Advice for water to Garden Cabin

Seemedlikeagoodidea · 2026-04-28T10:59:09+0100

Hi we have had a garden cabin built approx 50 meters from house, partner is registered sparky so added armoured cabling and we have run water supply from the mains. No gas. We want a electric shower that will keep the KW ideally under 10 so it doesn't trip or cause issues, will need sep water heater for en-suite hand basin which will not be used at the same time. Ideally I would like a shower that is reliable, doesn't leak and has decent pressure. The the son who will stay there a few nights a week has requested a decent size head so spray covers normal man size bod lol. I don't want to buy cheap and pay twice.. so please can anyone recommend a good shower I am a bit stuck between a few and would like honest opinions. Thank you

ericmark · 2026-04-28T14:24:25+0100

Careful, cost me over £1000 a year, as the council class it as a separate dwelling.

Seemedlikeagoodidea · 2026-04-28T14:29:27+0100

Hi we have a log cabin that fits within the caravan act and isn't a permanent dwelling. It's literally for guest use and when son isn't visiting girlfriend or at uni so rarely anyone there. There is also no kitchen area.

ericmark · 2026-04-28T14:51:38+0100

I find my showers only use around 5 kW from the grid, due to the batteries, but I find things have moved on, so to say an XYZ shower is good, is a bit pointless, and XYZ not made any more, something will have changed.

Taylortwocities · 2026-04-28T15:46:26+0100

What size armoured cable was installed?

In these situations I have preferred to install an unvented hot water tank in the outbuilding. Using a single immersion heater it only pulls 13amp, you'll get mains pressure hot water and hot water for the hand basin.

100litre would be big enough,.

Seemedlikeagoodidea · 2026-04-28T15:53:59+0100

We don't have a lot of space to store one. Are there compact versions ? Also stupid question as I understand re the electrical load, but how would the cylinder be with a shower and general heating bills ? Would it be better or worse? Thank you for replying btw

endecotp · 2026-04-28T18:39:05+0100

Seemedlikeagoodidea said:
please can anyone recommend a good shower

I'll assume that your "sparky partner" understands the issues with an electric shower on the end of 50m of cable...

Unless you have a huge budget for something all-singing-and-dancing, I think modern electric showers are probably all pretty similar. I bought a 9.5kW Mira from Screwfix, it's fine.

Seemedlikeagoodidea · 2026-04-28T18:41:31+0100

I am sure he does but what specifically do you mean. Also was it the sports Mira ? Thanks

Taylortwocities · 2026-04-28T20:04:12+0100

Seemedlikeagoodidea said:
I am sure he does but what specifically do you mean.

For a 50metre run you’ll need a chunky cable to have enough volts at the far end to run a 10KW load.
It’s not a matter of

Seemedlikeagoodidea said:
it doesn't trip

It’s a matter of volt drop. Not dissing your partner but that’s why I was asking about the size of the SWA.

Seemedlikeagoodidea · 2026-04-28T20:07:36+0100

Oh yeah it's a large cable, he has been qualified over 20 year

just told me to pick a shower and I get baffled by reviews lol. Our plumber said to get a instant water heater with multi point but reviews were all bad

Mottie · 2026-04-28T20:08:34+0100

Seemedlikeagoodidea said:
how would the cylinder be with a shower and general heating bills ? Would it be better or worse?

Surely if it’s only for occasional use, it wouldn’t matter too much, would it?

pete01 · 2026-04-28T20:09:10+0100

My calculator says 10mm....I would have guessed bigger.

flameport · 2026-04-28T20:10:30+0100

Seemedlikeagoodidea said:
The the son who will stay there a few nights a week has requested a decent size head

No instant electric shower will meet that requirement.
The flow rate is limited by the energy input.
Doesn't matter how much the shower costs or who makes it.

Seemedlikeagoodidea said:
has decent pressure.

That won't be happening with an instant electric shower either, and it's probably flow, not pressure.

Seemedlikeagoodidea said:
how would the cylinder be with a shower and general heating bills ? Would it be better or worse?

Not applicable.
Heating a certain amount of water to a certain temperature takes a defined amount of energy.
Whether it's done instantly or over a period of an hour or many hours changes nothing.

The cost of heating water changes based on how much hot water is used - use more, pay more.
Use less, pay less. Use none, pay nothing.

Seemedlikeagoodidea said:
Our plumber said to get a instant water heater with multi point but reviews were all bad

They would be, as they are the same principle as an instant electric shower - attempting to heat water on demand means the flow rate will be very low.
If you only need a few litres per minute then they may be of use. Anything more than that and they will be a disappointment.

SUNRAY · 2026-04-28T20:19:14+0100

pete01 said:
My calculator says 10mm....I would have guessed bigger.

So would I... however my favourite on line calculator shows 10mm² For 51m (11V drop) but 16mm² for 52m (7.5V drop) so I'd certainly aim for the larger size.

pete01 · 2026-04-28T20:24:19+0100

SUNRAY said:
So would I... however my favourite on line calculator shows 10mm² For 51m (11V drop) but 16mm² for 52m (7.5V drop) so I'd certainly aim for the larger size.

Yes I'd definitely go 16mm²

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Advice for water to Garden Cabin

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