Body jets

[Richhen]

Hi,
1st time I've posted on here so hoping someone can help.....

I'm an enthusiastic moderate DIYer looking to install a new ensuite.
I have the new suite which includes a concealed 2-way diverter thermostatic shower valve, one of these rain-drenching shower heads and 6 body jets.

I have a few questions....
What is the best way/configuration to install the body jets (I have heard it's not as easy as I might have thought). I've heard about a loop, h-configuration etc, but really not sure if it's simple enough to do myself or best to have a plumber involved.
As a relative newbie to plumbing, can I use plastic or copper push fit to install the shower and body jets or is this to much of a compromise and should i be using copper and solder?

The system will be gravity fed. The pressure is fine just now for a standard shower head, but will I need a shower pump for the rain drench shower head (approx 20cm) and body jets. If so, what bar should I opt for? I'm thinking either 2 or 3 bar, but will there be much difference to choose between the 2 or 3 bar?

Got loads more questions, but that should get me going just now.

Thanks in advance

Rich

 

[picasso]

How big is your hot water cylinder ?

 

[Richhen]

Hi, thanks for reply.

Not sure of capacity, but it's about 90cm high and 50cm diameter.

 

[picasso]

So your six body jets will empty you hot water cylinder in about 3 minutes (thats just a guess ) but if you want that kind of setup you will need to upgrade the supply side.

 

[Richhen]

I doubt I'll be installing a new cylinder.

Would you suggest not installing the body jets? - I didn't realise they were such a consumer of water.

At the moment, we have 2 adults and 3 young kids in the house and don't seem to run out of hot water.

The body jets were just a nice to have, so if they are going to cause lots of other probs, I'd rather not bother with them.

 

[picasso]

Your hot water cylinder holds approx 120lts of hot water , a fairly standard rain head shower will run 20litres per minute @2 bar, so a third cold and two thirds hot gives you 13.5 lpm hot and 6.5lpm cold , that gives you a nine minute shower (probably a bit less) before you run the cylinder cold, thats if the cistern in the loft is big enough.

 

[Richhen]

If I didn't bother with the body jets, would I still need a pump for the rain head shower, or would the gravity fed system still work OK in your opinion?
I really don't want the additional cost and work to fit a larger hot water cylinder.
I think the cold water tank in the loft will be sufficient - its huge.

Thanks

 

[picasso]

Most modern fitting are designed for high pressure water systems, I doubt your rain head shower will be satisfactory but you could fit it and see if its acceptable without a pump.

 

[Richhen]

Ok, the 2 options seem to be then...

1. Rain head shower and body jets (already bought) with a shower pump, but probably need a larger hot water cylinder

2. Change the rain head shower for a standard head, omit the body jets and don't bother with a pump, therefore no need for a bigger cylinder.

Have I got this right?

Thanks for your help. More to consider than I thought!

 

[picasso]

If you get it wrong...

its quite a big project to upgrade the plumbing to cope with body jets/rain head showers, not one for the average diyer, maybe option 2 would be better for you .

 

[Richhen]

Thanks again. This conversation really has helped a lot.
....time for some reflection and expectation management

 

[oph]

Ive got x4 body jets running in conjunction with a my aqualisa shower valve

Unless your punching in excess of 20ltres per minute I wouldn't bother.

Mine dosent and its a waste of brass.

If your going to put a Stuart Turner Monsoon big pump behind it then that's a different matter. Make sure you have at least 50gal tank in the roof and a big cylinder because a 36x18 wont cut it