Melnor Inc 101 Flowmeter Water Timer
by Melnor Inc
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List Price: Our Price: $5.48 You Save: $3.51 (39%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
Product Details
Manufacturer: Melnor IncProduct features:
- Size: 4" X 3.25" X 6.25"
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Melnor Inc 101 Flowmeter Water Timer
Customer Review: Based on flow, not time
Summary: 3 Stars
This Melnor timer is based on water flow, not time. The idea makes eminent sense, because it is the volume of water that goes into the plants that counts, not how long they have been watered. It is easy to install; the user simply connects the timer between the hose bib and a water hose, sets the dial to the volume desired, and turns on the water.
The dial is divided into two sections--the "Unmetered Flow" and the "Metered Flow". The user may turn the dial only in the clockwise direction, until it reaches the "Unmetered Flow" section. Here the timer works just like a faucet. He/she can turn the dial in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, between the "Max." and "Min." marks, to adjust the volume of the water. Continue to turn the dial clockwise to the "Metered Flow" section. Here the user sets the volume desired, only in the clockwise direction, from 1600 gallons to 100 gallons. The dial is marked in gallons, liters and the approximate number of hours required to deliver the volume, based on a flow rate of 6 gallons per minute.
Before using this timer, it is important for the user to understand the mechanics of this flow timer. It has a paddle wheel powered by water flow, which, in turn, drives the gears that shut off the water valve. If the flow is too low to power the paddle wheel, the timer will not shut off. Many complaints about timer malfunction are probably related to low flow. If the user has to restrict the flow of water, like when using a soaker hose, he/she should turn down the water UPSTREAM of the timer, i.e. above the inlet of the timer, like at the hose bib, never downstream, below the outlet of the timer. No matter what the user does, there is a point where the flow is too low to power the timer. He/she will have to experiment a little to find out what works and what doesn't. Some very low flow drip system may not work with this timer at all.
In conclusion, this is what I like about this water timer: (a) it is based on volume, not time, (b) the price is very reasonable, and (c) it is very easy to install. This is what I don't like so much: it may not work with low flow drip systems. This is what worries me: I read a lot of complaints regarding leaks due to shoddy workmanship of the timer. However, I used this timer only for a few times, I cannot speak to its durability.
Update: My experiments showed that this timer worked well at a flow rate of 2 gallons/minute. You may even get away with 1 gallon/minute. Anything less than 1 is iffy. This timer may not work with a drip irrigation system regardless of the flow rate, due to restrictions downstream. I tried it on my drip irrigation system with thirty 4-gallons/hour emitters. The flow rate was 2 gallons/minute, according to calculation, but the timer refused to move.
More update: I bought five of these timers about three months ago. The dials broke off on two of the five, two leaked badly, and only one is still working. The quality of this product is dismal. A second batch of five, however, did better. All five passed the initial leak test, and one of them has been used for two weeks without any problem.
Another update: I found that the dial of this timer might break off when I turned it from the "Unmetered Flow" section to the "Metered Flow" section, with the water on. The sudden increase of water pressure on the mechanism was apparently too much for the cheap plastic parts. So now, I always turn off the water and drain the timer whenever I set the dial.
Description of Melnor Inc 101 Flowmeter Water Timer
Has set and forget technology. Automatically shuts off. Measures exact amount of water at any pressure. On Off switch to use like a faucet.Categories Tools
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