Rachio Wireless Flow Meter User manual
WIRELESS FLOW METER
Let’s get started.
2 3
What’s in the box. What you’ll need.
Wireless Flow Meter
Battery Cover 4 Screws 2 AA Batteries
Installation instructions are intended only for use
with recommended fittings. Visit rachio.com/flow
for a list of required tools, helpful videos, FAQs
and more.
Recommended fittings
Recommended manual pipe cutter
Sandpaper or deburring tool
Fine point permanent marker
Stick ruler
Phillips screwdriver
Smartphone or tablet
2 3
What’s in the box. What you’ll need.
Wireless Flow Meter
Battery Cover 4 Screws 2 AA Batteries
Installation instructions are intended only for use
with recommended fittings. Visit rachio.com/flow
for a list of required tools, helpful videos, FAQs
and more.
Recommended fittings
Recommended manual pipe cutter
Sandpaper or deburring tool
Fine point permanent marker
Stick ruler
Phillips screwdriver
Smartphone or tablet
4 5
Before you get started.
Before any pipe is cut, make sure your system meets
the installation requirements:
Installation site must be within 300 feet of an
installed Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller.
Backflow preventer and installation area must
be above ground (recommended).
Below ground installation requires additional steps
not included in this manual. For more information,
visit rachio.com/flow-underground.
The Flow Meter is not rated for potable water and
must be installed after the backflow preventer.
System must have ¾ inch or 1 inch pipe made
of either copper, PVC, PEX, or SDR9 poly.
For 1 inch PVC pipe, 1 inch copper or poly pipe,
and ¾ inch PVC pipe, you will need 14 inches of
straight pipe between the backflow preventer and
valve box.
For ¾ inch copper or poly pipe, you will need
16 inches of straight pipe between the backflow
preventer and valve box.
If you have more than one Rachio 3 controller
or more than one backflow preventer, visit
rachio.com/flow-advanced.
4 5
Before you get started.
Before any pipe is cut, make sure your system meets
the installation requirements:
Installation site must be within 300 feet of an
installed Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller.
Backflow preventer and installation area must
be above ground (recommended).
Below ground installation requires additional steps
not included in this manual. For more information,
visit rachio.com/flow-underground.
The Flow Meter is not rated for potable water and
must be installed after the backflow preventer.
System must have ¾ inch or 1 inch pipe made
of either copper, PVC, PEX, or SDR9 poly.
For 1 inch PVC pipe, 1 inch copper or poly pipe,
and ¾ inch PVC pipe, you will need 14 inches of
straight pipe between the backflow preventer and
valve box.
For ¾ inch copper or poly pipe, you will need
16 inches of straight pipe between the backflow
preventer and valve box.
If you have more than one Rachio 3 controller
or more than one backflow preventer, visit
rachio.com/flow-advanced.
6 7
IMPORTANT: Using installation methods other than
those recommended in this manual could damage
the Wireless Flow Meter or void the warranty.
WARNING: Inserting your fingers into the Flow
Meter or fittings can damage equipment or cause
personal injury.
Once attached, fittings cannot be removed from
the Flow Meter, but may be removed from the pipe
using fitting removers.
Using glue of any kind could damage the Rachio
Flow Meter.
Check out our Help Center.
support.rachio.com
Give us a call.
1 (855) 300 3569
Need some help?
If you’re unable to complete any of the installation
steps, we recommend a professional installation.
To find a Rachio Pro, go to rachio.com/flow-install.
6 7
IMPORTANT: Using installation methods other than
those recommended in this manual could damage
the Wireless Flow Meter or void the warranty.
WARNING: Inserting your fingers into the Flow
Meter or fittings can damage equipment or cause
personal injury.
Once attached, fittings cannot be removed from
the Flow Meter, but may be removed from the pipe
using fitting removers.
Using glue of any kind could damage the Rachio
Flow Meter.
Check out our Help Center.
support.rachio.com
Give us a call.
1 (855) 300 3569
Need some help?
If you’re unable to complete any of the installation
steps, we recommend a professional installation.
To find a Rachio Pro, go to rachio.com/flow-install.
8 9
STEP 1 STEP 2
Pair flow meter. Turn water off.
Take the Wireless Flow Meter to the backflow
preventer where it will be installed.
Do not put the batteries in the Flow Meter
until prompted.
Open the Rachio app. From the “More” tab, select
“Accessories,” then add the Rachio Wireless
Flow Meter. You will be guided through the
pairing process and then prompted to continue
installation.
Turn off water to the irrigation system at the
backflow or at the main shut-off.
Drain the system by running any zone for one
minute using the Quick Run feature in the
Rachio App.
8 9
STEP 1 STEP 2
Pair flow meter. Turn water off.
Take the Wireless Flow Meter to the backflow
preventer where it will be installed.
Do not put the batteries in the Flow Meter
until prompted.
Open the Rachio app. From the “More” tab, select
“Accessories,” then add the Rachio Wireless
Flow Meter. You will be guided through the
pairing process and then prompted to continue
installation.
Turn off water to the irrigation system at the
backflow or at the main shut-off.
Drain the system by running any zone for one
minute using the Quick Run feature in the
Rachio App.
10 11
STEP 3
Connect fittings.
Push the Flow Meter and fittings together firmly
using a twisting action until the fittings are flush
or nearly flush with the Flow Meter.
10 11
STEP 3
Connect fittings.
Push the Flow Meter and fittings together firmly
using a twisting action until the fittings are flush
or nearly flush with the Flow Meter.
12 13
STEP 4
Find your measurements.
Use the chart on the next page to find the
size and material of your system. Reference
the matching pipe cutting instructions in the
following pages to mark pipes in preparation
for cutting.
Accuracy is important here!
Measure twice, cut once.
If you are not using the Rachio-recommended
fittings, please use your fittings’ specs to
complete installation.
For copper or poly pipe.
For PVC or PEX pipe.
¾ in
Page 14
Page 18 Page 18
Page 16
¾ in
1 in
1 in
12 13
STEP 4
Find your measurements.
Use the chart on the next page to find the
size and material of your system. Reference
the matching pipe cutting instructions in the
following pages to mark pipes in preparation
for cutting.
Accuracy is important here!
Measure twice, cut once.
If you are not using the Rachio-recommended
fittings, please use your fittings’ specs to
complete installation.
For copper or poly pipe.
For PVC or PEX pipe.
¾ in
Page 14
Page 18 Page 18
Page 16
¾ in
1 in
1 in
14 15
6”
16”
Backflow Preventer
8.5”
Valve Box
Instructions for cutting
3/4 inch copper or poly pipe.
Identify 16 inches of straight pipe between
the backflow preventer and the valve box.
Mark 6 inches after the backflow; this will be
the top cut (red line).
Mark 8½ inches after the first mark; this will
be the bottom cut (red line).
Put a small Xnext to the first two marks.
Mark 1⅛inches above the top mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
Mark 1⅛inches below the bottom mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Bottom fitting can be buried
up to 2 inches if needed.
14 15
6”
16”
Backflow Preventer
8.5”
Valve Box
Instructions for cutting
3/4 inch copper or poly pipe.
Identify 16 inches of straight pipe between
the backflow preventer and the valve box.
Mark 6 inches after the backflow; this will be
the top cut (red line).
Mark 8½ inches after the first mark; this will
be the bottom cut (red line).
Put a small Xnext to the first two marks.
Mark 1⅛inches above the top mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
Mark 1⅛inches below the bottom mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Bottom fitting can be buried
up to 2 inches if needed.
16 17
6”
14”
Backflow Preventer
6.25”
Valve Box
Instructions for cutting
1 inch copper or poly pipe.
Bottom fitting can be buried
up to 1 inch if needed.
Identify 14 inches of straight pipe between
the backflow preventer and the valve box.
Mark 6 inches after the backflow; this will be
the top cut (red line).
Mark 6¼ inches after the first mark; this will
be the bottom cut (red line).
Put a small Xnext to the first two marks.
Mark 1⅛inches above the top mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
Mark 1⅛inches below the bottom mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
16 17
6”
14”
Backflow Preventer
6.25”
Valve Box
Instructions for cutting
1 inch copper or poly pipe.
Bottom fitting can be buried
up to 1 inch if needed.
Identify 14 inches of straight pipe between
the backflow preventer and the valve box.
Mark 6 inches after the backflow; this will be
the top cut (red line).
Mark 6¼ inches after the first mark; this will
be the bottom cut (red line).
Put a small Xnext to the first two marks.
Mark 1⅛inches above the top mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
Mark 1⅛inches below the bottom mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
18 19
6”
14”
Backflow Preventer
6.5”
Valve Box
Instructions for cutting ¾ inch
and 1 inch PVC or PEX pipe.
Bottom fitting can be buried
up to 1 inch if needed.
Identify 14 inches of straight pipe between
the backflow preventer and the valve box.
Mark 6 inches after the backflow; this will be
the top cut (red line).
Mark 6½ inches after the first mark; this will
be the bottom cut (red line).
Put a small Xnext to the first two marks.
Mark 1 inches above the top mark to indicate
insertion depth (white line).
Mark 1 inches below the bottom mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
18 19
6”
14”
Backflow Preventer
6.5”
Valve Box
Instructions for cutting ¾ inch
and 1 inch PVC or PEX pipe.
Bottom fitting can be buried
up to 1 inch if needed.
Identify 14 inches of straight pipe between
the backflow preventer and the valve box.
Mark 6 inches after the backflow; this will be
the top cut (red line).
Mark 6½ inches after the first mark; this will
be the bottom cut (red line).
Put a small Xnext to the first two marks.
Mark 1 inches above the top mark to indicate
insertion depth (white line).
Mark 1 inches below the bottom mark to
indicate insertion depth (white line).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
20 21
Backflow Preventer
Valve Box
STEP 5
Cut and clean pipe.
Make a clean, straight cut on the two
innermost marks (denoted with X’s).
First, cut the top innermost mark.
Next, cut the bottom innermost mark.
Do not cut the pipe on the outer
insertion marks.
Use the deburring tool or sandpaper
to remove rough edges and debris
inside and outside the pipe.
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