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  1. #1
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    Topper's Avatar
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    Innovative Hot Water Heater Solution

    I'm exploring innovative solutions to an electric hot water heater problem in our new (to us) little apartment.

    For those of you that have been blessed to have met my wife, she is a bit height impaired, so she is having difficulty reaching the dial on the hot water heater in the bathroom.

    Innovative Hot Water Heater Solution-20201106_234923-jpg

    First, I told her to turn over the bucket in and stand on it. She demurred, suggesting she was afraid of falling, especially if the shower was already wet. She wants to tape a stick to the dial to turn it. I don't think tape is an adequate solution in hot and humid environments, so I countered with a rubber band around the dial that was somehow attached to a stick, so we didn't damage rented gear.

    Now, not knowing how to attach a tightened rubber band to a stick in that manner, I'm at a loss.

    Our engineering requirements to solve this are:
    1. The solution is something that costs less than 100B.
    2. The assembly is something a very, very bright six year old could accomplish.

    Thanks in advance!

    Topper and Mrs. Topper
    "I was a good student. I comprehend very well, OK, better than I think almost anybody," - President Trump comparing his legal knowledge to a Federal judge.

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Will one of those grabber claws work?

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Innovative Hot Water Heater Solution-b70b96ff-2ee6-46fa-91ae-6633d863875e-jpeg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Innovative Hot Water Heater Solution-b70b96ff-2ee6-46fa-91ae-6633d863875e-jpeg  

  4. #4
    I am not a cat
    nidhogg's Avatar
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    Plastic two step ladder. Probably a bit more than 100 baht, but some are very sturdy.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    My suggestion also over budget.

  6. #6
    I am not a cat
    nidhogg's Avatar
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    By the way, is that earthed?

  7. #7
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    Lower the shower unit, Topper. Drill new holes a few inches lower (so long as your cable is long enough) then remount it.

    Failing that, and to please your wife, pull off the plastic dial, drill a small hole in it and glue in a stick long enough so your wife can reach it to pull down, then push the knob back on.

    Third choice, leave the shower switched on at a reasonable temperature and just turn the water on and off with the water supply switch in the bathroom (if there is one) but if that is too high, add in an extension between the the shower unit and the water switch.

  8. #8
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    Topper's Avatar
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    So, for innovative solutions, the Kit is in the lead. The only problem is we only need about a foot of reach and that might be a bit long. Also, I wonder if the claws will retract that small with enough force to get past the "click" point on the dial.

    However, seeing as the grabber can be used for other height impaired tasks, that's a good idea. Maybe get two, one for the shower and another for general usage.

  9. #9
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    Topper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg View Post
    By the way, is that earthed?
    It appears to be...

    Kit, we can't lower it as it would require redrilling and wiring.

    We were also told leaving the heater on sucks a lot of electricity. While I understand the heater only is on when the water is flowing, my wife is more inclined to believe if the little green light is on, it's burning watts.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Those claws are handy for reaching the top shelf in closets as well as for grabbing items behind furniture.

  11. #11
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Fwiiw. There is an insignificant amount of power used if just left on( what that one small LED might draw). We never turn ours off. I agree with above. Find a suitable temperature and leave it on. Simple, easy. If your wife is that worried about costs, unplug the TV when not in use to compensate for the heater LED light drain.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Sold everywhere in Thailand. My kids use them all the time.


    Last edited by Pragmatic; 07-11-2020 at 07:15 AM.

  13. #13
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    ^I agree with Prag's solution. Buy a mini plastic chair - check for sturdiness before buying. I use them all the time - in the garden, kitchen (upper cupboards) etc. I have them in my flat and in my parents' house. Cheaper solution than having the water heater on all the time (and yes, I'll be loathe to keep it always on too). Electricity rates are high in PI.

  14. #14
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Prags solution is likely the most practical and probably about 100 baht

    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Cheaper solution than having the water heater on all the time (and yes, I'll be loathe to keep it always on too). Electricity rates are high in PI
    Come on.... 1 LED light over a month can't cost more than maybe 5 cents or a few satang and even less Pesos. I just looked at our hot water heater and when not in use, no lights are on so there is no cost until you turn on the water. You drain more power leaving your microwave plugged in if it has a clock.

  15. #15
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    ^I don't have a microwave - don't need it. My energy bill is 400-500 pesos (8 to 10 usd) now that I'm WFH. When I was office-based, it was half of that.

  16. #16
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    put a pin/knob in the dial edge and a hole in the stick

    or wrap a string around the dial a couple of times and leave a loop hanging down

  17. #17
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    I don't have a microwave - don't need it.
    Off topic a bit, But I do not have a microwave either

    Cheers Katie

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    How many other items are connected to that hot water heater?

    leave it on, turn it off at the main fuse box.

    Or have an electrician install a new switch near the doorway at a reasonable height that cuts the electricty to that heater on and off.

  19. #19
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    Leave the unit switched on and use the CB/isolator switch outside the bathroom to turn the hot water on/off. That's the way we do it in our house.

  20. #20
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    Just prolong by 30 cm the fixed (PVC) pipe of the water incomer, install a 1/2" valve (80 Baht) and re-connect to it the existing flexible pipe.




    Innovative Hot Water Heater Solution-waterheater-jpg

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheRealKW View Post
    leave it on, turn it off at the main fuse box.
    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    Leave the unit switched on and use the CB/isolator switch outside the bathroom to turn the hot water on/off.
    It is not about turning the electricity on/off, it is about regulating the water flow. Hot water heaters like the one he has turns on the heater when there is a water flow through it and consequently turns off the heater when there is no water flow through it.

  22. #22
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    ^With the additional cock (that should be there anyway, how does he shut the water when the heater needs to be taken down?) you regulate the water flow in same manner as with the cock at the heater...

    Innovative Hot Water Heater Solution-waterheater2-jpg

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    ^ The water regulator is not an integrated part of the heater, it can easily be removed from the heater. You can see the nut in the pic.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    The feet have rubber inserts to stop slipping. Also doubles as a chair in the shower should you need one.

  25. #25
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Topper View Post
    to the dial
    is this the temp dial or the water valve ?

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