Measuring water flows to troughs remotely

4 posts
Thu, 11/22/2012 - 08:38 #1

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12 years 1 month
barra
Last seen: 08/15/2017 - 15:44
Joined: 11/07/2012 - 16:02

Measuring water flows to troughs remotely

I want to measure the water flows to the troughs on my farm. I can't find a meter that attaches to 50mm pipe. It would be good if the data could be recorded and/or studied remotley.

I can find industrial types but the cost is huge and the order is too small to intrest the sales people i talk to, so they rarely call back

Anybody got any thoughts?

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Thu, 11/22/2012 - 19:59 #2
rmcpb
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 10/22/2012 - 11:13

Did a search and you are definitely right. It costs hundreds for one sensor and I am not sure it would make for remote data.

Have you thought of using tanks for each trough, fill and measure use over a period? While its not sexy and online it would work. Afterall its the data you are after, isn't it?

Cheers

Rob.

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Fri, 11/23/2012 - 18:05 #3
charlie
Last seen: 12/26/2018 - 09:21
Joined: 05/31/2011 - 09:44

Hi Barra,

Welcome to Farmstyle.

Do you need to measure the actual water flow entering the trough or the water level in the trough, to ensure it is not getting low?

If you only need to check that the trough has water how about using a camera that is capable of sending images back to your computer or mobile device.

Look forward to your reply.

Charlie

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Fri, 11/23/2012 - 22:11 #4
rogermartyn
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 10/20/2011 - 16:16

Hi Bara

A 50 mm pipe to one trough is a big pipe. So, does this mean the 50mm is supplying several troughs?

If there is only one trough to be measured, then (depending on the water flow requirements) the maximum likely size for a trough feed - at the trough end that is- is likely to be 25mm - this would supply sufficient water for say 250 + thirsty cows - so long as the trough is a realistic size etc.

ie you might have 50mm pipe going most of the way out to the trough, then reduce down to 25mm for the feed to the trough.

Even a 20mm outlet will readily supply flows up to 5000 litres/hr.

Have a look at the link http://www.watermeters.com.au/

You will see a 50mm Arad water meter there for $670 (Arad is good gear) and there are 20 mm water meters there for $154

See also http://www.wetearth.com.au/HR-Water-Meters - similar priced alternatives - 50 mm for $360 odd - products also good.

Frankly, I think both are realistic dollar values for what you get and what they do.

Hope this helps

Some day, I must write an article for the site on stock water requirements and systems design - would this be useful?

Roger

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