Background
The Farmbot Monitor can interface with up to 4 flow sensors and provide aggregate flow data for each. The solution records and reports litres-per-minute flow rate data and can help prevent water loss. It can work on a wide range of standard water pipe types with all relevant fittings supplied, including: seals, brass threaded adaptors with nuts, poly compression fittings, reed switch with up to 30-metres of custom cable lengths (pre-connected and wired for immediate plug-in). Like all Farmbot sensors, the flow sensor is end user-installable and immediately operational. Users can receive alerts based on custom triggers and are also able to analyse monthly flow comparison data and export to spreadsheets.
✍️ Note: The flow sensor can be combined with other sensors such as line pressure, water level & rain gauge.
Why use a flow meter?
Tracking water consumption
How much water is being used?
What time is water being used?
Leak detection
Abnormal flows are shown
If flow is being recorded at times of day when no water should be flowing
Flow rate alerts
High - If there is a increase in flow rate a pipe could have burst
Low - For continuous pumping setups this could indicated a failed pump or blocked pipe.
Issues with infrastructure
No flow could mean a burst pipe or a blocked float valve at the trough. This could indicate where a leak or blockage has occurred
Lower flows over time could indicate blockages
High and low flow rate alerts
Common Scenarios
🐄 Water Tank to troughs
Can indicate when and where the animals are drinking.
Can indicate broken or blocked trough float valves.
🚰 Pump/Bore site
Can indicate is a pump/bore is active - Has it failed or source drying up.
Can indicate if a pipeline is blocked or burst from abnormal changes in flow volume.
💧 Pipelines
Can locate any issues along the pipeline and their junctions.
Can indicate if a pipeline is blocked or burst.