Thermostatic valve suggestions for UK setup

[Faraz]

Hi All

Building Darkroom v3 and want to improve the water situation. So I'm thinking (based on the excellent video by The Naked Photographer):

Cold -> ball valve (shutoff) -> RO Filter ->
-------------------------------------------------TMV -> Temp gauge -> flow gauge -> taps
Hot -> ball valve -------------> RO Filter ->

Looking for a Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV) that'll work with low flow rates used in washing (less than 1L/min) and down to 20c. Reading countless datasheets, most valves seem to go down to 30c although I suspect they can be adjusted lower. In the video he recommends a Leornard LF-270 valve but it is US based and I'm in the UK. I could get one shipped over and use a NPT to BSP adapter, but I'd rather get something here if possible. Can anyone suggest a similar UK BSP based product? or would it be better simply placing a valve on each cold and hot and adjusting manually against the temp gauge?

I was thinking this TMV should work https://www.idealstandard.co.uk/products/a5900 but it has no dial, you have to pop the cap off and adjust with an allen key, not ideal. I don't envisage trusting the temperature for developing film, but for everything else it should be accurate enough.

Thanks

 

[ags2mikon]

The Naked Photographer did a great job on his water pannel.

 

[Faraz]

The Naked Photographer did a great job on his water pannel.

And a great job explaining what he did. I can replicate most of it, though I'll likley add a lever arm mixer tap before the TMV for hand washing. Just the choice of UK based TMV has me stumped.

 

[ags2mikon]

The one you linked to should work just fine. If it can be used for a bidet it will be the right range for film too.

 

[torleif]

I also viewed the naked photographers setup on YouTube. After trying a TMV I got hold of here in Norway, after a bit of ´research´, I managed to keep the water temperature stable for shorter periods, but the variations over more than 30 min was to large (+/- 5 deg c). Then I did an Ebay search for the TMV valve the the naked photographer used, and lo and behold, there was a US based supplier that delivered to Europe. With that TMV the temperature is very steady, and easily adjustable.

 

[Faraz]

I also viewed the naked photographers setup on YouTube. After trying a TMV I got hold of here in Norway, after a bit of ´research´, I managed to keep the water temperature stable for shorter periods, but the variations over more than 30 min was to large (+/- 5 deg c). Then I did an Ebay search for the TMV valve the the naked photographer used, and lo and behold, there was a US based supplier that delivered to Europe. With that TMV the temperature is very steady, and easily adjustable.

I guess its the reason it was specified in the expensive water board product in the video. Perhaps it's worth importing and buying 3 x adapters for it afterall - if nothing else it takes the risk out of the build. Thanks for sharing your experience with this.

 

[Faraz]

The one you linked to should work just fine. If it can be used for a bidet it will be the right range for film too.

20c in a bidet is intolerable or perhaps I need to toughen up a bit