Water flow sensor

[6t7gto]

I own a self-serve car wash with 3 commercial stores attached to the building.
My water meter is in my equipment room and feeds all my car wash pumps.
The water line then splits off and feeds the 3 stores. I pay the water/sewer charges for the stores.
Last month's water bill was 95.00. This month was 250.00.
One of the stores told me of a flapper problem on their toilet and I repaired it.
I want to install a water sensor connected to a warning light in my equipment room to the 1" line feeding the stores. I have CCTV and can view it from anywhere. When the stores are closed I will be able to call in to my CCTV and monitor the warning light for water usage. ie. leaking toilet or faucet.
Any thoughts on what kind of sensor I could install?
Thx
David

 

[Reach4]

Point a camera at the water meter? If you have one on your meter, concentrate on the flow indicator.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Jadnashua]

FWIW, you can buy water meters and install them on your tenants' branches. I do not know if you can buy the remote readouts some utilities are using.

 

[Valveman]

I got some of those YI Dome cameras (50 bucks). I set one up to monitor my well pump. I set it up where I can turn it to look at the flow meter, the pressure gauge, and even the amps on the Cycle Sensor. If I had it to do over again I would put the flow meter, pressure gauge, and Cycle Sensor closer together so I could see them all at the same time. But it is easy to turn the camera to look at them where they are, so I am not moving anything.

 

[6t7gto]

Thx for the replies.
I'm leaning toward installing this...
http://www.supplyhouse.com/Mcdonnel...eneral-purpose-flow-switch-w-NEMA-1-enclosure

Then wiring it to a warning light that I could view on my camera.
Thoughts?

 

[Valveman]

I never liked flow switches. Hard to detect small leaks like a toilet flapper.

 

[Bgard]

Thx for the replies.
I'm leaning toward installing this...
http://www.supplyhouse.com/Mcdonnel...eneral-purpose-flow-switch-w-NEMA-1-enclosure

Then wiring it to a warning light that I could view on my camera.
Thoughts?

Those switches will not sense flow less than about 4 gpm, it will never sense the trickle of a leaking flapper valve

 

[6t7gto]

So I understand, as a toilet flapper leaks and the tank refills the switch I linked above will not detect that?
Thx
david

 

[Valveman]

It is almost impossible to set a flow switch to know the difference between no flow and a small leak. They can detect large flow rates, but not dependable detecting small leaks.

 

[Reach4]

So I understand, as a toilet flapper leaks and the tank refills the switch I linked above will not detect that?
Thx
david

I thought they were clear, but for further confirmation, click on the link you posted, and select "Product Overview". On the second page of that PDF, see the "Flow Rates" table.

 

[6t7gto]

Update: I installed an IFM magnetic sensor. Set it for minimum flow and within 10 minutes determined one of the front stores had a leaking flapper. The chain was too long and would get caught under the flapper.
Sensor works great.
Thx for the replies.
David

P.S. This is the sensor I used....the clamp on style
http://www.keyence.com/products/process/flow/index.jsp

 

[Smooky]

How about a Flow Indicator:

https://www.zoro.com/dwyer-instrume...-indicator-bronze-34in-sfi-100-34/i/G5173944/

https://www.zoro.com/dwyer-instruments-single-sight-flow-indicator-bronze-1in-sfi-100-1/i/G5175073/

http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/Flow/