Water flow sensor.

[chuzzlewit]

I'm making a buzzer system which sounds if the flow of coolant sea water is obstructed. Overheating sensors often don't go off until damage is already done. I made a set up on a previous sailing boat and it worked instantly. The coolant pipes on my present Merry Fisher are a lot bigger and I'm reluctant to cut into them.
Is there such a thing as a flow sensor which doesn't need the pipe to be cut?

 

[Spi D]

You might find something that does not need the hose/pipe to be cut, but I installed ready-made ones ("Aqualarm") on each of my Nanni's.

They have an alarm sound and a combined LED light panel. Comes in several models and for many hose sizes. US product but I got mine from svb24.com in Germany

 

[Keith-i]

Available in the uk although I can't remember where I got mine from. Works well for me.

 

[Anthony]

Ultrasonic flow sensors can detect water flow from outside the pipe, but they are not cheap. I am just building a water flow sensor for my generator, and plan on making an insert for the part I cut out the pipe, so if the sensor leaks etc then I can just remove it and put joiner piece in to run without it.

 

[vas]

Anthony

Care to point out what you're using?
Bought a couple of very cheap half inch flow sensors for a couple of quid each but I wouldn't dare put them inline on my Gennys seawater input tbh. Way too cheaply made for that...

Cheers

V

 

[chuzzlewit]

Thanks for the replies: it looks as if I'll need to cut the pipe.