policy also to be so endorsed. Only then you
will be fully/legally 'operational'.
As regards the choice/details of such Retrofitters, please look-up your
local Yellow Pages/Ads in leading Auto Mags or talk to the Cabbies for
their recommendations - as they'd have all gone through such a drill.
Please also ensure that your Kit is complete with the 'Electronic/Automatic
Ignition Timing Controller' - w/o which you'll not get the best engine
performance either in Gas or Petrol Modes. Most Buyers overlook this finer
aspect and the Kit-suppliers make more money by holding back on it !
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