Except for possible loss of sleep, no downside to doing an OCLT.
The flow switch does cut power to the cell, so essentially the same as turning it off. But flow switches are meant to be a backup safety, and not a primary on/off control. They do fail (mine did, after a year!) Better to bump up the low to allow the SWCG to generate all day, and dial it down in the settings, so you still meet your CL needs. Turn down your high speed setting (rpm or time) a bit, if you want to balance the energy savings.
As long as there is the minimum flow, the SWCG will generate the same amount when getting power, no matter the amount of water through it. The % setting on it is not a real "strength or concentration" setting, it is a timer - so while getting power, turn on for 50% of the time, turn off for 50%, etc. Therefore the same effect over time as if it actually could directly increase/decrease the amount generated. Let the box control the on/off cycle, and keep your pump up just enough to allow it to do so at any time in the day. Then the flow switch can fill its real role as a backup safety.
The flow switch does cut power to the cell, so essentially the same as turning it off. But flow switches are meant to be a backup safety, and not a primary on/off control. They do fail (mine did, after a year!) Better to bump up the low to allow the SWCG to generate all day, and dial it down in the settings, so you still meet your CL needs. Turn down your high speed setting (rpm or time) a bit, if you want to balance the energy savings.
As long as there is the minimum flow, the SWCG will generate the same amount when getting power, no matter the amount of water through it. The % setting on it is not a real "strength or concentration" setting, it is a timer - so while getting power, turn on for 50% of the time, turn off for 50%, etc. Therefore the same effect over time as if it actually could directly increase/decrease the amount generated. Let the box control the on/off cycle, and keep your pump up just enough to allow it to do so at any time in the day. Then the flow switch can fill its real role as a backup safety.
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