Customer Reviews

Melnor Inc 101 Flowmeter Water Timer

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

The 101 is a great timer. I like the fact that it's powered by the flow. It does have some problems though.

This timer(flowmeter) is cheap. Too cheap. I've purchased more than 30 and watched them age and product evolve over the last 10 years. 10 years ago they worked flawlessly in the original models. No leaks and no failures. Five years ago Melnor went to a design that incorporated plastic parts, but I don't think there was problem in that development, but coincident with that and other modifications, was chronic leaking.

The problem lies primarily in the way the current design threaded female receptor connects to the frame. They use a small screw to secure the female threaded adapter to the body. It leaks, at least on those mfg'ed in the last 3 years.

Another leak point occurs under the dial. There shouldn't be a problem here because the dial is actually independent of the spring loaded shut-off valve. The dial gear train merely releases the spring. Previously, these problems didn't occur. I wish I had bought a batch of the old units.

Both of these complaints point to quality control. In a given mfging run several units may have problems. The probability of getting a problem unit has risen from 5% five years ago to an amazing 30% now. If you doubt, ask Yardbirds, that is, if they would bother to collect such records.

I keep buying them in hopes I will get a few good ones. I'd be willing to pay twice as much for out of the box leak free reliability, at least the reliability they used to have. Quality has fallen partially because the company believes they can't sell a non-electric unit at a price that could support the quality.

I don't know what others are doing with the 101, but these reports about getting 2 - 3 years out of them don't square with my experience. They last indefinitely even while exposed to the elements. I've yet to have one fail as long as it wasn't a failure out of the box.

Another thing: the sun's UV erases everything printed on the dial, so you have to emboss your own set points. No biggee, but the company incurs superfluous cost in providing all this gallonage and hours, which is also rendered superfluous by variations in flow velocity and imprecision in quantities desired. The company should leave it to the user to determine how far to rotate the dial for some preferred quantity of water.

Last thing: Don't rotate the dial beyond 210 degrees. The unit will act as though it's locked ON.

I have owned a dozen plus of these timers. I have 0.6 acres. 140 Psi water pressure. Temps range form light frost to 100F in inland southern CA. I use them mostly connected to hoses I drag around to water trees and shrubs (50 plus).

Pros: Delivers the same amount of water at a trickle or at full blast. This is a plus if your water pressure varies due to what you have on. I'll run 5 or 6 going at a time and the water pressure to each can really vary especially when they shut off at different times. All mechanical so no batteries to every change. Really simple to operate: just turn the dial the the amount of water you want delived and go. Too many of the battery operated items have lost power and I have no idea how to reset them unless I've stored the manual or google (I do run some battery operated units for drip...). Most of mine have lasted 5 plus years. I have some close to 10 years. They stand the high pressure well. Although I don't do it on purpose, I semi-regularly forget and leave one or two on with full water pressure applied for a couple of weeks while in the full sun: I've yet to have one break. I am more dilligent when on vacations...


Cons: With my high water pressure most units (not all) have a little spray where they connect to the faucet when the valve shuts off. Over a year or two in full sun the numbers begin to wear off (the unit still works easliy as you can feel where the valve shuts on and off when you rotate the dial but you're approximating the setting). The printing for ones I've had for 7 plus years in the shade is fine. I've had a couple of the connections at the faucet split, but I think this is mostly because I was over tightening the plastic connector trying to get the ones that leaked during shut off to stop. I was over tightening hard. (remember I have 140 psi pressure). Note: tightening does nothing, the light spray is a quality or design issue and my high water pressure so tighten snug and you got what you got.

Summary: These are good units that would be great if they improved the faucet connection for leaks. I haven't found a better mechanical water meter.

BTW: I did have one become hard to rotate after about 6 years. Found I was leaving it in the water position when not in use and the platic stem inside to shut off the valve was bending. Thus if you shut off the water at the faucet you may want to turn the dial to off to take the load off the valve stem.

I purchased this Flowmeter Water Timer in order to prevent loss of water in my Havahart water scarecrow system. We have a big deer problem in our portion of New Jersey. The water Scarecrow works better than anything else in scaring away the deer. I have approximately a dozen water scarecrows in series off a garden hose, but have been concerned that a leak in the system, especially if we are away, would result in many wasted gallons of water. In the past I placed a flowmeter water timer between the spigot and the series of water scarecrows and set to stop after a few hundred gallons of water. In the past the flowmeter water timers leaked. This year we had a plumber insert a pressure reducer and the Flowmeter has worked perfectly.

I have owned two and now I'm done. Neither one lasted over a year before it leaked everywhere or broke.

I've used these for years to water my lawn using a moving 'tractor' sprinkler. I lay out the hose and set the timer (flow meter) having learned how far it will travel with a given setting. I've had two for about 10 years with no problems. One was damaged by freezing and the other one broken by tripping on the hose in the dark.

I couldn't find them locally so I went online. Ordered three. All 3 leaked where the faucet mounting part enters the body of the timer. When the water is on, the leak is moderate. When the timer turns off, the leak is dramatic and defeats a main purpose of the device - saving water.

I contacted Melnor and they sent me three more. Really good customer service. Unfortunately, they also leak. Not as bad but not acceptable. I know my old ones were made in the USA. These 6 (all leak) were made in China.

I've owned two of these timers. The first one started leaking after about 2 years. I decided to take my chances and bought another one because it was cheap, but this one lasted only one season. What's really annoying is that this time it didn't leak, but rather it didn't shut off, so I ended up watering my lawn for about 8 hours! Definitely stay away from this water timer.

We've only used this timer for a month or so. So far, it works just great. If it lasts for a full season, I'd give it 4 stars, considering its price. We have yet to find a timer from any manufacturer that lasts more than 2-3 years.

One of our gardens requires a trickle flow about once a week. Unlike other volume timers I've tried, model 101 handles this chore well. Of course, it also handles full flow for other sections of the garden. We are also about to try out a more expensive Melnor, model 3010, which is strictly a time-counter much like a kitchen timer. Both models are much cheaper than any from Gardena, and seem at least as good. Model 101 is made in the US, model 3010 in Germany.

Even after reading the reviews that said this timer wouldn't last, I figured I'd get at least my ... worth before it broke. It broke after one use. Do yourself a favor and stay away.

Great product. It shuts off automatically. Set it and walk away. The best part is...no batteries to buy. The timer runs off water volume, and can be adjust to be used for gallons of water or time. Highly recommend.

I hooked it up, turned it to 1 hour, and 15 minutes later I hear this horrible screeching sound. I go outside and water is spraying all over the place from this unit. The screws had backed out and it was leaking in between the front and back cover. I tightened the screws back up, turned it back on - 30 minutes later I had the same problem.