Light switch with timer

braxton357 said:
I'm not sure how the light turning off would either? I know it wouldn't bother me. The bathroom being 110 degrees would though
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Well lets just say I know what irritates my kid.
And plan B is an air horn on the timer. It's not plan A bc thats gonna suck for all of us.
 
DSM Turbos said:
Just smart switch then and control it from your phone no timer? Or just cut off the breaker
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I don't want to have to be around to be the enforcer.
 
FYI the short term answer to the original question was - just get this
Amazon product ASIN B07N3V3D5YSet it on 30 min, turn the sensitivity all the way down and put electrical tape over the sensor.

And lie about a 25 min timer on the hot water, which is really just you, a watch, and a ball valve.

I learned there is devices specifically to cut back on water after X mins but they are enough money to make me even more mad about having to do it.
 
RatLabGuy said:
FYI the short term answer to the original question was - just get this
Amazon product ASIN B07N3V3D5YSet it on 30 min, turn the sensitivity all the way down and put electrical tape over the sensor.

And lie about a 25 min timer on the hot water, which is really just you, a watch, and a ball valve.

I learned there is devices specifically to cut back on water after X mins but they are enough money to make me even more mad about having to do it.
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Go tankless hot water heater and some have wifi that you can turn off the heater. I was debating it for that reason for a bit
 
DSM Turbos said:
Go tankless hot water heater and some have wifi that you can turn off the heater. I was debating it for that reason for a bit
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its not worth it though when I'd have to get multiple of them to service the different bathrooms, kitchen etc, AND have to pay to upgrade the gas line.
 
RatLabGuy said:
FYI the short term answer to the original question was - just get this
Amazon product ASIN B07N3V3D5YSet it on 30 min, turn the sensitivity all the way down and put electrical tape over the sensor.

And lie about a 25 min timer on the hot water, which is really just you, a watch, and a ball valve.

I learned there is devices specifically to cut back on water after X mins but they are enough money to make me even more mad about having to do it.
Click to expand...
Oh come on, you're smart, you could rig something up. A flow switch, a timer relay and a simple 120v solenoid and you're in business
 
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awheelterd said:
Oh come on, you're smart, you could rig something up. A flow switch, a timer relay and a simple 120v solenoid and you're in business
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been thinking seriously about it. Although I'd be more complicated and use a flow meter and an Arduino to constantly read it and dynamically switch it on and off.
Bc then I can also add a wifi module and remote control it at will.
 
I’m assuming you’ve tried a direct difficult and embarrassing conversation already
 
awheelterd said:
Kinda what I was thinking. Maybe infront of some folks give him a few magazines and a box of tissues and tell him to spank it in his room rather than tie up the shower every night?
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Cydney and I were just talking about whether or not to post this same thing.
 
Ron said:
I’m assuming you’ve tried a direct difficult and embarrassing conversation already
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oh yes. BTDT.
I feel like this is a much better Garage discussion. But it's not this simple. Its more that he has zero sense of time or urgency, AND uses the bathroom as as an excuse and way to escape from having to do something.
Its funny how a way-too-long poop session always coincides with English homework that is already overdue or the lawn needing mowing.
 
RatLabGuy said:
oh yes. BTDT.
I feel like this is a much better Garage discussion. But it's not this simple. Its more that he has zero sense of time or urgency, AND uses the bathroom as as an excuse and way to escape from having to do something.
Its funny how a way-too-long poop session always coincides with English homework that is already overdue or the lawn needing mowing.
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Sound to me like there is a level of threat/consequences that you haven't gone to. Passive aggressive light switches don't seem like the solution.

My dad was a big fan of disproportionate punishments for infractions that overy pissed h off. In your scenario I could imagine a few threats and then a porta Jon showing up and being instructed to use it for all my toilet needs and to use the water hose for bathing.
 
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RatLabGuy said:
oh yes. BTDT.
I feel like this is a much better Garage discussion. But it's not this simple. Its more that he has zero sense of time or urgency, AND uses the bathroom as as an excuse and way to escape from having to do something.
Its funny how a way-too-long poop session always coincides with English homework that is already overdue or the lawn needing mowing.
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awheelterd said:
Sound to me like there is a level of threat/consequences that you haven't gone to. Passive aggressive light switches don't seem like the solution.

My dad was a big fan of disproportionate punishments for infractions that overy pissed h off. In your scenario I could imagine a few threats and then a porta Jon showing up and being instructed to use it for all my toilet needs and to use the water hose for bathing.
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Have you considered burning his house down?
 
awheelterd said:
Sound to me like there is a level of threat/consequences that you haven't gone to. Passive aggressive light switches don't seem like the solution.

My dad was a big fan of disproportionate punishments for infractions that overy pissed h off. In your scenario I could imagine a few threats and then a porta Jon showing up and being instructed to use it for all my toilet needs and to use the water hose for bathing.
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I was going to say similar.

My kids know I have two correction methods and I tell them this explicitly.
1) We discuss it rationally and you correct your behavior.
2) I set consequences so punitive and exaggerated that you never consider that screw up again.

I may be a mean SOB but I have very respectful and well mannerred and adjusted kids....<GULP> that are both adults now :(
 
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RatLabGuy said:
been thinking seriously about it. Although I'd be more complicated and use a flow meter and an Arduino to constantly read it and dynamically switch it on and off.
Bc then I can also add a wifi module and remote control it at will.
Click to expand...
what about something like this: Amazon product ASIN B08RS64NKV
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
what about something like this: Amazon product ASIN B08RS64NKV
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looked at those, but what it needs is a sensor to start the time when water starts flowing based on another external valve. E.g. starting shower normally.
Really the right way to do that is like was suggested, with a flow sensor that trips a timing module that then trips a valve.
The problem with all that is it will have to re-open the valve eventually so the water will work again. No big deal, add a 2nd timer. BUT if the user just says F-it and only turns of the cold then or just jups out the shower will blast again w/ nobody in it.

The best of these I've seen is intended exactly for this purpose... it cuts the flow by 2/3rd so you can finish but it is so miserable you'll do so quickly.
 
RatLabGuy said:
looked at those, but what it needs is a sensor to start the time when water starts flowing based on another external valve. E.g. starting shower normally.
Really the right way to do that is like was suggested, with a flow sensor that trips a timing module that then trips a valve.
The problem with all that is it will have to re-open the valve eventually so the water will work again. No big deal, add a 2nd timer. BUT if the user just says F-it and only turns of the cold then or just jups out the shower will blast again w/ nobody in it.

The best of these I've seen is intended exactly for this purpose... it cuts the flow by 2/3rd so you can finish but it is so miserable you'll do so quickly.
Click to expand...

Again...over complicating a very simple problem

beat beating GIF by neomagazinroyale
 
awheelterd said:
Sound to me like there is a level of threat/consequences that you haven't gone to. Passive aggressive light switches don't seem like the solution.

My dad was a big fan of disproportionate punishments for infractions that overy pissed h off. In your scenario I could imagine a few threats and then a porta Jon showing up and being instructed to use it for all my toilet needs and to use the water hose for bathing.
Click to expand...
Ron said:
I was going to say similar.

My kids know I have two correction methods and I tell them this explicitly.
1) We discuss it rationally and you correct your behavior.
2) I set consequences so punitive and exaggerated that you never consider that screw up again.

I may be a mean SOB but I have very respectful and well mannerred and adjusted kids....<GULP> that are both adults now :(
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doc said:
Take off the bathroom door, put up a shower curtain in its place (with a foot gap on the bottom), invest in a few hand-held air horns.

Or, flip the breaker...
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I've mentally been through all of this. And absolutely appreciate the sentiment.
My go-to was going to be air horn on a timer that won't stop until there is no occupancy.

However - this is one of those complicated parenting situations where solutions for some do not match others.
This young man is, um, a little different. High functioning ASD with some very specific quirks, and already a strained son-dad relationship. Many years of experience have taught us what approaches will only cause bigger problems and likely to backfire bigtime. Some things need to be eased into before going to the big guns.

Put this in effects a few days ago. Immediately shorter showers and time. But not quite there yet. There is a small light on the fan unit that stays on... so it was a warning but not a complete cut off. That light was "mysteriously" disconnected last night. So we'll see what happens tonight.
 
I was typing the below when you replied.
Your response complicates it a bit.

RatLabGuy said:
looked at those, but what it needs is a sensor to start the time when water starts flowing based on another external valve. E.g. starting shower normally.
Really the right way to do that is like was suggested, with a flow sensor that trips a timing module that then trips a valve.
The problem with all that is it will have to re-open the valve eventually so the water will work again. No big deal, add a 2nd timer. BUT if the user just says F-it and only turns of the cold then or just jups out the shower will blast again w/ nobody in it.

The best of these I've seen is intended exactly for this purpose... it cuts the flow by 2/3rd so you can finish but it is so miserable you'll do so quickly.
Click to expand...
Seriously, dude.

Love ya like a bro but...

This is a man to man conversation.
'The current behavior in unacceptable. It is your job to not let it happen again. I dont care that you have no sense of time or urgency, if you want to be a functioning adult you MUST develop a sense and this is part of my parental job to teach you a sense of time and urgency. Here is a reasonable guideline (Showers take 12 minutes and shits take 7 anything more is an issue until we get this under control)
The first time you miss these guidelines we will be taking your phone and all technology privileges away for 1 week.
The second time is 30 days.
The 3rd time we may require you to bath outside using a shower bag and no hot water for a couple weeks. Need I remind you its about to get cold outside in Maryland.

You just have to make this so uncomfortable that he feels compelled to comply with the societal norms of your household.

Reading the thread it sounds like there is a challenge for who is the alpha in the house.


****after edit - The functioning part becomes the question. Would you rather him feel the sting of boundaries set by you or by a stranger who may not be so kind.
Then again I have no clue because Ive never walked your path so...prayers up for ya there. I know How I would initially respond - I have no idea how it would work
 
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