Neptune Flow Meter

[SpyC]

I was looking into adding a flow meter to my uv sterilizer so I can monitor the flow, but also configure slerts and turn the pump an sterilizer off if gph hits <10gph. are they really as bad as the reviews on vendors sites state? I couldn't find much here except for a post or two and for sale threads.

 

[tzabor10]

I was looking into adding a flow meter to my uv sterilizer so I can monitor the flow, but also configure slerts and turn the pump an sterilizer off if gph hits <10gph. are they really as bad as the reviews on vendors sites state? I couldn't find much here except for a post or two and for sale threads.

For flow, get a bucket with measurements on it. Use a timer and see how much water is filled. Then compute the flow.
IMHO, don’t use the return flow for the UV. It is terrible to tweak.

 

[SpyC]

For flow, get a bucket with measurements on it. Use a timer and see how much water is filled. Then compute the flow.
IMHO, don’t use the return flow for the UV. It is terrible to tweak.

The uv has a dedicated pump. I was really wanting to use the sensor to shut off the pump and uv if flow hit 0. In case the pump failed.

 

[SpyC]

Bump

 

[Dorking It]

I use a 1" meter for my uv and it has been fine for me. Just make accessible for cleaning.

 

[SpyC]

I use a 1" meter for my uv and it has been fine for me. Just make accessible for cleaning.

How often do you clean it and what steps do you take to clean it? Any rust on the screws?

 

[benbalter]

I built my own way cheaper than Neptune's! The first ones I used came from neptune. The Chinese sell the same thing for 15 bucks. You just need to add ends. I can post how I did it if you want

 

[Dorking It]

I have cleaned once in 6 months. The impeller got jammed. Flow went to 0. Removed cleaned and back to normal

 

[SpyC]

I built my own way cheaper than Neptune's! The first ones I used came from neptune. The Chinese sell the same thing for 15 bucks. You just need to add ends. I can post how I did it if you want

Will it still work with the apex?

 

[esquare]

I have 2 1" Neptune Flow Sensors on my return pumps and they have worked very well for almost a year. One of my returns has a 55 watt plumbed inline witch has worked great with no issues dialing it in as it is a DC pump.


***Edit*** 55 watt UV Sterilizer

 

[esquare]

Here is my UV program in neptune. This turns the UV off anytime the pump it's on turns off and waits 5 minutes after the pump turns back on to turn the UV on. I also only run the UV at night as a compromise between all the "UV is the greatest" and "UV is the worst" threads.

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Output Rt_Ret_UV = OFF Then OFF
Defer 005:00 Then ON
If Time 06:00 to 18:00 Then OFF

 

[SpyC]

Here is my UV program in neptune. This turns the UV off anytime the pump it's on turns off and waits 5 minutes after the pump turns back on to turn the UV on. I also only run the UV at night as a compromise between all the "UV is the greatest" and "UV is the worst" threads.

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Output Rt_Ret_UV = OFF Then OFF
Defer 005:00 Then ON
If Time 06:00 to 18:00 Then OFF

Do you also have the uv turn off if the flow hits 0 for any length of time?

 

[esquare]

Do you also have the uv turn off if the flow hits 0 for any length of time?

I don't have that included in my programming but putting in a lower flow limit might not be a bad idea.

 

[SpyC]

I don't have that included in my programming but putting in a lower flow limit might not be a bad idea.

Yea, I figure it is a good back up just in case. Same with alerts if flow goes under a certain amount. Do you have any run on the screws of your flow meter?

 

[esquare]

Yea, I figure it is a good back up just in case. Same with alerts if flow goes under a certain amount. Do you have any run on the screws of your flow meter?

If you mean rust, no, I do not.
Here is a fairly recent pic of them and they are still in pretty good condition.

 

[Pistondog]

I have the 1" on my return pump. It clogs a couple times a year.
Make sure it is easy to disassemble.
WHat kind of pump failure do you want to catch?
Watching for a nominal current draw may work for you.
FOR example, if the pump normally draws 0.6 amps, you might turn off the uv if below 0.5 or above 0.7 amps.

 

[SpyC]

I have the 1" on my return pump. It clogs a couple times a year.
Make sure it is easy to disassemble.
WHat kind of pump failure do you want to catch?
Watching for a nominal current draw may work for you.
FOR example, if the pump normally draws 0.6 amps, you might turn off the uv if below 0.5 or above 0.7 amps.

If it completely fails. How do I use power draw to shut off a pump? Do you Happen to have an example?

 

[Pistondog]

If it completely fails, assuming current draw is zero, you can just shut off what ever you want, pump, uv etc via apex program.
You may have to use watts rather than amps i dont recall, but same concept.

 

[benbalter]

Will it still work with the apex?

Yep I now run 12 of them on 3 different tanks

 

[benbalter]

If you mean rust, no, I do not.
Here is a fairly recent pic of them and they are still in pretty good condition.

Wow now that's petty