Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

[freedml]

If you would like to test the fill rate and shut-off pressure of your time-fill compressor, this kit will let you do that. It consists of a small CNG tank, a pressure gauge, a ground wire, and a NGV receptacle (just like on your car). If you would like to rent this equipment, please reply to this thread.

[karl]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

Using your test kit can you adjust the shut off pressure of the compressor if it is not properly set? According to my pressure guage, my fm4 is shutting off at 2500 psi which is about 500 psi lower than I expected.

Thanks,
Karl

[siai47]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

The test kit will not allow you to adjust shut off pressure. You would have to get to the pressure transducer which is in the blowdown vessel (under the compressor head) or modify the electronics board to change it. The test kit will allow you to change some simple parameters for the FM4 and allow you to see compressor head and total operating hours, temps, etc. The fill bottle will let you see if the compressor is operating in a range of CFM that is within standards for the FM4, however, checking the flow with a stopwatch and your gas meter is more accurate.

[karl]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

Thanks for the reply. I think my unit is working adequately I don't need to test it and my concerns about low pressure are more than likely temperature related. (low ambient temp = lower shutoff pressure)

Karl

[sjseng]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

The fill bottle will let you see if the compressor is operating in a range of CFM that is within standards for the FM4, however, checking the flow with a stopwatch and your gas meter is more accurate.

Would you be able to provide a link or explain how to time a fill watching the gas meter? The one thing I don't like about my Phill unit is the inability to figure out exact volume of my refill.

Thanks

220V Phill unit

[siai47]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

The way to do this is to go outside to your gas meter and look at the hands on the meter. There is usually one hand marked 1/4 or 1/2 cf. If this is not moving, all gas loads are off in your home. Make sure your thermostats for hot water or heat aren't ready to come on---don't use hot water and/or turn down the heating thermostat. Start your Phill and go out to the meter with a stopwatch. When the hand that is moving passes 12 O'clock, start the stopwatch and count the revolutions of the hand for 60 seconds exactly. The number of revolutions (and partial revolutions) the hand made can be converted to CFM. For example, if the hand was marked 1/4 cf and you counted three revolutions in 60 seconds that would mean 3/4 of a cubic foot of gas went through the meter in 60 seconds which translates to .75 cubic feet per minute. If the hand went 3 1/2 revolutions, that would mean 7/8 of a cubic foot went through the meter or about .875 cubic feet per minute. If you want to spent the time and want more accuracy, you would start the stopwatch when the hand crosses 12 O'clock and then count 10 revolutions of the hand stopping the stopwatch at 12 O'clock on the tenth revolution. In the example meter with the 1/4 cf hand, ten revolutions is a flow of 2.5 cubic feet of gas. For example, with this method, if the stopwatch showed 200 seconds for ten revolutions you would divide 2.5 by 200 and then multiply the result by 60 to come up with CFM. 2.5/200=.0125X60=.75 or .75 CFM. You should check the flow when you start the fill at low pressure and then again near shutoff pressure. The compressor volume will be less at higher pressure. The average of the two numbers should be close to the advertised output of your compressor if it is good mechanical condition.

[cowboy]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

if you want to know how much fuel you are burning in you car with a home fill unit the cheapest way I have found is to buy a rebuilt gas meter and plumb it in to the line going to the compresser it is much cheaper to meter low pressure gas than to try to meter it at 3600psi

[sjseng]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

Thanks for the detailed instructions!

[karl]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

I like your idea of a dedicated private meter at the compressor. I am a little hazy on the way they measure gas and hope you can clarify.
Do gas meters measure different gas volume at a different pressures? In other words would a measured 1cu ft at .25psi passing through the meter have the same btu content as a measured cubic foot passing through the meter at 2psi?

Thanks,
Karl

[siai47]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

The simple answer is yes. There is a slight variation with a higher pressure but not enough to concern you for your needs. You can find rebuilt meters on E-bay.

[Alaska GX]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

I have bought rebuilt electric and gas meters from Austin Inc. If you want to know your actual cost of fuel you need both, the electric is easier to install. Keep track of your mileage and both meters and you can get a very accurate cost of fuel per mile or time. Mine is 4.1 cents per mile for fuel over 2 years and 77,000 miles

[jasongainesville]

Re: Fuelmaker Test Kit for rent

how many cubic feet should the fmq2 3000psi be pumping? how many cubic ft of gas are in a galloon?
thanks
-jason

[Bob Hatton]

We have dedicated natural gas meters for sale at [email protected]