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Flow sensor hunt.... with a few interesting links.

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Propaganda

Propaganda

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Joined
Dec 13, 2006
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Not where my body is.
Hello

I am on the search for a small reliable cost effective flow sensor for a 1/2 system.

Currently I am waiting on replies from about half a dozen manufacturers in regard to pricing and specs.

Here are a few links for discussion.

http://www.flowmeters.com/products/index.cfm?task=pgDetail&pgID=511
$230... expensive and bulky.


http://www.flowdetector.com/?gclid=CLDN75OMp4kCFRBqGgodbFzHNQ
Check out the one to the lower left... looks promising.

http://www.swissflow.com/en/SF800
Interesting...

http://www.over-clock.com/ivb/index.php?showtopic=16489
More info about the last.


http://www.thecoolingshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/1844
Rather restrictive on the first glance... not sure on the intake sizes.


http://www.flow-network.com/insertion_flow_switch.html
The CoolGuard (Type 4000) is neet... but it prob. needs extra equ. and the price will be sky high.
*edit* - $195 per unit pre volume discounts.


http://www.flowmetersource.com/s_rvm.htm
Yet again prob. pricey.



There are a few links... please help me out in my search for a good sensor.
 
Last edited:
I saw a guy make is own once. He took the blades and hub off an 80mm fan. Mounted it on a shaft in a sealed plexi box. One blade had a small magnet on it.

The water flowed though the box, turning the fan. The magnet rotated under a hall-effect sensor. Every revolution made electrical pulse. The faster the fan turned the higher frequency the pulses.

I don't remember where I saw it at, but it shouldn't be too hard to build. And if you use large barbs and a big box restriction should be minimal.


Zeb
 
I have asked and searched for the same thing for almost two years now with no good solutions, although I haven't made a determined, concerted effort on this. I would like to know why Innovatek is seemingly the only one to make a flow meter at all for PC watercooling.
 
The Swissflow was used in another project, it was called Metaversa and it provided great results.
 
ziggo0 said:
A box with a fan is one great way to kill your flow rate :(
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same thing... Hence why i can understand why the OP wants to avoid DIY if possible.

I wondered why he didnt use a 40mm fan... It would still hurt his flow rates, but not nearly as much as an 80mm would. Maybe the guy had big fingers?
 
I've still got a few of these in a box somewhere. If you're interested, give me a PM and I'll dig one up for you. The complete thread this pic is attached to is here.
attachment.php


Edit: Well, the picture linking didn't work as I hoped it would, but the link itself does work, so....
 
I received one reply so far... just the price of a sensor. I edited my original post.


MVC - I will look into them. I do want to perform a few GPM/PSI tests.

Which leads me into another idea.... PSI sensors!

Pros - No flow restriction. ! ! !

Cons - No cool paddle wheel for viewing. (no biggie)


http://www.alibaba.com/manufacturer/14340592/Buy_Pressure_Sensors_And_Switches.html
Factory set sensitivity... made for water applications...tiny... built in switch (8amps at 12vDC!)... it looks cheap to buy, well in 1000 quantities.

LMK know what you think of a PSI switch...
 
I have a couple of the Gems, one 1/2" and one 5/8". (1/4" NPT, and 1/2" NPT)
They're the RFI type that you have to count the revolutions to compute the flow, but it's easy if you paint one leg of the paddle wheel black with a Sharpie.
Bought them in the classifieds here many many moons ago.

There's also a spot in the housing that you can add a hall sensor if you'd like. The backside of the paddle wheel is hollow so it's easy to add a small magnet to.

I'd have to do some studying to figure out a hall sensor wiring diagram, because I never actually got around to it.

http://www.gemssensors.com/TOCResults.asp?nContentsID=74
Second one down.

*edit* $45 each isn't so bad for professional grade accuracy...
 
Last edited:
A Rotameter would work too, but they're difficult to find at reasonable prices within the measurement range you would want (minimum max reading of 5gpm)
Acrylic-Body-Rotameter.jpg


I just bought one on eBay.
 
Propaganda said:
http://www.digiflowsys.com/DFS-20-series.html
DFS-23 / DFS-23W ~ Hose Barb Fittings = 12 mm (15/32") !!!!!!
Click to expand...

The sales Rep reply to my price inquiry dropped my jaw low, very low.
$400!... WTF... FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS! wow just wow. He replied with the right model number and PDF datasheet. I just can't imagine why they think they are worth four hundred dollars... all they are in a plastic barb with a spinner inside, a IR LED, and a IR sensor.


23PF1     DFS-23 with hose-barb connections         $400.00
23PF1N  DFS-23 with 1/4" MNPT connections      $415.00
23SS1N  DFS-23 with SS outer housing, 3/8" MNPT connections     $500.00
Click to expand...

Tomorrow I am going to give them a call and ask them to justify their price. What gets me is they describe a similar version of the DFS-23 as "disposable".

Refernce link

__________

A gemsensor paddlewheel for $45... sounds of a good deal.

-Prop
 
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