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Thread: Flow Meters

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
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    Merrill, Wi
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    Question Flow Meters

    Flow meters are a great way to measure sap but I'm finding mixed reviews on accuracy of the devices. Is anyone else using a flow meter and have they noticed variance from the volume expected to be in a tank versus what the meter reads and what device are you using?
    Maple Man 85
    Anthony & Rebecca Renken
    2017=200 taps
    2018=4000 taps (goal) 3000 taps (actual)
    2019=7000 taps (goal)
    30x45 Sugar House
    4x16 Leader Vortex
    www.northwoodsmaplefarm.com

  2. #2
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    Jan 2014
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    Merrill,Wisconsin
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    Default

    As long as the line is full there very accurate. We use one.

  3. #3
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    Merrill, Wi
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by S.S.S View Post
    As long as the line is full there very accurate. We use one.
    Which one are you using?
    Maple Man 85
    Anthony & Rebecca Renken
    2017=200 taps
    2018=4000 taps (goal) 3000 taps (actual)
    2019=7000 taps (goal)
    30x45 Sugar House
    4x16 Leader Vortex
    www.northwoodsmaplefarm.com

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,547

    Default

    One thing about them, they are not very accurate if there is an elbow within 2' before or after. Turbulence affects the reading.
    Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
    Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
    Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
    After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.

  5. #5
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Maple Man 85 View Post
    Which one are you using?
    The one we use is a 2" meter in the pump line right before it enters sap tank. Its a raven flow meter.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Colrain, MA
    Posts
    40

    Default cheapo flow meter

    Home Depot is selling a cheap flow meter for less than $20.

    They're accurate enough. I use one on my diesel tank and have checked it with a 5 gallon can. Good enough for me.
    Penfrydd Farm
    21 taps
    maybe 35 next year
    Half-pint
    Boiling in a tent...maybe in a shack next year.
    Hoping to do natural gravity vacuum next year.
    First time boiling since 1972

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
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    HillBillyTownship, MA 01350
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    Default

    Are you talking about a flow meter or a water meter to measure gallons? Flow meters are generally used to measure cfm, cubic feet minute or other cubic measurements. Water meters are a great way to measure gallons of sap, like if you are buying sap.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Fulton, NY
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    1,374

    Default

    I do find mine in the woods pumphouse sometimes the the spinner in the middle flutters instead of spins, not registering. Then next time works fine. But amounts seem to be pretty close to correct overall.
    Tim Whitens
    Willow Creek Farm
    Fulton, NY

    3000 on vacuum, 3hp 3ph Busch pump, 2567 Gast
    30X8 Leader oil-fired evap. w/ steamaway
    Airablo 1000 RO
    6 Alpacas

  9. #9
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    Dec 2013
    Location
    Stockbridge,Ma
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    285

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    Either one ( flow meter or water meter ) will work just as good. 1 gallon is 231 cu. in. and 1 cu. ft. is 7.48 gallons.
    Last edited by bill m; 05-02-2019 at 06:58 AM.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2009
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    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
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    Default

    Flowmeters (or water meters...they are basically the same thing) tend to have a pretty narrow range for good measurements. Getting them sized just right can be problematic. Too big a pipe and they won't register a trickle flow. It takes a certain minimum flow to get them going (wind anemometers have the same issue). Too small a meter and you may not get enough flow (especially if there is not a pump behind it). If the spinner is just fluttering or the meter doesn't go up when liquid is going through, there isn't enough flow to turn the impeller/turbine wheel and register flow.

    In any case, for good indication, meters should be:
    1) sized properly for expected flow rate
    2) installed in proper direction (typically there is an arrow indicating direction flow should go) and orientation (some will only read when installed flat, they don't measure well in a downward direction).
    3) have no obstructions (fittings, elbows, turns, probes) for 10X the diameter of the pipe on both the upstream and downstream side of flow (reduces turbulence)
    4) used for the liquid intended
    5) calibrated (in place if possible)
    6) only be used for "clean" fluids (stuff in unfiltered sap will clog the impellers over time and result in erroneous readings)
    7) only be used on pipes that are full of liquid. They don't work well if air is in the pipe or mixed in the liquid.
    Last edited by DrTimPerkins; 05-02-2019 at 08:10 AM.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

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