Wilger Electronic Flow Monitoring System
Wilger’s Electronic Flow Monitoring System and Electronic Flowmeter are built from the ground up for consistency and dependability on the farm.
With an easily serviceable flowmeter and simple flow monitoring system app, it allows custom threshold monitoring for blockage and any rate irregularity.
The flowmeter becomes necessity with the importance of a consistent fertilizer or chemical application, which are plagued by blocked lines, incorrect orifices, blown product hoses, micro-dosing, and chemicals that are too dark to visually monitor. (E.g. humic acid (coffee black), Paralign™ Fertilizer (blood red), Copper mixes, etc.)
The system goes far beyond what a visual flow indicator system can provide, giving the actual flow row-by-row, instead of relying on pressure gauges, visual flow indicators or a single system flowmeter.
The EFM system can simply be retro-fitted to existing visual flow indicator assemblies, simply being added in-line with the common O-ring Seal (ORS) connections.
Example EFM System Costing
For EFM system costing, as each implement is different, it can vary from $130-220 per row.
To estimate a cost, assume you will require one ECU kit (#20603-00; including battery harness, antenna, ECU, and terminator), at least one 16-Channel Node Kit per 16 sensors required (#20621-00; including 16CH node, 16CH node harness, 4x quad-sensor cables), 1x flowmeter (#20580-00) per row, as well as the plumbing parts required to feed the manifolds.
If implements are able to keep plumbing manifold in a central location, it can ensure the electronics and harnessing have less chance of damage, but it will also use the product nodes and harnessing more efficiently, saving cost.
Find the below PDF drawings with some example breakdowns of EFM systems. These were made by request for certain implement specifications, so they may differ from your implements breakdown of width/sections.
By request, Wilger can make up a specification sheet that is similar to your implement and post it on this list. As there are a multitude of implement sizes and plumbing styles, use them as resources to plan our your EFM system today.
- EFM System Specification Request Form –
- 12 ROW (1 Section: 12) Single Product
- 12 ROW (1 Section: 12) Dual Product [24 rows total]
- 12 ROW (1 Section: 12) Triple Product [36 rows total]
- 16 ROW (2 Section: 8-8) Single Product
- 24 ROW (2 Section: 12-12) Single Product
- 24 ROW (3 Section: 8-8-8) Single Product
- 24 ROW (2 Section: 12-12) Dual Product [48 rows total]
- 30 ROW (2 Section: 15-15) Single Product
- 31 ROW (2 Section: 15-16) Single Product
- 48 ROW (3 Section: 16-16-16) Single Product
With the electronic flowmeter, there are four jets that are included in a #20580-00 flowmeter kit. These colored jets stabilize the flow across the paddlewheel within the flowmeter, allowing much more accurate and consistent flow readings. It is important to make a compatible jet is used in an application, such that it doesn’t become a restricting factor in applying the full rate of product. There are tools and charts available to make sure you use the best jet for your application.
These jets are different than a traditional metering orifice, which is still required to meter the liquid fertilizer flow. While some metering orifices are colored, they are not interchangeable with the EFM jets.
Note: Some android tablets/phones will you to click+hold to enable ‘Download Link’, as well as enabling ‘Installation of Applications from Unknown Sources’ to download and install the android APK file.
In case your tablet is having the app crash upon entering the app, it might be a sign that your tablet is unsupported. (This often occurs with non-brand name tablets that might be running incomplete or erroneous Android operating systems). If that is the case, there are also some legacy versions of the app that might be used to alleviate errors. These versions are not updated or serviced, and can be used as-is only.
- For Legacy Version(s) of the app (no longer supported, in case of troubleshooting): V2.6.4
EFM TABLET SELECTION
Having a working tablet is just as important as having the EFM system set up correctly. Improper tablets or poor performing tablets can often be the root cause of many troubleshooting calls and issues, so to provide some explanation of what a ‘proper’ Android tablet would be:
Leading into this, there are over 30,000 android tablets that are ‘compatible’ with the EFM app, but tablet manufacturers do not make it very easy to tell actual differences in performance, or custom operating systems that are used on the tablet. So, this means we can give a general rule of which android tablet brands should be chosen, or what aspects of tablets should be avoided:
Suggested Tablet Brands:
Most brand-name tablets that are recognizable (Samsung, Acer, etc.)
Examples: Samsung Tab S9 or S10, Acer Iconia Tab P10 or P11
Tablet Brands/Types or Models to Avoid: (Often due to custom operating systems that are trimmed down or missing core functions, or have cheap WIFI hardware that will lead to poor performance or connectivity)
1. DO NOT USE Tablets with ‘LITE‘, ‘KIDS‘, or ‘+‘ in the name (Generally these tablets will be running a custom Android operating system, and often do NOT show that they are limited function tablets, not suitable for commercial use). For example: Avoid Samsung Tab S6 LITE, Samsung Tab A9+
2. DO NOT USE Phones are generally not to be used as they will also have mobile data being used, which can interfere with the sole WIFI function of the app. While phones can be used in airplane mode with WIFI on only to test systems or troubleshoot, it is recommended to use a tablet only.
3. DO NOT USE Amazon FIRE tablets – These tablets are a limited use tablet and not intended for commercial use. They are similar to a tablet with a custom operating system and trimmed down components that are not suitable for sustained commercial use. Often the apps will simply crash due to missing system components.
4. DO NOT USE very low-cost brands of tablets. Generally these tablets are very cheap (<$150), and have brand names that are unknown or not common at all. Sometimes these tablets have names or models that mimic a mainstream tablet, but are running non-standard or lacking hardware. (For example Linola Tab M9, UROA brand of tablets, ULTITAB, UNISOC, BLACKVIEW, BYYBUO, WPAD, TOPSAND, WEELIKEIT, ZTE, UMDIGI). Unfortunately, these non-branded or knock-off tablets are not suitable due to a variety of reasons. While they may work functionally somewhat, it is recommended not to use them as there will be software incompatibilities.
| Max Operating Pressure | 100 PSI (7BAR) |
| Max Operating Flow Rate | Up to 1.5 us gpm (for standard flow bodies) |
| Max Operating Temperature | 185°F / 85°C |
| O-ring Seal Materials | FKM or VITON® |
| U-clip Material | Stainless Steel |
| ORS Fitting Material | Glass-reinforced Polypropylene |
| Flow Meter Body Material | TPX (Polymethylpentene) . |
- April 28/2020 – Part #20605-00 has been changed. The standalone ECU splitter part is now #20605-01. The 20605-00 is now an assembly of #20605-01 and #20604-00. This change was made for ease of ordering, to ensure a customer would not miss the required terminator when using the splitter.
- April 28/2020 – Part #20616-00 has been changed. The part number which was for a 12′ NODE to NODE extension harness cable will be revised to allow for alternative lengths of the same cable. The original 12′ NODE to NODE extension will now be #20616-12, with new lengths following the same naming scheme (e.g. #20616-24 would be a 24′ length)
- April 28/2020 – Part #20615-00 has been changed. The part number which was for a 6′ 16CH NODE HARNESS to QUAD-SENSOR CABLE will be revised to allow for alternative lengths of the same cable. The original 6′ 16CH NODE HARNESS to QUAD-SENSOR CABLE extension will now be #20615-6, with new lengths following the same naming scheme (e.g. #20615-12 would be a 12′ length)
This video walks through setting up the EFM flow monitoring system android app. (v2.6.1b)
Electronic Flowmeters
Wilger’s Row-By-Row Flowmeters
The compact flow meter is different than your traditional flow meter in a lot of ways.
Material:
With the TPX polymer body, you get a non-stick surface, excellent chemical resistance, and a clear body that you can use to visually check that the paddle wheel is spinning for any troubleshooting.
Maintenance:
The flowmeters are made and designed by Wilger, ensuring every piece can be serviced and replaced; whereas often flowmeters are virtually impossible or impractical to service or even replace.
The only designed part that should wear out and effect accuracy should be the paddle wheel, which can simply be replaced in seconds.
Patent-Pending Stabilizing Jets:
The flowmeters have 4 different sizes of stabilizing jets that maintain better accuracy over the operating flow range of the flow meter. The operational ranges below optimize the jet to the application for peak accuracy; however, as long as the jet doesn’t restrict the orifice flow, it can still be as a flow indicator (reduced accuracy).
Green Jet: 0.04 – 0.12 us gpm flow range
Red Jet: 0.10 – 0.31 us gpm flow range
Blue Jet: 0.18 – 0.98 us gpm flow range
Black Jet: 0.57 – 1.53 us gpm flow range
The EFM makes monitoring dark liquids (or in the dark) a cinch
Visual ball flow indicator trying to show humic acid can become a difficult problem when visibility is poor.
As field sizes get larger, with the same amount of hours in the day, it is not uncommon to be planting in the dark. Coupled with a lot of applied products actually being dark liquids, even in the daytime, you can be planting in the dark.
As the flow monitoring system performs well with any liquids, colored or not, it becomes a truly valuable tool to have in the cab when you are planting with very little trustworthy feedback on how your liquid is applied (until it is too late). Simply plug in the EFM and harnesses, set the app up as you’d like it with custom threshold alarms, and continue on with your work.
Visual ball flow indicator trying to show a red starter fertilizer (Paralign™ ) can be a challenge, even with white colored balls, in less than ideal conditions.
EFM System Harnessing & Electronics
System Harnessing & Electronics
To maximize the flowmeter’s compatibility with any systems capable of interpreting a raw pulse frequency, the flow meter’s output is raw pulses. The simple feedback is straight-forward for system monitor manufacturers that operate on ISOBUS/CANBUS/etc to take in the flow rate for other purposes (mapping, variable rate tracking, etc.)
As such, we are continuing work with OEM system manufacturers and welcoming other system manufacturers to pull the EFM sensor feedback into their existing monitors and systems to be able to provide more value to their users.
We offer our current standard/retrofit options, using Agtron’s electronics and controllers, which are highly regarded for their use in seed-blockage monitors. The same quality of electronics is available immediately for use to build an EFM system.
O-ring Seal (ORS) Metering and Plumbing Components
ORS Metering Orifices
O-ring seal metering orifices are accurate and large enough to make them easy to handle, so switching rates is easy.
Custom hole-size orifices and ISO-color coded orifices are available to match any rate required.
ORS Check Valves
A variety of check valve options are available to act as a drip-check, but also keep stable back-pressure on the flow meter itself.
360° Range of Motion
All O-ring sealed fittings can be spun 360° without fear of leaking of pulling out.
This makes installation easy as the fittings pivot to where you need them to point.
Chemical Resistance
Find the below plastic compatibility chart, which compares TPX to other commonly used clear plastics like PVC.
TPX outperforms all other clear polymers in chemical resistance, cold/hot temperature rating, and more.
EFM Component options for manufacturers
Custom Sensor Cables
As we intend to work and supply components to other Equipment or System manufacturers, our cables can be adjusted to custom lengths or sizes, with sufficient demand.
The 20583-00 cable, which is supplied with a bare end without connector allows for manufacturers to complete the sensor cable connector with whichever preferred or proprietary cable connectors.
The sensor used on the cables are non-encrypted nor encoded signals, so there is no requirement for proprietary programming for the 3v sensor cable.
By default, the cable is a UL2464 20AWGx 3C tinned coper wires, and is ROHS compliant. The insulation is 4.7mm EY-11 PVC 80°C 300V. If requirements differ from these specifications, Wilger may be able to source alternate specifications.
Custom Fittings and Configurations
Naturally Wilger takes pride in making flow monitoring and metering components that are critical to maintaining effective and consistent application. This means often there is a need for new components or parts that might not exist in the industry today. We ensure that our new products address and support best practices being developed in the agricultural industry.
Related News or Videos
As a pro-tip for assembling a flow indicator system, using a small amount of lubricant, such as liquid silicone on the o-ring when fitting any ORS components together makes it a breeze.
The clear plastic used to make all Wilger flow meter bodies is very special. It provides the greatest amount of chemical resistance, while maintaining the best clarity at the same time.
Over time, as with all plastic, it deteriorates in long term exposure to UV (such as the sun). To combat this and to extend the life of the flow indicator columns, Wilger uses a UV inhibitor, but to further extend the clarity of the plastic flow indicator columns, it is best to cover them up whenever in use.
Having a flow meter bodies covered from UV will significantly increase the lifespan and clarity of the plastic.
