#1 - Pulse-output flow meter totalization (highest accuracy)
This is the more accurate of Verdi’s two flow totalization options. In this configuration, the Verdi Block Controller is wired directly to a pulse-output flow meter and captures 100% of the pulses generated by the meter. Each pulse wakes the Block Controller from low-power sleep, the pulse is counted, and the totalized volume is updated accordingly. This solution may be required when the flow data is used for official purposes like billing.
This solution only works with flow meters that output a pulse for every fixed unit of volume (e.g., 1 pulse per gallon or per liter). These meters typically include onboard electronics, an integrated battery, and a display. Common agricultural examples include the McCrometer McPropeller flow meters equipped a pulse transmitter.
#2 - Instantaneous flow sensor totalization (lower cost, sampled)
This solution provides accurate flow totalization but is not as precise as option #1, because it relies on periodic sampling of instantaneous flow rather than counting every pulse. In this configuration, the Block Controller wakes up every 2 minutes, reads the instantaneous flow rate from a flow sensor, and estimates the volume that passed during the previous 2-minute interval using:
estimated_volume = flow_rate_gpm × 2 minutes
Repeating this calculation every 2 minutes produces a running totalized volume over time.
This solution uses flow sensors rather than full flow meters. Flow sensors are typically a fraction of the cost of pulse-output flow meters. Common agricultural examples include the Impeller Series by Badger Meter, or the QS200 series by FLOMEC.
Flow Data Export
Both solutions require a Verdi Block Controller as the telemetry device, and both produce totalized flow data that can be exported at any time to a CSV file using the Verdi Data Export tool.