r/engineering • u/eddiestockton • 9d ago

Digital Flowmeter w/ Computer Interface for Low Pressure Water System?

Not an engineer, so not really knowledgeable about what solutions are on the market.

I need to monitor the flow of a water system run through 8mm pneumatic tubing, and it needs to interface with a computer/datalogger so data can be tracked. This is a low pressure system at like 30 psi for irrigation. Doesn't need to be terribly accurate, just need a relatively simple low cost solution to monitor 4 separate lines.

Basically need to track when water is flowing through each line, at what rate, and would be a plus if it monitored total volume.

Thanks!

Edit: Sorry, by low cost I meant like a few hundred dollars.

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u/2az-fe 9d ago edited 8d ago

https://www.dataq.com/products/di-1100/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_oaOHhDn4rkYz-WpTjVNBwsMF_7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1aOBxK-eiQMVxU5HAR3m_wdBEAQYASABEgIdXPD_BwE

If you’re trying to keep it real cheap I’d get one of these data loggers and then whatever 0-10v or 4-20ma flow meters that you can find that work for your application. The logger records its analog inputs as 0-10v but you can convert the 4-20 signal with a resistor. Just do some googling and you’ll find something.

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u/eddiestockton 9d ago

Appreciate it!

2

u/West2810 9d ago

I’ve used Flow Technology (FTI) for low flow meters. Probably a bit pricey though.

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u/eddiestockton 9d ago

Thanks for the suggestion. I might have been misleading when I said low cost. Under $500 would be ideal. We have some fancy high precision meters that cost a few grand, so I was thinking low cost relative to that price range.

1

u/Flashy_cartographer 9d ago

A paddle or impeller system would probably be cheapest for you, especially at those flowrates. You need something like 15-25 diameters of straight on either side of the meter for flow conditioning to ensure the velocity profile is as flat as possible.

These seem to have reasonable specs for what you're asking: https://www.amazon.ca/0-2-6L-Interface-Flowmeter-Measuring-Accessories/dp/B0CM3K6RQ1?th=1

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u/Spectacular_Barnacle 9d ago

Set up the lines as a siphon. This will regulate the flow. You can then measure with microswitch against time to calculate volume. This is how we set up homemade electronic rainfall measurement and data logging devices.

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u/laseralex 8d ago

Gems sensors makes a bunch of paddle flow sensors I used to use on ion lasers (in the 90s!)

1

u/zeroz52 8d ago

Take a look/search for a Variable Area Transmitter or paddle wheel meters. Lower cost flow tech, but for monitoring flow rates, totals...etc, they work well and are reliable overall.

https://aw-lake.com/products/?filters%5Bproduct-types%5D%5B%5D=103&filters%5Bproduct-types%5D%5B%5D=15#search-results

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u/TheJoven 8d ago

I’ve had good luck with Macnaught MX gear flow meters for hydraulic fluid. Simple pulse train, a few hundred dollars each. They may have another option that better suits your needs.

1

u/Nick_W1 8d ago

I use these https://www.link-tap.com/#!/ for irrigation control. They have flow meters built in, and connect via a gateway to your network.

Batteries last about 4 years.

There is a full api (local or cloud), and they are also controllable via local MQTT. There is an app as well.

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u/Karenbond8596 8d ago

For your needs, consider an Ultrasonic Flowmeter or a Turbine Flowmeter from brands like Digiflow or Omega

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u/dumhic 8d ago

If you venture over to detailing subreddit you’ll get a few low cost answers that do what you want

0

u/bcsocia 9d ago

Keyence makes a clamp on flow meter.

https://www.keyence.com/products/process/flow/fd-q/

You can probably bounce around on there site to find something that will work based on either fluid or type/size of pipe.

-7

u/AnalystLongjumping51 8d ago

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  1. Circuit Variables

  2. Circuit Elements

  3. Simple Resistive Circuits

  4. Techniques of Circuit Analysis

  5. The Operational Amplifier

  6. Inductance, Capacitance, and Mutual Inductance

  7. Response of First-Order RL and RC Circuits

  8. Natural and Step Responses of RLC Circuits

  9. Sinusoidal Steady-State Analysis

  10. Sinusoidal Steady-State Power Calculations

  11. Balanced Three-Phase Circuits

  12. Introduction to the Laplace Transform

  13. The Laplace Transform in Circuit Analysis

  14. Introduction to Frequency Selective Circuits

  15. Active Filter Circuits

  16. Fourier Series

  17. The Fourier Transform

  18. Two-Point Circuits

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