FULL RANGE PRESSURE COMPENSATING

VARIABLE FLOW CONTROL

CONTROLLED
FC51
“FC”EXCESS FC51-3/4
FLOW (CF) FLOW (EX)

FCB51-3/4
INLET (IN)

FC55

CONTROLLED EXCESS
FLOW (CF) FLOW (EX)

FCR51-3/4
INLET (IN)
FCR51

CONTROLLED EXCESS
FLOW (CF) FLOW (EX)

INLET
(IN)

FEATURES:
 DIAMOND HONED SPOOL BORE provides consistent spool fit with low leakage.
 EVERY FC IS TESTED for shutoff, max. flow, and pressure compensation.
 STANDARD 3-PORT allows for pressure compensated flow out of two ports.
 STANDARD 416 STAINLESS STEEL rotary lever spool to prevent the spool from locking up.
 STANDARD SAE ORB COMPENSATOR PLUGS to eliminate external leakage from the
compensator bore.
 EXTERNAL SEALS ON ROTARY SPOOL prevents contamination from locking up spool.
 OPTIONAL TOP PORT allows the customer to plumb their pipe directly in line with the inlet.
 OPTIONAL 2-PORT allows for pressure compensated flow out of one port.
 OPTIONAL 316 STAINLESS STEEL rotary spool provides highest corrosion resistance.
 OPTIONAL FREE REVERSE FLOW allows fluid to move from the CF (control flow) and EX
(excess flow) port to the inlet. (Single reverse flow is also available)
 OPTIONAL ADJUSTABLE BALL SPRING RELIEF AND HIGH LIFT BALL SPRING RELIEF CF
(control flow) port.

SPECIFICATIONS:
 See flow chart for capacity.
 Rated for 3000 psi (207 bar).
 Weighs 7- ¾ lbs. (3.52 kg).
 30-Micron Filtration Recommended.
 Torque to turn side lever spool.
 35 in*lbs with 3000 psi (207 bar) on
EX Port.
MATERIALS:
 Cast Iron Body.
 Heat Treated Compensator Spool.
 Stainless Steel Rotary Spool.
 Buna N O’Rings (Standard)
 Heat Treated Free Reverse Check Seat.

12-13 Page B-1

FC – GENERAL INFORMATION
The Brand, full range pressure compensating variable flow control is designed so that the orifice area varies
as the lever is rotated. Fluid travels past the variable orifice, through the compensator spool and then out
the controlled flow port. Therefore the flow out of the CF port is proportional to the orifice area which can
vary from closed to open. The sum of the controlled flow and the excess flow equals the inlet flow and as
the controlled flow increases the excess flow decreases. Both outlet flows are pressure compensated with a
spool that maintains a constant flow by adjusting for pressure. Hunting between the compensated pump
and our valve is dampened with a dashpot on the compensator spool. Thus, the outlet flow is smooth and
constant regardless of the pressure on the CF and EX port. External seals on the rotary spool prevent
contamination from getting between the spool and the casting, thus preventing the spool from locking in
one position. All FC’s are built with stainless steel (416) rotary spools to help prevent the rotary spools
from locking up when they are in a corrosive environment. We also offer the FC with outlet ports coming
from the top of the casting.
ADJUSTABLE BALL SPRING RELIEFS – The adjustable ball spring relief (R) and the adjustable high
lift ball spring relief (B) allow the customer pressure compensated flow up to the pressure setting on the
relief. Once the pressure on the CF port increases above the relief setting the relief valve opens and diverts
flow to the EX port while maintaining the pressure on the CF port. The EX port must be plumbed back to
tank for both of these reliefs. Both relief options are preset to 1500 psi (103 bar), standard, and field
adjustable from 750 to 3000 psi. (52 to 207 bar). Pressure settings between 250 and 750 psi (17 and 52 bar)
can be achieved by using a different spring. The B option’s advantage over the R option is that the
cracking pressure at low and high flow is virtually the same. The B option is also more stable when flow is
traveling past the ball and spring. (See relief flow charts on next page)
FREE REVERSE FLOW – The free reverse flow (55) option is designed primarily where cylinders and
motors are needed to go in reverse. Flow can go in reverse from either the EX or the CF port to the inlet.
Flow is not metered when it goes in reverse. The non-metered flow travels past the poppet, down the
center of the valve, past the compensator spool and through the inlet. The steel poppet seat inside the free
reverse flow check is heat treated to assure a long life.
FC – EXAMPLES OF COMMON MODEL CODES:
FC51-3/4…….…………………… 3/4” ports and a max flow of 30 gpm (114 lpm).
FCR51-3/8…….…………………. Ball spring relief (1500 psi (103 bar) setting), adjustable from 750 to
3000 psi (52 to 207 bar), 3/8” ports, and a max flow of 8 gpm (30 lpm).
FC55-1/2…….………………….... Free reverse flow, 1/2” ports, and a max flow of 16 gpm (61 lpm).

FC – CREATING A MODEL CODE FOR FC’S:

F C __ __-__ __ __
RELIEF:
Omit – No relief FLOW SETTING & SPOOL TYPE:
R – Adj. ball spring relief (Standard 1500psi (103bar) setting) SS - 316 Stainless Steel (416 S.S. is standard)
B – Adj. high-lift ball spring relief (Standard 1500psi (103bar) X – Increased Compensation Stability
setting) *37 – 0-8 gpm (0-30.3 lpm)
*50 – 0-16 gpm (0-60.6 lpm)
FLOW PATH: *75 – 0-30 gpm (0-113.6 lpm)
51 – Standard flow control ** - Consult factory for others
55 – Free reverse flow (Cannot be used in ** - Need not specify for standard flow settings noted
conjunction with ball spring relief). under “ PORT SIZE”

PORT SIZE:
3/8 – 3/8” NPT (0-8 gpm (0-30 lpm), standard) 2 OR 3 PORT:
1/2 – 1/2” NPT (0-16 gpm (0-61 lpm), standard) 2P – 2 port
3/4 – 3/4” NPT (0-30 gpm (0-114 lpm), standard) Omit – 3 port (Standard)
6 - #6SAE (9/16 – 18) (0-8 gpm (0-30 lpm), standard) TP – Top ported
8 - #8SAE (3/4 – 16) (0-8 gpm (0-61 lpm), standard)
10 - #10SAE (7/8 – 14) (0-16 gpm (0-61 lpm), standard)
12 - #12SAE (1-1/16 – 12) (0-30 gpm (0-114 lpm), standard)

Page B-2
 FC FLOW & PRESSURE INFO:
Controlled Flow vs. Dial Plate for FC Series Pressure Drop vs. Flow for FC Series
Flow (lpm)
32 120
4 11 23 34 45 57 68 79 91 102 113 125 136 147 159
28 105 200 13.8

24 90
150 10.3

Pressure Drop (bar)

Pressure Drop (psi)
20 75
Flow (gpm)

Flow (lpm)
16 60
100 6.9
12 45

8 30
50 3.4
4 15

0 0 0 0.0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42
Dial Plate Number (0-10) Flow (gpm)

Pressure vs. Flow for FCB51

Pressure vs. Flow for FCR51 Flow (lpm)
Flow (lpm)
4 11 23 34 45 57 68 79 91 102 113
4 11 23 34 45 57 68 79 91 102 113 3500 241
TS324 Spring
2500 172.4 3000 207
RL59A Spring
2000 137.9 2500 172

Pressure (bar)
Pressure (psi)
Pressure (bar)
Pressure (psi)

2000 138
1500 103.4
1500 103
1000 68.9 TS323 Spring
1000 69
500 34.5
500 34

0 0.0 0 0
1 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 1 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30
Flow (gpm) Flow (gpm)

Page B-3
 DIMENSIONAL DATA:
FCB51 AND FC51 DIMENSIONAL DATA (inches & [millimeters]):
(FCB51 SHOWN):
2.30" [58.5] REF. 0.94" [23.8] REF.

9 " [Ø7.1] THRU

7.62" [193.4]
Ø32
(2 PLACES)

1.87" [47.5]
4.96" [125.9]
2.12" [53.8]

0.35" [8.9] REF.

1.88" [47.6] 0.13" [3.2]

0.88" [22.4]
2.75" [69.8]
3.88" [98.4]
FCR51 AND FC51 DIMENSIONAL DATA (inches & [millimeters]):
(FCR51 SHOWN):
2.30" [58.5] REF. 0.94" [23.8] REF.

9 " [Ø7.1] THRU

Ø32
5.99" [152.1]
1.88" [47.6]

(2 PLACES)
4.94" [125.6]
2.13" [54.0]

0.35" [8.9] REF.

0.88" [22.4] 1.88" [47.6] 0.12" [3.2]

3.88" [98.4] 2.75" [69.8]

Page B-4