Water Flow Sensor

[mustangcoupe]

I am looking for a water flow sensor for a few projects.....

1. to detect when the shower is running so I can turn on the vent fan.
2. to confirm the irrigation valve either opened or closed... I had one stick open last year.

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to one to use, that I can connect to an input on a ELK.

Thanks

 

[WayneW]

http://jerman.com/dljcmeters.html
a true meter with output, not just a flow sensor, so it may be overkill, but I have heard some people use them with good results.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

When you say you want to know water flow do you want a "yes" "no" answer, or do you need the "absolute" flow rate?

 

[mustangcoupe]

When you say you want to know water flow do you want a "yes" "no" answer, or do you need the "absolute" flow rate?

I just want to know someone turned on the shower and in the case of the irrigation valves, I was thinking of it as a secondary did the valve close as I expected it to ... (or did the backflow preventor break because I didnt get the system flushed out in time and it froze... yes been there before )

so yes or no answer is what my goal is.. I dont care about flow rate

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

The only thing I could find with a listed price was THIS (but I believe it is to large for your application).

 

[mustangcoupe]

Yes this is the same problems I was having.... Boy I hope my water line to my shower isnt 1 1/4 " OMG talk about flow!

 

[SteveQ]

I am looking for a water flow sensor for a few projects.....

1. to detect when the shower is running so I can turn on the vent fan.
2. to confirm the irrigation valve either opened or closed... I had one stick open last year.

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to one to use, that I can connect to an input on a ELK.

Thanks

I don't know of a direct way to measure water flow in a shower but you could get an indirect indication of water flow by putting a temperature sensor on the hot water pipe as close as possible to the shower head. When the pipe temperature is room temperature plus 10 degrees you could trigger the vent fan.

For the irrigation system, put a pressure switch
as close as possible to the master soleniod that controls the water going to your irrigation system. I think you will see a pressur drop if the sprinkler system is ON. You can adjust the sensitivity of the pressure switch so it triggers an X10 powerflash module.

If you have a well (i.e. not on city water) then it is easy to detect if the well pump is running. I monitor my well pump and if it runs continously for more than 15 minutes, I know something is wrong.

Steve Q

 

[kwilcox]

maybe there's a way to build one. It just needs an on/off indication based on flow. I'm gonna talk to my stainless steel guy about this over beers and see if we can draw up something on the back of a bar napkin....

 

[kwilcox]

For the irrigation system, put a pressure switch as close as possible to the ....

That would work for the shower as well. just install at the end of a tee on the shower head line. That would also give an instantaneous indication as opposed to a temp switch.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Actually, looking at Grainger and searching for flow yeilded these pages of results, with a few feasible choices.

 

[DavidL]

My geothermal system has a few flow sensors by Penn.
These are "paddle type" that internally a paddle moves as the liquid moves which then switches a momentary contact switch. You can then tie that switch into any control / monitoring system

Here is not the exact, but likely competing product

http://www.pexsupply.com/product_dtl.asp?p...ler&cID=496

 

[SteveQ]

That would work for the shower as well. just install at the end of a tee on the shower head line. That would also give an instantaneous indication as opposed to a temp switch.

I don't think this would be very practical! Without tearing the wall apart, the only place you could put the switch is inside the shower.

Steve Q

 

[murphy]

http://jerman.com/dljcmeters.html
a true meter with output, not just a flow sensor, so it may be overkill, but I have heard some people use them with good results.

Thanks Wayne, just such a piece I need for my irrigation-system too.

IMHO this watermeter with a contact has an excellent price, the other (non metering) simple flow-indicators are the same price-range, - or more expensiv. And together with an ELK-system the cheaper "dljc"meter is the best choice. Just a simple rule as

Whenever input x becomes secure
then turn water-running(out xy) on for (a certain time), restart timer if running

This way you always have your flag "water-running" in an (aproximately / good enough) actual condition.

Ok, I need it for metering too.

cu E.

 

[kwilcox]

I don't think this would be very practical! Without tearing the wall apart, the only place you could put the switch is inside the shower.

Tearing the wall apart: yep. That's the plan. I have a half bath on the other side that needs remodeling (increases WAF for the project) and the shower valve is on its last legs anyway.

 

[SteveQ]

Tearing the wall apart: yep. That's the plan. I have a half bath on the other side that needs remodeling (increases WAF for the project) and the shower valve is on its last legs anyway.

Cool, let us know how the pressure switch works and which model you use. I think the concept of turning the vent fan ON when the shower is running is a really good idea. I think a lot of people will say that a motion sensor would work just as well: but do you really need the vent fan on when you brush your teeth? In several years when the electric cost per KWhr goes to $.35, everybody will be looking for ways to minimize the amount of time that fans are running.

Oh K, you might want to think about accessibility to the pressure switch. It might need adjustment or replacement in the future.

Steve Q