Volume control in a shower

[beelzerob]

Well, the palm pad is priced about decent, and I know X10 stuff works with CQC (or at least should)....but my searches for a waterproof enclosure for it are comin' up empty.

I think the good news from this, though...is that I have some relatively decent wireless options that I can implement AFTER the fact. Why I'm leaning towards that a little now is that it would mean one less hole in my shower wall (where those can be avoided, it's a good idea I think), and less wire running for me.

Basically, it's something that once the need is voiced.... "Honey, can't we control the volume somehow from in here?"..... then I can leap to the rescue. You get more atta-boys for fixing something than for thinking of it ahead of time. :blink:

 

[TonyNo]

Don't forget about the slimmer stick-a-switches or smaller keychain remote.

 

[smee]

Don't forget about the slimmer stick-a-switches or smaller keychain remote.

I thought about the stick-a-switch too. Just cover it with a little plastic wrap and stick it to the wall. The RF range on them can be pretty poor, though.

For the keychain remote, I was thinking that you need to cast it inside some silicone in the shape of a small bar of soap. Squeeze one end (or corner) for volume up, the other for volume down. Stealth remote.

 

[beelzerob]

Both also interesting ideas. I'm concerned about anything I have to cover with plastic...I'm planning on getting a water softener, but if over time I'm sure the plastic would begin to cloud or wear and look crappy.

We're still a ways from tiling starting, so I've got some more time to consider. I might still get some of those lighted waterproof switches, to play with if nothing else.

 

[ceady]

Personally I would put a couple touch sensors on the outside of the glass of your shower. No moisture. Hard wired so no interference or RF issues. Not to mention it could look pretty slick as long as you could hide the wires.

Just a thought

 

[beelzerob]

Personally I would put a couple touch sensors on the outside of the glass of your shower. No moisture. Hard wired so no interference or RF issues. Not to mention it could look pretty slick as long as you could hide the wires.

Just a thought

Wiring to just outside the door shouldn't be hard. And it's true, it would bypass the moisture issue and keep the shower walls uncluttered. What kind of touch sensors did you mean? One of those small touchpads, or something else?

 

[TonyNo]

Here's another option to use with a Palm Pad located somewhere else...

http://www.storm-interface.com/products_description.asp?id=2

 

[ceady]

As far as touch sensors go, I've had good luck with QPROX's touch sensors. The QT220 is a two channel chip which would be perfect for up and down volume control, it takes like 10 resistors and a few capacitors and you can use looped wire as the sensor or other thin metal. Take the output of the QPROX through an optocoupler like a 4N35 and the other side of the 4N35 across the buttons of a digital volume control like an "Acoustic Research ARDVC1 Digital In-Wall Volume Control". If you are following me so far and you really want to do it on the cheap you can make your own digital volume control by following a circuit similar to http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/volume.asp and connect a 4N35 across each switch.

 

[beelzerob]

If you are following me so far and you really want to do it on the cheap

No...and yes. I wish I had the time to tinker with electronics....I hope to someday. But I'm the world's worst solderer, and that's usually a prerequisite. And unless it comes in a box with all the electronic parts already labeled and extensive clear instructions are included...I don't have a chance.