Blue-White Flowmeter for 1-1/2" PVC Pipe, Horizontal Installation

This is an expensive gadget, but I am very glad to have installed it 5 years ago as it tells me so much.Many little things affect your actual water flow, and you just can't tell if you're doing enough filtering without it! (edit - updating my original review at 2 years old now using the flowmeter 5 years)The return paths (regular or "features", we have 2 with a diverting valve), the filter's back pressure, the pump speed (I just went to a multi-speed pump), how clogged the sock is in the skimmer, etc. etc.To keep a healthy pool, you have to "filter" the entire pool once in 24 hours. You can run your pump at high speed (or only speed if you have a single speed pump) but for how long each day? Unnecessary filtering just is a waste of electricity. You can't tell exactly how much your system is able to process without this meter. With this meter, and now my new multispeed pump, I know that I will filter all my pool once per day if the pump runs for 8 hours at 1750rpm using 200watts while on, or 13 hours at 1425rpm using 120watts, (or in 6 hours on highest speed using 1100watts). So I know it's a good deal to run the pump slower (using less power) and I can work out the tradeoffs and make sure my "turn over daily" is achieved.(Take your pool size in gallons, divide by 60 minute to the hour, divide by reading of this meter in GPM, and result is the number of hours to run the pump at that flow rate to filter the entire pool once in a day.)I'd pay 3 times as much as the price of this gauge to know this info and just when "enough is enough" to run the pump at what speed for how long. Without an accurate flow rate, you just can't know. Looking for "psi to increase on your pool filter housing" is ok for knowing when to think about backflushing or changing the DE, but THIS meter really shows you what's happening (and if you need to increase the speed of your pump to get a desired flow rate as the filter gets filled between changings!)Installation was easy (level horizontal straight section of pipe with no bends for a few inches before and after), and it does not leak at all. This gauge has lasted me well so far (into its 3rd season) and I have NOT removed it over the winter but left it in place. I do "cover it" with a cut-off plastic container. It has not faded at all, but is still crystal clear and easy to read.There are two scales, for "Schedule 40" (usual PVC plumbing) and "Schedule 80" (extra thick) in case you used that.5 years on now, (2017 to 2022 in use), I don't have much to add! It just works. I do have it just AFTER my filter (so it never gets unfiltered water). I have not ever had to remove it or clean the pitot tube sticking down into the pipe. I do keep an opaque plastic tube (old container about the size of a Pringles can) over it, just to stop UV light from fading it. It has not faded at all (I have kept it covered between readings since installation, but thought I'd mention that on this 5-year edit!) I still highly recommend this flowmeter!

I purchase two of these (one for each pool pump). They were installed on a 60,000 gallon commercial pool. They replaced ROLACHEM models. The install was simple. Just replace original PVC with new section, drill hole, and clamp it on. The system is installed inside of a pump room in a building, I have been moitoring for 2 weeks and have not noticed any leaks. They seem to be made of highest quality and work well. I will be purchasing these again.

works great, moderate to install, the hole has to be drilled straight on the pipe, if you dont do it you cant start over, its your pool pipe.

Replaced our fixed speed pump with a Pentair SuperFlo VST.This flow meter is absolutely essential for "dialing-in" your RPM and flow rates to ensure a complete turn of the pool water. Prior to purchase, I read an article where the author used an analogy that basically stated a car owner would not forgo a speedometer or gas gauge and the same holds true for a flow meter and a VSP.In addition to the instructions, I highly recommend reviewing the YouTube video presented by the company CEO as he makes clear the minimum distances either side of the flow meter and the overall installation.Also, be aware that a 5/8" bit chews PVC pretty quickly and I nearly drilled through both sides of the pipe as the weight of the cordless drill punched through the pipe wall easily. Just be mindful of this to prevent the bit from dropping through to the other side.The price point is a bit high (imo) but for a precision piece of professional equipment, it's far less expensive compared to the chemical cocktail needed to maintain a crystal clear mud hole.While somewhat related to the flow gauge, if you need to replace a Fixed Speed Pump (FSP), I highly recommend going with a VSP. I worked the numbers extensively (RPM, GPH, kWh, etc.) and my calculated savings based on operational measurements (i.e. not an estimate) is a monthly cost of $11.79 compared to $65.88 for a FSP running 8 hours a day.Revision to calculated savings: I am running at 900 RPM for 9 hrs, 950 for 6, and 900 for 9 for a total of 24 hours (continuous) and 1.08 kWh for a complete turn of 20,880 gals. Total monthly cost is $5.93 and the water is continuously circulated and the sand filter Delta P is minimal (great flow with negligible back pressure against the pump output).Lastly, keep in mind that I have an inline chlorinator (tab stack) and the flow rates are fine. However, for a saltwater pool, your salt chlorinator will require different flow rates to function but you will still be able to realize a significant savings over a FSP.

It's been installed approx. 4-5 months ago and was working very well, a few days ago stopped registering flow rate. May be stuck with something in flow channels?Very easy installation.