Flow-Rite History

Explore the history of Flow-Rite and our innovative products that we are proud to have developed over the years. Please reach out to us for any questions or navigate our website for in-depth product information.

1981

Flow-Rite Controls Founded

Flow-Rite Controls™, Ltd., was founded in 1981 by a group that included businessmen experienced in international manufacturing, patent attorneys, and an engineer with an interest and background in fluid mechanics. The business plan was to develop lines of fluid control products based on the technology of fluidics. Our market focus was on those industries where conventional mechanical valves had proven to be unreliable. Our first products included automatic level controls for commercial and residential swimming pools.

1985

Flow-Rite builds its first Single Point Watering System

In 1985, we were asked by General Battery Corporation (GBC) to apply our technology to the problem of industrial battery watering. GBC was looking for a single point watering system that would perform more reliably than available systems. We developed prototypes, which GBC found to their liking, and we entered into production. GBC marketed our valves exclusively for two years, after which we expanded distribution to over 150 distributors throughout the United States , Canada , Mexico , Europe , Australia , Japan , and Korea . As our battery watering product line has grown, so too have our other product lines, which include fluid handling products for the recreational fishing industry, and general industrial markets.

1992

Patented Polypropylene Tubing Introduced

Unlike PVC tubing seen in other systems, our patented tubing will not break down and cause system failure.

1997

Patented Swivel Tee Introduced

Our patented Three-Port Swivel Tee rotates a full 360 degrees, allowing for a more versatile installation. This feature eliminates kinked tubing, the need for additional plumbing pieces, and allows you to place the feed tube wherever it’s most convenient (not just at the end!).

2000

Flow-Rite Goes Global, Introduces Millennium SPW

In the late 1990’s Flow-Rite began a concentrated effort to market their products globally. This expansion gave us a worldwide perspective of the battery watering needs internationally. As a result, we made substantial improvements to our watering systems.These improvements were so significant that we developed our Millennium SPW™ series. Our previous developments, Snap-Fill™ and PowerStream™, were pressure-operated systems which operated over a narrow range of water supply pressures. Millennium SPW™ is nearly independent of water supply pressure, operating reliably at 3 to 35 psi static pressure (requires 2GPM minimum flow rate). Millennium SPW™ meets all the watering needs of the worldwide flooded lead acid battery user.

2001

External Flame Arrestor Introduced

The external flame arrestor prevents flames or sparks from entering the battery through the vent ports.

Approved by major battery manufacturers, Pro-Fill™ has this built-in safety feature necessary for applications such as golf cars, utility vehicles, sweepers, scrubbers, pallet jacks, or anywhere batteries are used in an enclosed space or otherwise potentially dangerous environments.

2002

ISO Certified

Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd. is totally committed to offering the best performing, highest quality products in each market we serve. We promise our customers that we will continue to improve the quality of our existing products, as we continue our effort to expand our business into new markets.

We at Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd., affirm this commitment and have established a comprehensive quality assurance system that will show our company to meet all of the requirements of the ISO 9001 quality assurance standard. Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd. has established quality objectives and will review these objectives during management review meetings.

2003

Patented Clampless Tubing Introduced

Our patented clampless tubing installs in half the time of tubing that requires clamps and holds twice as well!

2003

Watering System for Marine Batteries Introduced

Flow-Rite, already a long time supplier of live well and bait well control systems to the boating industry, had recognized the need for a single point watering system that could be used on 12 volt marine deep cycle batteries. Often inaccessible, buried in bottom of the hull, boat owners grappled with many of the same battery issues. Battery maintenance simply wouldn’t get done, too often allowing battery cells to run dry, causing permanent damage. In 2003, Flow-Rite introduced the first ever single point watering system for 12 volt marine deep cycle batteries.

2003

Watering System for Golf Car Batteries Introduces

It occurred to Flow-Rite that if maintaining industrial forklift batteries can be improved with watering systems, then so can golf car maintenance. Early in 2002, we began to study the special needs of golf car battery maintenance for the purpose of developing the first single point watering system designed specifically for this application. We found that while there were many similarities to the industrial application, the Pro-Fill™ battery watering system required a number of new features. On of the most important was the need for added safety. In 2003, we introduced the first and only watering system specifically designed for this unique market. (Pro-Fill™ is the only system approved by Club Car Inc™ for installation in their factory.)

2005

Expanding Into New Industries

By 2005, Flow-Rite had expanded the Pro-Fill™ and Qwik-Fill™ lines into many new industries including: RV’s, Home Power, OEM equipment, Electric powered boats, and many more.

2006

Internal Flame Arrestor Introduced

In the event of an internal ignition the internal flame arrestor will prevent the flame from propagating to neighboring batteries via the watering system.

Approved by major battery manufacturers, Pro-Fill™ has this built-in safety feature necessary for applications such as golf cars, utility vehicles, sweepers, scrubbers, pallet jacks, or anywhere batteries are used in an enclosed space or otherwise potentially dangerous environments.

2009

Snake Tubing Introduced

The Snake is a unique type of tubing with molded-in swivels that simply snap the tubing into the valve. This tubing has been a runaway success in the golfing industry for its easy and quick installation.

2010

Eagle Eye (Electrolyte Level Lite) Introduced

By 2010, we found it was time to give our customers an “insurance policy” for watering their batteries. Eagle Eye accurately monitors and displays the status of cell electrolyte levels with a solid green or blinking red light. Patented Capacitive Sensing Technology, found in many electronics such as touch screen monitors and cell phones, allows Eagle Eye to measure electrolyte levels, without running current through the sensing probe.

2010

Millennium Plus with Optical Level Indicator Introduced

Standard Millennium valves were upgraded to include color-coded flip tops, raised vents, gasket retention tabs, and an independent optical level indicator. Since our indicator operates independently from the valve, it is the only built-in indicator on the market that can truly verify cell electrolyte levels.

2012

Millennium Evo Valves Introduced

Millenium Evo was introduced as the most innovative, advanced, versatile, and user friendly system on the market. Advanced materials and molding capabilities produce the most robust and the best performing valve to date. The impressive structure inside the valve allows it to work independently of water pressure, allowing you to use a variety of water supply options.

2015

Battery Steward Introduced

Battery Steward is an asset management software that organizes your battery care schedule, alerts you when tasks are due, records maintenance and asset data, and allows you to analyze the data over time.

Play Video about Flow-Rite 40th Anniversary

Celebrating 40+ Years.

For over 40 years, Flow-Rite has designed, manufactured, and marketed fluid control devices for lead acid batteries, recreational fishing boats, and laboratory use. We are recognized as an industry leader in product innovation, performance, durability, and quality. We are proud of a team that is dedicated to giving you exceptional products and personalized service. Thank you to everyone who has supported us or worked along side us throughout the years.

Have questions or interested in working with our team?

Use our form below or call us directly at 616.583.1700