Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 232 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Appendix A
Flow Meters
The Evolution DX2 series controller provides a variety of user-
configurable, flow-related features for either one or two flow
sensors, referred to as Flow #1 and Flow #2.
The Evolution DX2 flow features/capabilities include:
• Display of instantaneous flow rate in gallons per minute
(GPM) for Flow #1, Flow #2 and total (Flow #1 + Flow
#2). Flow rates are updated every ten seconds.
• Display of monthly flow accumulations in gallons for
Flow #1, Flow #2 and total (Flow #1 + Flow #2). Flow
accumulation in gallons is updated every minute.
• Automatic termination of watering based upon flow
limit violations:
o Main line flow rate for controller (GPM)
o Maximum flow rate per station (GPM)
o Minimum flow rate per station (GPM)
o Maximum flow accumulation per month
(gallons)
o Unscheduled flow rate for controller (GPM)
• Automatic condemnation and reporting of
stations violating flow limits. Warning
information is provided in the Field
Maintenance Activity and Troubleshooting
section of the manual.
• Automatic establishment of station upper and
lower flow limits (learn mode).
Appendix: A
Flow Meters
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 233
Flow Meter Operation Overview
In order to display flow rate and/or flow accumulation data:
a. Insure flow sensor/meter has been properly connected
Refer to Flow Sensor Installation Instructions
b. Establish the appropriate flow calibration criteria, see
"Flow Meter Offset and K Values
In order to establish flow limit checking either on a controller or
individual station basis, verify the following:
c. Steps a and b (above) have been performed.
d. Station Upper Limits have been established, see "Max
Flow Limit".
e. Station Lower Limits have been established, see "Flow
Limit" page or "Auto Limits".
f. Main flow limits have been established, (see "Main
Flow".
g. Total Monthly Flow has been set, see "Flow Options".
h. Unscheduled Flow Limit has been defined; see
"Unscheduled Flow Limit".
i. The upper and lower limit checking is enabled; see
"Enable/Disable Limit Checking".
j. The appropriate flow limit check delay has been
established, see "Delay Limit".
k. Selection of either one or two flow meters, see
"Flow Meter Compare Limits".
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 234 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Flow Reading Accuracy
Since the Evolution DX2 controller has been designed to work
directly with flow sensors, the accuracy of the actual readings
are limited only by the flow sensor devices. Typical accuracy
values are approximately 1%.
Flow Meter Offset and K Values
Each flow meter installation must include entry of the "offset"
value and "K" values for proper calibration of the meter. Use the
following table to determine the appropriate values for your
installation.
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 235
Table 3: Calibration Table
Tee Mounted Sensors – Flow Sensors
CONNECTION
TYPE
NPT female
NPT female
NPT female
N
PT female with
copper male
adapters
N
PT female
Slip
Slip
Slip
Slip
BODY
MATERIAL
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
PVC
PVC
PVC
PVC
Requires pipe saddle with 2 Inch
female NPT
OFFSET
VALUE
27
32
24
0
370
0
104
483
834
K VALUE
109
209
291
750
1021
457
776
2268
3752
See attached table RMIS
Part No. 500712
MAXIMUM
WATER
PRESSURE
400 PSI
400 PSI
400 PSI
200 PSI
200 PSI
100 PSI @
68º F
100 PSI @
68º F
100 PSI @
68º F
100 PSI @
68º F
400 PSI
SUGGESTED
OPERATING
RANGE
2-40 GPM
3-60 GPM
4-80 GPM
10-100 GPM
16-160 GPM
5-100 GPM
10-200 GPM
20-300 GPM
40-500 GPM
Varies, Call
Factory
PIPE
CONNECTIO
N
SIZE
1 Inch
1 ¼ Inch
1 ½ Inch
2 Inch
2 ½ Inch
1 ½ Inch
2 Inch
3 Inch
4 Inch
3 to 40 Inches
RAIN MASTER FLOW SENSORS
SELECTION CHART
FLOW SENSOR
MODEL NO.
FS-B100
FS-B125
FS-B150
FS-B200
FS-B250
FS-150
FS-200
FS-300
FS-400
FS-INSERT-B
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 236 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Data Industrial Tee Mounted Sensors
Complete calibration tables for Tee mounted sensors are listed at
the end of this appendix.
Flow Limit Checking
To perform limit checking, the controller computes a GallonPer-Minute (GPM) flow rate based upon the total gallons used in
the previous 60 seconds.
Limit checks are then performed on the following:
• Station upper limit
• Station lower limit
• Main flow limit
• Total monthly flow limit
• Unscheduled flow limit
Each station limit can be automatically established by the
controller or manually entered.
Details about each limit are given below.
Station Upper Limit
Enter an upper flow limit for the station, as described in Chapter
4. The controller compares the flow meter reading to the station
limit. If the meter value is larger than the limit, an error
condition is detected.
Warning:
Limit checking is only performed when either the
upper and/or lower limits have been ENABLED.
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 237
The suggested upper limit flow rate should be set to the nominal
flow rate for the station + 20%.
The system default value for upper station limit is 500 GPM.
Obtain the nominal flow rate from the controller display (see
Chapter 7, for the steps in displaying flow rate). You should
allow adequate "settling time" for the flow meter readings before
obtaining the nominal flow rate.
Upper station limits should be increased, if water pressure varies
greatly.
Station Lower Limit
Enter a lower flow limit for the station, as described in Chapter
4. The controller compares the flow meter reading to the station
limit. If the meter value is less than the limit, an error condition
is detected.
To detect a mis-adjusted valve or clogged line, enter a relatively
small (but non-zero) lower limit.
The system default value for lower station limit is 0 (zero) GPM.
Main Flow Limits
Enter the Main Flow Limit, as described in the Main Flow
procedure in Chapter 4. The controller compares the flow meter
reading to controller/main line station limit. If the meter value is
greater than the limit, an error condition is detected.
The system default value for controller/main line limits is 2000
GPM.
The Main Flow upper limit should be set higher than the total of
all simultaneously "on" stations. However, this limit should be
lower than the anticipated flow rate from a main line break.
In Flow Max systems, the total water consumption of all
participating controllers is calculated into the Main Flow limit.
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 238 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Total Monthly Flow Limit
Enter a maximum monthly flow limit, as described in Chapter 4.
The controller compares the accumulated monthly flow to
maximum monthly flow limit. If the accumulated flow is greater
than the limit, an error condition is detected.
The system default value for maximum monthly total is NONE.
When NONE is selected, no monthly flow checking is
performed.
If the monthly limit is exceeded, there are two options available,
STOP WATERING and GIVE WARNING. See Chapter 4:
Setup for details on selecting each option.
The system default is: GIVE WARNING.
If the stop watering option is selected, the problem is reported in
the warning list and watering stops.
Watering is restarted when:
• The limit is changed to a larger value
• The limit is changed to None
• A new month begins
If the Give Warning option is selected, a warning is reported in
the warning list and watering continues.
Unscheduled Flow Limit
Unscheduled Flow Limit is defined as any water flow that is not
programmed or under the control of the controller. If a water
flow is greater than the limit and no stations are on, the
controller will shut down the water supply until the condition is
corrected.
Unscheduled Flow conditions may be due to broken water lines,
defective valves, faulty solenoids and etc.
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 239
The Unscheduled Flow procedure is given in the Controller
Setup section of Chapter 4. The default limit is 200 GPM.
Enabling and Disabling Flow Limit Checking
Once the station limits have been established, the flow limit
checking (upper and lower limits) may be enabled or disabled.
When upper limits have been enabled, all station upper limits as
well as the monthly water limit will be validated. When lower
limits have been enabled, all station lower limits will be
validated on an individual station basis. See Chapter 4 for the
steps to enable or disable station flow limit checking.
The default setting for limit checking is DISABLED for all
stations.
When they are disabled, no limit checking is performed.
However, the GPM flow and total monthly flow readings are
unaffected.
Delaying Flow Rate Limit Checking
Due to drainage of water lines, the initial flow rate for a station
may be much higher than the station steady state condition. To
prevent erroneous station fault detections, the controller delays a
period of time after a station is turned on before making flow
rate limit checks. This delay may be set from 1 to 6 minutes.
The system default for delay of limit checking is two (2)
minutes.
To establish the proper delay, monitor the GPM flow rate for
each station in the irrigation program (s).
See Chapter 7 for details on monitoring GPM rates.
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 240 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Observe which station takes the longest time for its GPM rate to
"settle." Round this time period to the next minute and use this
rounded value as the flow rate limit check delay.
Warning:
This delay value establishes the amount of time in
which a main or station line break can be detected
and subsequently shutdown.
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 241
Limit Checking with Two Flow Meters
When two flow meters are used, you may select which meter is
used for limit checking. Alternately, you may check the total
flow from both meters.
See Chapter 4: Setup for details.
Flow Meter Reading
Procedure
To observe flow meter readings, from the base menu:
Step 1 Advance to the Measurements Options screen as
follows:
Figure 175: Measurement Options
Step 2 Select F1=FLOW METER.
The meter flow readings for Flow #1 and Flow #2
are shown in Gallons-Per-Minute. Readings are
updated every 10 seconds.
F1=Main Menu
F3=Status
F2=Measurements
|F1|=FLOW |F2|=CURRENT
|F3|=MOISTURE |F4|=ET |F5|=RAIN/WIND |½|
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 242 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Figure 176: Flow Meter Readings
FLOW #1 GPM=55 TOTAL GPM=205
FLOW #2 GPM=150 |½|
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 243
Reading Monthly Water Totals
Procedure
To read the monthly water totals, from the base menu:
Step 1 Advance to the Status Options screen as follows:
Figure 177: Status Options
Step 2 Select F3=WATER TOTAL then select
F1=TOTALS PAST MONTH.
Figure 178: Water Total
The past month total gallons for Flow #1 and Flow
#2 are shown.
Step 3 Select F2=TOTALS PRESENT MONTH. The total
present month gallons for Flow #1 and Flow #2 are
shown.
To update the totals, press the Up Arrow key and
select F2 again.
F1=Main Menu
F3=Status
|F1|=COMM STATUS |F2|=MEASUREMENTS
|F3|=WATER TOTAL |F4|=REVIEW ALL |½|
FLOW #1 PAST G = 600 TOTAL GPM=900
FLOW #2 PAST G = 300 |½|
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 244 Appendix A: Flow Meters
When a Flow Limit Violation is Detected
Upon detection of a flow limit violation, Evolution DX2
performs the following actions:
1. Terminate Irrigation
• For a faulty station, immediate termination of
irrigation for that station. The program will
automatically advance to the next station in the
program.
• If a main line fault is detected, immediate
termination of all irrigation programs. The
Normally Open (N.O.) Master Valve terminal is
energized with 24 VAC. Any and all future
automatic irrigation will not occur until this warning
is cleared from the controller.
• If the monthly watering allocation has been
exceeded, immediate termination of all irrigation on
a per program basis occurs.
• If an unscheduled flow condition is detected, the
Normally Open (N.O.) Master Valve terminal is
energized with 24 VAC. Any and all future
automatic irrigation will not occur until this warning
is cleared from the controller.
2. Entry of the problem in the Warning/Report list.
3. All faulty stations are added to a "condemned" station
list. No watering will occur until the problem is
corrected.
To remove a station from the condemned list, delete the problem
entry from the warning report, see Chapter 10.
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 245
Flow Limit Violation Examples
Overflow in Controller/Main Line Break
Assume the maximum controller flow rate is 500 GPM. A main
line break occurs while attempting to water station 7. The break
results in a flow of 750 GPM. The following warning message
is displayed, as well as the station number and GPM reading.
Figure 179: Warning, Main Flow
The MV1 in the second line represents the Master Valve #1.
To access the warning report, from the base menu, press
F2=WARNING.
Note: Break between Flow Sensor and First Station.
Assume that a line breaks between the flow sensor and the first
valve. When the break occurs, no watering will take place. The
following entry would be placed in the warning list.
Figure 180: Warning, Unsched Limit
Note: This situation may also be caused by a valve that
fails to close.
WARNING = MAIN FLOW (MV) 5-20-96 11:48
STA = 7, MV1, GPM = 750
WARNING = UNSCHED LIMIT 05/20/96 12:05
GPM = 65
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 246 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Station Overflow
Assume station 2 has an upper limit of 300 GPM. A broken line
occurs, resulting in a 400 GPM flow. The following entry is
placed in the warning list.
Figure 181: Warning, Flow Up Limit
Station Under Flow
Assume station 2 has a lower limit of 100 GPM. The line to
station 2 is clogged, resulting in a flow reading of 53 GPM. The
following entry is placed in the warning list.
Figure 182: Warning, Flow Low Limit
Monthly Water Limit Exceeded
The controller has exceeded its monthly watering allocation. The
Water Limit message is placed in the warning list.
Figure 183: Warning, Water Limit
WARNING = FLOW UP LIMIT 05/20/96 12:05
STA = 2, MV1, GPM = 400
WARNING = FLOW LOW LIMIT 05/20/96 1:35
STA = 2, MV1, GPM = 53
WARNING = WATER LIMIT 05/20/96 1:35
STA =3, MV1,
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 247
This problem cannot be cleared from the report until the water
limit is set to a higher value or until a new month begins.
Multiple Stations with Non-Overlap Protection
The Evolution DX2 controller allows the user the capability of
turning "on" several stations simultaneously. When flow meters
are used in this environment, the individual station limits are
summed and compared to the total flow rate. Therefore, you
must set up limits for each station to insure that flow limit checks
are performed properly.
Example:
Assume the upper limit for station 1 is 80 GPM and the
upper limit for station 2 is 50 GPM. If both stations are
on, the controller adds these limits. A problem is
reported if the flow exceeds the total of 130 GPM (80
GPM + 50 GPM).
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 248 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Table 4: Rain Master K and Offset Value
Rain Master K and Offset Value For Data Industrial Flow Sensors
CALIBRATION TABLE – TEE MOUNTED SENSORS (Current Production)
Models) (Series: 228PV, 228 BR, 228 CB, 228 CS, 228SS, 250BR)
Data
Industrial
Model
Apparent
ID
Evolution
Satellite
K Value
Evolution
Satellite
Offset
Min
Design
Flow
(GPM)
Max
Design
Flow
(GPM)
228PV-1.5 1.50 457 0 5 100
228PV-2 1.94 776 104 10 200
228PV-3 4.02 2268 483 20 300
228PV-4 5.15 3752 834 40 500
228BR-2 1.99 750 0 10 100
228BR-2.5 2.52 1021 370 16 160
228CB-2 2.07 777 199 12 120
150 PSI Tee 2.07 777 199 12 120
400 PSI Tee 2.10 711 167 12 120
228CB-2.5 2.51 1021 265 16 160
228CS-2 2.07 767 199 12 120
228SS-2 1.99 750 0 10 100
250BR-0.5 None 92 8 0.8 8
250BR-0.75 None 119 64 1 10
250BR-1 1.05 109 27 2 40
250BR-1.25 1.38 209 32 3 60
250BR-1.5 1.61 291 24 4 80
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 249
OBSOLETE OR OLDER MODEL FLOW SENSORS
(Series: 220P, 228B, 228CB, 250B, 228PF, 228PD, 228CS, 228SS, *IR220P, IR228B,
IR228CB, IR250B, IR228CS, IR228SS)
Data
Industrial
Model
Apparent
ID
Evolution
Satellite
K Value
Evolution
Satellite
Offset
Min
Design
Flow
(GPM)
Max Design
Flow
(GPM)
Minimum
Recommended
Full Scale
(GPM)
220P-1 0.96/FM-
92D
70 25 2 20 5
220P-1.5 1.50/FM-
92D
505 107 8 180 40
220P-2 194/FM-
92D
744 273 13 250 50
220P-3 4.02/Any 2268 483 35 700 160
220P-4A 5.15/Any 4191 975 65 1200 300
220P-6A
228PD-1 0.96/FM-
92D
70 26 2 20 5
228PD-1.5 1.50/FM-
92D
505 107 8 180 40
228PD-2 1.94/FM-
92D
744 273 13 250 50
228PF-1.5 1.71 569 279
228PF-2 2.21 1075 185
228PF-3 2.98 1512 841
228PF-4 2.99 2814 1911
228PF-6A
228B-2 1.99/FM-
92D
750 0 10 250 50
228B-2.5 2.52 1022 370 16 400 75
228CB-2 2.07/FM-
92D
767 198 12 250 50
150 PSI
Tee
2.07/FM-
93A
400 PSI
Tee
2.10/FM-
91D
711 167 12 250 50
228CB-2.5 2.51 1021 265 16 400 75
228CS-2 2.07/FM-
92D, FM-
93A
767 198 12 250 50
228SS-2 1.99/FM-
92D
750 0 10 250 50
250B-1 1.05/FM-
93A
113 47 2 45 8
250B-1.25 1.38/FM-
93A
209 32 3 90 15
250B-1.5 1.61/FM-
93A
291 24 4 100 20
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 250 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Rain Master K and Offset Value
For Data Industrial Flow Sensors
Pipe Size
Pipe
O.D. in
Inches
Pipe
I.D. in
Inches
Evolution
Satellite
K Value
Evolution
Satellite
Offset
Min.
Flow in
GPM
Min.
Flow in
GPM
for Full
Scale
3 inch Sch 10S 3.5 3.260 1368 115 12 400
Std. Wt. Sch 40 3.5 3.068 1191 70 12 400
Ex. Strong Sch 80 3.5 2.900 1053 42 12 400
PVC Class 125 3.5 3.284 1391 121 12 400
PVC Class 160 3.5 3.230 1338 107 12 400
PVC Class 200 3.5 3.166 1278 91 12 400
4 inch Sch 10S 4.5 4.260 2620 592 20 600
Std. Wt. Sch 40 4.5 4.026 2277 489 20 600
Ex. Strong Sch 80 4.5 3.826 2008 354 20 600
PVC Class 125 4.5 4.224 2565 577 20 600
PVC Class 160 4.5 4.072 2361 554 20 600
PVC Class 200 4.5 4.072 2342 525 20 600
5 inch 10S 5.563 5.295 4451 1044 30 900
Std. Wt. Sch 40 5.50 5.047 4006 932 30 900
Ex. Strong Sch 80 5.50 4.813 3594 829 30 900
6 inch 10S 6.625 6.357 6576 1603 50 1500
Std. Wt. Sch 40 6.5 6.065 5890 1419 50 1500
Ex. Strong Sch 80 6.5 5.761 5312 1265 50 1500
PVC Class 125 6.625 6.217 6239 1509 50 1500
PVC Class 160 6.625 6.115 5997 1445 50 1500
PVC Class 200 6.625 5.993 5752 1381 50 1500
8 inch Sch 10S 8.625 8.329 11989 3215 80 2500
Sch 20 8.625 8.125 11371 3018 80 2500
Sch 30 8.625 8.071 11210 2975 80 2500
Std. Wt. Sch 40 8.625 7.981 10943 2884 80 2500
Sch 60 8.625 7.813 10453 2735 80 2500
Ex. Strong Sch 80 8.625 7.625 9914 2566 80 2500
PVC Class 125 8.625 8.095 11281 2994 80 2500
PVC Class 160 8.625 7.961 10884 2868 80 2500
PVC Class 200 8.625 7.805 10429 2729 80 2500
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 251
Rain Master K and Offset Value
For Data Industrial Flow Sensors
Pipe Size
Pipe
O.D. in
Inches
Pipe
I.D. in
Inches
Evolution
Satellite
K Value
Evolution
Satellite
Offset
Min.
Flow in
GPM
Min.
Flow in
GPM
for Full
Scale
10 inch Sch 10S 10.75 10.420 19163 5768 125 4000
Sch 20 10.75 10.250 18473 5509 125 4000
Sch 30 10.75 10.136 18037 5345 125 4000
Std. Wt. Sch 40 10.75 10.020 17622 5187 125 4000
Ex. Strong Sch
60
10.75 9.750 16657 4827 125 4000
Sch 80 10.75 9.564 16010 4594 125 4000
PVC Class 125 10.75 10.088 17863 5276 125 4000
PVC Class 160 10.75 9.924 17273 5054 125 4000
PVC Class 200 10.75 9.728 16580 4804 125 4000
12 inch 10S 12.75 12.390 28566 9831 175 5000
Sch 20 12.75 12.250 27997 9556 175 5000
Sch 30 12.75 12.090 27122 9156 175 5000
Std. Wt. Sch 40S 12.75 12.000 26638 8943 175 5000
Sch 40 12.75 11.938 26309 8783 175 5000
Sch 60 12.75 11.625 24690 8057 175 5000
Extra Strong 12.74 11.750 25328 8336 175 5000
Sch 80 12.75 11.376 23457 7523 175 5000
PVC Class 125 12.75 11.966 26457 8857 175 5000
PVC Class 160 12.75 11.770 25430 8394 175 5000
PVC Class 200 12.75 11.538 24254 7869 175 5000
14 inch 10S 14.00 13.500 33390 12242 200 6000
Sch 20 14.00 13.375 32819 11941 200 6000
Std. Wt. Sch 30 14.00 13.250 32255 11645 200 6000
Sch 40 14.00 13.124 31694 11353 200 6000
Sch 60 14.00 12.814 30343 10699 200 6000
Extra Strong 14.00 13.00 31149 9639 200 6000
Sch 80 14.00 12.50 29027 10041 200 6000
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Page 252 Appendix A: Flow Meters
Rain Master K and Offset Value
For Data Industrial Flow Sensors
Pipe Size
Pipe
O.D. in
Inches
Pipe
I.D. in
Inches
Evolution
Satellite
K Value
Evolution
Satellite
Offset
Min.
Flow in
GPM
Min.
Flow in
GPM
for Full
Scale
16 inch 10S 16.00 15.500 43473 17937 300 9000
Sch 20 16.00 15.375 42791 17495 300 9000
Std. Wt. Sch 30 16.00 15.250 42115 17100 300 9000
Ex. Strong Sch
40
16.00 15.000 40785 16331 300 9000
Sch 60 16.00 14.688 39163 15388 300 9000
Sch 80 16.00 14.314 37278 14332 300 9000
18 inch Sch
10S
18.00 17.500 55348 25847 350 10000
Sch 20 18.00 17.375 54553 25271 350 10000
Sch 30 18.00 17.124 52979 24145 350 10000
Std. Wt. 18.00 17.250 53765 24705 350 10000
Sch 40 18.00 16.876 51451 23110 350 10000
Sch 60 18.00 16.500 49187 21632 350 10000
Extra Strong 18.00 17.000 52211 23599 350 10000
Sch 80 18.00 16.126 46997 20140 350 10000
Rain Master Irrigation Systems DX2 User Manual
Appendix A: Flow Meters Page 253
Figure 184: Flow Sensor Installation
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