Flow Metering

[Bsquared]

I have a couple of the FLO25LO meters on the way from a a slow boat from china...so I expect they will be a while before they get here. And because we Hijacked another thread talking about these, I thought I'd move the conversation over here.

There are a few questions I have now about the ability of these to function the way I intend, but here is my idea and plan.

I have one meter with a sensor that can read total flow, so the plan will be to interrupt the output wire (the brown wire according to the wiring diagram) with to a 4 position selector switch. I will place the three meters: #1 on to the out put of the HLT #2 on the out put of the MLT and #3 on the output of the CFC (not the boil kettle) I will wire all the meters up in to the selector switch. During each process I will select wich meter for the sensor to read.

One of the problems I can see, is the minimum flow rate is 1.5L/min or 0.39Gallon/min. With sparging this may be too fast, the way I calculate it for a 14 gallon batch that would be a 35.8 min sparge with that flow rate, and probably too fast, but i will have to test that.

 

[JonW]

Your post at the ECC/BCS forum got me thinking about this project again. I just ordered a similar unit here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/260971972837 . Only reason I went with this one is that the min flow rate was a bit lower at 1 L/min and it still had the 1/2" threads. The 1/4" one at Futurlec that had a lower flow limit had a 10% variance, so I didn't want that one. I also just saw this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hall-effect-water-Flow-Counter-Sensor-DC3-18V-G1-2-/290664040109 that has 0.5 L/min lower end.

My initial goal is to only use this for filling my MLT strike water and HLT sparge water to specified volumes. Depending on the accuracy of the unit, I may expand to using it for sparging tasks as well.

 

[Bsquared]

Cool Jon, I'm excited to see how this will integrate into the BCS, that would be my ultimate goal. I was thinking of the 1/4" meter from futurlec too, but also its upper temp limit was 40ºC.

That second one looks nice though. 0.5L/min would work well for a sparge rate.

 

[CidahMastah]

So I am on board for this ride as well but it looks like you guys are going a slightly different route than me. I am looking for a more plug and play unit that I can run with (without using a software based brew control type system).

Presently I bought one of these (Flow Rate 1.5 - 25.0 liter/min) to see if it would stand up to the challenge of a brew day. Based on the price I thought what the heck and why not. I do realize that the max temp is below typical sparge and mash temps (max 140F). But it was $20.

If I could find a similar unit for under $100 with a 212F rating I might just get it because I prefer that to installing site glasses on my two 25G megapots (HLT and BK). This unit would be perfect but it is too spendy for my blood (at least for today ).

One last bit. Passedpawn had suggested using peristaltic pumps to get more flow and more accuracy. I would be interested in exploring that avenue as well if anybody has experience with it.

If not I will be forced to continue using my dip stick or breaking down and installing a sight glass that I don't exactly love.

 

[Bsquared]

I just sent out an Inquiery to these guys, about their listing. for a 1" meter+LED display

They also have 1/2" meters rated to 90ºF that have a minimum flow rate of 0.5L/min. I asked them if the 1/2" units are compatible with the LED display and how much it would be for three meters and the LED display.

I'll let you know what I hear back.

 

[JonW]

Cool Jon, I'm excited to see how this will integrate into the BCS, that would be my ultimate goal. I was thinking of the 1/4" meter from futurlec too, but also its upper temp limit was 40ºC.

That second one looks nice though. 0.5L/min would work well for a sparge rate.

I would have bought the one in the second link if I had seen it before I purchased the first one.

I just sent out an Inquiery to these guys, about their listing. for a 1" meter+LED display

They also have 1/2" meters rated to 90ºF that have a minimum flow rate of 0.5L/min. I asked them if the 1/2" units are compatible with the LED display and how much it would be for three meters and the LED display.

I'll let you know what I hear back.

Yeah, those guys are the same ones as my second link.

Problem with those meters is that they just show you the flow. I'm going to use an Atmel micro controller and write my own program so I can set a volume, hit start and then it will fill the MLT or HLT with that specified volume. I've got several micros to do this, but I think I'll order one with an LCD display for creating a display to show set point and fill rate. Like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/AVR-ATMEGA16-Dem2-Development-Demo-Board-LCD-USB-/350553540920

This will be stand alone and not integrated with the BCS (at least for now).

 

[Bsquared]

Awesome, keep us posted.

 

[audger]

One last bit. Passedpawn had suggested using peristaltic pumps to get more flow and more accuracy. I would be interested in exploring that avenue as well if anybody has experience with it.

ive been looking for a cheap-ish dual head peristaltic pump that accepts 5/8 or 3/4" OD tubing for a while... the closest ive found was little giants LG-300 for $300 each, not including motor or stand. and those wouldnt be too easy to run two of them in parrallel off the same motor, and i havnt been able to find anywhere if they are roller-type or shoe-type... and did i mention they are $300 each?

 

[CidahMastah]

ive been looking for a cheap-ish dual head peristaltic pump that accepts 5/8 or 3/4" OD tubing for a while... the closest ive found was little giants LG-300 for $300 each, not including motor or stand. and those wouldnt be too easy to run two of them in parrallel off the same motor, and i havnt been able to find anywhere if they are roller-type or shoe-type... and did i mention they are $300 each?

Yeah that is a bit spendy , that is unless you were building a rig for business purposes then it seems not too cost prohibitive.

Looks like the search is on. Why did I have to see that flow meter post - now I find myself thinking I need it.

 

[Bsquared]

I'm going to test this out with my batch Tuesday, I put Tri-clam fitting on the meter so I can move it to different positions during the brew day and see how it performs.