Comparison of 4th generation LPG gearboxes

Which gas equipment to choose for a car: types, review of manufacturers

Last updated October 21, 2021 at 10:34 am

The engines of modern vehicles mainly run on gasoline or diesel fuel. However, rising fuel prices force many car owners to decide in favor of installing gas equipment. The affordable price of gas allows you to reduce costs. However, when converting your car to this fuel, you should correctly choose which 4th generation LPG is best installed to obtain maximum savings and engine efficiency. A review of popular brands will help you make your choice. And the list of its features will allow you to prove the advantages of this generation.

Popular models of gas reducers for gas equipment of the 4th generation on propane

The choice of a new gearbox may be necessary not only when it is planned to install gas equipment on a car, but also in the event of a mechanism failure. In Russia, many drivers are switching to gas. To make this process not only expedient, but also safe, we recommend choosing original products that are presented in our catalog. Here you will find many popular models of gas reducers for cars with different power ratings of power units.

Why you need to install 4th generation gas equipment

Increasing the generation number of gas-cylinder equipment does not mean increasing its quality. The number shows the compliance of the system with specific cars and engines. Thus, HBO 2 is intended for installation on carburetor cars, the fifth and sixth are more suitable for cars with direct gas injection. The fourth generation can be called the best equipment for vehicles with injection engines.

The reasons for installing HBO 4 include the following advantages:

• A noticeable reduction in costs when switching from gasoline to gas. A serious plus considering the high cost of traditional fuel. The power of a gas-powered car is reduced - but by no more than 3-5%. But with proper tuning, as well as installation of the variator, the difference is not noticeable;
• Compliance with modern Euro-5/Euro-6 standards.
• Elimination of muffler pops when the engine is running.
• Versatility. The system is suitable for almost any car with an injection power unit.
• Quick, easy installation or removal.
• Simple control, which involves an electronic unit. The device automatically adjusts the system without requiring intervention from the driver.

When choosing a 4th generation LPG, the car owner can count on a long service life of the equipment. Moreover, vehicles equipped with this system also run on gasoline. A special switch in the cabin allows you to change the type of fuel, or the transition can occur automatically. The safety system ensures automatic switching to gasoline when gas pressure drops.

Features of selecting HBO 4 for a car

When selecting 4th generation HBO, you should take into account the possibility of choosing a system from two options:

• On propane-butane. The system is equipped with a propane reducer and works with any type of cylinders - toroidal (internal, external) or cylindrical.
• On methane. Supports work only with cylindrical cylinders and a methane reducer.

Most car repair shops offer to convert your car to run on propane-butane. Cylinders of this system are lightweight and compact. And it takes much less time to refuel a car compared to a methane-powered system. In addition, methane gas treatment is much more expensive.

You can learn more about the difference, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of methane/propane gas equipment from this article.

Based on the number of cylinders in a car engine, 3 types of LPG can be distinguished 4. For a 4-cylinder power unit, equipment with one rack and 4 injectors is used. For 6 cylinders you will need 2 racks with 3 injectors each. An 8-cylinder engine requires the use of equipment with 2 racks of 4 injectors. Also, nozzles can be installed individually. We wrote about this here. You can select HBO based on engine power. The higher the performance of the gas equipment gearbox, the more fuel is supplied to the power unit. A device that is not suitable for power will not be able to ensure normal operation of the motor. It is possible to choose a gearbox with a performance equal to the power of the car engine, but it is better to calculate with a margin.

You can select a system based on the overall dimensions of the components, as well as the reliability of their fastening. The need to place some equipment in the engine compartment requires the selection of compact options. And the mounting system, which differs for each type of gearbox, must have reliable brackets. This will provide stability and reduce vibration, increasing the service life of the system.

The methodology for choosing the right gas equipment must also take into account its manufacturer. It is recommended to give preference to products from well-known brands, the quality and resource of which are higher and the service life is longer. When choosing a system by car brand, you can focus on the cost of LPG. Budget models are suitable for small cars, as well as domestic vehicles, the middle class is intended for foreign cars of the BD class with engines up to 2 liters. Premium class equipment is produced for cars with powerful engines (2 liters or more).

Video

This video shows and talks about the types of gas equipment for cars. A useful video, it even shows an excerpt of how a full gas cylinder is thrown from the 9th floor and it does not explode.

In this video there is a Suzuki Grand Vitara with 4th generation LPG. Since the fuel consumption of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is very high, it is beneficial to transfer it to gas equipment.

This video shows the consequences of a gas car explosion.

In this video, gas cylinders are tested for strength. For those who are thinking whether or not to install HBO in a car.

A gas cylinder equipment (GBO) reducer is a device designed to evaporate gas coming from cylinders into the fuel system and maintain the pressure in it necessary for normal engine operation. The unit is supplied with fuel compressed within 12-15 atm, and at the output this parameter is reduced to approximately 1 atm. The gearbox is one of the main components on which the stability of the internal combustion engine speed when operating on propane depends. It is this gas that is used in LPG of passenger cars.

Comparative review of HBO of different brands

To compare manufacturers, it is worth considering the top 4th generation LPG, compiled according to the popularity of these systems among Russian motorists:

1. Among the best manufacturers is Lovato. The brand produces complete kits that are distinguished by high quality electronics and maintainability. Disadvantages of the systems are high price, unstable operation at low temperatures.
2. BRC. The popularity of this name for HBO is due to the high reliability and consistency of the operation of all system components. Disadvantages include difficulties in purchasing original spare parts and high purchase/installation costs.
3. Digitronic. A company that assembles kits from parts of different brands - mainly Italian and Polish. The disadvantages of models from this manufacturer are different quality, which depends on the configuration.
4. Alpha. The products of this Russian brand are distinguished by high-quality software and affordable prices. The disadvantage is the instability of the individual components.
5. OMVL. Italian equipment from this company is often installed on Russian cars, including the GAZ brand.
6. ZENIT. Polish gas equipment is distinguished by a competitive price, maintainability of all components, and the availability of technical support in different countries.
7. Tamoha. In the 4th generation HBO rating by manufacturer, this brand occupies a good place due to its low price. However, the quality of its products is lower compared to other brands.
8. Atiker. Turkish equipment is a copy of systems from other well-known manufacturers - usually Italian. But it has been noticed that gas equipment parts from this company fail more often than products from other companies.

The best systems in terms of quality and characteristics include Dutch gas cylinder equipment PRINS. It is intended for installation on cars with engines from 0.7 to 6 liters. The only disadvantage of such systems is their high cost - the maximum in this segment.

Comparative table for brands of HBO 4:

*data in the table are approximate and may vary depending on the configuration. Choosing gas equipment is an important step for the car owner. The period between replacement/cleaning/adjustment of injectors, engine efficiency and the cost of servicing the gas equipment depend on the correctly selected system. Therefore, you should not save money by choosing cheap Chinese equipment, but it is also not recommended to buy expensive BRC or PRINS systems for budget cars.

Definitely, the best LPG is the one that will work properly for many years and also pay for itself quickly. You can calculate the payback of this or that equipment on our website using a calculator.

Video on the topic of choosing 4th generation HBO:

Source

Tomasetto AT09 Alaska 95–120 l. With.

Gearbox for LPG 4th generation (propane), which is intended for use on vehicles with engine power in the range from 95 to 120 hp. With. The design has a solenoid valve controlled by a coil. The unit is distinguished by its medium size, which makes it easy to place it anywhere in the engine compartment of the car. The housing provides space for installing a temperature sensor, and there is also a fitting with a diameter of 5 mm for vacuum.

At the outlet of the mechanism, the gas pressure ranges from 1 to 1.5 Bar. The parameter can be adjusted within the specified values. The inlet and outlet hoses are connected to 6 and 12 mm fittings (respectively).

Rating of the TOP 10 best manufacturers of gas equipment for cars

The rating of the best manufacturers of gas equipment for cars, in our opinion, looks exactly like this:

Let's take a closer look at the range presented above.

One of the most famous, branded, expensive and high-quality Italian manufacturers is the BRC Gas Equipment concern. BRC gas equipment includes a complete set of equipment created at one plant by one manufacturer. BRC injectors have a good rate of fire, a long service life and are suitable for cars with any engine. The nozzles can be installed in any horizontal or vertical position.

Price: from 25,000 to 33,000 rubles.

• equipment from one manufacturer: from fastenings to the control unit;
• The trouble-free operation life of this equipment reaches 500,000 km;
• it is possible to install LPG even on diesel engines (gas-diesel);
• complete absence of fakes.

BRC must be installed for those cars where it is indispensable: rare models that are incompatible with LPG, and whose valves burn out due to gas. BRC equipment can work with such machines. I set it for myself a long time ago and turned out to be one of the few among my comrades. The equipment is expensive, but it's worth it. The refueling and maintenance have already paid off for me, and the quality, of course, is top notch. I recommend this manufacturer. You will not regret.

Prins

The electronics of the presented brand are adapted to the native systems of cars with direct injection. The firmware of the unit is tested under maximum loads. It is recommended to purchase equipment for those who are interested in maintaining dynamics, power and guaranteeing that high engine speeds will not cause valve burnout. The gas equipment is equipped with sensors for monitoring pressure, gas level, and temperature. The injectors are high-speed.

Price category: from 24,500 to 37,500 rubles.

• three-year unlimited mileage warranty;
• equipped with a powerful electronic control unit capable of controlling the operation of 10 cylinders at once;
• meets all European standards (ISO/TS 16949:2002, NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2008, ISO 15500).

Having installed Prins equipment, I have never regretted it. Firstly, gas is an excellent cost-saver, and secondly, fuel is more enough for long trips. Regularization, of course, is another big expense, but this process will pay off in the near future. These LPG cylinders are made of plastic metal and can withstand fairly high pressure and will not explode; in addition, the gas, when burned in a piston, does not wash away the oil film that prevents wear of the piston and does not leave a greasy deposit on the spark plugs. I'm happy.

AEB manufactures gas equipment using innovations from its own research company AEB Technologies. AEB is a scientific and technical innovator among alternative injection systems. The company in question was the first to come up with and plan to use WHOs, which are now quite common, and also came up with the first computer for LPG injection systems, which pushed a revolution in the use of other types of fuel in cars.

Price: from 18,000 to 27,000 rub.

• the service life is 200,000 km, but in practice this figure increases significantly;
• optimization of fuel consumption and the function of instant shutdown of the system in case of problems;
• It is possible to connect to the control unit via a mobile device.

The quality is immediately visible - not domestic, although Russia does a lot of things well, but, of course, not cars. This HBO impressed me immediately; it can withstand sufficient pressure, although it is made of ordinary plastic. The cost is not cheap, but with frequent travel, noticeable savings in money and fuel are visible to the naked eye. I haven’t regretted switching to gas from this manufacturer one bit. Quality and safety come first. Thank you.

Tomasetto

Tomasetto products are distinguished by quality and manufacturability, as well as the company's high flexibility in response to market needs. This has been and remains the key to success and a well-deserved reputation for over 30 years. The experience gained by the company in the past and today is of key importance in order to develop new and reliable products and innovative technologies that can satisfy customer demands and prepare the company for future challenges in international markets.

Price category: from 11,827 to 19,700 rubles.

• Methane-fired units are produced exclusively at a plant in Italy;
• wide representation of spare parts and components on the market;
• has been famous for its quality for more than 30 years (1982).

The advantage and main difference between the products of this brand and its competitors is the presence of a built-in coarse gas filter and a controlled electric valve; it opens or closes the supply from the cylinder. The gearbox is connected to the air pipe, and the finished mixture enters the throttle assembly. Everything is as it should be with high-quality HBO. I'm incredibly happy with what I have now. After all, they probably haven’t come up with a better one yet.

Lovato

Lovato supplies its products to many countries around the world. A wide dealer network allows the end consumer to find the necessary units of Lovato gas equipment even in the outback of our country. Setting up equipment from an Italian company is not difficult. Due to this factor, many specialists prefer to install equipment of the particular brand in question on cars. The company produces equipment at its factories. This means that during installation there cannot be any problems with compatibility and subsequent operation.

Price tag: from 13,000 to 26,000 rubles.

• Each equipment unit is marked with the date of manufacture and serial number of the unit;
• injectors are capable of traveling up to 300,000 kilometers without replacing the repair kit;
• more than 60 years on the market (1957).

If you decide to install LOVATO gas equipment on your car, then you will definitely not regret this action. The minimum possible percentage of equipment failure, the maximum possible service life, it works on the “set it and forget it” principle, personally tested. As in other types of gas equipment, the installation kit itself is responsible only for the “under the hood”, and cylinders can already be selected from completely different manufacturers, as long as they have the necessary certificates. Overall, I am absolutely satisfied with everything, despite the rather high cost. I recommend.

OMVL was founded in 1980. Currently, it occupies a leading position in the segments of production, development, and sales of alternative fuel equipment for vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The company's products are sold in more than 40 countries. Most of the equipment produced (around 65%) is supplied to automobile factories.

Price: from 14203 to 21500 rubles.

• there are second and fourth generation kits in production (Saver and Dream XXI lines);
• OMVL Unified Warranty certificate entitles you to warranty service for 3 years or 100,000 km at all service centers participating in the program;
• no fakes.

• injectors sensitive to gas contamination (breakdown occurs over time).

As with all other brands of gas equipment, the equipment brand is responsible only for the engine compartment - it is considered the so-called installation kit. The cylinders come separately; I bought them to suit my taste; I usually use cylinders made in Russia or Poland. Overall, I’m happy with the product: it’s inexpensive and not budget, but the quality is excellent, I recommend it.

STAG is a manufacturer of gas equipment from Poland. In addition to complete equipment, STAG produces individual parts for gas equipment. This factor is incredibly convenient, because periodically the car needs maintenance and replacement of parts, and it simply doesn’t make sense to buy the entire system again. The main feature of STAG gas equipment is its versatility; it fits almost all cars.

Price tag: from 14,600 to 25,900 rubles.

• Suitable for almost any car model (need to be checked with a specialist);
• there is advanced software that regulates gas injection with 100% accuracy;
• On the market you can find not only complete sets, but also individual parts.

I recently bought a Stag kit, it included the components necessary to install an LPG on a car. The installation was successful and quick, there were no questions or complaints about the quality. I don’t regret installing this kit, the car feels great, more than one maintenance has shown it. Thank you.

ALPHA

The presented modern domestic equipment meets all quality standards and has a certificate of conformity, with the possibility of a “self-learning” program for controlling the gas equipment of a car. Previously, this factor was characteristic exclusively of automobile programs running on gasoline. However, GBO Alpha with its injection system of distributed gas injection into the cylinders is in demand and trusted by more than 200 large customers throughout the country and is the only and most popular system of this class of domestic development.

Price: from 9200 to 18000 rubles.

• gas does not leave sediment, soot, soot, sulfur (they can clog working units);
• availability of components (many analogues do not have the required number of additional parts, which is why repairs turn out to be a complex process);
• excellent diagnostic characteristics (even with initial failures, the system shows a malfunction of the engine or system components).

At first, I was not a supporter of installing gas-cylinder equipment, but reviews from friends who experienced gas equipment by personal example, and the constant increase in fuel prices, changed my opinion. I settled on HBO Alpha and did not regret it. The only drawback is the reduction in luggage space, but the operation, the kit itself and the installation managed to impress me. Thanks to domestic production.

The SEC brand, under which the equipment is produced, belongs to the Polish company Lecho. The company's products are an ideal compromise of price and quality. The injection system fully complies with international standards, but does not require complex maintenance. The dimensions of the LPG reducer allow it to be installed in the corner of the engine compartment to provide easy access to the filter and condensate drain.

Price tag: from 9800 to 17000 rub.

• automatic calibration;
• adapts to your driving style;
• possibility of attaching the Mini SEC system directly to the vehicle interior.

• tight valves at the inlet to the cylinder.

A good set, the manufacturers of the LPG components are quite well known. The service technicians offered to install it, so I decided to test it in practice. Mileage - 50 thousand, so far I've only changed the filters. It even works quite well; the savings have long since paid off. It’s not for nothing that my friends and acquaintances have already switched to gas, and, by the way, it was Sec. I recommend.

Digitronic

This company is the first smart gas system in Russia, created on a digital technology platform and adapted to the conditions of the Russian climate. Today in Russia there is no more popular equipment, and the Digitronic brand is called the national one. The popularity of the brand goes far beyond the borders of Russia; Digitronic is represented in many countries in Europe, Asia, Central and South America.

Price category: from 14,800 to 23,450 rubles.

• equipment is installed in almost every service center in our country;
• Only in the Digitronic gas system is it allowed to use components from other manufacturers, which significantly expands the repair base and eliminates equipment shortages;
• Before serial production, equipment undergoes a long and complex process of testing and inspection.

This equipment is quite widespread in Russia: even if some problems arise with the equipment, in any city you will find a service that works with this equipment. Any garage knows how to work with it. I travel all the time, situations are different, but even the smallest town in our country has Digitronic, this factor greatly simplifies the situation on the road. I am completely satisfied with HBO, from easy installation to excellent operation.

Comparison of presented manufacturers

In order to compare the presented products, we recommend taking a look at the table with their general characteristics.

Best lists

Let's highlight HBO brands into separate categories:

• The most popular equipment.
• Domestic manufacturer.
• The most economical.

Let's take a closer look at the range presented.

LPGTech - the most popular equipment

The Polish manufacturer of budget-class kits offers 4th generation LPG kits at a price slightly higher than what Lovato charges for a kit for carburetor engines. Lpgtech injection system devices are modern technological solutions. They are equipped with high-speed control microprocessors, allowing technicians, subject to following instructions, to quickly configure the equipment to high operating parameters.

Price tag: from 8,000 to 16,000 rubles.

GIG - domestic manufacturer

The domestic company in question is engaged in the advanced development of microprocessor-controlled gas injection systems. It differs from Western systems by the presence of only one gas nozzle. GIG gas fuel injection systems can operate on liquefied petroleum gas (propane-butane), compressed or liquefied natural gas (methane).

Price: from 4900 to 10200 rubles.

Atiker - the most economical

The Turkish company provides the domestic market with gas equipment and exports 70% of its products to 50 countries. HBO complies with the European quality standard ISO 9001:2000 and is certified ECE R 67-01. Products undergo mandatory functional testing and safety tests. Customers are attracted by the affordable price and decent quality of the equipment. Fuel consumption per 100 km is 12 liters in the city, while gasoline consumption per 100 km is 10-11 liters in urban conditions. Saving money is obvious, comparing the cost of gasoline and gas today.

Cost: from 6500 to 13000 rub.

Service contract

In 2021, the rules for registering gas equipment with the traffic police have become more stringent. Formally, this factor is tied to joining the Customs Union, however, in partner countries there are no such stringent requirements that force drivers to waste time and money. Until the summer of 2021, citizens may not have registered gas equipment with the traffic police at all, but now inspectors may inquire about the presence of a mark on the retrofitting of the car in the registration certificate. Let's consider the option of concluding a contract if you are installing gas equipment on your car for the first time:

1. According to the rules for registering gas equipment in 2021, even before installation, it is necessary to obtain a preliminary technical examination of the vehicle (vehicle) regarding the possibility of installing gas equipment on your car.
2. Now you must obtain permission to install gas equipment from the traffic police. How to get permission? You are writing an application for the installation of HBO. Contact the territorial traffic police department (regardless of where the car is registered), where there is a technical supervision department. The traffic police officer puts a mark in the declaration application with attached photographs of the car, which has not yet had LPG installed.
3. Installation of gas equipment in a car service center. The work takes from 4 hours to 2 days, depending on the power of your car and the complexity of installing LPG on it.
4. You receive a new diagnostic card. In 2021, in order to register an LPG, you will need to undergo a Technical Inspection (TO) of your car again, indicating on the card that an LPG is installed.
5. Obtaining a certificate of compliance of the vehicle design with changes made to its design with safety requirements. In order to continue the registration of gas equipment, you need to come to the same traffic police department that you visited for the first time, provide an identification card, as well as the received documents and a car with installed gas equipment.

How to install

Now we will tell you how to correctly install HBO on a car, regardless of generation:

1. Before installation, locations for the cylinder, lines and other elements of the system are determined.
2. Clamps, fittings, hoses, adapters and connections are selected based on actual measurements.
3. The gearbox is installed and high-pressure lines are laid in the engine compartment.
4. The connection is made into the cooling system and connection to the system.
5. Gasoline and gas valves are installed. If you are installing an LPG on a carburetor car, the first is cut into the fuel hose between the pump and the carburetor on the left side of the engine compartment, and the second - opposite.
6. The remaining lines and elements are installed.
7. The regulator and/or ECU is mounted.
8. Connections are sealed.
9. The electrical part is connected.
10. Startup and setup in progress.

If gas equipment is installed on a car of the latest generations, at the first stage the pump is mounted (on the frame), and the insertion and installation of nozzles is carried out before connecting the electrical part. But in any case, it is better to contact a professional.

Connection and installation

Connecting a gearbox is a very responsible procedure.
The main principle for choosing a place under the hood is that the gearbox must be installed parallel to the movement of the vehicle, while ensuring reliable attachment to the body. If you are using the first generation of gearboxes, remember the need to periodically drain the condensate. Taking this into account, the gearbox must be installed in such a way as to provide easy and quick access to the corresponding screw.

Note! The 3rd and 4th generation gas reducer is adjusted via an electronic control unit. For this, a computer, software and a connecting cable are used. The installation height of the gearbox is also important.

It is necessary that it is not located above the highest point of the expansion tank or radiator of the cooling system

In order for the LPG to work without failures, it is very important to control the amount of liquid in the cooling system and, if necessary, add it. The installation height of the gearbox also matters

It is necessary that it is not located above the highest point of the expansion tank or radiator of the cooling system. In order for the LPG to work without failures, it is very important to control the amount of liquid in the cooling system and, if necessary, add it.

The installation height of the gearbox also matters. It is necessary that it is not located above the highest point of the expansion tank or radiator of the cooling system

In order for the LPG to work without failures, it is very important to control the amount of liquid in the cooling system and, if necessary, add it.

Also, the optimal location would be in the engine compartment, allowing the use of the shortest possible pipes for insertion into the standard engine cooling system.

Tips for choosing

Before installing gas equipment, we recommend that you look at the selection options that will allow you to purchase high-quality gas services.

• We pay attention to the evaporator reducer. Selecting a gas reducer is a very important step; the engine power, as well as the equipment configuration, should be taken into account. Secondly, we pay attention to the dimensions of the gearbox and the type of its mounting.
• Gas injectors. The main task of these devices is accurate and dosed gas supply. A lot depends on the correct choice; often bad injectors lead to incorrect operation of the gas equipment.
• Individual parts or kit. If the equipment is already installed on your car and you require optimal replacement parts, consider the needs of the engine. If you need a complete set, then it’s much simpler: you simply decide on the LPG manufacturer and purchase a package that is ideal for your engine. In any case, the purchase and installation of gas equipment will not be possible without experienced professional craftsmen.

Source

Gas reducer hums

The hum of a gas reducer occurs for a number of reasons:

• wear of valves and membranes;
• the presence of metal particles in the channels and on the membrane;
• clogging of gas paths with tarry deposits (poorly purified liquefied gas, condensate in propane);
• Incorrect adjustment of gear sensitivity.

In any case, make the adjustment according to the instructions above. If the humming continues, you will need to disassemble the gearbox and replace valves, membranes or other parts that are no less important for its smooth and accurate operation.

The gas reducer is covered with frost

The gas reducer freezes and becomes covered with frost most often due to failure of its electric heating (in electric models), incorrect adjustment or wear of the valves (in vacuum models), or untimely addition of coolant in the car cooling system. The last of the reasons includes leakage, leakage of this very liquid, the appearance of air bubbles in it. Freezing of the gearbox also happens when the heating next to the running engine is insufficient, and the pump in the coolant circulation system breaks down. Warming up from the engine also fails when the radiator stops working properly. In this case, the motor will overheat and boil, causing the heating from the stove to also suffer.

Sometimes the culprit for freezing of the gearbox is a violation of the dosage of propane and butane in the gas mixture. Because of this, the sub-zero evaporation temperature of the gas mixture becomes even lower, and the gearbox does not have time to warm up. As a result, the ice layer freezes. The goal is to check for the presence of all of the above destabilizing factors.