Dosatron Setting Calculator

Professional guide

1) Why injector settings matter

Proportional injectors help you apply fertilizers, acids, and treatments consistently across beds, lawns, and irrigation zones. A reliable setting protects plant health, prevents nutrient burn, and keeps runoff within reasonable limits. Consistency also improves repeatability when you change seasons or crop cycles. Many garden injectors operate between roughly 0.2% and 2.0%, so aiming inside that band improves reliability. Many garden injectors operate between roughly 0.2% and 2.0%, so aiming inside that band improves reliability.

2) Concentration basics with practical units

This calculator normalizes inputs to ppm, which is equivalent to mg/L for water. For fast conversions, 1 g/L equals 1,000 ppm, and 1% w/v equals 10,000 ppm. Using normalized values makes the setting calculation stable even when different labels use different units.

3) Setting calculation and ratio interpretation

The core result is the injector percentage, computed as target divided by stock, multiplied by 100. The same result is shown as an injection ratio (1:x) to match common dial markings. A higher ratio means weaker injection, while a lower ratio means stronger injection into the water stream. For example, 0.5% is about 1:200, while 2% is about 1:50.

4) Estimating usage from flow and time

For planning, the tool can estimate total water volume from flow and runtime, then calculate chemical mass in the delivered water and the stock solution volume consumed. This helps you size a stock tank, predict refills, and document dosing for a specific irrigation run. Example: 20 L/min for 30 minutes treats 600 L, and a 150 ppm target delivers about 90 g of active material.

5) Field checks and recordkeeping

After dialing the setting, verify with a jar test or measured drawdown from the stock tank over a known watering period. If the required setting is outside your injector range, adjust stock concentration rather than forcing the dial. Export the CSV or PDF to keep mixing logs and maintenance notes.

FAQs

1) What does the setting percentage represent?

The setting is the approximate fraction of stock injected into the water stream. For example, 1.0% means about 1 part stock to 99 parts water, before final dilution effects are considered.

2) Why do you convert everything to ppm?

ppm (mg/L) is a common way to express dissolved concentration in water. Normalizing units reduces mistakes when stock labels use g/L or percent and keeps the math consistent.

3) My injector dial shows a ratio, not percent. What do I use?

Use the ratio output. The calculator converts percent to a 1:x ratio using 100 ÷ setting%. Match the closest dial marking, then confirm with a quick field check.

4) What if the setting is too high for my injector?

Make a stronger stock solution so you can run a lower setting. Staying within the rated range improves accuracy and reduces wear on seals and internal components.

5) Do flow rate and duration change the setting?

No. Setting depends on target and stock concentrations. Flow and time only estimate total volume treated and how much stock is consumed during the run.

6) Can I use this for acids or cleaning solutions?

Yes, if you can express both target and stock strengths in compatible concentration units. Always follow product safety guidance, wear proper protection, and confirm compatibility with injector materials.

7) How accurate is the result in real irrigation systems?

It is a solid starting point. Real results vary with water pressure, viscosity, and injector calibration. Verify by measuring stock drawdown or sampling the treated water, then fine-tune the setting.