『Flow Meter Modules Integration: Adding Modbus RTU and Bluetooth Boards to Transmitters』Related information(flow rotameter|digital flow meter|balo meter|hydraulic flow meter|volumetric meter|positive displacement meter|pitot tube flow meter|displacement meter|cfm meter|variable area flow meter|inline flow meter|differential pressure flow meter|calibrated flow meter|velocity meter|paddle wheel flow meter|oval gear flow meter|anemometer hvac|multiphase flow meter|doppler flow meter|thorpe tube flowmeter|heat flow meter)
Flow Meter Modules Integration: Adding Modbus RTU and Bluetooth Boards to Transmitters
Quick Answer: Silver Automation Instruments supplies plug-in Modbus RTU and Bluetooth boards for electromagnetic, vortex, oval gear, and Coriolis flow transmitters. A Modbus RTU board adds RS485 output for PLC and SCADA systems. A Bluetooth board lets field teams read flow rate, totalizer, and diagnostics from a phone without opening the transmitter.
Modbus RTU Board for Flow Transmitters
A Modbus RTU board plugs into the internal UART header on Silver Instruments transmitters. It adds two RS485 terminals and supports 9600, 19200, and 38400 baud rates. Register maps cover flow rate, totalizer, temperature, and empty pipe alarm. Most engineers use 9600 baud and device address 1. You can change the address from the keypad or through the Bluetooth app.
We have seen this board on DN80 electromagnetic flow meters for wastewater discharge in Vietnam. The PLC reads flow in m3/h and total in m3. The transmitter still sends a 4-20 mA signal to a local display. Both outputs are isolated. That matters for grounding on long RS485 cable runs between pump stations.
In practice, a Modbus RTU board works with Siemens S7-1200, Fatek FBs, and Schneider M221 PLCs. We ship a register map after order confirmation. The default parity is none. The stop bit is 1. The device address range is 1 to 247. Conductivity in most wastewater is 500 to 1500 µS/cm. That range works well for an electromagnetic flow meter without special calibration.
Bluetooth Board for Field Calibration and Diagnostics
The Bluetooth board uses Bluetooth 4.2 or 5.0 low energy. It creates a short range serial profile. Our Android app reads flow rate, totalizer, velocity, excitation current, and error codes. A technician can change zero, span, damping, and Modbus address from about 10 meters away. Most engineers skip the Bluetooth option until a meter is installed in a locked analyzer shelter. No laptop is needed. No panel needs to be opened.
Here is the thing. Many plants have flow meters in tight skids or high pipe racks. A Bluetooth board saves a calibration trip. A paint manufacturer in Southeast Asia uses this module on oval gear flow meters for solvent batching. The technician stands on the ground and checks the totalizer before each batch. The transmitter stays closed.
The Bluetooth module also works on Coriolis mass flow meters. A food plant in Malaysia uses a DN15 Coriolis meter with Bluetooth to check mass flow, density, and temperature during cleaning cycles. The app shows kg/h, g/cm3, and °C on one screen. For ATEX Zone 1 installations, send the gas group and temperature class. We confirm the right board version before dispatch.
Module Integration Steps
Most distributors specify the module option in the order code. We preinstall the board and calibrate the transmitter as one unit. You wire power, signal, and RS485 or use the Bluetooth link. For existing transmitters, the module slot is factory fitted. Send us the serial number and we confirm the hardware revision before you order.
The mechanical integration is simple. The board is keyed, so it cannot be inserted backwards. No soldering is needed. For OEM orders over
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Recommended Pairings by Application
For wastewater discharge, use an electromagnetic flow meter with Modbus RTU board. Typical spec is DN80, 0 to 150 m3/h, PTFE liner, 316L electrodes, RS485 output. The same module works for drinking water and raw water intake. Add a pressure transmitter on the same RS485 bus if the pipe pressure is under 10 bar.
For diesel and light oil transfer, use an oval gear flow meter with Bluetooth board. Typical spec is DN25, 0.5 to 50 L/min, cast iron body, PTFE gear, 4-20 mA plus pulse. The Bluetooth board shows batch total and flow rate. No wired display is required.
For chemical batching and palm oil, use a Coriolis mass flow meter with both boards. Typical spec is DN15, 0 to 300 kg/h, 0 to 10 bar, up to 120 °C. The transmitter accepts a PT100 input for temperature compensation. It reports mass flow, density, and temperature via Modbus RTU. Viscosity for many solvents is 1 to 50 cP. The Coriolis meter reads mass flow and density without a separate viscosity sensor.
OEM and Distributor Notes
Silver Automation Instruments supplies the modules as spare parts or preinstalled. Minimum order for spare modules is 10 pieces. Lead time is 5 to 7 working days for standard modules. We provide Modbus register maps and Bluetooth protocol documents after order confirmation. We can also set the RS485 device address and baud rate before dispatch.
We have seen this on customer sites many times. A transmitter is ordered without digital output. The plant later upgrades to a PLC or a remote telemetry unit. The Modbus RTU board solves that upgrade without replacing the flow meter. The Bluetooth board solves field access problems without extra wiring.
Send us your pipe size (DN), flow range, medium, temperature, and pressure. We reply with a quote for the transmitter and module. Contact Silver Automation Instruments at Tel: +86-25-68650347, Whatsapp: +86-25-52155837, WeChat: +86 15365082610.
FAQ
Can you add a Modbus RTU board to an existing transmitter in the field?
Yes. The board can be added if it is a Silver Instruments transmitter with a module slot. Older units without the slot need factory fitting. Send us the serial number and we check the hardware revision.
Does the Bluetooth board work with iOS and Android?
Android is fully supported for calibration. iOS reads process values and totalizer. We provide the Android APK. The iOS app is not published in all regional app stores.
What register addresses does the Modbus RTU board use?
Flow rate is on 40001. Totalizer is on 40003. Temperature is on 40007. Empty pipe alarm is on 40011. We send the full map after order confirmation.
Can the transmitter output Modbus RTU and 4-20 mA at the same time?
Yes. The 4-20 mA loop and RS485 Modbus RTU are isolated. You can wire both to a PLC and a local display.
What is the price difference for a transmitter with Bluetooth?
The Bluetooth board adds about 15 percent to the base transmitter price. For 10 pieces or more, the adder is lower. Request a formal quote with your flow range and DN.
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