VKG - Viscosity-Compensating Flow Meter and Switch

What Is the KOBOLD VKG Flow Meter?

The KOBOLD VKG is a viscosity compensated flow meter and switch, a spring loaded rotameter that reads oil flow directly on a visual scale, maintaining accuracy across viscosities from 1 to 540 cSt and density variations up to 30 lb/ft³ with no scale changes or recalibration. Eleven ranges span 0.03 to 21 GPM through in-line NPT connections.

The instrument delivers immediate visual readings through a borosilicate glass viewing window, eliminating dependency on electronic displays or external power sources. Flow displays directly in gallons per minute, so operators avoid conversion calculations, a capability that proves essential in critical applications where immediate flow verification is needed.

Engineered for Reliable Oil Flow Verification

Rated to 175 PSI and 212 °F (100 °C), the VKG installs in any orientation without recalibration and comes in nickel plated brass or 304 stainless steel versions. Borosilicate glass construction withstands thermal shock while keeping the float visible, and optional reed contacts add automated monitoring to the visual indication.

Brass models pair nickel plated brass floats and fittings with NBR O-rings, while stainless steel models pair 304 stainless floats and fittings with FKM O-rings; both use 301 stainless steel springs and orifices to address diverse chemical compatibility requirements. The spring loaded float design maintains consistent accuracy despite viscosity fluctuations, and optional dual reed switch relay outputs enable automated control integration while preserving the primary visual monitoring capability.

Direct Reading Scales Eliminate Conversion Errors

Factory calibrated oil scales show actual flow directly, without the correction factors that water calibrated meters require. Two scale styles are available: graduations printed on the glass tube for light colored media, or a magnetically coupled side mounted pointer indicator for dark media that would obscure an integrated scale.

Eleven flow ranges from 0.03 to 21 GPM accommodate applications from precision lubrication to high volume circulation, with ¼" to 1" NPT process connections. Each range optimizes float travel for maximum resolution while keeping the wide compensation range, and the mechanical simplicity is designed for decades of reliable service with minimal maintenance.

BABA Compliant American Manufacturing

As a Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliant flow meter manufactured in the United States, the VKG meets federal requirements for public infrastructure projects. This compliance supports eligibility for federally funded programs and domestic manufacturing capabilities alike. Government facilities and public utilities specify the VKG knowing it satisfies both performance requirements and procurement mandates.

The visual nature of this instrument proves particularly valuable in infrastructure applications where operators need immediate flow confirmation without electronic vulnerability. Emergency generators and critical lubrication circuits benefit from failsafe visual indication that continues functioning regardless of power availability.

Proven Reliability in Critical Visual Monitoring

Industrial facilities worldwide rely on the VKG in applications where visual flow confirmation prevents costly equipment damage. Paper mills monitor oil flow to critical bearings, printing operations verify ink circulation, and hydraulic test facilities confirm flow during commissioning, all through direct observation of the float.

The combination of visual accessibility, viscosity compensation without scale changes, optional relay output for automation, and American manufacturing creates a monitoring solution that satisfies operational requirements and procurement specifications alike. With quick availability from US inventory and comprehensive technical support, the VKG provides dependable visual flow monitoring for industrial oil systems requiring transparent operational verification.

Common Questions about VKG - Viscosity-Compensating Flow Meter and Switch