DIY showerhead flow restrictor

[Stumpy]

I noticed the post last month about Automatic Hot Water Reduction to Control
Long Showers. I just want to reduce the flow to one shower, but use the
same head as in the other bathroom. The Google search show ridiculous
prices for a plastic disk with a hole drilled in it.

http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Shower-Reducers-Regulators-Adaptors/dp/B009XVDPBS/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen-bath&ie=UTF8&qid=1391704293&sr=1-1&keywords=Saving-Shower-Reducers-Regulators-Adaptors

Would a hardware or plumbing store have a blank 1/2" plastic disk I could
drill myself? 1.5 gpm is still too much.

http://www.pexsupply.com/Jones-Stephens-S01080-Plastic-Shower-Head-Flow-Restrictor-2-5-GPM

[Dean Hoffman]

Would an electrical knockout plug work? You'd probably have to
trim it but that wouldn't be too difficult. Another thought would be
to use a nickel or quarter.

[Retired]

How about a nylon washer ??

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-2-in-Nylon-Washers-2-Pieces-87518/202210267

[Stumpy]

"Dean Hoffman" <""dh0496\"@win*&dstr$%eam.net"> wrote in message
news:ld0ffr$9ot$2...@speranza.aioe.org...

I've got very hard water. Metal fixtures have minerals build up really
fast. Maybe there is a rubber end cap seal that would be the right size.
Second link looks like a spare button from my sewing kit.

[Stumpy]

>>
>> Would a hardware or plumbing store have a blank 1/2" plastic disk I could
>> drill myself? 1.5 gpm is still too much.
>>
>> http://www.pexsupply.com/Jones-Stephens-S01080-Plastic-Shower-Head-Flow-Restrictor-2-5-GPM
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> How about a nylon washer ??
>
> http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-2-in-Nylon-Washers-2-Pieces-87518/202210267

Looks close. But that's a big orifice. Maybe 10 gpm.

[Rick]

"Stumpy" <peri...@spamnet.con> wrote in message
news:ncqdnTFd2K4eJm7P...@earthlink.com...

Cut one from a pop bottle cap and give it a try...

[Rick]

"Rick" <itsno...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:O6mdncmKUtHlT27P...@giganews.com...

Or a CPVC plug...
>

[Retired]

OK, just as well, that 1/2" was the hole size anyway !!!!

Maybe this one from Lowes ?? It's given as 1/2" OD and 1/4" ID

http://www.lowes.com/pd_423457-37672-884569_0__?productId=4582497&Ntt=nylon+washer&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dnylon%2Bwasher&facetInfo=

[Stumpy]

>>>
>>>
>>> How about a nylon washer ??
>>>
>>> http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-2-in-Nylon-Washers-2-Pieces-87518/202210267
>>
>> Looks close. But that's a big orifice. Maybe 10 gpm.
>>
>>
>
> OK, just as well, that 1/2" was the hole size anyway !!!!
>
> Maybe this one from Lowes ?? It's given as 1/2" OD and 1/4" ID
>
> http://www.lowes.com/pd_423457-37672-884569_0__?productId=4582497&Ntt=nylon+washer&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dnylon%2Bwasher&facetInfo=
>
>

I know I'm using a poor citation, but looks like I want <.093" hole at
60psi.

http://www.thomasnet.com/productsearch/productline/30715774-12943-1002-/kerick-valve/kerick-mseries-fixed-arm-mini-float-valves/

I've dialed back the house supply to 55psi so I would drill smaller than
3/32"

[Stumpy]

"Rick" <itsno...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:qv2dnQZYwvWITm7P...@giganews.com...

>>
>>
>> Cut one from a pop bottle cap and give it a try...
>
>
> Or a CPVC plug...
>>
>

I found a W-11 Caplug in my junk box. Cut out inside dimension "C" and
trimmed with an Exacto to 11/16". Looks good - I'll see what complaints I
hear tomorrow.

http://www.caplugs.com/productdetails.aspx?id=1000016&itemno=W+SERIES

[Stormin Mormon]

On 2/6/2014 12:07 PM, Dean Hoffman > wrote:
> Would an electrical knockout plug work? You'd probably have to
> trim it but that wouldn't be too difficult. Another thought would be
> to use a nickel or quarter.
>
>

Knockout plug will likely rust (being steel based).
Coins less likely to rust.

Hey, I've got a sink where I fill my bucket for
washing the truck. If I put in a low flow aerator
on my sink, will I save a lot of water?

--
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

[WW]

"Stumpy" wrote in message
news:ncqdnTFd2K4eJm7P...@earthlink.com...

http://www.pexsupply.com/Jones-Stephens-S01080-Plastic-Shower-Head-Flow-Restrictor-2-5-Gpm


Go to Ace or another hardware and look through the rubber faucet washers.
They are about 1/2 inch diameter and check the hole sizes. WW

[DerbyDad03]

"Stumpy" <peri...@spamnet.con> wrote:
> I noticed the post last month about Automatic Hot Water Reduction to Control
> Long Showers. I just want to reduce the flow to one shower, but use the
> same head as in the other bathroom. The Google search show ridiculous
> prices for a plastic disk with a hole drilled in it.
>

You and I are pretty much opposites. I remove the flow restrictors from my
shower heads.

If I could heat the water from a hydrant, I'd shower with a fire hose.

To each...

[mike]

On 2/6/2014 4:15 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
> "Stumpy" <peri...@spamnet.con> wrote:
>> I noticed the post last month about Automatic Hot Water Reduction to Control
>> Long Showers. I just want to reduce the flow to one shower, but use the
>> same head as in the other bathroom. The Google search show ridiculous
>> prices for a plastic disk with a hole drilled in it.
>>

>Sounds like you have the description.
Use a hole punch to punch out a disc the right diameter.
Then use another hole punch to put a hole of the desired
size in that.

[Stumpy]

"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in message
news:221542405413422362.990...@nntp.aioe.org...

Well, I didn't change the flow on the one I use. We have 3 users these
days, 75 gal water heater. I have to turn the heat up high so that when
diluted down to a comfortable temperature, it can supply 3 showers. User 1
takes a couple minute shower. User 2 takes a long, long shower. User 3
sometimes runs out of hot water. Tomorrow user 2, which is not me, will use
~1/2 his normal water volume and if wifey doesn't run out when it's her
turn, then I can lower the setpoint. My personal routine will not change.

I'm trying to follow in LdB's footsteps from that earlier thread.

[nestork]

'Stumpy[_2_ Wrote:
> ;3194002']

> Would a hardware or plumbing store have a blank 1/2" plastic disk I
> could
> drill myself? 1.5 gpm is still too much.
>

No, what you want to do won't work.

You will reduce the flow through the shower head, but unless you do
something about the size and number of spray holes in the shower head
itself, then the flow rate out of each hole won't be sufficient to
create a "spray". Instead, you will turn your shower head into one that
merely "spills" water on you at 1.5 gallons per minute.

In order to get satisfactory shower performance at low flow rates, the
shower head itself has to be designed with fewer and/or smaller holes so
that the flow rate through each hole is high enough to create a spray.
Without doing that, you'll only be spending time and money creating
aggrivations.

This company makes and sells excellent low flow shower heads:

'High Efficiency Toilets, Low Flow Showerheads, High Efficiency Aerator'
(http://www.niagaraconservation.com/)

'Water Saving Shower Heads | Water Efficient, Low Flow Shower Heads'
(http://tinyurl.com/msed3p3)

The N2150-TP is a low flow shower head that comes with a thin wrench
which prevents anyone tampering with the shower flow rate setting, which
you might find appealing.




--
nestork

[sms]

That was a thread that I started.

You should be able to find something in the sprinkler head section of a
hardware store.

Personally I think that those flow restrictors are counter-productive
because it just takes longer to have a complete shower and water usage
isn't going to be appreciably reduced.

The hot-water reduction system trains the user to take faster showers
but doesn't make it an annoying experience by lowering the water pressure.

[Stumpy]

"nestork" <nestork...@diybanter.com> wrote in message
news:nestork...@diybanter.com...

Interestingly the model I have and want to continue to use after
modification is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Massage-Water-Saving-Shower/dp/B0034UN6L8/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

It must have a molded plastic chamber behind the spray holes because it
never clogs with minerals like the metal ones do. Visually it still has a
nice spray after reducing the flow rate. I'm not saying a thing - I wonder
if I even hear a comment tomorrow at breakfast.

[hrho...@sbcglobal.net]

On Thursday, February 6, 2014 10:42:38 AM UTC-6, Stumpy wrote:
> I noticed the post last month about Automatic Hot Water Reduction to Control Long Showers. I just want to reduce the flow to one shower, but use the same head as in the other bathroom. The Google search show ridiculous prices for a plastic disk with a hole drilled in it. http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Shower-Reducers-Regulators-Adaptors/dp/B009XVDPBS/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen-bath&ie=UTF8&qid=1391704293&sr=1-1&keywords=Saving-Shower-Reducers-Regulators-Adaptors Would a hardware or plumbing store have a blank 1/2" plastic disk I could drill myself? 1.5 gpm is still too much. http://www.pexsupply.com/Jones-Stephens-S01080-Plastic-Shower-Head-Flow-Restrictor-2-5-GPM

We're all waiting to hear the results!!!!

[Stumpy]

<hrho...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:df8c2987-8e8d-4274...@googlegroups.com...

---------------

Oh well, It was noticed right away. I just mumbled something about water
pressure, drought, utility bills, etc. but the restrictor is staying in
place. Phase 2 of lowering the temperature will start this weekend.

[O Ring]

There is something called silicone tape. just do a sloppy job and cover the ends just a little too much.

[Stormin Mormon]

On 2/7/2014 10:26 AM, Stumpy wrote:
>
> Oh well, It was noticed right away. I just mumbled something about water
> pressure, drought, utility bills, etc. but the restrictor is staying in
> place. Phase 2 of lowering the temperature will start this weekend.

Be interesting to see if your actions result
in lower fuel and water bills. Please let us
know what results.

[hrho...@sbcglobal.net]

I thought the suggestion to plug some of the spray head holes while keeping the pressure up was a novel idea, the user would still feel the spray force, but there would be some water saved.

[Tekkie®]

DerbyDad03 posted for all of us...

And I know how to SNIP

>
> If I could heat the water from a hydrant, I'd shower with a fire hose.
>

Start a riot, especially in a foreign country. It will be a blast!
Or join the Fire Dept. You can play with A LOT of water.

--
Tekkie