Step-by-step guide to a simple repair
Smart and reliable, this mixer tap is a plus in any caravan. And if it does malfunction, repair should be straightforward, says Sam Coles
THESE VERY STYLISH taps are quite commonly seen in caravans, especially the more upmarket variants.
When used in tourers with pressurised fresh-water systems, they come without an embedded microswitch, whereas for systems that use an ‘on demand’ pump, the action of lifting the tap lever activates an internal microswitch, which supplies current to the pump.
Long service
In general, they give long and reliable service. However, leaks can occur, which are usually attributed to swivel-spout O-rings not sealing properly, or ceramic mixer cartridges becoming faulty (often caused by sub-zero temperatures freezing residual water inside, causing the casing to fracture or the seals to fail, or both).
I have also encountered a number of owners reporting a problem in caravans fitted with Vector taps and an ‘on demand’ pump. It appears the microswitches have a nasty habit of failing, resulting in the pump not switching on when the tap lever is operated.
In one particularly persistent case, the owner told me that they never left home without four or five spare switches, and boasted of being able to change one in under half an hour!
Simple repair
Here we outline the procedure for replacing the central ceramic mixer cartridge and the microswitch.
The usual reason for the microswitch failing is that the switch rotates when the tap lever is turned. If insufficient slack is catered for in the connecting wires, they pull tight and break away from the microswitch.
I explain in detail the correct assembly procedure, which prevents this from happening.
To facilitate photographing the various stages in this process, the tap has been removed from the kitchen worktop. But it should be emphasised that, although slightly less convenient, the entire task can be carried out with the tap in place.
Sourcing spare parts
Both of the spare parts required are readily available (I used ebay). Reich-branded cartridges cost £18 to £20 each, or there are a number of clone cartridge alternatives on the market, which at around £4, are much cheaper than the Reich item, for non-purists among you.
However, because of its configuration, the microswitch is specific and only the Reich item will suffice. Nonetheless, at an all-up price of about £23 for both parts (I used a clone cartridge), this is much cheaper than buying a new tap, which would cost in the region of
£80 to £100, depending on where you shop.
Another advantage of the repair approach is that the tap does not have to be removed from the worktop – not the case if a new one is being fitted.
As most taps are mounted towards the back of the work surface, accessing the retaining nut often involves the annoying inconvenience of removing sinks, pipes and so on to reach it. To be avoided if at all possible, I think you’ll agree!
1 Remove the outer case retaining screw and the cap on top of the lever 2 Using a 2.5mm AF Allen key, unscrew cap head retaining screw and lift the lever clear 3 Slide the outer casing off the inner tap assembly 4 Using a T7 Torx screwdriver, undo the three collar retaining screws and remove it from the main housing. If a microswitch is fitted, pull the wires through before doing this 5 Ceramic cartridge after being extracted from the main inner housing 6 Inner ceramic cartridge mating surface 7 Insert the new cartridge into the housing, ensuring that the locating spigot is positioned as shown here. Secure with collar, making sure wire holes are aligned 8 Push the new microswitch into the cap as shown 9 Fit microswitch activating plate as shown 10 Pass wire around the square post as shown.
There should be 55mm of slack wire between base of microswitch and hole in main housing 11 Incorrect routing of wire, which can cause it to go tight and break away from microswitch when tap lever is turned 12 Routing of microswitch wire around inner housing 13 Wire exiting the base of the tap 14 Cap reassembled onto the main tap housing. Apply a smear of silicone grease to the two black sealing rings 15 Complete tap assembly, shown here dismounted from worktop