Ask The Brewmasters

So what's your favorite portable flow meter - specifically for use between FV and BT? I've historically bought bargain basement meters (relatively speaking) and end up replacing them every couple of years. I'd like the next one to be one we can grow with - that will last a good long time. 

Additionally, what do you do to validate the accuracy and periodically calibrate your flow meters?

------------------------------
Brian Confer
Co-Owner / Head Brewer
Stormcloud Brewing Company
Frankfort MI
(231) 651-9080
------------------------------

sent with different email:


> On Jan 12, 2022, at 12:10 PM, brewer@coolbeer.com wrote:
>
> We have some Magnetic Inductive flow meters, and they are really nice. They are not much more expensive than paddle wheel flowmeters and are sanitary. They can also take hot water and caustic for cleaning.
>
> You can get them from Automation direct:
> https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/sensors_-z-_encoders/flow_sensors/magnetic-inductive_flow_meters#sort=undefined%20asc&start=0
>
> or IFM:
> https://www.ifm.com/ca/en/category/040/040_030/040_030_010_040#!/S/BD/DM/1/D/0/F/0/T/50
>
> The 2 flowmeters look almost identical. From IFM you can get triclamp adaptors with o-rings for sanitary applications. Theirs can be set up in Litres or Gallons. The automation direct one we have can only display Gallons/ GPM/ F .
>
>
> Doug Pengelly
> Brewer Guy
> Cool Beer Brewing
>
>
>
>
>

Original Message:
Sent: 1/12/2022 12:14:00 PM
From: Doug Pengelly
Subject: RE: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

sent with different email:


> On Jan 12, 2022, at 12:10 PM, brewer@coolbeer.com wrote:
>
> We have some Magnetic Inductive flow meters, and they are really nice. They are not much more expensive than paddle wheel flowmeters and are sanitary. They can also take hot water and caustic for cleaning.
>
> You can get them from Automation direct:
> https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/sensors_-z-_encoders/flow_sensors/magnetic-inductive_flow_meters#sort=undefined%20asc&start=0
>
> or IFM:
> https://www.ifm.com/ca/en/category/040/040_030/040_030_010_040#!/S/BD/DM/1/D/0/F/0/T/50
>
> The 2 flowmeters look almost identical. From IFM you can get triclamp adaptors with o-rings for sanitary applications. Theirs can be set up in Litres or Gallons. The automation direct one we have can only display Gallons/ GPM/ F .
>
>
> Doug Pengelly
> Brewer Guy
> Cool Beer Brewing
>
>
>
>
>

Per request, I have added a photo of our magmeter stand to the library.

------------------------------
Andy Tveekrem
Brewmaster
Market Garden Brewery
Cleveland OH
(216) 392-0466
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-14-2022 13:45
From: Andy Tveekrem
Subject: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Hi Brian,

I'm a big fan of magmeters as opposed to paddle wheel types. They last a looong time and are made by many different manufacturers. Sanitary process connections (ie. welded triclamp) are better than threaded adapters in general.

You can also find them on the used market quite easily.

Make sure the display housing is washdown rated! If water does kill the meter, it may just be one component inside the display head, like the EPROM chip. Don't toss out a $4-5k unit because of a $300 part.

Regardless of the type you choose, install it so that air or CO2 bubbles are not an issue. So either with a vertical pipe or at a 45 degree angle, which allows the air to get pushed up and through and gives a fully flooded tube for measurement. We have several units on portable stands that sit on a 45 degree angle and have enough clearance before and after the meter to keep turbulence at a minimum. Turbulent flow can also affect the meter... the directions from the manufacturer should be followed for best results.

--

Andy Tveekrem

Market Garden Brewery

216-392-0466

Original Message:
Sent: 1/12/2022 12:14:00 PM
From: Doug Pengelly
Subject: RE: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

sent with different email:


> On Jan 12, 2022, at 12:10 PM, brewer@coolbeer.com wrote:
>
> We have some Magnetic Inductive flow meters, and they are really nice. They are not much more expensive than paddle wheel flowmeters and are sanitary. They can also take hot water and caustic for cleaning.
>
> You can get them from Automation direct:
> https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/sensors_-z-_encoders/flow_sensors/magnetic-inductive_flow_meters#sort=undefined%20asc&start=0
>
> or IFM:
> https://www.ifm.com/ca/en/category/040/040_030/040_030_010_040#!/S/BD/DM/1/D/0/F/0/T/50
>
> The 2 flowmeters look almost identical. From IFM you can get triclamp adaptors with o-rings for sanitary applications. Theirs can be set up in Litres or Gallons. The automation direct one we have can only display Gallons/ GPM/ F .
>
>
> Doug Pengelly
> Brewer Guy
> Cool Beer Brewing
>
>
>
>
>

Original Message:
Sent: 1/20/2022 3:22:00 PM
From: Andy Tveekrem
Subject: RE: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Per request, I have added a photo of our magmeter stand to the library.

------------------------------
Andy Tveekrem
Brewmaster
Market Garden Brewery
Cleveland OH
(216) 392-0466
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-14-2022 13:45
From: Andy Tveekrem
Subject: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Hi Brian,

I'm a big fan of magmeters as opposed to paddle wheel types. They last a looong time and are made by many different manufacturers. Sanitary process connections (ie. welded triclamp) are better than threaded adapters in general.

You can also find them on the used market quite easily.

Make sure the display housing is washdown rated! If water does kill the meter, it may just be one component inside the display head, like the EPROM chip. Don't toss out a $4-5k unit because of a $300 part.

Regardless of the type you choose, install it so that air or CO2 bubbles are not an issue. So either with a vertical pipe or at a 45 degree angle, which allows the air to get pushed up and through and gives a fully flooded tube for measurement. We have several units on portable stands that sit on a 45 degree angle and have enough clearance before and after the meter to keep turbulence at a minimum. Turbulent flow can also affect the meter... the directions from the manufacturer should be followed for best results.

--

Andy Tveekrem

Market Garden Brewery

216-392-0466

Jeff,
Is there a calibration factor based on TDS?

------------------------------
Keith Mercer
Embedded Systems Engineer
Procayta Technologies
Raleigh NC
(919) 604-1993
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2022 13:08
From: Jeffrey Gunn
Subject: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Just a point of caution to Andy's comments on Magnetic Flow Meters. Be aware that they will not read R.O. water accurately, once all the TDS is removed. Make sure you put your salts and other additions into your RO water before passing through the meter.

Jeff.

Jeff Gunn
President & CEO
IDD Process & Packaging, Inc.
5450 Tech Circle
Moorpark, CA 93021
Toll Free: 800-621-4144
Tel: 805-529-9890
Fax: 805-529-9282
Cell: 805-444-3842
Web Site: www.iddeas.com

Original Message:
Sent: 1/20/2022 3:22:00 PM
From: Andy Tveekrem
Subject: RE: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Per request, I have added a photo of our magmeter stand to the library.

------------------------------
Andy Tveekrem
Brewmaster
Market Garden Brewery
Cleveland OH
(216) 392-0466
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-14-2022 13:45
From: Andy Tveekrem
Subject: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Hi Brian,

I'm a big fan of magmeters as opposed to paddle wheel types. They last a looong time and are made by many different manufacturers. Sanitary process connections (ie. welded triclamp) are better than threaded adapters in general.

You can also find them on the used market quite easily.

Make sure the display housing is washdown rated! If water does kill the meter, it may just be one component inside the display head, like the EPROM chip. Don't toss out a $4-5k unit because of a $300 part.

Regardless of the type you choose, install it so that air or CO2 bubbles are not an issue. So either with a vertical pipe or at a 45 degree angle, which allows the air to get pushed up and through and gives a fully flooded tube for measurement. We have several units on portable stands that sit on a 45 degree angle and have enough clearance before and after the meter to keep turbulence at a minimum. Turbulent flow can also affect the meter... the directions from the manufacturer should be followed for best results.

--

Andy Tveekrem

Market Garden Brewery

216-392-0466

Original Message:
Sent: 1/12/2022 12:14:00 PM
From: Doug Pengelly
Subject: RE: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

sent with different email:


> On Jan 12, 2022, at 12:10 PM, brewer@coolbeer.com wrote:
>
> We have some Magnetic Inductive flow meters, and they are really nice. They are not much more expensive than paddle wheel flowmeters and are sanitary. They can also take hot water and caustic for cleaning.
>
> You can get them from Automation direct:
> https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/sensors_-z-_encoders/flow_sensors/magnetic-inductive_flow_meters#sort=undefined%20asc&start=0
>
> or IFM:
> https://www.ifm.com/ca/en/category/040/040_030/040_030_010_040#!/S/BD/DM/1/D/0/F/0/T/50
>
> The 2 flowmeters look almost identical. From IFM you can get triclamp adaptors with o-rings for sanitary applications. Theirs can be set up in Litres or Gallons. The automation direct one we have can only display Gallons/ GPM/ F .
>
>
> Doug Pengelly
> Brewer Guy
> Cool Beer Brewing
>
>
>
>
>

Original Message:
Sent: 1/24/2022 11:55:00 AM
From: Keith Mercer
Subject: RE: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Jeff,
Is there a calibration factor based on TDS?

------------------------------
Keith Mercer
Embedded Systems Engineer
Procayta Technologies
Raleigh NC
(919) 604-1993
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2022 13:08
From: Jeffrey Gunn
Subject: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Just a point of caution to Andy's comments on Magnetic Flow Meters. Be aware that they will not read R.O. water accurately, once all the TDS is removed. Make sure you put your salts and other additions into your RO water before passing through the meter.

Jeff.

Jeff Gunn
President & CEO
IDD Process & Packaging, Inc.
5450 Tech Circle
Moorpark, CA 93021
Toll Free: 800-621-4144
Tel: 805-529-9890
Fax: 805-529-9282
Cell: 805-444-3842
Web Site: www.iddeas.com

Original Message:
Sent: 1/20/2022 3:22:00 PM
From: Andy Tveekrem
Subject: RE: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Per request, I have added a photo of our magmeter stand to the library.

------------------------------
Andy Tveekrem
Brewmaster
Market Garden Brewery
Cleveland OH
(216) 392-0466
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-14-2022 13:45
From: Andy Tveekrem
Subject: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

Hi Brian,

I'm a big fan of magmeters as opposed to paddle wheel types. They last a looong time and are made by many different manufacturers. Sanitary process connections (ie. welded triclamp) are better than threaded adapters in general.

You can also find them on the used market quite easily.

Make sure the display housing is washdown rated! If water does kill the meter, it may just be one component inside the display head, like the EPROM chip. Don't toss out a $4-5k unit because of a $300 part.

Regardless of the type you choose, install it so that air or CO2 bubbles are not an issue. So either with a vertical pipe or at a 45 degree angle, which allows the air to get pushed up and through and gives a fully flooded tube for measurement. We have several units on portable stands that sit on a 45 degree angle and have enough clearance before and after the meter to keep turbulence at a minimum. Turbulent flow can also affect the meter... the directions from the manufacturer should be followed for best results.

--

Andy Tveekrem

Market Garden Brewery

216-392-0466

I really love GPI flow meters. They come with a certificate of calibration and every time I need to check them they're in spec. Spend on the stainless model (G2S10T09GMA) and train your team on how to care for expensive tools. 

I fill a tank with water through the meter then drain into buckets and record weight. I've had alarmingly small deviation with GPI. 

------------------------------
Prost!
Mike Wayne
Director of Brewing Operations
Papa Bolo Brewing
Tagaytay
------------------------------

GPI also sells a calibration flask/jug that is pretty simply to use

------------------------------
Steve Bradt
Hopsteiner
Craft Sales Representative
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2022 11:45
From: Mike Wayne
Subject: Flow Meters - favorites and calibration

I really love GPI flow meters. They come with a certificate of calibration and every time I need to check them they're in spec. Spend on the stainless model (G2S10T09GMA) and train your team on how to care for expensive tools. 

I fill a tank with water through the meter then drain into buckets and record weight. I've had alarmingly small deviation with GPI. 

------------------------------
Prost!
Mike Wayne
Director of Brewing Operations
Papa Bolo Brewing
Tagaytay
------------------------------