Apr 06
Faster Is Colder, Slower IS Hotter
If you live in Panama and unless you have the opportunity to build your own house you will probably get to learn about electric showerheads. I know that they are commonly known as widow makers. I don’t know why they couldn’t be widower makers. Maybe women designed them and the women would never get under one.
The shower head is like one of those coils that you may have see to heat a cup of water for coffee. As the water passes through the head, the water is heated. To get the water the right temperature you have to adjust the rate of flow of the water. If the flow is to great then the water doesn’t have time to heat and it is a chilling experience. Also the heating element doesn’t operate if there isn’t sufficient water flow.
In the middle is your happy medium and you get nice warm water. However, you don’t always have complete control of the water pressure. Just as the electricity voltage fluctuates to a certain extent, the water pressure may also fluctuate. Today was one of those days. I had the flow rate just right and was enjoying my shower. Then the pressure decreased, and the heater turned off. Burrrrr.
In general though remember that faster is colder and slower is hotter.
8 responses so far Panama Journal
Also know as a “suicide shower”. I got a couple great photos of one that “fried” on me in Santa Catalina last year.
I enjoy your new site.
Later,
J
Thanks for dropping in and thanks for the comment.
Also known as a ’shock’ shower. By the time I made my first trip to Central America, I’d heard so many horror stories about these things I was truly afraid to use one. Now that I live here, I’ve gotten used to the warm-warmer-hot-cold-hot-cold-lukewarm-warmish-hot-cold showers – and much shorter ones as well!
Ha Ha. Yes, as long as I don’t become a wet french fry one day, I think they are all right.
“In general though remember that faster is colder and slower is hotter.”
Hmmm I like that phrase.!!!!
I think David is so hot you don’t need a hot, warm shower.
Actually before I put in my electric shower head, I almost couldn’t stand to take a shower. I didn’t know that I could get into and out of a shower so fast. Maybe it is ok to the natives, but I don’t like cold water.
I also have a super hot shower or a cold one with the widow maker . I live in Las Lajas at the beach. Hot is mustn for a good shower
I agree. A cold shower is not one I enjoy.