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22-06-2022, 12:35 PM #1
Setting up trickle in but it’s turning off over night.
So I have finally set up my trickle in. I want it to change around 120 gallons a week. This works out to a small flow rather then drips when I do the maths to work out how much over the week. So I set it up go indoors use the water come out to see if is how I left it and it looses abit of pressure and comes out slower so I increase the flow go back in use the water again come out to see how it’s left it and it’s perfect. But then over night come out and it’s stopped trickling in. This is the 2nd day it’s done it. Also I am using a meter to see how much water I’m using and noticed that its actually not registering how much is going in almost as though it’s not enough going through to spin the cogs inside lol. So basically I have no clue how much is going in and it keeps stopping. The only thing I can think of doing is run the trickle at a faster rate and have it running five days a week or something ? Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks charles
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22-06-2022, 01:15 PM #2
If the flow is too low to register on your meter, is there a way you can get a bucket/jug etc underneath where it comes out so you can measure how much is delivered over a set period of time?
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22-06-2022, 02:18 PM #3
I mate. Yeah I have done that so I no what it should look like ie fast drip to a slowwww drizzle but like I said over time it seems to turn off. Over night though. As I been checking it before bed works fine then when I wake it’s turned off ?
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22-06-2022, 02:59 PM #4
Sorry can't really help you on that point. I would've thought the water pressure would keep it flowing?
Is there a check valve on the tap? Perhaps the sudden drop in pressure is causing it try and be sucked back up the pipe and thats causing a bit of a vacuum?
Tbh I don't have a clue???
Hopefully someone with plumbing experience can help.
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22-06-2022, 03:28 PM #5
depends what kind of tap you are using,
a hose union bib tap (garden tap) has a rubber washer that when the pressure drops expands stopping the flow.
smaller RO type 1/4" taps are better but still struggle to set low flow rates due to full on/full off in 1/4 of a turn.
the best type to set a low flow rate is a needle valve, i have one on my dechlorinator you can set it really slow, and open full blast open is only about 2.8 lpm
coastal koi do them singley or in kits with connectors.
https://coastal-koi.com/product/1-2-needle-control-valve-kit/
heres my set up showing the flow meter
the easiest way to kn ow how much you are using and regulate flow is with a digital flow meter.
vyair and andy finch do them in a few sizes.
for my dechlorinator i got one that measures minimum to maximum 0.2lpm to 5.0lpm
plus it shows how many litres you have used up to 99,000 litres before resetting.
https://www.vyair.com/en/6710m-32-di...low-meter.html
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22-06-2022, 03:45 PM #6
I have one of the digiflow meters and works well. I drip 0.22lpm But also i suffer occasionally with the same flow dropping to a drip. Its the water company I'm sure altering pressure of flow where I live (we have water mains pumps). Its annoying, but usually rights itself again when pressure is back..
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22-06-2022, 06:47 PM #7
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22-06-2022, 06:50 PM #8
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22-06-2022, 06:55 PM #9
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22-06-2022, 07:09 PM #10
Just thinking about it what you said about the rubber washer on garden tape. May be worth mentioning that when I flush the toilet run out to check the trickle it stops BUT it does begin to trickle once the cistern of the toilet has levelled. So I’m thinking the rubber washer can’t be stopping it if it isn’t happening in that example? Right ? Cheers Dave
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22-06-2022, 09:46 PM #11
the rubber washer gradually returns to shape over a long time due to the indent on the washer the raised face that makes the seal inside the tap.
and is easily affected by mains pressure which can fluctuate a lot.
for giggles open one up and have a look at it, the design is probably over 200 years old lol
you will always struggle trying to set a very low flow with anything other than a needle valve which is only £12.50 if you buy the valve on it's own.
you can get it a couple of quid cheaper from china on ebay but took about 3 weeks to get here, as they didn't have them for sale anywhere when i bought mine.
but for the sake of £2 i'd get it from the UK....
https://coastal-koi.com/product/needle-control-valve/
if thinking about getting a flow meter that runs at 0.2lpm minimum, the readout can drop off and go blank (it does this when not in use to save batteries)
when you get close to the minimum so choose one suitable for the flow rate you need, as there are different models.Last edited by davethefish1; 22-06-2022 at 11:21 PM.
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23-06-2022, 04:23 PM #12
I spoke to Andy finch just now and he seems to think it’s my water pressure. He advised to set the trickle keep an eye on it. If it stops leave it and see if it starts again. He thinks it could be the neighbouring house using water in the morning which is lowering the pressure and that it could just switch back on again. If that’s the case to get a digital meter like you said and then monitor the amount being used weekley. He is a top bloke I honestly can’t praise him enough. I’m going to check my chlorine levels with the dpd 4 tablets and go from there. I think I’m guna swap out my three stage for a midi big blue! Apparently the 3 stage I have had 1.5 kg of carbon and the midi has 6kg so may go for it. Plus my 3 stage is leaking on one of the red button things so not sure if that can be fixed anyway.
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07-07-2022, 06:54 PM #13
Setting up trickle in but it’s turning off over night.
Dave/ scamp ,
Got the bits you both recommended today along with a midi big blue! It’s nice getting deliveries haha impressed with the flow meter and needle valve duo works well! Not trusting hanging the prefilter like some do I built a little table for it IMG_5530.jpg
IMG_5525.jpg
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLast edited by charco123; 07-07-2022 at 06:57 PM.
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davethefish1 Thanked / Liked this Post
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07-07-2022, 07:32 PM #14
Great stuff..always great to receive new shiney bits! Good luck with the set up, can take a few adjustments to get the trickle spot on..
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07-07-2022, 08:44 PM #15
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07-07-2022, 09:59 PM #16
Setting up trickle in but it’s turning off over night.
Yeah mate you no I think I twisted that needle valve probably 100 times In the first day! It’s crazy how the flow fluctuates! But nice new bit of kit to play with! Il probably build a little shelter for it to protect from uv damage. Nerd alert!
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLast edited by charco123; 07-07-2022 at 10:11 PM.
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davethefish1 Thanked / Liked this Post
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07-07-2022, 11:36 PM #17
if your flow is fluctuating that much you could fit a PRV to stabilise it,
subject to minimum inlet pressure...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/honeywell...m-x-15mm/7978j
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08-07-2022, 09:00 AM #18
I need something like this but doing the opposite increasing pressure as mains is pretty poor, when washing machine on or sink being filled the drum really struggles to clean properly due to water droppage resulting in poor cleaning pattern at the 4 nozzles so dirty lines left on drum.....
2200 gallons,infinity window,
Evolve 4k combi,spindrifter,
2x20k pumps, BD,Skimmer,
Shower, ASHP
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davethefish1 Thanked / Liked this Post
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08-07-2022, 09:13 AM #19
Another way to regulate a slow flow into a system would be a derivation of a method that is common in the public/commercial swimming pool industry where a flow to a chemical sensor cell has to be regulated to a steady couple of litres per hour.
Simply fit a small header tank fed from the mains via the usual ball cock or float valve. Regardless of varying mains pressure it will fill and provide a constant head of pressure which you can take your drip feed from and regulate the flow via a needle valve.
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08-07-2022, 09:47 AM #20
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Manky Sanke, smartin Thanked / Liked this Post
Best plants to remove Nitrate
pug has a very impressive veg filter on his pond, have a look at some of his his youtube videos....