Digital Timer with a Twist

LmrTe on 22/08/2024 - 01:22

Is there a device which I plug into my power outlet and then powers my hot water system.

Basically when the hot water is turned on the device powers as normal but for a max of 5 or 10mins. Once the time is up the power is cut and cannot be reactivated for another 5 or 10 min

Eg kids can have max 5 mins showers and just can't turn off hot water and start showering again

Note my hot water system is just currently plugged into a 240v supply outside. I'll build something around this to stop the kids unplugging it.

And no, kids won't listen and continue to have 30 to 60 min showers
.

Electrical & Electronics Timer

Comments

  • Randxyz123 on 22/08/2024 - 03:54
    +1

    Smart switch with home assistant is the only way I can think that this would work.

    30 - 60 minutes? Unless you have a child with long hair in which case imo that is a reasonable time 1-2 times a week… You are kidding yourself if that all they are doing is showering.

    • lgacb08 on 22/08/2024 - 18:24

      Unlikely, my life exposure to those addicting to long shower shows that they do it every time every single day. People taking shower 2 times a week are more likely to take less than 15 min each. 30min to 60 min shower is definitely not normal nor acceptable.

  • JIMB0 on 22/08/2024 - 05:24
    +3

    The water in the tank will stay hot long after the power is turned off. You're better off setting the thermostat on the lowest setting, then the water will go cold quicker.

    • AustriaBargain on 22/08/2024 - 07:03
      -2

      He doesn't care about the water in the tank being hot or not, he wants the kids to stop using the hot water. This insane device he is talking about could cut the flow of hot water out of the tank for five minutes after detecting sustained flow for five minutes. Though the kids could just walk away from the shower without turning off the tap, and then when it turns on again it'll be draining the tank all day until someone notices.

    • mrTe on 22/08/2024 - 17:10

      Its gas instaneous with electric start

      • JIMB0 on 22/08/2024 - 20:30

        So it'll keep running if you cut the power.

  • soan papdi on 22/08/2024 - 07:17
    +2

    Consider something like this product maybe. I haven’t used it but seems to fit your needs.
    https://www.showertimer.com.au/

  • pegaxs on 22/08/2024 - 08:44
    +3

    Walk outside and turn the water off? Put a valve with a lock function on the HWS and padlock it? Have a bucket of cold water ready and once 5 mins is up, give them a 1 minute warning, then just walk in and toss the cold water on them?

    Although that “shower timer” above looks like it would work to get the task done.

    Another thing is, get your HWS checked. I thought my wife and child were taking massive showers and it turned out that the HWS was leaking like crazy from the safety valve. It was basically heating almost the whole day and night.

    • mrTe on 22/08/2024 - 17:13

      They lock the door , would be a little awkward if I pick the lock ..

      They tell me they just listen to music and daydream. No amount of yelling or bans will solve the problem

      • brendanm on 22/08/2024 - 18:32
        +2

        You bypassed plenty of other suggestions he made. Turn the water off. Turn off the gas etc etc.

  • neoleo on 22/08/2024 - 08:59

    From googling something like this:
    Smart switch, smart power point? Remote control via your smart phone. Creation of time-based schedules to turn your devices on or off at a specific time of day

    https://smarthomedirect.com.au/product-category/smart-lighti…

    https://grid-connect.com.au/smart-home-products/switches/

  • JimmyF on 22/08/2024 - 09:23
    +4

    And no, kids won't listen and continue to have 30 to 60 min showers

    60 min shower? Teenage boys I bet 🙄

  • JimB on 22/08/2024 - 10:10

    5 mins is short. 30mins is excessive.

    Compromise and tell them 10 min max. After that, flick off the switch at the meterbox. They'll learn after the 15th time or so.

  • roguescholar on 22/08/2024 - 10:55
    +1

    Just take baths?
    Sharing The Bathtub | Extreme Cheapskates

  • Guesty on 22/08/2024 - 11:45

    It sounds like its instant gas hotwater? As most storage based HW cylinders will be hardwired to the switchboard.

    We need to know what type it is, as a storage based system would need the water to cut off, but some Instant Gas HW can just have a timer attached, depends again on the flame feature.

  • mrTe on 22/08/2024 - 17:12

    Gas instaneous, I'll try one of the WiFi smart power point

    • lgacb08 on 22/08/2024 - 19:03

      Get one with power monitoring in it, some may have app that let you set logarithm to do what you want, failing that home assistant can definitely do that.

    • lgacb08 on 22/08/2024 - 19:17
      +1

      Actually my advice is you need to monitor how gas hws use power and how the other person uses hot water to see if your conspiracy works. I suspect it only cause a spike to ignite the system to get hot water running and will hold the gas light until the flow stop. So turning off the power wont affect the system unless the flow is stopped and restarted sometimes later. Even so you 5 min timing might be off.
      Failling that your better solution is to install solenoid valve on the incoming cold water line to the hws and control that as you wish but that will require a fair amount of work (and legality too).

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