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All About PHILL

255 messages,  Last post on May 13, 2009 at 10:41 PM

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#205 of 255 FMQ2 vs. PHILL by kermit4 Apr 11, 2007 (8:11 am)
Replying to: bank1avp (Apr 07, 2007 7:19 am) People should definitely check the math on what works for them. My local AQMD offers $2k incentives on purchasing the Phill, so for us that's definitely the way to go, since we will effectively get the original Phill plus one rebuild for $3500. We'll front up $1500 for purchase instead of $3500-4k for the FMQ2. Based on our driving habits, that means it would take ten years (five years on the original Phill, five years on the rebuild) before we would break even if we went with a FMQ2. By that time, there might be reasonably priced CNG pumps all over the area, with no need to fuel at home.   On the other hand, maybe we'll have two CNG vehicles by then, and wish we'd gone with the heavy-duty pump Replies to this message: biggjohn (May 24, 2007 4:45 pm) kermit4 (May 25, 2007 8:17 am) biggjohn (May 25, 2007 5:03 pm)
#206 of 255 Phill competitors by hondagxsales Apr 11, 2007 (8:38 am)
There are several around. The problem is the certifications. The Phill is certified as a Home Appliance. None of the rest have gotten certs that would allow them to be sold in the US and the other one I know of, which I really like is a hydrolic ram type. But again, not available for purchase. Curtis
#207 of 255 Phill pricing by hondagxsales Apr 11, 2007 (8:41 am)
I spoke to Fuelmaker at the Alt Fuels Expo in Anaheim on 4/3/07. They confirmed the price increase to $4,000 effective 4/1/07 (as I recall) but that their goal was to get production up to thepoint that they could bring it back down to the $2,000 price tag... although they couldn't say as to when that may happen... if ever. Curtis
#208 of 255 Anyone else get this e-mail? by xpacific Apr 11, 2007 (11:44 am)
Dear Valued Customer:   FuelMaker would like to thank you for your continued interest in its Home Refueling Appliance “Phill”. Since the introduction of Phill to the market place, FuelMaker has tried its best to maintain Phill’s price as low as possible. Unfortunately because of rising costs and other factors beyond our control, FuelMaker can no longer maintain the price at the present level. As of April 2nd, the price of Phill will be in the range of $3,982 to $4,296 depending on your refueling scenario. This does not include installation and shipping costs.   We do wish to give you the opportunity to purchase Phill at the price you were quoted. Therefore, we are offering you a two week period, from the date you receive this letter, in which you may purchase Phill at the old price. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, all you need to do is call FuelMaker’s customer service department at 1-866-697-4455 (toll free) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, and we will be more than happy to fill your order.   Thank you for your understanding and continued support.   Best Regards,
#209 of 255 Phill doesn't pencil out - getting an FMQ-2-36 instead by xpacific May 06, 2007 (8:15 am)
As per my earlier post here, unless your local government provides incentives, I feel that Phill makes little economic sense. If an outside install is OK for your needs, then my suggestion is you contact your local FuelMaker dealer to see if they can find you a refurbished FMQ-2. (note that FM dealers generally will NOT sell outside of their territory). http://fuelmaker.com/Dealers/   Our SLC dealer sourced a 3600psi model for me at around $4k + his install time. Scrolling down to the bottom of the following web page gives some good photos of what the FMQ-2 looks like installed. Note the installation with a remote panel -- this is an attractive option if you want to hide the main compressor unit away from view. http://fuelmaker.cz/com/foto/foto.htm   Also, you can sometimes find used "FM4" or even occasionally older "C3" units on eBay, but these only fill to 3000psi. The last FM4 sold for $3k a month ago.   I will post some photos if my installation once it is completed later this month.
#210 of 255 How good a fill should we get with Phill? by kermit4 May 21, 2007 (1:54 pm)
We got our Phill installed a few weeks ago. The convenience factor is fantastic, but the fill quality has been so-so, only getting up to one square below the top fill mark on our GX. Should we be expecting a Phill fill to regularly hit the top fill mark? Is there anything we can do to get a better quality of fill from Phill? We hook up the compressor in the evening, so running the compressor during the heat of the day shouldn't be the issue. Replies to this message: hondagxsales (May 21, 2007 6:27 pm) bank1avp (May 22, 2007 6:01 am) kermit4 (May 22, 2007 9:03 am)
#211 of 255 Re: How good a fill should we get with Phill? [kermit4] by hondagxsales May 21, 2007 (6:27 pm)
Replying to: kermit4 (May 21, 2007 1:54 pm) You should be getting a comlete fill. If you are not, I suggest you call your installer back to figure out why. If he doesn't have an answer for you I would call Fuelmaker Tech support/Customer Service at 1-866-269-4455.Curtis
#212 of 255 Re: How good a fill should we get with Phill? [kermit4] by bank1avp May 22, 2007 (6:01 am)
Replying to: kermit4 (May 21, 2007 1:54 pm) kermit it's probably the guage on your car and not likely the Phill unit. Go to a station you know historiclly has good pressure, I hate to say it but try a C.E. station just for this test. See why the guage is after the fast fill.   I've sold many GX's where I've notice the same issue.   Murphy Replies to this message: kermit4 (May 22, 2007 9:03 am)
#213 of 255 Re: How good a fill should we get with Phill? [bank1avp] by kermit4 May 22, 2007 (9:03 am)
Replying to: bank1avp (May 22, 2007 6:01 am) The Pasadena station has generally been a good one for us--we get a fill up to the top line there. Got one of those good fills there just a week or two before getting Phill installed, so I'm doubtful that the gauge went wonky within that short a time. I'll call the installer and see if he has any suggestions.
#214 of 255 Re: FMQ2 vs. PHILL [kermit4] by biggjohn May 24, 2007 (4:45 pm)
Replying to: kermit4 (Apr 11, 2007 8:11 am) If you fuel 2 1/2 GGEs per day, the Phill has a life expectancy of just over 2 1/2 years (2,520 GGE Compressor Service Life). The $2,000 cost of a remanufactured unit doesn't include the costs associated with de-installation and re-installation (approx. $750) or shipping ($300 - $500).   The same scenario using an FMQ2-36 has a compressor service life of over 4 1/2 years (4,000 hours). The cost of rebuilding the compressor (in the field) is about $700 + the cost of the service call.   While the AQMD does not offer it's buydown on the FMQ2-36, both units are eligible for the $1,000 Federal tax credit. (Give the AQMD a call and ask why they're supporting a specific unit instead of the best technology.)   The Phill also uses more than twice as much energy to operate because it runs over twice as long (per GGE).   When you consider that the Phill: 1) Can only be rebuilt a maximum of 3 times (vs. unlimited compressor rebuilds for the FMQ2-36). 2) A fill rate of .42 GGE (vs. 1.0 - 1.2 GGE for the FMQ2-36) 3) Fills only one vehicle at a time (vs. up to two vehicles with the FMQ2-36) 4) A remanufactured unit adds over $1.00/GGE to your fueling costs! the Phill has a catchy name, but doesn't make good economic sense.   John Replies to this message: kermit4 (May 25, 2007 8:17 am) biggjohn (May 25, 2007 5:03 pm)

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