Can both low flow rate and low system pressure be related to a low setting on the relief valve?

A low setting on the relief valve can indeed contribute to both low flow rate and low system pressure. Relief valves are designed to open at a predetermined pressure to prevent system overpressure. When the setting of the relief valve is too low, it can lead the valve to open prematurely, diverting flow away from the system.

As the relief valve opens at lower pressure, it can result in a continuous bleed-off of system pressure, which then translates to lower pressure throughout the system. This diminished pressure can restrict the amount of fluid that can effectively flow through the system, leading to a corresponding reduction in the flow rate. Therefore, when both flow rate and pressure are low, it is plausible that the low setting of the relief valve is a significant contributing factor to these conditions. This relationship illustrates how critical the correct adjustment of relief valves is for maintaining optimal system performance.