Hey, new to the forum and the LQ.
I had a nice write up about about how I went from a flow of "2" to "5" using the stock control valve, stock flow meter and one stock check valve on the inlet...but I accidentally closed the wrong tab and lost all my typing
The story is simple. Move to 3/8 inch line slid over 1 inch or so short pieces of 1/4 inch tube on the check valve, flow meter and control valve. Slid the 3/8 inch line on top of the outside of the floats after applying some pipe dope. Keep everything from moving with some tight small cable ties.
The pressure loss on 10 ft of 1/4 inch tube is around 5.8 PSI @ a 1 GPM flow rate. WIth 3/8 inch tubing that loss drops to 0.73 with the same flow rate. If you increase the flow to 2 GPM the 1/4 inch losses over 22 PSI, the 3/8 inch looses 2.7 PSI. You can see how you would hit a brick wall with the 1/4 inch line. No matter how hard you try you will not obtain anywhere near the same flow with the same inlet and outlet pressures.
I'm still using the 1/4 inch flow meter, one check valve and control valve. The distance and friction loss is not as great with a tiny distance of 1/4 passageway. 1 ft of 1/4 inch only drops about 0.58 PSI @ 1 GPM rate and only 2.22 PSI @ 2 GPM rate.
For reference I'm using this page to get my numbers. They are not going to be exact, but I think the truth still holds.
Hey I think Rabbit has figured a way to increase flow!! Nice work Rabbit. Post some pics please.
Pipe loss calc
I plan to order a 3/8 inch check valve and control valve from US Plastics to replace my 1/4 inch versions. I found the exact same control valve on their site that came with my LQ.
Here
I hope this info helps anyone trying to figure out their LQ. It also will make the "white stuff" have far far less impact on the overall system.
Thanks,
Rabbit