TLDR: I'm looking for the most practical way to test GPM at each return.
I work for a pool company and I'd like to be able to test GPM on pools I visit without installing a permanent flow meter in the system. I want to know the GPM so I can calculate filter turn over at different pump RPMs.
For pools with a salt cell, I replace the cell with a flow meter installed on a short chunk of PVC that threads into the salt cell hubs. That works pretty good but I'm looking for a set up that works on any pool. That's why I'm looking for something that threads into the returns since all pools have the same threaded return fittings. I figure I could screw in a device at each return, do my test, and then add up the total GPM of each device.
I was initially thinking the device would be threaded fitting, to a union, 90 up out of the water, 90 to horizontal, and then a flow meter. The flow meter I've been using is not very sensitive under 10 GPM so I'm concerned that I wont really get a reading at each device at lower RPM. On a pool with 5 returns the GPM on each return is going to be very small.
A secondary benefit to this set up is it would allow me to see if there are discrepancies in GPM amongst the returns.
What are your thoughts? Is there a simpler way to achieve what I'm looking for? Should I build the devices? Thanks
I work for a pool company and I'd like to be able to test GPM on pools I visit without installing a permanent flow meter in the system. I want to know the GPM so I can calculate filter turn over at different pump RPMs.
For pools with a salt cell, I replace the cell with a flow meter installed on a short chunk of PVC that threads into the salt cell hubs. That works pretty good but I'm looking for a set up that works on any pool. That's why I'm looking for something that threads into the returns since all pools have the same threaded return fittings. I figure I could screw in a device at each return, do my test, and then add up the total GPM of each device.
I was initially thinking the device would be threaded fitting, to a union, 90 up out of the water, 90 to horizontal, and then a flow meter. The flow meter I've been using is not very sensitive under 10 GPM so I'm concerned that I wont really get a reading at each device at lower RPM. On a pool with 5 returns the GPM on each return is going to be very small.
A secondary benefit to this set up is it would allow me to see if there are discrepancies in GPM amongst the returns.
What are your thoughts? Is there a simpler way to achieve what I'm looking for? Should I build the devices? Thanks
