Auto-filler, digital flow meter

steve_173

Is it considered good practice to put a digital flow meter between the auto filler and the boiler so one can track how much water is being added to the system and better detect leaks or other problems?

If one uses two boilers, do you need two meters or can you just put one on the water supply before the T to the two auto fillers? I guess a single meter won't address each boiler, but it will tell you about the system as a whole.

Mike Dunn

flow meters

Digital flow meters you say?
Sounds cool.
Sounds somewhat expensive.
I probably should have it.

gary bettcher

flow meter

Where do you get digital flow meters ?

steve_173

I never even considered the availability. Why would it be hard to find a flow meter for water? One plumber that bid my job says he puts one in so that you always can tell how much the auto filler is adding and if there is a steam leak in the system.

Jed_2

Try this

http://www.hydrolevel.com/pages/products04b.html

That should do the trick.

Jed

GW

in line vs. digital

I think you're thinking of something more basic like a typical inline meter, like a float or water.

While digitals are available, expect to spend thousands.

If you want to check the flow in an existing system, you can either open up the system and install some gadget (how many systems out there are you really gonna want to break into to check flow?), check the pump pressure drop (again that usually means opening up the system, although bigger pumps do have 1/4" taps) and compare it to the flow chart, or strap on a fancy electronic meter and be done in minutes, not hours.

Time is money, right?

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GW

follow up to previuos

I was thinking more heating system than a simple water feed to a boiler.

Your guy may be thinking of a water feeder that keeps track of gallons being fed? These are pretty common. I wonder how accurate this could be; street pressure would have a big factor on actual gpm.

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steve_173

Seems like this would be more costly than a simple flow meter as it appears that the meter is part of the feeder. If the new boiler comes with a feeder, this would be a redundant cost.