Obtaining CNG in Massachusetts/Rhode Island

[PHK1]

hi - my new used Sabre has a CNG stove - worked great until ran out of fuel. I have made many calls but cannot find a source for a refill. In addition, I may need a new tank. Any suggestions for refill and tank ?
tx
Paul

[psk125]

A quick search turned up this: https://www.cleanenergyfuels.com . They apparently deal in methane as a biofuel made from manure. It looks like they sell it to fuel long-haul trucks at various service stations around the country, including some in New Bedford, Fall River and Cranston. Might be worth calling to see if they will refill a tank for you, or sell you one.

Of course the new tank won't be the same size as the old one...
You may want to switch to propane.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by psk125

You may want to switch to propane.

That's the problem when a particular technology doesn't catch on. The few who did buy into it get left high and dry. Switching to propane isn't as simple as it sounds. CNG is lighter than air while propane is heavier. That forced some very specific rules for propane installations that didn't exist for CNG. In a land based system all you have to do is change the jets in the stove but on a boat the whole system may need to be redone from the tank locker all the way to the stove. Unless it was built to propane standards, but that is much more expensive so not likely.

[Knotical]

Hi Paul,

I have CNG and replaced my old tanks with new (refilled) at Lockwood boat works in NJ, but that was a few years ago and I am not sure if they still do it, it maybe worth a call to them if you are willing to drive that far.

I would also suggest to join the very active Sabre owners’ group, a lot of the members are from New England and may be able to help.

https://groups.io/g/SabreSailboat

Good luck.

[NakedCity]

I have 2 boats that use CNG. Here in Jacksonville, FL there are 3 "Filling Stations" that cater to commercial trucks that use CNG. I bought an adapter on Ebay for $225 that allows me the fill my tanks at these CNG pumps. A tank refill is about $6. I just filled 3 tanks in May for $19

As far as finding replacement tanks I have seen several here in this forums classified from time to time.

[krid2000]

Originally Posted by NakedCity

Here in Jacksonville, FL

Hi, I've been trying to find a place in that area that can and would hydrotest my two CNG tanks. Did you have any luck with that? The ones that I've asked refused to test my gas tanks, were only allowed to hydrotest scuba tanks.

Thanks!
Dirk

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by krid2000

Hi, I've been trying to find a place in that area that can and would hydrotest my two CNG tanks. Did you have any luck with that? The ones that I've asked refused to test my gas tanks, were only allowed to hydrotest scuba tanks.

Thanks!
Dirk

Any place that sells welding gasses should be able to do it. Usually they send them somewhere that specializes in that and it takes a couple of weeks.

[krid2000]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Any place that sells welding gasses should be able to do it. Usually they send them somewhere that specializes in that and it takes a couple of weeks.

Great idea, I'll try that. Thank you!
Dirk

[gonesail]

good luck. i heard they phased it out many years ago. but you can always try the adapter solution.

[nwh10]

Friend of mine has a Sabre and CNG...gave me this info from www.sabresailboat.com:
https://groups.io/g/SabreSailboat/message/91246

Hope it helps.

[psk125]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

That's the problem when a particular technology doesn't catch on. The few who did buy into it get left high and dry. Switching to propane isn't as simple as it sounds. CNG is lighter than air while propane is heavier. That forced some very specific rules for propane installations that didn't exist for CNG. In a land based system all you have to do is change the jets in the stove but on a boat the whole system may need to be redone from the tank locker all the way to the stove. Unless it was built to propane standards, but that is much more expensive so not likely.

Am well aware of the issues involved with switching from CNG to Propane. Unless you can find a CNG supplier (I suggested contacting the truck filling stations in the link I posted) it may be the sole viable option. Other posters say the truck filling stations work for them, so perhaps that is a good way to try. Maybe the OP will do that and let us know how that goes for him.

[boating4ever]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

That's the problem when a particular technology doesn't catch on. The few who did buy into it get left high and dry. Switching to propane isn't as simple as it sounds. CNG is lighter than air while propane is heavier. That forced some very specific rules for propane installations that didn't exist for CNG. In a land based system all you have to do is change the jets in the stove but on a boat the whole system may need to be redone from the tank locker all the way to the stove. Unless it was built to propane standards, but that is much more expensive so not likely.

I think OP should see if it can be converted, that will be easiest user friendly long-term solution. If I was buying a boat with CNG appliances I would be working in their replacement cost into my offer.

[PHK1]

HI - i did find CNG in MA area - baased upon some information from you all - tx !



- Clean Energy at 1069 Shawmut Ave, New Bedfored MA - self-serve -have not tried.


- this is what i did do and worked great


https://inatgas.com/avsg-alternative-vehicle-service-group/

7 26 23

We (AVSG) can re-fill the cylinder at our station in Tewksbury (by appointment only) - but it has to be re-certified first - as CNG bottles/cylinders need to be re-certified every five (5) years. You can self-inspect the cylinder to confirm the date of its last inspection. Here's the information you'll need:

Here's some guidance regarding the refilling of CNG cylinders:

First, all cylinders must be within specification,
i.e. having been re-certified within five (5) years. The date of inspection/re-certification is typically stamped (not a label) just below the neck (narrowest section) of the cylinder. It's usually in the form of "10xyz18" for October of 2018 or something similar.

If the cylinders are within specification, please reach out to Iris Hill via email (ih@avsglp.com) or at (978) 562-3500 and she'll work with you to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians.

She can arrange to have a technician meet you in Tewksbury (MA), the town adjacent to the city of Lowell, with a day or two of advance notice (and this is our only marine CNG refilling location). We typically meet customers (it is notself-service) early in the morning or late in the afternoon as the techs are traveling throughout the middle part of the day.

The CNG facility is located in Tewksbury at Exit 92 off of Route 495. The address is 20 Main Street (a/k/a Route 38) and intersects with Clark Road. There is a Market Basket shopping mall directly across the street from our station. It's ten minute process per cylinder fill. We're charging $65 (cash only - no other payment option at this time) per cylinder.

If the cylinder(s) is/are out of certification, please contact Northeast Pressure Vessel Testing (NEPVT) at (508) 389-1212.

You'll need to set up a drop-off day for your cylinders to be tested, recertified, painted, and then stamped. NEPVT's address is 97 Turnpike Road in Westborough, MA. Once dropped off, NEPVT will need a day or two (unless NEPVT can accommodate a tighter time-frame) to complete the testing/recertification/painting process. Fee is typically $35 per cylinder for this comprehensive service. Once recertified, the cylinders are good for another five (5) years. This is a US DOT regulation.

Hope this helps and happy CNG sailing!

Mike

Cellphone: (617) 571-8122

[thinwater]

Sounds like owning a Betamax. Good technology, but it didn't catch on and so the fix was buying a VHS.

[JoeRobertJr]

Thanks for the update, Mike. My CNG tank will be running low soon, and I have other projects ahead of propane conversion, so I too will be wanting a recertification and refill soon.