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New shower mixer head bad pressure

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  • 08-12-2015 9:39pm
    #1
    deckie27
    Registered Users Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭


    I installed a new shower mixer etc. gravity feed

    Its a Eva T-bar Minimum operating pressure .2 bar

    http://www.plumbpal.ie/index.php/bathrooms/showers/shower-valves/product/9650-eva-t-bar-shower-valve-kit

    The pressure with the new system is appalling



    I tried a few heads All on full pressure to fill a 6 litre pot

    New head 160 seconds

    Old head 100 seconds

    Head off Triton t90 85 seconds

    No head 60 seconds

    Anybody got any recommendations for increasing pressure or good shower heads.

    I want to avoid a pump if possible don't mind paying good money for a super head

    Thanks


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    #2
    PK27
    Registered Users Posts: 53 ✭✭PK27


    If it's sourced from the UK there's a good chance it has a flow restrictor built into the head to comply with water conservation regulations. Take the head off the hose and have a look inside, without flow restrictor it's essentially open, if it has restrictor they're generally black white or green and it's like a cap with small holes in it. If it's in it it'll either flick out easily with small flathead screwdriver or if it's tight screw a screw into it and yank it out with a pliers. They do come out either way.
    Also if it's a thermostatic valve, it will restrict flow somewhat as the cartridge restricts cold flow depending on how much it needs to cool the hot water.
    I'd personally pump it, even with a small pump 1.8 bar would give decent pressure without going overboard, and can be picked up fairly cheap. Failing that, build a platform in the attic and raise the tanks, although I imagine that's not a welcome suggestion!
    The minimum operational pressure they quote is a gimmick, it'll work on .2 bar but you'd spend more time trying to get wet in the shower than anything else


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    #3
    deckie27
    Registered Users Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭deckie27


    PK27 wrote: »
    If it's sourced from the UK there's a good chance it has a flow restrictor built into the head to comply with water conservation regulations. Take the head off the hose and have a look inside, without flow restrictor it's essentially open, if it has restrictor they're generally black white or green and it's like a cap with small holes in it. If it's in it it'll either flick out easily with small flathead screwdriver or if it's tight screw a screw into it and yank it out with a pliers. They do come out either way.
    Also if it's a thermostatic valve, it will restrict flow somewhat as the cartridge restricts cold flow depending on how much it needs to cool the hot water.
    I'd personally pump it, even with a small pump 1.8 bar would give decent pressure without going overboard, and can be picked up fairly cheap. Failing that, build a platform in the attic and raise the tanks, although I imagine that's not a welcome suggestion!
    The minimum operational pressure they quote is a gimmick, it'll work on .2 bar but you'd spend more time trying to get wet in the shower than anything else


    Cheers

    There was a restrictive piece in it.
    It wasn't removable basically a piece of the body that narrowed to about 7mm from 10mm. That's was drilled out. :D but didn't improve times

    most other units have a minimum pressure of 1bar that's why I went for the .2 bar

    Yip it's a thermostatic valve, meeting standards to not scold people.
    Even on highest temp setting it mix's a lot of cold water with it

    Is there any adjustment in the valves?

    Raise the tank. :D Its already up about a foot. anyway I'd rather put in a pump.


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    #4
    K.Flyer
    Registered Users Posts: 8,565 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    Raising the tank will have no great impact unless you get a few metres extra height.
    Flow rates and pressure rates are two different things, and once the water hits narrower pipe diameters and shower heads both can change dramatically.
    Pumps can make a huge difference to improce both flow and pressure, with increase in qater consumption. Also if you are going for a pump, be aware of pump noise, there is a saying, you pay your money, you get your goods. Good quality brass bodied pumps will always be quieter than plastic versions.


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    #5
    corkgsxr
    Registered Users Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    Cheaper than a pump. If found the Mira coda pro has fantastic pressure off gravity.

    There about 180.


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