What to look for in a cheap flowmeter

**GilaMinumBeer** · 12-03-2008, 04:47 PM

I will very soon no longer be able to monitor the oxygenation process visually and need to locate a inexpensive, inline flowmeter for Oxygen.

I have googled but, honestly, I don't have a clue what I am looking at (or for). Any help would be appreciated.

I will be connecting this between a Bernzomatic tank with homebrew reg (non guageable) and a inline chiller stone, if that helps at all.

I have also considered an inline PSI guage but don;t seem to find much about those with the google.

**GilaMinumBeer** · 12-03-2008, 05:41 PM

Bump...............

**ScubaSteve** · 12-03-2008, 05:49 PM

Hmmm...medical 02 generally uses regs with a dial that you can set the L per min....maybe that would help?

Really though, you'd only need to crack the tank open the slightest bit...if you're using a diffusion stone going into a small cross section of pipe (1/2"?) you'll get really efficient o2 distribution. I guess a flowmeter would be irrelevant for that function...but I know you're going for the full monty with your rig though, so what's relevant/necessary no longer applies....

**GilaMinumBeer** · 12-03-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Hmmm...medical 02 generally uses regs with a dial that you can set the L per min....maybe that would help?

Really though, you'd only need to crack the tank open the slightest bit...if you're using a diffusion stone going into a small cross section of pipe (1/2"?) you'll get really efficient o2 distribution. I guess a flowmeter would be irrelevant for that function...but I know you're going for the full monty with your rig though, so what's relevant/necessary no longer applies....

I can't get medical O2 service without a prescription and good ole' Doc Holiday won't write the script for my use. Thus, I hit the brick wall unless I buy a larger welding based setup with a new reg.

Seems pointless to do this when I already have the O2 reg for the small bottles. I just need to devise a way to know the pressure release or flow rate of gas inexpensively so's I don't dump the entire bottle on a single batch. It's be nice if these mini regs had a guage huh?

**jds** · 12-03-2008, 06:37 PM

What you need is a variable-area flowmeter. Dwyer makes some nice ones fairly cheaply. For example, see mcMaster-Carr product No 5079K67.

Cheap flowmeters are usually calibrated for air as opposed to pure oxygen, but it's fairly simple math to go from one to the other, and may not be necessary, if all you're looking to do is monitor. Plus, the meter has a valve, so you can control the rate from the meter. For $43, it might be worth a shot.

VA flowmeters only work when they're mounted vertically, so you may have to do some construction to make it work, but digital inline flowmeters are $$$.

**ScubaSteve** · 12-03-2008, 07:33 PM

How awesome would this: H Mass Flow Meters for Gas look bolted onto your sabco, though?

**ScubaSteve** · 12-03-2008, 07:48 PM

A nice addition might also be 5069K57. These are relatively inexpensive flow sights that can help you eyeball oxygenation and clarity.

I plan on eventually getting 2....1 for recircing, placed on the output of the recirc ring, and 1 for the output of the BK right before it goes into the CFC.

**GilaMinumBeer** · 12-03-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

How awesome would this: H Mass Flow Meters for Gas look bolted onto your sabco, though?

Ha. For the price I could prolly find something that could link into the PLC on the BM.

kladue · 12-03-2008, 11:24 PM

Why not use the Dwyer VFA-1 flow meter, set flow to .5 SCFH and flow for 3 minutes for 6 gallon batch to get rated attenuation for yeast used. Have used one for about 5 years to get repeatable results with 1.050-1.065 SG batches using ready to pitch yeast containers from Wyeast and White Labs - no starters.

**GilaMinumBeer** · 12-04-2008, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kladue

Why not use the Dwyer VFA-1 flow meter, set flow to .5 SCFH and flow for 3 minutes for 6 gallon batch to get rated attenuation for yeast used. Have used one for about 5 years to get repeatable results with 1.050-1.065 SG batches using ready to pitch yeast containers from Wyeast and White Labs - no starters.

Thanks.

Ordered just that on Ebay.

12-03-2008, 04:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
GilaMinumBeer Minum dan jangan muntah Recipes Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,735 GilaMinumBeer's Gallery	What to look for in a cheap flowmeter I will very soon no longer be able to monitor the oxygenation process visually and need to locate a inexpensive, inline flowmeter for Oxygen. I have googled but, honestly, I don't have a clue what I am looking at (or for). Any help would be appreciated. I will be connecting this between a Bernzomatic tank with homebrew reg (non guageable) and a inline chiller stone, if that helps at all. I have also considered an inline PSI guage but don;t seem to find much about those with the google. __________________ *Birra Kucing Gila - Minum dan jangan muntah*** Crazy Cat Beer - Drink it up and don't let it come back.

12-03-2008, 05:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
GilaMinumBeer Minum dan jangan muntah Recipes Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,735 GilaMinumBeer's Gallery	Bump............... __________________ *Birra Kucing Gila - Minum dan jangan muntah*** Crazy Cat Beer - Drink it up and don't let it come back.

12-03-2008, 05:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
ScubaSteve Gadget Junkie Recipes Join Date: May 2007 Location: IL Posts: 1,712 ScubaSteve's Gallery	Hmmm...medical 02 generally uses regs with a dial that you can set the L per min....maybe that would help? Really though, you'd only need to crack the tank open the slightest bit...if you're using a diffusion stone going into a small cross section of pipe (1/2"?) you'll get really efficient o2 distribution. I guess a flowmeter would be irrelevant for that function...but I know you're going for the full monty with your rig though, so what's relevant/necessary no longer applies.... __________________ My Wood Rig Build: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthre...ight=scuba%27s My SS Rig Build (In Progress):http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/scub...ent-day-89991/

12-03-2008, 06:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
jds Senior Member Recipes Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 957 jds's Gallery BLOG ENTRIES: 17	What you need is a variable-area flowmeter. Dwyer makes some nice ones fairly cheaply. For example, see mcMaster-Carr product No 5079K67. Cheap flowmeters are usually calibrated for air as opposed to pure oxygen, but it's fairly simple math to go from one to the other, and may not be necessary, if all you're looking to do is monitor. Plus, the meter has a valve, so you can control the rate from the meter. For $43, it might be worth a shot. VA flowmeters only work when they're mounted vertically, so you may have to do some construction to make it work, but digital inline flowmeters are $$$. __________________ Read My HBT Blog, or (new!) Hogback Brewing Brewers in Colorado and neighboring states -- check out CO Dependency, the HBT group just for us!

12-03-2008, 07:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
ScubaSteve Gadget Junkie Recipes Join Date: May 2007 Location: IL Posts: 1,712 ScubaSteve's Gallery	How awesome would this: H Mass Flow Meters for Gas look bolted onto your sabco, though? __________________ My Wood Rig Build: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthre...ight=scuba%27s My SS Rig Build (In Progress):http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/scub...ent-day-89991/

12-03-2008, 07:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
ScubaSteve Gadget Junkie Recipes Join Date: May 2007 Location: IL Posts: 1,712 ScubaSteve's Gallery	A nice addition might also be 5069K57. These are relatively inexpensive flow sights that can help you eyeball oxygenation and clarity. I plan on eventually getting 2....1 for recircing, placed on the output of the recirc ring, and 1 for the output of the BK right before it goes into the CFC. __________________ My Wood Rig Build: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthre...ight=scuba%27s My SS Rig Build (In Progress):http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/scub...ent-day-89991/

12-03-2008, 11:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
kladue Senior Member Recipes Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Turner, Oregon Posts: 558	Why not use the Dwyer VFA-1 flow meter, set flow to .5 SCFH and flow for 3 minutes for 6 gallon batch to get rated attenuation for yeast used. Have used one for about 5 years to get repeatable results with 1.050-1.065 SG batches using ready to pitch yeast containers from Wyeast and White Labs - no starters.

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