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Macgyver71
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Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 12:51 PM

recently I have been having issues with magnetrol TD1 flow switch to monitor low flow rate of our water Injection system. I am looking to replace the flow swtich with a different Model. I dont want to use a kayden as I have had issues with them. So I thought id throw it out to some of the experts and get some different opions.

Thanks
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redfred
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#1

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 1:52 PM

Did you look here?

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lyn
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#2

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 2:06 PM

I hear Flo Boss 107 works well.

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redfred
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 2:11 PM

Is that the gal in the Progressive commercials?

(from here)

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lyn
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#5
In reply to #3

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 2:24 PM

More like "go with the ....."

These flowy things can be daunting to newcomers to them.

The instructions that come with them are written for experienced instrumentation techs.

I had the same problem, once, then hired a good tech and all my worries were over.

PWSlack might suggest ringing up the vendor for some help.
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redfred
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#8
In reply to #5

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 2:37 PM

I've dealt with many flow meters myself, with many different rates of many different media. I've measured liquid and gaseous Helium flow rates, Argon, cooling water, at flow rates of mL/min to L/sec. I've used ultrasonic, paddle wheel, thermal cooling and pressure differential calibrated orifice measurement techniques. One persons idea of a low flow rate is another's idea of a torrent. If the OP doesn't wish to give us any information, they should go looking for themselves.

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lyn
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#9
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Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 2:51 PM

I was in the fortunate position of just hiring people to do the real work.

We might have 20-30 flowmeters/ORP/conductivity meters etc. running dosing pumps and process equipment and 50 pumps and heaters through PLC or DCS on a 75 foot process line.

It was too much for my pea brain. They just let me play with the touch screens when the line was finished.

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PWSlack
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#10
In reply to #5

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 3:52 PM

Perish the thought...

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Macgyver71
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#6
In reply to #2

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 2:29 PM

Ha Ha I believe you are being facetious.

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redfred
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#4

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 2:17 PM

It also depends on how critical the flow rate is for the patient. There are many methods out there.

Eschew obfuscation.

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Macgyver71
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#7
In reply to #4

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 2:35 PM

Yes I am well aware of the several different choices. I am looking for a proven switch that does not give false trips.
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redfred
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#11
In reply to #7

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/26/2013 3:58 PM

Any instrument when abused or attempting to operate outside of the designed parameters will give false information.

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tonykuphaldt
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#12

Re: Low Flow Switch Recommendations

09/27/2013 10:15 AM

If the application is critical enough, you might wish to consider using an actual flow *meter* (i.e. an instrument with a scaled rather than discrete "on/off" register of flow) rather than just a flow switch. A flowmeter's continuous measurement can reveal problems long before they become serious, whereas a discrete switch can fail "silently".

A really simple and relatively cheap example of a flowmeter would be a Dwyer "Photohelic" (or equivalent) low-pressure differential gauge/switch connected across an orifice installed in the pipe. The switch function provides the low-flow alert you need for the application, while the analog display of the gauge allows a technician to do simple qualitative and quantitative assessments of its operation.

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lyn (3); Macgyver71 (2); PWSlack (1); redfred (5); tonykuphaldt (1)

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