Looking for a reliable water flow meter

[2WheelJon]

I want to partially fill the fresh water tank and do it with more accuracy than the onboard gauge. So I’m looking for a flow meter to go in the fill hose. I’ve seen the plastic ones sold on Amazon and most seem to have a short life span. I don’t want to pay $100 for a meter I’ll only use a couple times a year but would like one that won’t break after a couple uses.

Any suggestions?

[hinkle_e]

I've been using the plastic one for 5 years with no issues. The key is to use a 90 or 45 degree adapter to keep the stress on it vertical.

[Electra glide]

I use this one (Rainwave RW-9FM LCD) but it's out of stock. I've had it for over a year now with no issues. There is a similar model that may work as well. Yes it's plastic. I typically use it at the spigot and not at the camper connection so it keeps the weight off the plastic. This Orbit seems to be the exact same one I use https://www.amazon.com/Orbit-56854-H...49413728&psc=1

[2WheelJon]

Thanks, very good advice.

[Hatchdog]

I have one similar to the Orbit shown above and in fact it might be the exact one. I checked mine for accuracy with a five gallon bucket and found it to be spot on. Used it several times and then it quit working just like many of the reviews I read on it. At the beginning of this season it continued to not work and then all of a sudden it worked again I’m winterized now but we will see what next season brings.

[jbrosecity]

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FYQZ54J/
SAVE A DROP WATER METER by P3 INTERNATIONAL - MEASURES GALLON USAGE FROM GARDEN HOSE

works perfect - use it a lot

[5picker]

Originally Posted by jbrosecity

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FYQZ54J/
SAVE A DROP WATER METER by P3 INTERNATIONAL - MEASURES GALLON USAGE FROM GARDEN HOSE

works perfect - use it a lot

X2... here's mine. been working perfectly for 5 years.

[jbrosecity]

Yep I always use it when saniflushing the black tank. I run a timer with an alarm set for 8 mins and wear it around my neck and I keep this monitor running to watch how many gallons I am pumping into the black tank with the dump valve closed. I don't want to tell you how and why I evolved this fail safe system... an ugly story or two there that caused the DW to swear she was DONE with RVing. But watching the gallons and the time, I have never screwed that up again. Praise be!

I can hear some saying they never run saniflush with the dump valve closed... safer yes! but not nearly as effective as partially filling the black tank and then opening the valve. Just don't wanna overfill, trust me!

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by 2WheelJon

I want to partially fill the fresh water tank and do it with more accuracy than the onboard gauge. So I’m looking for a flow meter to go in the fill hose. I’ve seen the plastic ones sold on Amazon and most seem to have a short life span. I don’t want to pay $100 for a meter I’ll only use a couple times a year but would like one that won’t break after a couple uses.

Any suggestions?

Get a 5 gallon bucket and see how much time it takes ur hose to fill it. Use that time x however much water you want in the tank to determine how long to leave it running.

Easy peasy

[hobienick]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

Get a 5 gallon bucket and see how much time it takes ur hose to fill it. Use that time x however much water you want in the tank to determine how long to leave it running.

Easy peasy

This works well of you use the same spigot each time. If not the available flow from the spigot changes throwing off your calculation.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by hobienick

This works well of you use the same spigot each time. If not the available flow from the spigot changes throwing off your calculation.

And not only the same spigot but opening the spigot the exact same amount every time. (I don't fill my tank full blast so I regulate it by the amount the spigot/shut-off valve is turned) Add that to any decrease in flow in the filter you use (as it is used over the summer) to filter the water going into your tank, coupled with different hose diameters and you'll have some varying results as well. Also, I've seen campgrounds where the pressure varied greatly throughout the day so depending on what time you may use the water, flow is anyone's guess.
This is why I put my meter right at the fill port... takes all that other stuff out of the equation.

[2thdr]

Originally Posted by 5picker

X2... here's mine. been working perfectly for 5 years.

Do you happen to have a shopping list for all those parts? Very nicely put together!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by 2thdr

Do you happen to have a shopping list for all those parts? Very nicely put together!

Not really.

The clear fill tube and barbed garden fitting were parts I had laying around.
The barbed garden fitting is a repair fitting for a broken hose and available at any hardware/home improvement store. (I simply didn't use the included S/Steel hose clamp as the hose fit tight enough)

The meter was linked to earlier. (I paid less than $22.00 for mine)

The garden hose shut off is a Gilmore brand full flow shut-off.
Gilmore Poly Full Flow Shut-Off

The quick disconnects came from Wally World.
Expert Gardener Black Heavy-Duty Metal Hose Quick Connector Set

[2thdr]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Not really.



The clear fill tube and barbed garden fitting were parts I had laying around.

The barbed garden fitting is a repair fitting for a broken hose and available at any hardware/home improvement store. (I simply didn't use the included S/Steel hose clamp as the hose fit tight enough)



The meter was linked to earlier. (I paid less than $22.00 for mine)



The garden hose shut off is a Gilmore brand full flow shut-off.

Gilmore Poly Full Flow Shut-Off



The quick disconnects came from Wally World.

Expert Gardener Black Heavy-Duty Metal Hose Quick Connector Set

Thanks

[5picker]

Originally Posted by 2thdr

Thanks

You are welcome.

Just a note on the garden hose shut-off...
I like to use "Full Flow" shut-offs everywhere.

Typical inexpensive shut-offs have a tiny 1/4" hole in them restricting the flow.
These do not, they are full flow. I'll see folks with 5/8" or 3/4" hose bragging they are supplying their R/V with more water and then use an inline shut-off (or "Y") with a 1/4" hole! LOL!

[2thdr]

Originally Posted by 5picker

You are welcome.



Just a note on the garden hose shut-off...

I like to use "Full Flow" shut-offs everywhere.



Typical inexpensive shut-offs have a tiny 1/4" hole in them restricting the flow.

These do not, they are full flow. I'll see folks with 5/8" or 3/4" hose bragging they are supplying their R/V with more water and then use an inline shut-off (or "Y") with a 1/4" hole! LOL!

Good to know...thanks again!