Start With Your Desired Flow Rate
The carrier flowmeter is an important part of a Mixmate system. It tells the system how much carrier has been added while working with the carrier control valve to automatically regulate flow.
Choosing the right meter isn’t simply a matter of matching the meter to the pipe size. The carrier pump, desired flow rate, and required accuracy all play a role.
For most Mixmate systems, we recommend starting with a magnetic flowmeter sized to comfortably handle the desired carrier flow. When cost is a higher priority and slightly less accuracy is acceptable, a paddle meter can also be a good option.
Start With the Flow You Need
The first question we ask when selecting a carrier flowmeter is:
How fast do you want to move carrier?
The answer helps determine which meter is appropriate for the system.
As a general guideline:
- Under 100 GPM: M200 magmeter
- Under 200 GPM: M220 magmeter
- Over 200 GPM: M300 magmeter
These aren’t hard limits, but they provide a good starting point for selecting the right meter.
If you’re building a system around a larger carrier pump and want higher flow rates, we generally prefer to move to the larger meter rather than trying to push a smaller meter beyond the range where it is comfortable.
Don’t Undersize Your Carrier Flowmeter
One of the most common mistakes when selecting a carrier flowmeter is choosing a meter that is too small for the system.
It can be tempting to look at the plumbing size and choose a meter based on that alone. But the meter doesn’t necessarily have to match the plumbing diameter.
For example, a system with 3-inch plumbing and a 3-inch carrier pump should generally not use a smaller M220 or M200 magmeter simply because the plumbing and pump can physically connect to it.
The higher flow through a smaller meter can cause the meter to operate too quickly.
We would rather see an appropriately oversized flowmeter paired with smaller plumbing or a smaller pump than an undersized flowmeter being pushed beyond its ideal operating range.
Starting with a meter that has enough capacity gives the system room to operate efficiently without unnecessarily pushing flow through a smaller meter.
How Carrier Flow Control Works
The carrier flowmeter does more than simply measure the amount of water entering the mix.
It works together with the Mixmate carrier control system.
Mixmate uses the flowmeter to monitor carrier flow while a control valve regulates how much carrier is being added. This allows the system to automatically control carrier flow according to the requirements of the mix.
Instead of the operator manually watching the flow and adjusting a valve, Mixmate can control the process automatically.
That makes the carrier flowmeter an important part of the overall automation—not just a measurement device.
Magnetic Flowmeters vs. Paddle Meters
For most Mixmate carrier applications, our first choice is a magnetic flowmeter.
Magmeters provide the accuracy and reliability we want for automated carrier measurement, which is why they are our standard recommendation.
However, there are situations where a paddle meter can make sense.
Paddle meters can provide a more economical option for applications where cost is a priority and the customer is comfortable with somewhat less accuracy.
For example, on a system operating below 200 GPM, a paddle meter can be a reasonable alternative to a magmeter if the application doesn’t require the additional accuracy.
The important thing is to understand the tradeoff: a paddle meter may reduce the cost of the system, but you’re giving up some measurement accuracy compared with a magnetic flowmeter.
What About Accuracy?
Accuracy is another important consideration when selecting a carrier flowmeter.
For a standard Mixmate system, our magmeters provide the accuracy we want for controlling and documenting carrier volume.
If a customer wants a higher-caliber meter or has requirements beyond a typical agricultural mixing application, there are also more advanced meter options available, including higher-end magnetic and Coriolis-effect flowmeters.
These aren’t necessary for most Mixmate systems, but they can be appropriate when higher measurement performance or specific certification requirements justify the additional investment.
What About Legal-for-Trade Applications?
Some applications require a carrier measurement system that can be used for legal-for-trade purposes.
These applications may require a higher-caliber meter and a different system configuration than a standard Mixmate.
We have options for these applications, including higher-end magnetic flowmeters and Coriolis-effect meters. However, these are specialized configurations rather than standard off-the-shelf Mixmate components.
If legal-for-trade measurement is part of your application, let us know when you’re designing the system so we can configure the appropriate equipment from the beginning.
A Simple Way to Choose
For most applications, we recommend starting with a magmeter and selecting the size based primarily on your desired carrier flow.
– Under 100 GPM
M200 magmeter
A good choice for lower-flow carrier applications.
A paddle meter can also be considered if reducing system cost is a priority and slightly lower accuracy is acceptable.
– Under 200 GPM
M220 magmeter
A good fit for moderate carrier flow rates.
A paddle meter can also be used in this range when cost is more important than maximum measurement accuracy.
– Over 200 GPM
M300 magmeter
For higher-flow carrier applications, we generally move to the larger M300 magmeter to provide the capacity needed for the system.
The exact configuration should still be based on the carrier pump, desired operating flow, and overall plumbing setup.
Build the Meter Around the System
The carrier flowmeter is only one part of the carrier system.
The pump, plumbing, control valve, and flowmeter all need to work together. That’s why we don’t recommend selecting a carrier meter based solely on the size of the pipe.
Instead, we look at the carrier pump, desired speed, and required accuracy and then select a meter that gives the system enough capacity to operate comfortably.
When in doubt, we’d rather start with a meter that is slightly larger than you think you need than undersize it.
A properly sized carrier flowmeter gives Mixmate the information it needs to control carrier flow accurately and helps the entire mixing system operate the way it was designed.
If you’re building a new Mixmate system or adding carrier control to an existing setup, we can help you determine the right flowmeter based on your pump, plumbing, and desired carrier flow.