Enter the second number (e.g., enter 100 for 1:100).
Gallons
Total size of your concentrate bucket/tank.
Hours
How long the water runs per day.
Injection Percentage
0%
Concentrate Usage
0 oz/min
Hourly Consumption
0 gal/hr
Stock Tank Life
0 hours
Daily Concentrate Requirement
0 Gallons
Understanding Dosatron Injection Rates
A Dosatron is a water-powered proportional dosing pump used extensively in horticulture, livestock farming, and industrial cleaning. Unlike electric pumps that dose a fixed amount over time, a Dosatron injects a volume of concentrate that is strictly proportional to the volume of water entering the system. This ensures that the chemical mixture remains consistent regardless of fluctuations in water flow or pressure.
How to Read Injection Ratios
Dosatron units typically feature an adjustable dial calibrated in ratios (e.g., 1:100, 1:50) or percentages (e.g., 1%, 2%). Understanding these numbers is critical for accurate dosing:
Ratio (1:X): This indicates that for every X parts of water, 1 part of stock solution is injected. For example, a 1:128 ratio means 1 gallon of concentrate is used for every 128 gallons of water flowing through the line.
Percentage (%): This is the same concept expressed as a percentage. A 1:100 ratio is equivalent to 1%. A 1:50 ratio is equivalent to 2%.
Why Calculation is Crucial
Accurately calculating your injection rate is vital for several reasons:
Cost Management: Knowing exactly how much concentrate (fertilizer, medication, or chemical) you consume per hour allows for precise budgeting.
Tank Management: By calculating the "Stock Tank Life," you know exactly how long your bucket of solution will last before it needs refilling, preventing the system from pumping plain water.
Safety: In livestock or crop applications, under-dosing can lead to ineffective treatment, while over-dosing can cause toxicity or fertilizer burn.
Common Formulas Used
This calculator uses standard hydraulic formulas to determine usage:
Concentrate Flow (GPM) = Water Flow (GPM) ÷ Ratio Denominator
Percentage = (1 ÷ Ratio Denominator) × 100
Ounces per Minute = Concentrate Flow (GPM) × 128
Always ensure your stock solution is fully dissolved before placing the suction tube into the tank to prevent clogging the piston or check valve.
function calculateDosatron() {
// 1. Get input values
var flowGPM = parseFloat(document.getElementById('waterFlow').value);
var ratioPart = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ratioSetting').value);
var tankSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tankSize').value);
var hoursOp = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hoursOperation').value);
// 2. Validate inputs
if (isNaN(flowGPM) || flowGPM <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Water Flow Rate greater than 0.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(ratioPart) || ratioPart 0) {
tankLifeHours = tankSize / injectionGPH;
}
// Calculate Daily Consumption
var dailyConsumption = 0;
if (!isNaN(hoursOp) && hoursOp > 0) {
dailyConsumption = injectionGPH * hoursOp;
}
// 4. Update UI
document.getElementById('resPercentage').innerHTML = percentage.toFixed(2) + "%";
// Display Ounces per minute
document.getElementById('resUsage').innerHTML = injectionOzMin.toFixed(2) + " oz/min";
// Display Gallons per hour
document.getElementById('resHourly').innerHTML = injectionGPH.toFixed(3) + " gal/hr";
// Display Tank Life
if (tankLifeHours > 0) {
// Format to hours and minutes if needed, or just decimal hours
document.getElementById('resTankLife').innerHTML = tankLifeHours.toFixed(1) + " hours";
} else {
document.getElementById('resTankLife').innerHTML = "–";
}
// Display Daily Consumption
if (dailyConsumption > 0) {
document.getElementById('resDaily').innerHTML = dailyConsumption.toFixed(2) + " Gallons";
} else {
document.getElementById('resDaily').innerHTML = "–";
}
// Show results container
document.getElementById('dosaResult').style.display = 'block';
}