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Rachio Flow Meter Being Discontinued

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#21 ·
Hello everyone,

I'm from Everydrop and just wanted to say that I am glad that you have had good experiences with our flowmeter (The Rachio version and our own).

I just wanted to let you know that we are looking to add wireless for next season. If you guys ever have any product suggestions, don't hesitate to reach out.

A quick comment on the 0.5gpm to 0.9gpm note that is referenced in this thread. The statement about totalization was added because even thought it actually is roughly 10% accurate between 0.5 and 0.9, it can't read below 0.5. Since flow actually fluctuates in a real system we had a couple users with a drip zone running at 0.6 but would clearly dip below the 0.5 threshold making the meter bounce between 0.0 and 0.6. If you have a system that actually stays above the 0.5gpm all the time, it is still quite accurate. Unfortunately, people don't know how stable the flow is until after meter is installed. We just didn't want customers to expect a bit too much.

Anyway, this looks like a great forum. Best regards.
 
#23 ·
Maybe I'm reading this wrong and have not compared to another but a .5 gal/min leak is over 700 gallons a day. Seems like a lot. I always like to manage expectations too. I would like to gain experience in this area.
 
#25 ·
Thanks for the welcome. I found out from the moderator that I can't promote products so I will respect that and stick to talking about flowmeter technologies in general.

zr100, you are correct that 0.5gpm can be alot of water. Unfortunately, getting a flow meter to read down close to 0 at a low cost is somewhat of a holy grail.

A quick summary of technologies:
Magnetic Meter: Probably the best technology and can read down to 0.2 or less but starts at $1000.
Ultrasonic: A clamp on meter could read down to 0.1 or less if transducers were spaced far enough apart. Again, $1000 and up.
Paddle/Turbine: Was most common in irrigation. Initially can possibly read to maybe 0.3. But, as you can imagine, bearings wear over time (especially bearings in a water flow) and the low end will creep up as bearings wear). Most commonly used are ~$300
Vortex: Will not change calibration or flow range over time so the bottom number will stay the bottom number. (because of no rotating parts or bearings) As low as $100.

Anyway, probably more information than you wanted. Have a good weekend.
 
#26 ·
Excellent manners thus far, and we appreciate your sharing of your meter knowledge.

See if you can get in touch with Mr. Donovan

He should be able to arrange something for you, such that you can show us your products, i for one would love to know all i can.

especially from one that voluntarily provides the contrasting viewpoints
(puts it all out on the table as it is)

Have a good Mothers day weekend!
 
#29 ·
sjwater said:
@ Meter Man, which technology in your opinion is best suited for commercial applications regardless of cost? For homes and consumer application cost is the number one issue, and we all know that.
Click to expand...
I assume you are still talking about irrigation where the meter is still likely outside and probably in a valve box? What size pipe? What interface does it require? (Is it connecting to a controller)
 
#31 ·
Meter Man said:
Thanks for the welcome. I found out from the moderator that I can't promote products so I will respect that and stick to talking about flowmeter technologies in general.

zr100, you are correct that 0.5gpm can be alot of water. Unfortunately, getting a flow meter to read down close to 0 at a low cost is somewhat of a holy grail.

A quick summary of technologies:
Magnetic Meter: Probably the best technology and can read down to 0.2 or less but starts at $1000.
Ultrasonic: A clamp on meter could read down to 0.1 or less if transducers were spaced far enough apart. Again, $1000 and up.
Paddle/Turbine: Was most common in irrigation. Initially can possibly read to maybe 0.3. But, as you can imagine, bearings wear over time (especially bearings in a water flow) and the low end will creep up as bearings wear). Most commonly used are ~$300
Vortex: Will not change calibration or flow range over time so the bottom number will stay the bottom number. (because of no rotating parts or bearings) As low as $100.

Anyway, probably more information than you wanted. Have a good weekend.
Click to expand...
I plan on putting one in this week as I'm redoing my irrigation system and want to test a flow sensor out. Is shielded cable a requirement?
 
#33 ·
rhg84 said:
I plan on putting one in this week as I'm redoing my irrigation system and want to test a flow sensor out. Is shielded cable a requirement?
Click to expand...
That is a complex question. Even though extensive testing has shown that the vortex meter is extremely resistant to interference, the problem is that there are 20+ controller manufacturers out there and even if a meter is working just fine, that doesn't mean that the controller won't be affected by interference. Also, routing wire is not something that you want to do twice. So, due to the fact that you have more than one product that could be affected and a do over is highly undesirable, I'd say yes.
 
#34 ·
SoCalLandscapeMgmt said:
You laugh but my sister was at the park with her kids yesterday and she saw a toilet paper purchase go down in the park like it was a drug deal. Guy pulls up, gets out a Costco sized case of TP and the other guy hands him a wad of cash and then they both take off. She said she just stood there like WTF did I just watch. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Here around the valley, not so much now but the corner fruit stands, strawberries, cherries and a six pack or t.p.

This has to be an "only in California" thing.

I wish i would of took pictures
 
#35 ·
Meter Man said:
That is a complex question. Even though extensive testing has shown that the vortex meter is extremely resistant to interference, the problem is that there are 20+ controller manufacturers out there and even if a meter is working just fine, that doesn't mean that the controller won't be affected by interference. Also, routing wire is not something that you want to do twice. So, due to the fact that you have more than one product that could be affected and a do over is highly undesirable, I'd say yes.
Click to expand...
I asked for shielded cable for a flow sensor at Ewing irrigation and the sales guy looked at me like I was nuts. Siteone's online site seems to indicate they don't stock any either. I see Rain bird's new flow sensor says regular cable is ok for anything under 500 feet. Has your data shown that to be reasonable if I can't find any shielded locally? If I sold flow sensors it would probably be an upsale to those rachio techy users. Any feedback on how those do with your interference tests? What kind of shielded cable do you recommend using? Thanks!
 
#36 ·
rhg84 said:
I asked for shielded cable for a flow sensor at Ewing irrigation and the sales guy looked at me like I was nuts. Siteone's online site seems to indicate they don't stock any either. I see Rain bird's new flow sensor says regular cable is ok for anything under 500 feet. Has your data shown that to be reasonable if I can't find any shielded locally? If I sold flow sensors it would probably be an upsale to those rachio techy users. Any feedback on how those do with your interference tests? What kind of shielded cable do you recommend using? Thanks!
Click to expand...
We do have some customers that used 2 wires from the valve bundle (cable) and it worked with a Rachio and the numbers matched. Like I said, I'm not really worried about the meter and Rachio does use 34V which gives you a very large noise margin. I just can't guarantee 100% other people's products. I am curious, what is the model of the Rain Bird you mention?
 
#37 ·
Meter Man said:
We do have some customers that used 2 wires from the valve bundle (cable) and it worked with a Rachio and the numbers matched. Like I said, I'm not really worried about the meter and Rachio does use 34V which gives you a very large noise margin. I just can't guarantee 100% other people's products. I am curious, what is the model of the Rain Bird you mention?
Click to expand...
Good info thanks a lot. I got my vortex meter and putting it in tomorrow. I like to test new things before I offer them to customers. The new rain bird sensor is the mj series that they came out with for their updated esp-me3 controller. https://www.rainbird.com/products/mj-series-flow-sensor
 
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