Flow meter suggestion?
Hello! Since last update my HD-16 Finally have the flow meter support!! Anyone have a suggestion for a flow meter?
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Hi, Vardis11
We do recommend the DAE Water Meters available on Amazon.com or something similar in term of the specification.
https://www.amazon.com/DAE-AS200U-75P-Couplings-Measuring-Gallons/dp/B01DAZOQO2Thank you,
RainMachine Support -
I was looking at this one specifically, because of it's high resolution monitoring:
It puts out 1 pulse per 1/100 cubic foot (approx 0.075 gallons). Can this be used? If I do the math correctly, under the Flow Meter Sensor settings in the RainMachine web UI, I would enter 133 clicks per gallon. Can the RainMachine support this high number of pulses and keep track correctly?
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Hi sonnaps,
The RainMachine HD has a limit of 2 Hz on the pulse counter input. Anything above this limit will result in the RainMachine HD losing pulses and reporting incorrect amounts of water (lower than what is actually consumed).
You should consider selecting a flow meter which at maximum flow rate sends two pulses or less per second. The one you picked has a maximum flow rate of 176.6 cubic feet/hour, or 0.04905 cubic feet per seconds. Having a pulse rate of 1 pulse / 0.01 cubic feet results in ~5 pulses each second at maximum flow rate - above the 2 Hz limit.
Having said that, we do not recommend using this exact water meter with RainMachine HDs.FYI: The RainMachine PRO has a higher frequency limit and can handle pulse rates up to 200 Hz.
Istvan,
RainMachine Support -
Hello Istvan,
Is that 2Hz limit on the pulse counter of the RainMachine HD a hardware limitation or something that can be addressed in a future firmware update?
My purchase of the RainMachine HD 16 was recent but not recent enough to warrant a return to get the RainMachine Pro 16. I also like the design of the RainMachine HD better as well in any case.
The EKM Metering product line just has a lot to offer and I was hoping to stick with them if at all possible. I can monitor water, gas, and electricity with the correct components from them. They do make a lower resolution water meter as well, but the higher resolution one is more desirable for me.
https://www.ekmmetering.com/products/3-4-water-meter-stainless-steel-pulse-output
This meter produces a pulse for every 1/10 cubic foot (approx 0.75 gallon, or 2.83 liters).
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Hi sonnaps,
The 2Hz value is a hardware limit and can't be solved with firmware updates. Nevertheless, the flow meter you linked in should work with the RainMachine HDs, using the same calculus you get 0.5Hz pulse rate at maximum flow - acceptable value for the RainMachine HD.
Istvan
RainMachine Support -
It's been awhile since I've been in high school so I had to look this up. 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second.
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Would this work with the Pro 8?
https://www.amazon.com/DIGITEN-Effect-Sensor-Flowmeter-Counter/dp/B00VKAT7EEFrequency: F=4.8 * Q (L / Min) error:2% voltage :3.5-24VDC, current can not exceed 10mA, 450 output pulses/liters, F=onstant * units of flow (L / min) * time (seconds).
Flow range:1-60L/min
Maximum current:15 mA(DC 5V)
Working voltage range:DC 5-24 V
Load capacity:10 mA(DC 5V)
Insulation resistance:>100M OHM
Output Waveform:Square Wave,output pulse singal.
ROHS Compliant.
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