Calculate GPM in a convector

Jonn2018

Hi all I was curious if I installed a tee on each side of a convector and then installed pressure gauges, could I translate that into GPM for that particular conventor?? I attached a pic of the convector.

Jonn2018

Gordy

It would tell you the pressure drop of the convector. You would probably need pretty low scale psi gauges to get a decent reading, and using two involves some degree of error from gauge to gauge.

You could get lucky if you know what the manufacturer of that convector is, and if they have a gpm at a given pressure drop. I’d research that first. Before installing the gauges.

Jamie Hall

Not directly, nor all that easily. You'd have to know the head loss characteristics of the convector with relation to flow -- which since a convector is by no means a simple pipe or somesuch, you either have to get from the manufacturer's literature which might have it, or by experiment.

RPK

If you really want an accurate estimate of flow, the ideal way would be to install a circuit setter (didn’t really matter if it’s on suppy or return). Then measure the pressure difference across the circuit setter. The circuit setter mfg provides a chart by which you can convert pressure drop to flow in GPM.

hot_rod

If you just need a one time reading see if you can find someone locally with an ultrasonic flowmeter. the clamp on or around the pipe and are very accurate.

Some of the meter manufacturers have rental or demo units you might be able to use. We had a Badger Meter loaner for a test drive before we purchased.

You have unions, what about isolation valves? If so adding a Quicksetter gives you instant reading and flow adjustment without needing to connect a differential meter.

Jonn2018

Thank's everyone for the replies...yeah the caleffi doesn't give me the room to spin it on to the pipe. I'll take a look at circuit setter dimensions and see If one of those could be spun on.

I looked for ultrasonic flow meter boy...those are price to rent for the day, and the whole shipping...makes it not to economical. I do have an old ultrasonic meter...I'm going to put that on and see what it might read.

SuperTech

The Caleffi QuickSetter balancing valve and flowmeter was my first thought. Even if you cannot get it right at the emitter, at the piping supply to or from it should give you a reliable way to read flow, and adjust it.

Jonn2018

Yeah...I might make a couple quick temporary pipe offsets and that should allow me to get it in there for a test

pecmsg

Maybe get lucky matching it up to something close
http://www.heinleinsupply.com/pdf/modine/13-111-3.pdf

pecmsg

or here
https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/141877/trying-to-identify-and-rate-this-convector