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electronic distribution manifold for a shower

Author: scott_fx (CA)

Hello,

I'm currently in the demo and parts purchase stage of my bathroom renovation. I would like to set up a 'spa' type walk in shower area with a ceiling mounted rain showerhead (not the high flow ones, something more environmentally friendly), a hand held and body sprayers. I ordered the moen digital io thermostatic valve and controller but it only has one output. I want to create an electronically controlled distribution manifold.

i was wondering if i could use a 1/2" electric solenoid valve? or would it be better to modify a rough in distribution valve to be controlled by a stepper motor? The solenoid valves would be a lot easier to work with and it'll go inline after the main moen valve (so if one does fail, i will be able to shut off the water still.

thanks in advance for the help,

scott

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower

Author: dlh (TX)

i cant find the installation instructions so i cant say what it is designed to do specifically and what you can do to modify it but i think with that system you will be opening a can of worms and possibly voiding any warranty by modifying the electronics. most are designed to have 3 spray settings. 1 or the other or both the shower and body sprays. i dont know what else you would be needing to do

with "car wash" type showers such as this there is no such thing as "green". the 2.5 gpm use is per head that is in use at a time

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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower

Author: scott_fx (CA)

thanks for your quick reply. i'm not going to be modifying the moen controller at all. i'll be designing my own controller for the system. it'll be isolated from the the valve electronics. I also plan to build my own interface using either capacitance sensing ic's or a touch panel in a waterproof enclosure. At most, if i hack into anything on the moen, it'll be the remote control. i have some experience with this sort of thing and it shouldn't be too complicated since i've done aspects of this design in other projects.

I still would like to know if there is a solenoid valve that would be up for the task of daily use. something normally closed, 12v (24v if no other options exist).

please excuse my ignorance about anything plumbing. this is all very new to me. the layout of my proposed system would be as follows:
1/2 pex (hot/cold) to moen digital i/o valve's input. the output would go to a copper manafold (one input, three or four outputs). each output would have a solenoid valve on it controlled by a micro controller and then onto the respective shower heads.

The moen valve will be controlled via the moen controller and the distribution manifold will be controlled from my touch panel.

i didn't realize that the rainfall shower head was 2.5 gpm (thought it was 1.6) i will have to look for some alternatives. The body sprayers are 1.6 gpm but; lets face it, they will be more or less installed for resale value.

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower
Author: dlh (TX) oh ok. the "water cop" and other devices similar to it may be what you are looking for but i dont know how it will handle daily use as that is not what they are designed for. doesnt that valve call for 3/4" inlet pipes? having less volume than it is engineered for might be a problem ---------------------------- PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower
Author: Wheelchair Both Parker and Amsco made 1/2 inch valves which are normally closed and open when activated by either 24 volts or 110. Why not call the manufacturer with your combined idea and ask if they think it will fly.... or flow. Best Wishes

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower
Author: scott_fx (CA) thanks for the replies. the one i got has 1/2" connections. it's like this one: [@] but that watercop valve is sort of what im looking for, but i need the 'dumb' version since i'll be building the controller for it. I'll contact those companies to see if they have a product for my application. thanks

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower
Author: scott_fx (CA) did you mean 'ASCO' instead of 'Amsco'?

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower
Author: birddoggiest (ID) I would think a honeywell v8043 zone valve would work well. Make sure you leave good access to your manifold if you need to change anything. You will want room to solder if need be. Sounds like a neat project.

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower

Author: scott_fx (CA)

thanks for the product recommendation. it should be pretty clever?/fun project. i'll install an access panel in the adjacent closet. I'm going to go with the asco solenoid valves because i found a supply of NOS valves for a fifth of what they honeywell's go for new. I purchased 5 so i'd have a spare if i ever needed it. I think i may actually go search for one n/o valve for the main shower head. this way; in the default configuration, none of the solenoids will be charged.

I think i'm also going to incorporate basic controls for the audio system (skip, repeat, pause and play... maybe volume) into the controller. I'm pretty excited. I just finished the demolition today, monday we start the shower prep.

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower
Author: birddoggiest (ID) That is awesome, keep us posted on progress.

Re: electronic distribution manifold for a shower
Author: dlh (TX) just remember, "you get what you pay for" and at 1/5th the price i would not even think of using them where failure could cause flooding and a lot of damage ---------------------------- PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"