G'Day, on our recent trip to Townsville (where we met Dougwe!), we had some problems in the van with water leaking from the connection at the sink tap - a mixer type. I removed the connectors but found no "O" rings which may well be stuck inside the tap. So what I did was coat the fittings with tap grease to allow them to slip in easier and hopefully seal - which they did but not 100%.
Now, my question is whether the fittings should have "O" rings on the male bit and if so, I'd presume the seals are still "up the spout". If so I could use a bit of wire to fish them out and get some new ones?. Van is 7 years old so I guess seal would be hard with age. See attached pics for what words don't cover.
Something is telling me Denis that those Nylon fittings have worn so maybe try and replace them and the problem might be sorted.
Good to catch up with you as well and glad you have made it home safe. I might be heading south in a couple or few weeks as well.
If all fails maybe some silicone. (To bring this topic back on topic)
hako said
10:50 PM Jul 6, 2013
Don't think they are worn as the tip of the connector is the same diameter as the stub end and the shoulders are still square. To replace the connectors requires 2 new hoses. I'll see if I can use a mirror to look up the hole but my guess is that the connector should have an "O" ring on the tip when inserted much like the seal on the neck of the filter on an automatic transmission.
Regards
hako said
11:21 PM Jul 6, 2013
Update....decided to screw the unit from the sink - damn thing is made of plastic!.....anyway, found a "O" ring up each hole (pic 1 )so I can renew that to stop the leak hopefully. In pic 2 you can see cracks discovered when I unscrewed the spout from the tap body. I can see some Sikaflex 221 coming in handy. I am a bit disappointed at the quality of this unit - even the $29 mixer taps in Bunnings are made of brass...this thing is lightweight for sure but flimsy as. It has to handle town pressure so I might even change it to another type if available. Any suggestions/hints appreciated.
If it were mine, I'd be (like I did on my caravan) fitting a decent quality home style mixer tap with proper fittings and something that will endure use.
We used all taps made by estilo, you can get them from Bunnings. The quality is excellent and in a previous job I used them during reno's and refits.
Thanks Mark - that's the mixer tap I mentioned that was at Bunnings but they are $29 here!. I fitted one to our house sink...it replaced one that cost us over $250 five years ago.
Unfortunately on the Avan, the sink has a glass lid or cover that hinges down over the sink so that you can use the area as workspace - this means that the mixer tap must be very low or short and fold down when the lid is down. I'll do a search on Ebay and see what turns up. We've also got a new Masters store in Toowoomba and they carry a different range of taps to Bunnings so maybe they have something suitable. Always more than one way to skin a cat.
Regards
Denis
Mark said
03:01 AM Jul 7, 2013
Hi Dennis
Take a look at the attached file, fold down chrome taps for caravans
Geez Mark, I thought I was pretty hot locating items on the web but you beat me hands down. There is an interesting looking tap at your site - 7 times the price of the Bunnings version but it would fit. I currently have my big bro over here on hols from Christchurch NZ so he could check it out for me and make sure it is brass. The old tap is Dometic so I suppose they are available, but I don't think plastic is real flash. Thanks for taking the time. We're not using the van for a month or two unfortunately so there is no real rush.
Regards
Denis
dorian said
03:46 AM Jul 7, 2013
It's a Folding Hot/Cold Water Mixer tap for a Dometic Cramer sink, but it's plastic ($105):
Thanks Dorian, that's the one - found it elsewhere for $95. They are very flimsy so I'll try and get something more sturdy. The thought of it failing and flooding the van kind of scares me.
Regards
Denis
goldcoaster said
02:51 PM Jul 7, 2013
Have a look at Basin Mixers , they are smaller but are fixed , they don't swivel , might do the trick. All metal/brass/chrome. Same connections as your old one only stainless. Cheers
hako said
03:34 PM Jul 7, 2013
Thanks goldcoaster, another option although it must swivel otherwise you cannot fit a frypan in the small sink. Campers are always a gaggle of compromises!.
Good Luck.
hako said
12:47 AM Jul 8, 2013
Final update - fitted 2 new larger and thicker "O" rings and screwed it up snug.....leak is down to 1 drop every hour but that still is no good so a replacement is definately needed.....the split plastic really makes it cactus even if I sealed the leak completely.
G'Day, on our recent trip to Townsville (where we met Dougwe!), we had some problems in the van with water leaking from the connection at the sink tap - a mixer type. I removed the connectors but found no "O" rings which may well be stuck inside the tap. So what I did was coat the fittings with tap grease to allow them to slip in easier and hopefully seal - which they did but not 100%.
Now, my question is whether the fittings should have "O" rings on the male bit and if so, I'd presume the seals are still "up the spout". If so I could use a bit of wire to fish them out and get some new ones?. Van is 7 years old so I guess seal would be hard with age. See attached pics for what words don't cover.
Thanks
Good to catch up with you as well and glad you have made it home safe. I might be heading south in a couple or few weeks as well.
If all fails maybe some silicone. (To bring this topic back on topic)
Regards
Update....decided to screw the unit from the sink - damn thing is made of plastic!.....anyway, found a "O" ring up each hole (pic 1 )so I can renew that to stop the leak hopefully. In pic 2 you can see cracks discovered when I unscrewed the spout from the tap body. I can see some Sikaflex 221 coming in handy.
I am a bit disappointed at the quality of this unit - even the $29 mixer taps in Bunnings are made of brass...this thing is lightweight for sure but flimsy as. It has to handle town pressure so I might even change it to another type if available.
Any suggestions/hints appreciated.
Hi hako
If it were mine, I'd be (like I did on my caravan) fitting a decent quality home style mixer tap with proper fittings and something that will endure use.
We used all taps made by estilo, you can get them from Bunnings. The quality is excellent and in a previous job I used them during reno's and refits.
http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_estilo-serena-sink-mixer-35mm_P5001589.aspx
Good luck
Mark
Unfortunately on the Avan, the sink has a glass lid or cover that hinges down over the sink so that you can use the area as workspace - this means that the mixer tap must be very low or short and fold down when the lid is down. I'll do a search on Ebay and see what turns up. We've also got a new Masters store in Toowoomba and they carry a different range of taps to Bunnings so maybe they have something suitable. Always more than one way to skin a cat.
Regards
Denis
Hi Dennis
Take a look at the attached file, fold down chrome taps for caravans
http://www.foxtonrvaccessories.co.nz/stockpage.cfm?category=Sinks%20-%20Basins%20and%20taps
Good luck
Mark
Regards
Denis
caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php
Regards
Denis
Good Luck.
Thanks for all the help and tips.
Good Luck.