Pros and cons of installing HBO on the car

The main reason, on which motorists resort to installation of the gas-balloon equipment, there is a desire to save money, given the ever-increasing prices of gasoline and diesel fuel. As well as any other re-equipment of the vehicle, HBO installation has obvious advantages as well as certain disadvantages as a result of such a decision. Let's deal with the obvious at first glance and the subsequent pros and cons, which will be waiting for the motorist during the operation of the car after the transition to the gas supply system.

We also recommend reading the article on HBO devices. From this article you can learn about it, what it consists of and how the gas supply system of the car engine works.

Advantages and main advantages of HBO

Significant savings, apparently, this is the main advantage of HBO for cars. Gas consumption up to 20% higher than gasoline, and the cost is almost in 2 times less. It is necessary to consider, that you will be able to save noticeably only in that case, if you actively operate the car, and mileage far exceeds 10-15 thousand. kilometers traveled per year. If you drive less, then the feasibility of buying HBO becomes questionable.

Do not forget about the cost of your specific engine. If it does not exceed 6 liters of gasoline, then you should think again about the need to purchase gas equipment. The point is, that the cost of purchasing HBO and its subsequent installation will pay off for a very long time with low mileage and low-volume engine, even taking into account the significant difference in prices for 1 liter of gasoline compared to one liter of gas.

Parallel use of gasoline and gas

This is the advantage of the parallel use of fuels, undoubtedly, will appreciate those drivers, who need to travel regularly over long distances. It turns out, that you have extra power reserve. You can travel a considerable distance in the presence of HBO. This feature reduces the risk of refueling the car with poor quality fuel at questionable gas stations far from large settlements. Example, part of the way you move on gas, and after the end of its stock immediately switch to gasoline or vice versa. Many drivers use practice, when gasoline for high speeds and intensive overtaking is used in the track mode, and in populated areas the motor is switched to gas supply, as it is on gas that the internal combustion engine often loses its power, that the track is not always good for obvious reasons.

Gas and engine

Many motorists in the process of operation note, that the gas engine runs more stable and quieter than gasoline. This feature is due to the fact, that the octane number of the gas is higher and is at about 110. This allows the engine to run on gas softer and smoother, and reduce its noise and vibration levels. If we talk about noise pollution in densely populated cities, then there is another advantage of HBO, although in the CIS this is not given due attention, what can you say about the developed countries of Europe and the United States.

There is also an opinion among HBO supporters, that engines, running on gas, have a greater resource. The main argument in favor of such a statement is the fact, that propane-butane, which is a liquefied gas in the power supply system of passenger cars, enters the engine cylinders in the most optimal gaseous state. Let's add, that methane installations in "cars" are not used due to the large weight of the system and dimensions. As we have already said, gasoline does not have a similar property to be in a gaseous state when entering the cylinder, and designers around the world are trying to bring the working mixture of air and gasoline to gas.

On gas, ignition in the engine becomes much more efficient. The gas itself burns more slowly than gasoline, but the process is more uniform. This means, that the shock loads on the cylinder-piston group are significantly reduced. A higher octane number of gaseous fuel minimizes detonation and the consequences of this unpleasant phenomenon. The end result is reduced wear of engine parts from HBO on 30-45% compared to the petrol unit.

The gas mixes more evenly with the air and leaves no deposits on the walls of the cylinders. Therefore, the engine oil in the engine after running on gas is cleaner, its viscosity lasts longer and its service life increases from replacement to replacement 30-40%. Moreover, protective oil film in the gas power unit is not washed off the cylinder walls. The combination of such features allows us to talk about it, that gas instead of gasoline theoretically increases the total life of the engine.

There is also an increase in the service life and quality of spark plugs. When working on gas in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine there is no accumulation of resinous deposits, the formation of soot on the candles decreases. It turns out, that the resource of candles increases to 40%. This can be explained by that, that the gas has a higher hydrogen content.

Environmental friendliness of HBO motors

Gas engines are less toxic. Gas is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel compared to gasoline. The use of gas reduces emissions, the gas does not contain sulfur, it does not add additives. Gas is more environmentally friendly than unleaded gasoline at least 3 times. According to experts of the famous company BOSCH, gas combustion the level of toxicity is second only to electric cars and hydrogen engines. There is a more complete combustion of gas in the engine cylinders, which also helps to reduce CO levels.

If you look at this aspect, then the environment really suffers less from engines on this type of fuel. This advantage of HBO is not particularly valuable in the CIS, but later it is possible to strengthen environmental standards. Suffice it to mention a clear example and look at the experience of more developed countries. In Europe, there are even certain benefits for gas cars.

Some European cities, where close attention is paid to air pollution and the protection of cultural monuments, prepare drivers of "gasoline" and "diesel" some restrictions on the movement of such cars. Notable, that such prohibitions do not apply to vehicles, equipped with gas equipment, as well as electric cars.

Ease of operation

Modern HBOs are easy to operate. Current gas injection solutions automatically switch to the required fuel type. The system also reports self-diagnostic data to the driver and analyzes the residual gas level in the cylinder. The driver can easily operate the car on gas, and on gasoline. The function of independent change of a kind of fuel by means of the switch from salon is available at any time.

Explosiveness and probability of fire

HBO is less likely to catch fire or explode. A gas leak is not as dangerous as a gasoline leak. If there is mechanical damage to the pipeline or gas cylinder, then the gas is immediately cooled. For example, note, that at an external air temperature about +20?C will decrease to -130 degrees Celsius. Then the gas turns into a gaseous state and simply evaporates. If the outside temperature is negative, then the risks of gas ignition are almost completely absent. This is the difference between liquefied gas and gasoline, which is a flammable fuel at any temperature even from a small spark, which allows us to talk about the benefits of HBO.

Experiments of foreign and domestic specialists have been repeatedly conducted, which confirmed this statement. Use of equipment from well-known HBO manufacturers, installation in specialized centers and planned gas systems will make ignition virtually impossible. A modern gas cylinder is equipped with safety valves and placed in the car so, to minimize the possibility of deformation or its destruction in an accident.

ADAC Club from Germany, which represents the interests of car owners in this country, conducted a number of tests. The Germans simulated an accident with a blow to the back of a HBO car. Gas equipment suffered maximum damage, then the damaged car was set on fire. The results of this test were considered quite acceptable. The experts came to the conclusion, that serviceable and correctly installed gas equipment is not dangerous under the condition of its normal operation. HBO is even less dangerous compared to a gasoline tank in the event of an accident.

The strength of the gas cylinder is much higher, than the strength of the same gas tank. Car fires with HBO occur, but they are a demonstration of a gross violation of the basic rules of operation of gas engine power systems. Such consequences can be caused by driving cars with knowingly faulty gas equipment. Similar examples of fire or explosion of a car with a faulty gasoline fuel system is not less. The advantages of HBO include that, that the smell of a gas leak in the car is felt much earlier and more clearly. In order for the leak to be recognized in a timely manner, special substances called mercaptans are added to the gas mixture, which have this specific odor.

• Never try to install HBO with household gas;
• Do not violate the requirements for the maximum allowable pressure in the gas cylinder;
• Follow the HBO manufacturer's recommendations;
• Take into account the requirements of gas system maintenance specialists;

It remains only to follow these basic rules. If you notice the slightest sign of a leak in the engine compartment, recorded the presence of the smell of gas in the car or in the trunk, then it is necessary to immediately check the gas equipment and its elements for leaks. Operation of the car until the problem is eliminated is strictly prohibited! Pay special attention to the mounting elements of the gas cylinder. If the mount is loose, then there is a very high probability, there was a rupture of the pipeline.

The main disadvantages of HBO

The biggest disadvantage is the high initial cost. You can't argue with that, since the 4th generation HBO with a turnkey installation can cost about 500 у.е.. You invest these funds in the "prospect" of savings, like a bank deposit with its interest. So the benefits of HBO will not be immediately apparent, as well as taking into account many factors.

Power of the internal combustion engine on gas

The gas shows a decrease in power, which is caused by that, that the combustion rate in the gas is less, than gasoline. The power of the car drops to 15 %, this is especially noticeable during intense acceleration. Slightly saves the position of smoothness when gaining speed on the gas, no failures and twitches in transient modes. This feature is similarly related to the slow combustion of gas.

The need to re-equip the car

Forced re-equipment leads to the need for further additional service of the gas supply system, which should be held regularly. However, financing HBO is not particularly expensive, but only when taking into account a properly installed and configured gas system. Anyhow, but with HBO the engine needs the increased care of its technical condition. We will not talk about the first gas supply systems, but even with the solutions of the 3rd and later generations of the HBO motor requires more frequent maintenance and replacement of the filter group.

Gas is a "rough" fuel compared to gasoline, at the same time it is more difficult to set fire to and temperatures inside the combustion chamber are higher. It is obvious the need for regular care for the state not only gas, but also a gasoline injection system, as well as ignition systems. Some cars additionally require accelerated replacement of high-voltage spark plugs, etc.. d. The interval of scheduled maintenance of a car with HBO is clearly reduced to 10000-15000 km. This recommendation should be taken into account by drivers, who try to save as much as possible on the maintenance of their cars.