Caravan taps, how much?!

[Christhecaravanner84]

Today I set about investigating my leaking kitchen tap.

It's definitely leaking around the bottom section ,I checked with tissues. The master plan was to replace the square profille o ring seals around the bottom of the tap. I bought a replacement cartridge as they aren't that expensive and thought I'd take "belt and braces" approach. However non of the usual DIY places have anything like the o rings for my tap. I'm having a job to even find anything online which would work.

As my water system is pressure switched, I was hoping to use a domestic tap with the relevant adaptors but the spouts are way too long. The prices of caravan taps just seems ridiculous. There's a bathroom tap with a shorter swivel spout at B&Q which is a possible canidate, at a reasonable £22 as opposed to the £60+ I'm looking at from caravan shops..

Has anyone on here had success with fitting a domestic tap in their caravan kitchen?

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

Ah ha, found some more reasonably priced taps on leisureshopdirect

 

[Mel]

Chris, there are various threads on the Swift Owners group Facebook page because Reich taps as fitted by Swift ( and probably others ) are… let’s use the word suboptimal. Lots of folks seem to have swapped for taps from Screwfix. You may want to look first. I am not technically minded so can’t advise further.
Mel

 

[otherclive]

Yes Screwfix sell a wide range of taps and also they stock spares for them, so you are future proofed to some extent.

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[littlebasher]

I bought a set of universal o rings from Amazon and was able to find a pair of seals that matched. They were a better fit, too good in fact as it was impossible to rotate the tap afterwards (but no leaks).

Those Reich Vector taps are utter garbage. Half of the posts on Facebook recently seem to have been about them either leaking or blowing out the end of the spout.

I've had a few changed under warranty - after that it'll be getting a set of generic taps from screwfix / toolstation.

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

It looks like the required 15 to 12 mm reducer for a domestic tap is only available online from caravan suppliers online. I'll give Swindon Caravan Centre a call tomorrow to see if they do something.

 

[otherclive]

It looks like the required 15 to 12 mm reducer for a domestic tap is only available online from caravan suppliers online. I'll give Swindon Caravan Centre a call tomorrow to see if they do something.

Primaflow and John Guest do a wide range of reducer tap connectors.

 

[Jcloughie]

As you suspected, any domestic tap will fit with the aid of adaptors.

The special thing about caravan taps for pressurised systems, is the price.

John

 

[Hutch]

As you suspected, any domestic tap will fit with the aid of adaptors.

The special thing about caravan taps for pressurised systems, is the price.

John

I shall remember this as mine must be due to fail soon.

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

Can't see why I couldn't use a round profile o ring seeing as the square profile ones are as rare as the rocking horse proverbial.

 

[littlebasher]

Can't see why I couldn't use a round profile o ring seeing as the square profile ones are as rare as the rocking horse proverbial.

As above, i did and the tap leaked no more

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

As above, i did and the tap leaked no more

Don't seem to be able to get the right size from the usual places but I think I've found something suitable at polymax.co.uk

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

I've ordered some O rings off Ebay . Gott a be worth a try for a few quid. I bought a new cartridge today too at Swindon Caravan Centre. I'll fit that too for good measure.

 

[GaryB]

I know it’s too late now but cartridges are available from Screwfix etc for half the price of caravan dealers, I replaced the one in my parents caravan last year. Regarding the O-ring, can you reuse the old one with a smear of “instant gasket” on it?

 

[otherclive]

I know it’s too late now but cartridges are available from Screwfix etc for half the price of caravan dealers, I replaced the one in my parents caravan last year. Regarding the O-ring, can you reuse the old one with a smear of “instant gasket” on it?

O ring packs are cheap from Screwfix, Toolstation. I got mine from Eurocarparts. I found trying to find the precise size of a failed one and then buy a replacement at inflated prices wasn’t on.

Streetwize 125Pce O-Ring Assortment | Euro Car Parts

Streetwize 125Pce O-Ring Assortment at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

 

[ProfJohnL]

It is possible, but , I think very unlikely that a caravan tap manufacturer would design a tap to use a none standard size of O ring, so buying a kit seems a good idea.

However there can be some other reasons to use caution with this approach, depending on what job the O ring is actually doing, the material of the O ring could be a critical matter.
If the ring is normally in contact with anything we eat or drink, the ring must be made to a food grade standard.
If the ring is to be used on the gas installation in a caravan it must be LPG tolerant, as LPG will dissolve or affect natural rubbers, and some synthetics.
If the ring needs to allow any parts it contacts to move, then some lubricants might affect the rings composition.

With these factors in mind, is having a box of O rings which might or might not be suitable for other jobs the right thing to have, in which case for some people it might be simpler and safer to get the manufacturers spare part for peace of mind.

But if the present job is not affected by the limitations above, then having a box of O rings around can be quite useful especially if it's cheaper than the manufacture's dedicated part.

 

[Dustydog]

A bit late Chris but E bay and Amazon do cheapos. I’ve bought two my self over the years No real difference to the OEM .Suitable for the water pressurised systems.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Jcloughie]

As others have said re cheap cartriges. But I would add. The old cartridge will have a code printed on it, simply Google it and plenty will come up.

John

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

O ring packs are cheap from Screwfix, Toolstation. I got mine from Eurocarparts. I found trying to find the precise size of a failed one and then buy a replacement at inflated prices wasn’t on.

Streetwize 125Pce O-Ring Assortment | Euro Car Parts

Streetwize 125Pce O-Ring Assortment at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

None of the kits at Toolstation or Screwfix have the correct size.

 

[otherclive]

None of the kits at Toolstation or Screwfix have the correct size.

Guess its luck of the draw.

 

[Jcloughie]

None of the kits at Toolstation or Screwfix have the correct size.

There are variations in size regarding height. But the whole and fitting diameters are standard. The biggest difference is between the WH basin and sink taps. But there are further height and reach differences. So it is possible to fit a large WH basin tap in place of a sink tap.

John

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

There are variations in size regarding height. But the whole and fitting diameters are standard. The biggest difference is between the WH basin and sink taps. But there are further height and reach differences. So it is possible to fit a large WH basin tap in place of a sink tap.

John

I was talking about the O rings.

 

[Christhecaravanner84]

Slightly off topic: Having had the sink off whilst mucking around with taps , I’ve uncovered some of the quality workmanship in my caravan. Not to mention the poor room sealing on the fridge which is my next project, I spotted my control panel cable:


Really?! Were they at the end of the cable roll when my ‘van was built?

 

[Dustydog]

Slightly off topic: Having had the sink off whilst mucking around with taps , I’ve uncovered some of the quality workmanship in my caravan. Not to mention the poor room sealing on the fridge which is my next project, I spotted my control panel cable:
View attachment 4561

Really?! Were they at the end of the cable roll when my ‘van was built?

You’re lucky. Newer caravans stretch the cables to the limit so you can’t remove appliances without cutting wires🤬🤬

 

[Jcloughie]

I was talking about the O rings.

Sorry, misread.

John

Slightly off topic: Having had the sink off whilst mucking around with taps , I’ve uncovered some of the quality workmanship in my caravan. Not to mention the poor room sealing on the fridge which is my next project, I spotted my control panel cable:
View attachment 4561

Really?! Were they at the end of the cable roll when my ‘van was built?

I had a Baily Senetor with very poor room sealing on the fridge. It had a pull-out shelf over the fridge. Big draughts would come through.

After I sealed it, not only were we draught-free, but the fridge worked more efficiently as ventilation went where it was supposed to.

I found this stuff useful for part of the job. Work done through the outside vents.

Exhaust fumes could enter the compartment.

John