Folding taps and pressurised systems

[Bracknell MoHo]

Hi,
Looking to pick the minds of the hive collective. Setup: kitchen tap is of the fold down type, with a lid that comes down to cover the sink. Sometime back I switched from the system being microswitched to pressurised. It already had a Shuflow pressure switched pump on the system, but was triggered by micro switched taps. I essentially too the microswitches out of the circuit to run it as pressurised. Its a 20psi pump which while not the original pump that was on there was a like for like swap a while before when the original pump went.

The spout on the kitchen tap gets pushed off when the tap is opened. Apparently all folding spout taps are micro switched. Leading to the suspicion that they are not suitable for use on a pressurised system. Is that the case or do others have contrary experience. Thanks.

 

[merl]

Hi,
Looking to pick the minds of the hive collective. Setup: kitchen tap is of the fold down type, with a lid that comes down to cover the sink. Sometime back I switched from the system being microswitched to pressurised. It already had a Shuflow pressure switched pump on the system, but was triggered by micro switched taps. I essentially too the microswitches out of the circuit to run it as pressurised. Its a 20psi pump which while not the original pump that was on there was a like for like swap a while before when the original pump went.

The spout on the kitchen tap gets pushed off when the tap is opened. Apparently all folding spout taps are micro switched. Leading to the suspicion that they are not suitable for use on a pressurised system. Is that the case or do others have contrary experience. Thanks.

It sounds like you've got a restriction in the spout. Remove the spout and see if you can unblock it. There could be a diffuser in the end that's collected debris. If not try and see if you can tip vinegar or some other form of decalcified down the spout and leave it sitting overnight, rinse and repeat

 

[Bracknell MoHo]

It sounds like you've got a restriction in the spout. Remove the spout and see if you can unblock it. There could be a diffuser in the end that's collected debris. If not try and see if you can tip vinegar or some other form of decalcified down the spout and leave it sitting overnight, rinse and repeat

Thanks, it was a good thought and it definitely hadn't occurred to me. I've taken it off now and popped off the diffuser. A very small amount of scale in the diffuser and no apparent blockage in the spout itself (water free flows down it and I can blow easily down it). I'm not sure that such a small amount of calc could be causing this.

Do you think I should be able to run a folding tap with a pressurised system (20 psi)?

 

[merl]

It's restriction in the diffuser that's the issue, it's probably not a diffuser actually but an aerator, these cause a lot of restriction and hence back pressure. Put all the parts in the diffuser in vinegar overnight, clean up with a toothbrush and then reassemble and see what happens, if the spout still pops out under pressure then simply remove the diffuser altogether and leave it out.

 

[merl]

It's restriction in the diffuser that's the issue, it's probably not a diffuser actually but an aerator, these cause a lot of restriction and hence back pressure. Put all the parts in the diffuser in vinegar overnight, clean up with a toothbrush and then reassemble and see what happens, if the spout still pops out under pressure then simply remove the diffuser altogether and leave it out.

Is there not some sort of grub screw to hold the spout in the tap body BTW? Probably at the back out of sight.

 

[Bracknell MoHo]

It's restriction in the diffuser that's the issue, it's probably not a diffuser actually but an aerator, these cause a lot of restriction and hence back pressure. Put all the parts in the diffuser in vinegar overnight, clean up with a toothbrush and then reassemble and see what happens, if the spout still pops out under pressure then simply remove the diffuser altogether and leave it out.

Thanks. Yes I had after your comment and my testing it stuck it in vinegar solution for the night. Removal of the aerator is a good option as well. I might also have another go at dialling up the sensitivity/dialling down the cut out pressure at the pump's pressure switch: while it might not affect the running pressure, I think it should reduce the initial pressure experienced at the time the tap is opened.

I'll also check for that grub screw.

 

[Trotter]

Interesting.
To increase the pressure from the shower, I’m going to add a second Reich submersible pump to the system via a Y connection in the hose.
It will work, or do the (another) thing.
I’ve plenty of towels to mop up with

 

[Trotter]

Interesting.
To increase the pressure from the shower, I’m going to add a second Reich submersible pump to the system via a Y connection in the hose.
It will work, or do the (another) thing.
I’ve plenty of towels to mop up with

I may have inadvertently hijacked your thread. Please accept my apologies. I’ve started a new one, entitled “Water Pressure “

 

[nabsim]

My kitchen tap is folding and on a pressurised system, don't know if it was built like that but has been like it all the time I have had it.

The spout on mine is only retained by an O ring. Never been blown off. Is the o ring still there/in need of replacement?

 

[nabsim]

Interesting.
To increase the pressure from the shower, I’m going to add a second Reich submersible pump to the system via a Y connection in the hose.
It will work, or do the (another) thing.
I’ve plenty of towels to mop up with

Del 2 x pumps of same pressure rating will not increase the pressure. You would need a higher rated pump to do that. Not sure its a good idea to increase the pressure on the system on your van, see a few posts where pipes have 'blown' off.

I would look at a separate system just for the shower if you want to do it, if you are looking at a second pump anyway that's most of what you need money wise. Portable shower?

 

[Bracknell MoHo]

My kitchen tap is folding and on a pressurised system, don't know if it was built like that but has been like it all the time I have had it.

The spout on mine is only retained by an O ring. Never been blown off. Is the o ring still there/in need of replacement?

The O ring is still there. May need replacement. however I do also have a small leak from the tap - not the spout - as well (I've now double checked that as wasn't certain it wasn't pooling from run down the spout when pushed up). I also have a more urgent need to replace the shower mixer tap which really is p****ing water out when opened up (new cartridge hasn't done the job). As I'm currently 'injured' I'm going to get a man in to do both but will now keep the system pressurised: my earlier attempts at cleaning out the cap/aerator pretty much did the job and your comment has confirmed the view that it ought to be OK in principle.

 

[Bracknell MoHo]

My kitchen tap is folding and on a pressurised system, don't know if it was built like that but has been like it all the time I have had it.

The spout on mine is only retained by an O ring. Never been blown off. Is the o ring still there/in need of replacement?

Thanks: Question: what psi is your pump?

 

[nabsim]

Not in the van so can't double check but it's a Sureflow pump running at I think 23psi. May be its only 20psi and the pressure relief valve on my tank is 23psi though

 

[gasgas]

..............
I’ve plenty of towels to mop up with

When I was a plumber, working on house refurbishments alongside electricians it was always in my mind that the trouble with plumbing is water. If an electrician leaves a wire unconnected he doesn't get electrons pouring out all over the floor. But if a plumber leaves a pipe unconnected he gets in all sorts of bother with the inconsiderate house owner. . . . . .

 

[nabsim]

When I was a plumber, working on house refurbishments alongside electricians it was always in my mind that the trouble with plumbing is water. If an electrician leaves a wire unconnected he doesn't get electrons pouring out all over the floor. But if a plumber leaves a pipe unconnected he gets in all sorts of bother with the inconsiderate house owner. . . . . .

That is true BUT...

Most house owners wouldn't drown if a pipe was leaking but coming into contact with a live wire...