FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

[hsgreer]

I've just installed a FMQ Fuelmaker (3000 PSI) at my home. I was told that the unit needed to be treated as if it were a 140K BTU furnace. I had a professional gas company install the line from the gas meter to the Fuelmaker. They ran a 1" line from the meter to the Fuelmaker (130' total length) and then approx. 4' from the unit, the line was reduced in size to 1/2" and a shut off valve was installed along with a 12" piece of flex line. I'm concerned if the !/2" line is going to cause any problems. Please share your comments, Thanks!

[Steve]

Re: FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

I have a similar setup. If the pressure checked out at the unit, then you are okay because the FMQ does have a 1/2 inch connection.

[OKGX]

Re: FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

Make sure you have plenty of pressure at the meter. You need 9-10" W.C. at the meter to give you a good 7" at the FMQ with that distance and line size. The FMQ will shut itself off below 5" of W.C. If you have another appliance or furnace on a branch you need to run it while checking the pressure at the FMQ connection point. If it drops too low, then ask the gas company to adjust your regulator at the meter.

[cngaz]

Re: FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

On the VRA's I usually use 1 1/4" pipe then down to 3/4 at the drip tee, valve and flex, especially on a long run. In Arizona all FM's get a 2nd meter for home use.
7 to 14" water column pressure is good, the gas company will know what you are talking about if you tell them thats what you need. Below 7" or 1/4 psi it will probably error out, so make sure you check the pressure with all gas appliances running. On the Phill HRA's we usually use 3/4" then down to 1/2".

[Alaska GX]

Re: FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

There is another way to deal the pressure/line size problem. Most NG sevices have 5 psi line pressure, the gas company reduces the presure to 7" WC (1/4 psi) before the meter .

I was concerned about this because during the extreme (-20 F) cold that comes Anchorage for 3-4 weeks a year, the gas lines have to carry a fair amount of volume.

I had the gas company raise my incoming presure to 2 psi, all that was involved was a simple spring change in the regulator. The 2 psi ran through the meter and tee'ed off to the house and Fuelmaker. I installed presure regulator for the house at 7" WC, ran the 2 psi through a submeter to monitor usage. Adding another presure regulator I was able to dial in 12" WC for the VRA just under 1/2 psi.

The presure regulators where $65 each, you can spend more than that on increased pipe size.

Picture of the installation under Alaska GX

Good Luck

[hsgreer]

Re: FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

I just had the gas line checked at the unit, 7.25 WC. I'm having the Fuelmaker unit looked at to see if there's a problem internally.

[OKGX]

Re: FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

Is that the static pressure? Do you have a way of measuring it when the unit is compressing, such as a gauge on a T fitting near the compressor? Even a 1/2" line all the way will give you near meter pressure when static, but when it flows it may drop substantially because the small pipe can't deliver the volume demand of the compressor.

[tntw]

Re: FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

I installed almost the same set up last spring. (only 97' length). When I started up the unit it shut down on low inlet pressure. I contacted Fuelmaker Tech support and they told me I should be OK. I also contacted Questar (local gas company) and they told me that the unit need to be located next to the meter. Long story short I removed the 1/2" pipe and flex line and installed 1" pipe to the FM4 inlet nipple. The unit has been working great ever since. On the initial start up of the unit I also activated my furnace, water heater and gas grill to make sure that the unit would operate at maximum demand.

[hsgreer]

Re: FMQ Fuelmaker gas pipe

I had the bottom sectioned swapped out and everything appears to be working fine. Not sure what the problem was.