The problem "The Cabinet" solves
Installing a compliant irrigation flow meter involves more than just the meter itself. You need the right meter for your pipe and flow conditions, a stock proof and weatherproof enclosure, a power supply, data logging, telemetry, and a verified installation with the paperwork to satisfy ECan. Coordinating all of that separately takes time, involves multiple suppliers, and leaves plenty of room for things to be missed.
This is especially difficult for measuring flow as close as possible to the source, such as a spring or small stream high on a hillside or in a remote paddock. These locations typically have no shed nearby, no power, and no easy access. Moving the meter further down the hill to a more convenient location isn't really an option either, since that means the meter is no longer as close to the take as possible, and the drop in elevation often requires a break tank to reduce the head pressure from the source, or a higher-pressure rated flow meter, both of which add cost and complexity, and neither of which is typically stocked locally.
"The Cabinet" is NZ Flow Group's answer to that problem. It's a pre-built irrigation metering system that brings everything together in a single, ready-to-install, self-contained enclosure designed to sit right at the source. One product, one provider, fully compliant from day one.
The Cabinet installed close to source, at a remote stream take in the Canterbury high country.
What's included in The Cabinet
Inside The Cabinet: solar panel, telemetry unit, and flow meter all in one sealed, stock proof and weatherproof enclosure.
Fully verified flow meter
Installed, commissioned, and verified to ECan consent requirements before delivery. Verification Certificate supplied with every unit, accepted by ECan as proof of compliance.
Our telemetry platform & data hosting
Real-time flow data, health monitoring, anomaly detection, and statistical reporting. Data hosting meets ECan's requirements for resource consent reporting. 24/7 engineering helpdesk support.
Standalone solar power
No mains connection required. Sized for reliable year-round operation in Canterbury's climate. Solar power system health is monitored via our cloud-based water management platform, alerts raised if levels drop.
Stock proof & weatherproof enclosure
Rugged construction built for Canterbury's outdoor conditions, UV, wind, rain, and temperature variation. Stock proof and fully sealed to protect the meter, electronics, and power system for long-term outdoor installation.
Who is The Cabinet designed for?
Small (max 65mm diameter), remote or off-grid locations
Canterbury irrigation take points are often in locations without mains power. The Cabinet's standalone solar power system means you don't need to run power to the site, eliminating a significant cost and complexity.
New consents and new, small (max 65mm diameter) installations
Setting up a new take point under a new ECan resource consent? The Cabinet gives you a fully compliant installation from day one, with the verification certificate ready to submit to ECan within the six-month installation window.
Replacement of small, ageing metering systems
If your existing take point has an older meter, ageing telemetry, or a data logging system that's no longer meeting ECan's requirements, The Cabinet is a straightforward like-for-like replacement solution.
Scheme operators managing multiple take points
The Cabinet's cloud platform connectivity means all your take points feed into a single cloud platform, giving you visibility across your whole scheme from one dashboard, and giving us the tools to monitor and support all your meters remotely.
The Cabinet and ECan compliance
Every Cabinet supplied by NZ Flow Group is fully compliant with ECan resource consent conditions from day one:
- Flow meter correctly specified for your pipe size and flow conditions
- Meter verified to ±5% tolerance using IANZ-calibrated equipment
- Verification Certificate supplied and ready to submit to ECan within the six-month installation window
- Data hosting via our cloud-based water management platform meets ECan's requirements for flow data collection and reporting
- NZ Flow Group holds Blue Tick accreditation covering installation, verification, and data hosting
You don't need to manage the compliance pieces separately, they're built into The Cabinet from the outset.
How is The Cabinet installed?
The Cabinet can be installed by NZ Flow Group or by the customer. If you're self-installing, the site preparation requirements are straightforward:
The Cabinet is available in two configurations, depending on your site and preference.
NZ Flow Group recommends a site visit prior to installation to confirm the location and pipe configuration are suitable, and which configuration is right for your site. We also provide detailed installation guidance with every unit.
For customers who prefer a fully managed installation, we handle everything from site preparation through to commissioning and handover.
The Cabinet's vertical configuration, suited to sites with limited ground space.
Who builds The Cabinet?
The Cabinet enclosure itself is built by our preferred mechanical partner, NZ MechTech Ltd (nzmechtech.co.nz), an experienced Canterbury fabrication and engineering contractor. NZ MechTech manufactures the stock proof and weatherproof enclosure to our specification, in both vertical and horizontal configurations.
Once built, NZ Flow Group fits out each unit with the flow meter, telemetry device, solar power system, and all wiring, before carrying out the verification and commissioning. This means every Cabinet that leaves our workshop is a complete, fully verified, ready-to-install solution, with the fabrication quality of a dedicated mechanical engineering partner and the flow measurement expertise of NZ Flow Group built in from the start.
Is The Cabinet available to other providers?
Yes. The Cabinet is also available to other companies operating in the water monitoring and irrigation services space. NZ Flow Group can engineer the brackets and configuration to suit different hardware requirements. Contact us to discuss your specific needs.
Frequently asked questions
What pipe sizes does The Cabinet work with?
The Cabinet is designed for pipework up to a maximum diameter of 65mm. It is configured to suit your specific pipe size and flow conditions within this range. Contact NZ Flow Group with your pipe diameter and pump delivery rate and we'll specify the right meter configuration for your application.
Does The Cabinet come with a verification certificate?
Yes. Every Cabinet is supplied with a Verification Certificate issued by NZ Flow Group using IANZ-calibrated equipment. The certificate is accepted by ECan as proof of meter accuracy for resource consent compliance purposes.
Can I install The Cabinet myself?
Yes. The Cabinet can be customer-installed in either configuration. For the vertical (standard) configuration, you'll need an 800mm diameter × 600mm wide hole and approximately 10 bags of concrete. For the horizontal configuration, you'll need 2 holes, each 600mm diameter × 600mm wide, and approximately 15 bags of concrete. NZ Flow Group provides installation guidance and recommends a site visit beforehand to confirm the location, pipe configuration, and which configuration suits your site. A fully managed installation service is also available.
What happens if The Cabinet loses power or connectivity?
Our cloud-based water management platform monitors Cabinet health including solar power levels and telemetry connectivity. If a power or connectivity issue is detected, NZ Flow Group's engineering helpdesk is alerted and can investigate remotely or arrange a site visit. Data logging continues locally even if connectivity is temporarily lost, and data is uploaded when connectivity is restored.
How does The Cabinet connect to the cloud platform?
The Cabinet connects to our cloud-based water management platform via cellular telemetry. No fixed-line internet connection is required, making it suitable for remote Canterbury locations with cellular coverage.
Can The Cabinet be used outside Canterbury?
The Cabinet can be supplied to customers outside Canterbury for self-installation. NZ Flow Group's installation and verification services are Canterbury-based, so for customers outside the region we provide the unit, documentation, and installation guidance, with the customer arranging local installation.
- ✓Fully verified flow meter
- ✓Verification Certificate, ECan accepted
- ✓Our cloud platform real-time telemetry
- ✓Standalone solar power
- ✓Stock proof & weatherproof enclosure
- ✓24/7 engineering helpdesk
- ✓COP-compliant data hosting
The Cabinet is available to other companies operating in the water monitoring and irrigation services space. NZ Flow Group can engineer the brackets and configuration to suit your hardware requirements.
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