The KOBOLD DAA is a liquid sight flow indicator with a built-in cleaning mechanism that restores visibility during operation, eliminating the costly system shutdowns traditional sight glasses demand. Unlike conventional indicators that require pipeline removal and scheduled maintenance, the DAA's twist-to-clean design maintains crystal-clear visibility while your system continues operating at full capacity.
Rated to 232 PSIG and 212°F (100°C), offered in nickel-plated brass or stainless steel, and available with 1/4" to 1-1/2" female NPT connections, the DAA is designed for continuous liquid service where downtime is not an option — and it is made in the USA, with BABA-compliant models available.
How the Self-Cleaning Mechanism Works
Simply twist the sight glass 180 degrees to activate integral wipers that clean the viewing area instantly. The offending contaminants are immediately washed away by media flow, ensuring unobstructed rotor observation whenever needed. This process can be repeated as often as desired with no system interruption, allowing maintenance during operation.
This unique cleaning mechanism saves thousands in downtime costs: no plant shutdown, no pipeline disassembly, and no waiting for a planned outage to restore a fouled viewing window.
Pressure, Temperature, and Materials
The DAA's robust construction handles pressures up to 232 PSIG and temperatures to 212°F (100°C), exceeding typical sight flow indicators limited to 150 PSIG. The borosilicate glass cylinder provides exceptional chemical resistance and durability, while low-friction O-rings ensure smooth rotation and reliable sealing even after years of service.
Available in both nickel-plated brass and 303/304 stainless steel configurations, the DAA adapts to your specific application requirements. Each unit features precision-engineered components, including support bars that maintain structural integrity under pressure and a 303 stainless steel rotor spindle.
- Brass models: nickel-plated brass fittings, inlet, and orifice, with NBR O-rings, a POM rotor, and polyolefin wipers
- Stainless steel models: 303 SS fittings and inlet, 304 SS orifice, FKM O-rings, an ETFE rotor, and FKM wipers
- Both versions: borosilicate glass cylinder and 301 SS wiper yokes
The DAA is designed for liquid media with viscosities up to 150 cSt; the fluid should be compatible with the wetted materials listed above.
Sizes, Flow Ranges, and Rotor Options
Seven connection sizes from 1/4" to 1-1/2" female NPT cover most process lines, with compact overall lengths between 2.80" and 5.12" depending on size. Minimum flow to start rotor rotation ranges from 0.11 GPM to 2.12 GPM, and maximum water flow reaches 26.4 GPM with a rotor installed.
Choose models with or without rotors depending on whether you need flow rate indication or simple fluid condition observation. Rotor-equipped models use a red rotor on 1/4" through 1" sizes and a white rotor on the two largest sizes; rotor-free versions permit water flows up to 33.0 GPM.
Made in USA — BABA Compliant for Federal Projects
The DAA flow indicator is fully BABA (Build America, Buy America) compliant, manufactured in our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania facility. This compliance makes the DAA ideal for federal infrastructure projects, public water systems, and government facilities requiring domestic manufacturing certification, and BABA compliance verification is available upon request, streamlining procurement for projects with Buy American requirements.
Engineered for Critical Applications
The DAA excels in applications where visibility and continuous operation are essential. Water treatment facilities rely on the DAA for chemical dosing systems where shutdown means treatment interruption. Manufacturing plants utilize the indicator in cooling circuits, lubrication systems, and process lines where production continuity is paramount.
The self-cleaning mechanism typically reduces maintenance labor by up to 75% compared to traditional sight glasses requiring removal and manual cleaning. Installation flexibility allows horizontal or vertical mounting with flow direction clearly marked on the housing.
Why Choose the DAA Over Traditional Indicators
Traditional sight flow indicators accumulate deposits that obscure visibility, forcing unplanned maintenance or accepting reduced monitoring capability. The DAA's on-demand cleaning eliminates this compromise, maintaining optimal visibility throughout the maintenance cycle. This advantage proves especially valuable in applications with mineral-rich water, oils with particulates, or any fluid prone to leaving deposits.
With robust construction validated through decades of field service, quick delivery from US inventory, and comprehensive technical support from our Pittsburgh headquarters, the DAA represents the intelligent choice for facilities prioritizing operational continuity and maintenance efficiency.
Common Questions about Self-Cleaning Sight Glass/Rotor Flow Indicator, Easy Maintenance
Liquid passing through the indicator spins a plastic rotor housed inside a hard borosilicate glass body, giving a direct visual confirmation that flow is present in the pipe. Versions supplied without a rotor act as plain observation windows for checking a fluid's condition, color, and clarity in service.
Rotate the glass 180° while fluid is moving, ideally. Built-in wiper elements sweep residue from the viewing surface, and the stream carries loosened particles downstream. Low-friction seals keep the assembly hand-rotatable yet tight. Above 104°F (40°C), wear protective gloves when twisting, and avoid rotating the glass dry, which can damage the wipers.
Every model is rated for 232 PSIG maximum working pressure and a 212°F (100°C) maximum temperature, in brass and stainless steel versions alike. Open upstream valves gradually: sudden inflow can create pressure peaks above the working rating and risk breaking the measuring glass through water hammer.
Seven sizes are offered — 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", and 1-1/2" female NPT. Overall length grows with line size, from 2.80 inches on the smallest models to 5.12 inches on the largest, so the indicator fits tight piping arrangements without special spool pieces.
Choose a rotor version when you need positive confirmation that liquid is moving — the spinning rotor is easy to read at a glance. Models DAA-..08 through DAA-..25 (1/4" to 1") carry red rotors; DAA-..32 and DAA-..40 carry white. Rotor-free versions suit condition observation and higher throughput.
A rotor starts turning at water flows as low as 0.11 GPM on the 1/4" size, rising to 2.12 GPM on the two largest sizes. Maximum water capacity is 26.4 GPM with a rotor and 33.0 GPM without. At maximum flow, the indicator adds 3.63 PSI of pressure drop with a rotor and 2.90 PSI without.
The DAA is built for liquid service in pipework and accepts media as viscous as 150 cSt. Select the trim to match your medium: brass versions expose nickel-plated brass, borosilicate glass, NBR, POM, and polyolefin to the fluid, while stainless versions expose 303/304 SS, glass, FKM, and ETFE.
Yes. KOBOLD produces the DAA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and models compliant with BABA (Build America, Buy America) are available for work with domestic-content requirements, from public water systems to federally funded infrastructure. Documentation verifying compliance can be requested to streamline procurement reviews before you order.
Mount the indicator so the stamped arrow matches the flow direction; horizontal and vertical runs are both acceptable. When tightening, apply the wrench only to the hexagon flats that receive the connecting pipe — gripping the opposite hexagon can shear the internal support bars — and shield the glass from impact during fitting.
Yes. Per the manual, warm the upper housing so the thread-sealing lacquer releases, unscrew it from the lower section, then fit a new moistened borosilicate cylinder together with fresh O-rings and wiper rubbers before reassembling with releasable sealing lacquer. Contact KOBOLD for parts and guidance on this procedure.
Product Specifications
Fittings
¼"...1½" NPT Thread
Body Material
Brass or SS, Borosilicate Glass
Max. Temperature
212 °F (100 °C)
Viscosity Limit
150 cSt Max.
Product Features
Cleaning Mechanism for Ease of Maintenance
Available With or Without Rotor
BABA (Build America, Buy America) compliant models available
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