Flow Meter

Here's what you'll find in your Soildrops Flow Meter package.

Package Contents

• 1× Water Flow Meter with built-in digital display
• 1× CR2032 coin cell battery (pre-installed or included)
• 1× plastic disc tool for opening the battery compartment

You'll Also Need

• A standard 3/4" outdoor garden hose faucet
• Your garden hose or watering timer

Installation takes under a minute and requires no tools.

How to Install

1. Thread the flow meter onto your outdoor faucet by hand. Hand-tighten only — do not use pliers, which can crack the housing.
2. Connect your garden hose (or hose timer) to the other end of the flow meter.
3. Turn on the faucet and check both connections for leaks.

Where Does It Go?

The flow meter sits between your faucet and your hose (or timer). Water passes through it, the meter measures the flow, and everything continues downstream to your hose or irrigation setup.

The flow meter uses a CR2032 coin cell battery, which typically lasts several months of normal use.

How to Replace

1. Locate the battery compartment on the back of the meter.
2. Use the included plastic disc (or a coin) to twist open the cover.
3. Remove the old battery and insert a new CR2032 with the + side facing the correct direction (marked inside).
4. Twist the cover back on until snug.

The digital display shows real-time water flow and cumulative usage.

What You'll See

• Flow rate: How fast water is currently flowing (in gallons per minute or liters per minute).
• Total volume: Cumulative water usage since the last reset.
• Battery indicator: Shows when the battery is running low.

Switching Units

You can toggle between gallons and liters using the mode button on the meter. Use whichever unit you're most comfortable with.

Calibration ensures the flow meter's readings are as accurate as possible for your specific water pressure and setup.

When to Calibrate

Calibrate when you first install the meter, or if readings seem off after changing your setup (new hose, different faucet, etc.).

How to Calibrate

1. Press and hold the mode button to enter CAL mode.
2. Run a known quantity of water through the meter (for example, fill a 5-gallon bucket).
3. Adjust the calibration value using the buttons until the displayed volume matches the known quantity.
4. Press the mode button to save and exit calibration.

The flow meter works great alongside any Soildrops hose timer — or any standard garden hose timer, for that matter.

Recommended Setup

Install the flow meter between the faucet and the timer: Faucet → Flow Meter → Timer → Hose. This way, the meter measures all water passing through the system, and you can track exactly how much water each watering session uses.

Why Track Water Usage?

• Optimize schedules: See how many gallons each zone uses per session and adjust durations accordingly.
• Catch leaks: If the meter shows flow when no watering is scheduled, something may be leaking downstream.
• Track costs: Knowing your water volume lets you estimate what your outdoor irrigation is costing you.

Like all outdoor water devices, the flow meter should be protected from freezing temperatures.

Before Freezing Weather

1. Turn off the faucet.
2. Disconnect the flow meter and any attached hoses.
3. Shake out any remaining water.
4. Store indoors in a dry spot until spring.

The flow meter requires very little maintenance. Here's what to do if buildup starts affecting readings.

Cleaning

• Disconnect the meter and rinse the interior under running water.
• For mineral buildup, soak in white vinegar for 15–30 minutes, then rinse.
• Wipe the exterior and display with a damp cloth.
• Don't submerge the electronics — keep the display and battery area dry.

Technical specifications for the Soildrops Water Flow Meter.

• Connection: 3/4" GHT (Garden Hose Thread)
• Flow range: 0.5–26.4 GPM (2–100 L/min)
• Accuracy: ±2% (after calibration)
• Display: Digital LCD
• Battery: CR2032 coin cell (included)
• Operating temperature: 32–120°F (0–50°C)
• Material: ABS plastic with brass fittings

If the flow meter's readings don't seem right, here are the most likely causes:

• Needs calibration: If you haven't calibrated (or recalibrated after a setup change), the readings may be off. Enter CAL mode and calibrate against a known volume.
• Air in the line: Air bubbles passing through the meter register as flow. Run the water for 30 seconds to flush air out before relying on readings.
• Low flow rate: Below about 0.5 GPM, the meter may not register accurately. This is normal for very low-flow drip systems.
• Debris or buildup: Sediment inside the meter can interfere with the turbine. Remove and rinse the meter to clear any buildup.
• Low battery: A dying battery can cause erratic display behavior. Replace the CR2032.

The Soildrops Flow Meter is designed specifically for outdoor garden hose connections (3/4" GHT). It's not rated for indoor plumbing systems, which use different thread types, higher sustained pressures, and hot water — all of which are outside this meter's specifications. For indoor water monitoring, look for a dedicated whole-house flow meter designed for your plumbing type.