Flow Sensor for use with the Apex

[Esquare]

Does anybody know if the HM Digital FSM-2 Flow Sensor can be used with the Apex Controller? Specifically, I want to be able to track the water volume that goes through my RO/DI Filter but am too cheap to buy the FM-2: Filter Monitor with Volumizer. I thought it might be possible to connect the flow sensor to the Apex and track it there.

Here is a link to the sensor.

http://www.tdsmeter.com/products/fms2.html

Thanks for any insight.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

The link to the sensor didn't make the message but if the connection is an on/off then yes, it would work but if the connection is something else then likely not. If I can get the link I can tell you pretty quickly.

 

[Esquare]

Thanks Ken

 

[Deleted member 143833]

No, it will not interface to the Apex. Looking at the spec it suggests that the flow 'rate' is reported through the connection and the Apex can only handle open/close, for example to report that there is flow vs this thing that is reporting how much.

 

[Hawkdl2]

Nice find OP.

Ken, I presume the output is "0" at no flow, so do you think an output signal over "0" could be used to trigger a relay that would translate to an OPEN or CLOSED BB signal for the Apex?

 

[Deleted member 143833]

I'm not certain but it sounds like it may be some kind of pulse/width outlet (reading between the lines after looking at the FM-2). It might just count but I suspect it could be a more complex data stream.

There is a note that says you can get the electrical characteristices; you could request that and it may be more clear how it is designed.

The output may not play well driving a relay.

 

[Esquare]

It looks like Bean has done some work with it

http://www.beananimal.com/projects/automated-rodi-water-filtration-system---part-3.aspx


Thanks for the response Ken.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Good find; now I'm pretty sure it won't be useful especially if the you want to keep track of the pulses to detect end-of-life of the filters. If it was just to detect flow I see the same company has a flow switch but that doesn't appear to be what you mentioned you wanted to do.

 

[Esquare]

Oh well, the search continues. Thanks again Ken.