Flow meter with flow readout - installed in PC (Ton of Pics!)

[MegadetHCl]

Hello all. Some time ago, I posted a thread where I first used a Proteus flow meter connected to a panel meter that showed the flow through the loop. Well, since that time, I had a misfortune of shorting out that particular flow meter.

Some time ago, I acquired a new generation of these flow meters, and revived my plans of installing a flow meter again in my system. Since I am running two loops, I upgraded my previous design to be able to handle input from two flow meters. So far, the system has been tested outside the computer, here are some pics.

The flow meter, made from stainless steel, with 1/2" ID barbs




It has connections for voltage output proportional to the flow, relay contacts that can be triggered by an adjustable trip-point, and green/red status LEDs




While polishing




Finished






The complete setup, including the flow meter, junction box, and the panel meter with LEDs and switches for two alarms (activated by the trip-point)




Junction box that takes input from two flow meters and sends them to the panel meter






Panel meter in OK state. Note the green LED indicating flow above the trip-point. The meter shows flow in GPM.




Flow at the trip-point. Both LEDs are ON, but no alarm.




Flow below trip-point. Red LED is ON, as well as the buzzer alarm. The switches with blue LEDs turn off the buzzer.




The beauty of this panel meter is that besides being a regular voltmeter, it has an option to scale the output. Since the flow meter outputs 5V DC at 4.5GPM, I can set the panel meter to show "4.5" when it is receiving 5V DC.

What do you guys think? I know the system is quite bulky, especially with the weight of the stainless steel flow meter that can not be supported by tubing alone. On the upside, it does offer the ability to monitor the flow, as well as activate the alarm and possibly shut down the PC if the flow drops below a certain value.