Needing Water-Usage Monitor Ideas.

[artist]

We're heading off for some blue water cruising and wondering if anyone knows of a simple way to monitor water consumption from our tank. There's no gauge and sloshing while under way makes dipping difficult and we don't have access anyway. Is there a reliable in-line flow meter that can keep track of water used? We have a simple, hank operated sink pump, not a pressure system. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[fryewe]

Measure what you use at the tap and enter the amount in a log.

Or run your pump to fill a jug/bottle and use the jug for your needs until it needs filling again. Log the number of jugs of water used.

[wsmurdoch]

Put a stroke counter on the hand pump?

D67 F Black Casing 5 Digits Mechanical Pull Stroke Counter 2pcs-in Counters from Industry & Business on Aliexpress.com

We have clear inserts in the Beckson deck plates that serve as clean out ports on our water tanks. We just look in...

[Cotemar]

Here is a lot of choices for you.
Inline water meters
Digital Water Flow Meter | eBay

[JPA Cate]

One artist who also had a 32 ft. boat kept all his water in 2 liter jugs under the settees. Did not have tanks in his boat. But it was easy to keep track of how much they used.

Since your water is in tanks, if you measure how much it takes to fill the tank, and log the date of filling and when you run out, you'll also be able to come up with an average usage figure. That will let you plan your watering up stops, You might want to carry a 20 liter spare water supply for emergencies.

Measuring your usage as you use it also helps make you aware of how you use it. You can make it almost a game to see how little you can get by using. It really makes you notice how much water landlubbers routinely waste! Another water-awareness trick is to get it in 5 gal. jugs. and carry them to the boat, and keep on doing it till the tanks are full. It all helps you transition your thinking from land use to your tanks being your own finite well, as it were.

[onestepcsy37]

here you go. $25 solution at home depot. just splice this into your line between your tank(s) and your pump. there are other similar meters available at many garden supply stores so you might want to look around first...

Water Saver Usage Meter with Digital LCD Display-AN951 at The Home Depot#

[kmason]

There are several flow meters on the market from very low end to the pricey type. I've never used any of these but your conundrum intrigued me into doing a little research. I would like one of these on my boat too.

FLOW METERS

Digiflow 8000T Water Flow Meter

[kmason]

This is a pretty good site also.

Digital Water & Flow Meters

[kmason]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

here you go. $25 solution at home depot. just splice this into your line between your tank(s) and your pump. there are other similar meters available at many garden supply stores so you might want to look around first...

Water Saver Usage Meter with Digital LCD Display-AN951 at The Home Depot#

I saw this one too but the reviews are very mixed.

[roverhi]

Disable or remove the pressure water system and use foot pumps. Shouldn't have an issue with excessive water usage just using the foot pumps. Might want to carry 10 plus gallons of water in Gerry Jugs. If you do use up the tank water in the boat, you'd have 20 days or so of rationed water to get you to your destination.

[GILow]

I don't know if it would work for you but in our boat I have a clear hose running up the side of the tank connected to a T on the tank outlet. The hose is visible through a slot in the woodwork so you can see the tank level any time you like. Make the hose nice and fine and the damping effect of the constriction all but eliminates misreading a due to boat movement. Finally, the tank is not a regular shape so I have put calibration marks on the hose with a fine permanent marker while filling with a hose and a stopwatch. Just figure out the rate of flow of the hose then you know that after say every four minutes you have another 50 litres. Make another mark. Of course no help at all if the tank is in the keel.

Matt

[jannw]

my boat has an analogue water meter ... much like in a home. e.g. water meter | eBay

it works, and is bullet proof.

[Scott Berg]

We have installed a large number of inline water meters with resettable totalizers. If you wish you can have multiple sensors (plus and minus) so you monitor both watering and use.

As already noted, many manufacturers make such meters with remote displays. We love having a display that shows how much water is in the tanks. Meters are MUCH more accurate than float type indicators. One more source is www.watermeters.com

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by artist

We're heading off for some blue water cruising and wondering if anyone knows of a simple way to monitor water consumption from our tank. There's no gauge and sloshing while under way makes dipping difficult and we don't have access anyway. Is there a reliable in-line flow meter that can keep track of water used? We have a simple, hank operated sink pump, not a pressure system. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Add a simple gauge? It's usually only a dip sensor coupled to a read-out display with low voltage DC. Check WEMA's website for concept, then shop for whatever suits. There's also a type that simply adds a stick-on thing outside the tank (in lieu of internal dipstick), though can't remember brand...

-Chris

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by kmason

I saw this one too but the reviews are very mixed.

You are correct. Might be a better one out there....