RainMachine pro best use of the flow sensor
Gathering Feedback
Hello
it could be interesting to have a best use of the flow sensor. maybe by adding in the notifications when a program finishes how much water was consumed by zones.
And why not have a dedicated page showing something like graphs showing water consuming by days / by weeks / months and years
regards
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I posted this in another thread, but it seems to apply here as well:
I was able to produce reports like those desired above using the RainMachine API data and a free cloud reporting service. I have the service call the RainMachine API once per hour to get log updates. So, it’s not real-time, but close enough.
My main goal was to be alerted to high flow events from broken sprinkler heads. I used the cloud reporting service’s workflow tool for alerting logic (also their free tier). It compares the latest zone flow rates to my stored thresholds and sends emails and text alerts.
Here are example flow data reports created from the RainMachine API data. Maybe these can help with some ideas to incorporate similar features and reports into the RainMachine app:
Flow rate trend chart by zone:
Flow Rates and Thresholds by Zone (the red dots are my current thresholds):
An example alert that is emailed:
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Also can with flow sensor the system can "learn" the zones normal running flow.
When rain machine detect for example +30% flow increment can stop the zone and send an alarm to user. Means a detection of an unusual leak in the area.
This is a concern in areas where water is very expensive and sometimes it takes a long time to detect problems.
With flowmeter and the things commented on this post the rain machine will be unbeatable
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I would go one step further and that it should know what is normal and alert on anything that falls outside of a certain percentage from that baseline. If it is over, there could be a broken head. If it is under, it could be a failed sprinkler head or a valve issue. You typically find the under aspect when an area starts to die from lack of water. It would be nice to know that there is an issue as soon as it happens.
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I had a look at the flowSensor related API endpoints.
Is it possible to read the overall water consumption regardless of any programms or zones?
I have my flow sensor connected directly behind my well pump and I want to use the it as a general water meter.
My water outlets in the garden are connected to a valve on the RM but that valve can also be opened independently.
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Yes the API call GET /api/4/provision will also return :
system.flowSensorClicksPerCubicMeter
system.flowSensorLeakClicks
system.flowSensorStartIndex
system.flowSensorWateringClicks
system.flowSensorWateringClicks will hold the total clicks received by RainMachine while a zone is started
system.flowSensorLeakClicks will hold the total clicks received by RainMachine while no zone was running
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Better support for high resolution flow meters would be welcome. The EKM meter I have measures 100 clicks per cubic foot (1 click per 0.075 gallons). My challenges are 1) leak alerts triggered by tiny amounts of water over long periods of time and 2) rounding during unit conversion (meter clicks in cubic feet, rainmachine clicks in gallons) adds up to inaccuracy of over 1,000 gallons per year.
1) During rainy periods the system may not run for days, triggering a leak detection. I’d prefer a configurable leak threashold. I’m ok with gallons, clicks, or % over expected as a unit.
2) Ideally the UI would be more flexible allowing clicks per cubic foot and converting on the back end. Alternatively allow entering fractional clicks (13.33) per gallon.
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