Calibration

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Calibration Tools
  • Set Zero Point
  • K-Factor

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 29 seconds.

Introduction

Calibration of your bluebot to the specific pipe material and size is automated in our app and required during the initial setup/installation of the bluebot.  While this typically is all that is needed to get a accurate reading, there are some instances where further calibration is needed.  We use the following tools to further calibrate the bluebot when necessary.

Click Here learn more about the bluebot LED indicator colors and behavior patterns.

Calibration Tools

Set Zero Point (Re-zeroing)

Performing a zero-point calibration can be useful if your bluebot is experiencing irregular flow patterns directly after initial installation or if you move your device to a new water system and experience what we describe as false flow or "noisy" behavior.  Signal noise is usually witnessed as a false flow rate between 0.1 to 0.4 gpm, but sometimes can spike higher as shown in the graph below.  Re-zeroing does not mean the bluebot is malfunctioning, rather it is a rare characteristic of transit-time ultrasonic technology that occurs for various reasons and can be quickly solved.

The screenshot below is an example of a bluebot exhibiting false flow or "noisy" behavior typically caused by ultrasonic sensor noise.  The flow rate of 0.4 gal is in fact noise because here we know the water was shut off at the main.  At 2:55 the noise was removed by setting the zero point by following the procedure below.

Set The Zero Point

To calibrate, you want to confirm that no flow is running. You can turn your water line off if you desire, but it is not required. From within the app, navigate to “re-zero”. This will calculate and calibrate your zero point and all future readings will adjust based on this change. You can re-zero at any time.

1. Open the "bluebot water" application
2. Begin at the dashboard
3. Tap with your finger directly on the device name showing false flow (the row should contain the name and the GPM indicator)
4. Scroll down to "Hardware" and tap into hardware with your using your finger
5. Scroll to down to the section titled "calibration"
6. Ensure no water is flowing (to guarantee no-flow, you may want to shut off the water temporarily)
7. Tap "Set Zero Point" with your finger
8. Tap "Yes" after reading the prompt
9. Wait a few seconds and the calculated zero point will show as a positive or negative number.
10. If results are undesired due to flow running during zero-point calibration, wait for no flow and start again.

Warning: If flow occurs during zero point calibration your meter will become temporarily inaccurate. Furthermore, ensure you are in fact experiencing false flow before you set the zero point. False flow is usually extremely low flow from 0.1 to 0.4 gpm. Failure to follow these instructions may result in you "hiding" a real leak.

K-Factor

This calculation is used if you are comparing two meters in the same line and due to application differences they read differently. For example, the gallon usage shown on your water bill may slightly differ from bluebot recorded data over the same period. If you want the meters to align, calculate and apply a K-Factor.  K-Factors are regularly used in the flow measurement industry and are a useful tool when needed.

Example: You run a small farm and have a master meter for a wellhead and your mechanical master meter recorded you used 9400 gallons in one week period. You check your application and bluebot records 9300 gallons for the same period. Use the K-Factor so the data shown in the bluebot app always aligns perfectly with the master meter. 

The K-Factor calculation is very simple and the app does it automatically via the K-Factor tool.  

The K-Factor formula is:  Master Meter Gallons / Secondary Meter Gallons = K-Factor ; So, K=Factor 9400/9300 = 1.01075268

Setting the K-Factor:

1. Write down your total water usage in gallons and the period start and end date
2. Open the 'bluebot water" application
3. Begin at the dashboard
4. Tap with your finger directly on the device name showing false flow (the row should contain the name and the GPM indicator)
5. Scroll down to "Hardware" and tap into hardware with your using your finger
6. Scroll to down to the section titled "calibration
7. Tap "Update" K-Factor and input the bluebot gallons and your base meter gallons (from your water bill)
8. Input the Period Start and Period End (dates)
9. Save and you will see your K-Factor adjust from 0.00 to a new K-Factor
10. You may change your K-Factor at any time
11. Wait until blue finishes his animation and you should see a number for the new zero point, positive or negative.
12. If results are undesired due to flow running during zero point calibration wait for no flow and start again.

Warning: Do not update your K-Factor unless you have definitive data from your water utility or another base meter to measure against. Failure to use verified data will lead to inaccurate data in the app. 

If you have any questions, please submit a support ticket or call (831)275-2715 and leave a message. A member of our support team will call you back within 24 hours.