Summary 

Adding a flow meter to your Rachio controller gives you the hardware you need to enable automated leak detection on your home irrigation system. After calibrating your flow meter, it will silently monitor zone runs in the background, and your Rachio app will send you alerts if it detects a zone with unusually high or low flow. Using the Rachio app, you can set high and low flow thresholds and also enable the optional auto-shutoff feature. For a list of compatible flow meters, click here.

What is calibration and why is it important? 

Calibration is a crucial initial step for setting up your flow meter, which enables it to detect leaks by establishing flow baselines. The Rachio app’s calibration tool measures the flow rates in each of your zones by running them for a few minutes, thus providing reliable baselines. Once these zone baselines are established, the system continuously monitors the flow rates during zone runs and alerts you to any discrepancies such as unusually high or low flow rates. Without this calibration, the flow meter will not function properly, and may fail to deliver the accurate readings essential for effective monitoring and leak detection.

Note: Zone baselines can only be calibrated accurately if no other large household plumbing devices are in use (dishwasher, washing machine, shower, etc). For best results, make sure to perform your initial calibration when no other large household plumbing devices are in use.  

How does calibration work?

During the calibration process, the Rachio app guides you through testing each zone individually for 1-3 minutes to measure and establish an average flow rate baseline. This baseline is then stored and used for comparison with normal zone runs. 

Note: The calibration setup includes an option to set a 'pressurize time'—usually between 10-20 seconds—allowing water pressure to stabilize in your pipes and nozzles. For zones with older hardware or longer pipe runs, a longer pressurize time might be necessary. It's important to monitor the flow rate display during this time to ensure the rate has stabilized once the pressurize time concludes.

How do I add a flow meter to a Rachio 3?

1. Navigate to the Settings Wheel on the top-right corner of your screen, then "Controller Settings" and then "Accessories".
2. Select the Sensor Terminal you'd like to use, then enable the sensor by taping the toggle. Finally, select the Type of sensor you will be connecting. In this case, choose your flow meter model under the Flow Sensors dropdown menu.

How do I calibrate? 

After adding the flow meter, a button to calibrate will appear on your Controller Settings Accessories screen. Follow the calibration setup wizard, and make sure no major household plumbing appliances are running (shower, dishwasher, etc.). 

Leak detection settings   

Once you’ve calibrated, your baseline flow rate for each zone can be found with your other leak detection settings in the Zone tab. Select a zone, then tap “Edit” and select “Flow Settings” from the list. Here you can find the option to enable auto shutoff, as well as your low-flow and high-flow trigger thresholds for the zone. You can adjust these or re-calibrate them at any time. 

Zone-level Flow Settings

Low and high flow trigger   

Your flow meter thresholds will default to 50% of the baseline for low flow and 115% of the baseline for high flow. 

This means if your flow rate dips to 50% or less or your baseline flow rate, or rises above 115% of your baseline flow rate, you’ll be notified of a flow anomaly and suggestions for follow-up. 

Auto Shut Off

Auto Shut Off disables a zone if a high flow (often a high flow leak) is detected. Auto shut-off is not enabled by default, so enable it for any zones you want by tapping the toggle button.

System-level Flow Settings

In the Settings Wheel -> Controller Settings there is a Flow Settings menu where you can adjust how your flow meter interacts system-wide with your watering. These settings apply to all zones.

Inactive Flow Check

This feature will automatically check for leaks after each zone run. It will wait a specified settle time and then measure the flow in the pipes. Flow in the pipe after the system has settled could indicate a leak or a stuck valve and you’ll get a notification. 

Settle Time

Set the time it takes for your system to depressurize after a run ends; the flow meter will measure flow after this amount of time has passed to ensure an accurate reading. 

I have a High Flow alert, what should I do?

When your flow meter issues a high flow alert, it could indicate a leak or a faulty nozzle, especially if the measured flow rate is much higher than your baseline. In this case, you should check your lines and nozzles for leaks, and call a professional to assist you if necessary. 

However, for flow rates 20-50% above the baseline, the issue might be variable water pressure, common in areas with older municipal plumbing. In such cases, adjusting the high-flow trigger threshold in Zone -> Edit -> Flow Settings may help. If multiple zones trigger flow alerts and you're certain there are no leaks, recalibrating might be necessary. Calibration issues can arise if done concurrently with another household appliance or due to time-of-day water pressure fluctuations. For properties with variable pressure, recalibrating closer to the time your zones typically run can improve accuracy.

Calibration Errors

Visit the links below for information on calibration errors: 

• Flow Calibration Error - Zero flow detected during calibration
• Flow Calibration Error - Flow over 25 gpm during calibration
• Flow Calibration Error - Lost connection to controller during calibration

The following flow meters can be paired as a controller accessory:

1. Everydrop 1004 or 1104 series (Leak detection included at Rachio.com)
2. Badger 
3. 228PV15
4. 228PV20
5. 735PV75
6. CST
7. FSI-T10
8. FSI-T15
9. FSI-T20
10. Flowmec QS200-10
11. Toro
12. TFS-050
13. TFS-075
14. TFS-100
15. TFS-150
16. TFS-200

Rachio wireless flow meter (only compatible with R3 controllers manufactured before November 2021)