Leak Detection When Not Running

post by Owenstire on Jul 24, 2018

I am interested in buying the flow meter, but I am wondering if it will detect leaks when the system is not watering? I am always a little worried that a valve for a zone won’t shut off properly and water would continue to run. I was hoping this would give me peace of mind and alert me if this happens.

post by DLane on Jul 25, 2018

@Owenstire - With the new wireless Rachio flow meter, not the previously wired ones from Toro that also work on the Rachio Gen 2 device, I believe it only checks for flow volume once during the zone run after the pressurization time in order to conserve battery life.

post by silverfox9142 on Jul 25, 2018

Hmmm. Before I ordered my Rachio 3 and flow meter I asked the question if the flow meter would trigger if, as an example, some debris got stuck in one of the valves causing the zone to still water after it was to have stopped.

The answer I received is that it would give me a message indicating water leakage but that the zone would not close down. That answer precipitated my buying the system.

post by franz on Jul 25, 2018

@DLane is correct. We only check one time during after the schedule starts and we hit pressurization time. In the use case you’ve presented with a stuck valve and current software we would not catch.

post by Owenstire on Jul 25, 2018

Thanks for the replies and for forwarding this on to the individuals who could make it happen. I can say hands down 100% if the flow meter could detect a stuck valve after the water cycle is complete, I would buy this system in a heartbeat.

post by DLane on Jul 25, 2018

@Owenstire and @silverfox9142 - There is one use case where the Rachio Flow meter WILL catch a stuck valve. In the case where a zone is running AFTER the zone with a stuck valve there probably would be a high flow alert as the flow from the stuck valve zone plus the flow from the scheduled valve zone should be over the threshold for the scheduled valve zone.

post by timber on Jul 25, 2018

@silverfox9142 I apologize that you received incorrect information. This is a feature we are certainly interested in but there are complexities with detecting leaks when inactive due to the multitude of setups in the market.

post by DLane on Jul 25, 2018

@timber - would the following solve the problem? If there was a spare zone (e.g. only 7 out of 8 or 15 out of 16 zones in use) could that zone be configured on a schedule and calibrated - with no water actually flowing through meter.

post by silverfox9142 on Jul 26, 2018

My thoughts exactly.

post by djbanner on Jul 26, 2018

So based on this information am I correct in understanding that this thread which talks about “Inactive System Flow” as a method of leak detection does not apply to the wireless flow meter, only wired flow meters?

post by timber on Jul 31, 2018

Thanks for the creative problem solving!

post by Owenstire on Jul 31, 2018

Thank you very much for the update. I am very impressed with you guys and your willingness to add this feature.

post by TMToronto on Jul 31, 2018

I believe this will add tremendous value and functionality to both the flow meter and overall Rachio system.

post by franz on Jul 31, 2018

post by timber on Aug 2, 2018

Glad to hear your joining the family!

post by silverfox9142 on Aug 7, 2018

Tim, has this feature gone live yet.

post by timber on Aug 7, 2018

@silverfox9142 it’s in beta right now, but I need your S/N to turn it on for you.

post by jwelch649 on Aug 10, 2018

Hi Tim - I am also very interested in this feature. I sent you my S/N via DM, could you enable the beta code on my controller?