Wanted: Simple Clamp-on Flow Sensor

Could you not just replace a bit of the pipe with a length of clear PVC or equivalent?

I could do that but I'd like the sensor to be easy to fit (no plumbing required) & mobile.

If possible!

Simplest way is to use a microphone + amplifier. If there is a flow (not only drops) then turbulences generate a sound you can peak up.

Sounds good (pun intended).

It might take some experimentation, however. The pipe will conduct sounds very well, too well, in fact. You might pick up sounds from far away that you'd interpret as flow when it's actually from somewhere else. The volume and pitch might have to be analyzed for accurate detection.

regards,

Vulcan

Rhodes (usual disclaimer) did a visual flow indicator that consisted of a sight glass for installation in the pipe, with what can only be described as "waggly fingers" inside it. The fingers waggled when there was flow and were stationary when there wasn't.

The OP may wish to consider alternatives.

There are such things as doppler flow sensors that clamp on to pipes. See Omega's website for more info.

Thanks for all the comments.

The Omega looks like what I want except they do state that generally ultrasonic won't work with drinking water. It also does a lot more than I require but maybe I'd have to live with that.

I may have a play around with the sound idea and also see if ultrasonic will work enough to give on/off although it may not work well enough to measure flow.

Thanks

Let me know if you pick-up shower conversations of your neighbors getting phisical.

Just to be more careful...

Please inform about results I would like to know if my idea works.

Thanks in advance

Nick Name

there are mechanical flow meters that can activate a relay. You can set the relay to activate a flashing light or a noise maker to get your attention that the water is flowing.

Quite a few companies make them in a variety of sizes. Dwyer makes the cheapest well built ones I know of. there are many other companies that also make rotary sensors

You could also tune a capacitive sensor to still water in a pipe and look for changes in the sensor on water movement. This would not work with copper pipes. I think the type of touch sensor used to turn lights on and off could be modified to do this.

What about a waterproof LED, drilling a hole and putting one leg into the pipe, then sending an electrical charge through the water...

I found this one at omega works with clean water it's a transit time unit rather than a Doppler still over the top for my requirements but at least I know it's possible.

http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=FDT-30_Series&Nav=gree03

I'll let you know where I go with it.