Archive for January, 2013

27th January
2013
written by Todd Harrison

This is part one of my crazy list of hobby projects that I don’t ever get enough time to work on. I need a 2nd life just to do all the projects I find interesting.

This is part two (It is not that entertaining)

I hope you enjoy the video and photo gallery below. CLICK ON PHOTO for hi-resolution image.

Unshaven

Unshaven

A little trim around the edges.

A little trim around the edges.

Funny shave 1

Funny shave 1

Funny shave 2

Funny shave 2

Funny shave 3

Funny shave 3

Funny shave 4

Funny shave 4

Funny shave 5

Funny shave 5

Kind of a short Fu Manchu

Kind of a short Fu Manchu

I call this a cop moustache but might be called a major.

I call this a cop moustache but might be called a major.

The toothbrush moustache (also called Hitler moustache, Charlie Chaplin moustache, 1/3 moustache, philtrum moustache, the postage stamp, or soul (mou)stache)

The toothbrush moustache (also called Hitler moustache, Charlie Chaplin moustache, 1/3 moustache, philtrum moustache, the postage stamp, or soul (mou)stache)

Full shave

Full shave

Shave and a haircut

Shave and a haircut

Thanks for joining.

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24th January
2013
written by Todd Harrison

In this video I install and review an instant whole house hot water recirculation system by Watts. The system is designed to cycle water from your water heater to a select faucet so that you have instant hot water at each faucet. If you pick a faucet that is the farthest from your heater you have a good chance that all your taps will have instant hot water. If that doesn’t work you can buy additional temperature controlled crossover valves kits for other faucets that are on different piping routes.

<video of install and review>

The system cost about $200 for one faucet and $50 for each additional faucet if needed. With the first crossover valve at my kitchen sink my daughter’s bathroom sink was also always hot but I had to buy a 2nd crossover valve for the master bathroom being it was on a different piping route. If you call the Watts help line 1-800-752-5582, they say not to install in a kitchen if you have an R/O system or a dishwasher T’ed off the water supply line. I don’t have an R/O system but I do have a dishwasher, so we only run the dishwasher at night when the recirculating pump is off.

I don’t think this will be an expensive system to run because you set the recirculation pump to run at select times of day and it only cycles water until the crossover valves senses about 90F and then the crossover valve closes stopping the recirculation. That means you always have 90F at each faucet when the pump is set to run, plus the pump only uses 25 watts of power. Time will tell if this is a costly system so I will report back in a few months. I have been running the system for only one month now and don’t have enough data to really make any comments on the cost increase or savings. I might have savings because I replaced a 2.5 gal under sink electric water heater with this whole house system.

The install was easy and only took me about 1 hour. In the video I cover some tests and my opinion after one month which was “I like it!” and “It works great!” The only strange issue is that you have 90F water when you turn on the cold water too. I state in the video review that the cold drops off to 80F in 40 seconds and 63F after another minute. I don’t care if the cold side is warm for a minute, waiting for cold water is not an issue for me.

I hope you enjoy the video and photo gallery below. CLICK ON PHOTO for hi-resolution image.

Retail box

Retail box

Retail box

Retail box

Contents of box

Contents of box

recirculation pump

recirculation pump

pump uses 220mA at 120V so ~25watts.

pump uses 220mA at 120V so ~25watts.

Timer control

Timer control

Rubber gasket so install on top of water heater is easy.

Rubber gasket so install on top of water heater is easy.

This is the threaded top connector of the pump that you connect to your hot water supply at your water heater.

This is the threaded top connector of the pump that you connect to your hot water supply at your water heater.

Install instructions

Install instructions

The temperature controlled crossover valve that installs under your sink.

The temperature controlled crossover valve that installs under your sink.

More install notes

More install notes

How to set the timer

How to set the timer

You turn the clock hand to set the time, not the rotating disk.

You turn the clock hand to set the time, not the rotating disk.

Flip down these white pins for the time of day you want the pump running.

Flip down these white pins for the time of day you want the pump running.

You can set the timer control to "On" 24/7 or timer based or "Off" with this little switch.

You can set the timer control to “On” 24/7 or timer based or “Off” with this little switch.

My install of the pump on top of the water heater. Really easy to install.

My install of the pump on top of the water heater. Really easy to install.

My install showng the connection to the heater and supply line.

My install showng the connection to the heater and supply line.

Keep the pump clear of the gas vent.

Keep the pump clear of the gas vent.

Install of my temperature controlled crossover valve under my sink.

Install of my temperature controlled crossover valve under my sink.

I used my Fluke 289 logging meter to record the temperature with and without the system (see video for best details on the tests)

I used my Fluke 289 logging meter to record the temperature with and without the system (see video for best details on the tests)

Me testing the water with the Fluke 289.

Me testing the water with the Fluke 289.

Fluke View chart of the data collected (see video for best details on the tests). This is without the system running for 22 hours and it takes 1 minute and 13 seconds to get to 88F

Fluke View chart of the data collected (see video for best details on the tests). This is without the system running for 22 hours and it takes 1 minute and 13 seconds to get to 88F

Fluke View chart of the data collected (see video for best details on the tests).  This is with the system running and fist use of the day. It only took 2 seconds to get to 88F and another 26 seconds to get to 120F

Fluke View chart of the data collected (see video for best details on the tests). This is with the system running and fist use of the day. It only took 2 seconds to get to 88F and another 26 seconds to get to 120F

Fluke View chart of the data collected (see video for best details on the tests).  This is a test on how long it takes to get cold water being the hot water recirculation system puts hot water in to the cold lines too. It took 41 seconds to get down to 80F and another minute to get to 63F.

Fluke View chart of the data collected (see video for best details on the tests). This is a test on how long it takes to get cold water being the hot water recirculation system puts hot water in to the cold lines too. It took 41 seconds to get down to 80F and another minute to get to 63F.

I give this instant whole house hot water recirculation system by Watts two thumbs up!

I give this instant whole house hot water recirculation system by Watts two thumbs up!

Thanks for joining.

Thanks for joining.

Thanks for joining!!!

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