Can anyone tell me what make & model of taps I have got?
The caravan is a 1990 Lunar Clubman & the taps look like this......
(these aren't my own taps, just an image from the internet)
I've taken them apart & can see that the washers are slipping down the spindles slightly, meaning I'm only getting a slight dribble from 2 of the bathroom taps.
Does anyone know where I can get new spindles from? Or a quick fix for the existing ones?
They are non-switched taps, which is a system I much prefer (why have 6 switches when you can have one?) but new tap units aren't really within my budget, especially as you can bet your life they won't fit the existing holes & I really don't want to dismantle the washroom units.
Have you taken the taps to a `proper` plumbers shop to see if the replacement parts for the worn bits are available ?
A real plumbers supply should be able to help . The fitting look like normal vanity taps but only so much can be gleaned from a photo` . You may well be lucky and someone on here may have just what you want . Good luck with the hunt .
look like standard half inch fittings on your taps,take one out and see a plumber merchant.you should be able to buy two inserts including knobs for about £10.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
At the moment there are plastic spindles in there, with a small washer on them & 2 O rings at the top. These are threaded within a brass nut which holds the whole thing on there.
I will whip one off then & see what I can find. I will take a couple of pics when I do & post them up, just in case anyone knows any different.
They are a lot smaller than normal household taps though. They must have been standard fittings for old Lunar caravans. Mine's around 1989-1991.
AH! here we go! here's a pic of my actual washroom...
I'm replying to your question for me in another thread earlier today.
"Colin, did you ever have to replace the tap washer spindles on your lunar? I'm having a little trouble with mine"
I didn't need to on mine, they worked OK and I havn't had one apart. I lubricated the spindles though.
My taps are just like yours except for the kitchen one which I replaced to get a better cosmetic look and because the centre spout was quite loose.
ISTR seeing some new ones though in a caravan dealers parts dept somewhere.
I noticed too that one came up on eBay a few weeks ago and sold for £16 IIRC.
Perhaps a breakers might have one.
Colin
------------- First outing : 6 - 8th June 2011 - Rivington nr Bolton.
27/6/11 - 15/7/11: Cornwall.
2/9/11 - 5/9/11: Tarporley, Cheshire.
08/10/11 - 13/10/11: Naburn Lock nr York.
19/3/12 - 22/3/12: Southport
OK, I've taken one of my tap spindles out for some pics. Hopefully someone out there can tell me if a household tap insert is available in such a small size & weather or not it will work.....
The current plastic one looks like this
I think the problem is the washer isn't lifting with the spindle properly. I'm having a go at sticking it on it's top face to see if that helps (which I have already done in these pictures).
The only other problem being that some of them are very stiff to turn & I have chewed one of them up being a bit heavy handed whilst dismantling it. It is salvageable, but I would rather be able to do away with the whole design. It's a silly idea putting such flimsy plastic spindles into metal taps IMO, whoever designed them should've been fired.
The plastic spindle has a small bump on it, which is supposed to ensure the washer lifts with the spindle, but washers, in order to work properly, are a tight fit in there, so this plastic bump isn't enough. I'm only guessing the washer isn't supposed to be bonded on, but at the moment it's the only way I can see to get them working.
I did dismantle one of the working ones & this had a different coloured spindle. I will have to remove it again to see if the design is any different (I don't think it was. I think it was just newer).
According to my local caravan shop, the spindle assembly is no longer available. But we weren't sure on this, as I don't even know what make they are.
I glued the washer to the spindle & hey presto! I've got a half decent flow once more.
I'm not sure how long it will last, my dad did it whilst I wasn't looking with some contact adhesive. One has been put on a hot tap as well (which I didn't mean to do, but they're such a tight fit & have already been chewed up enough, I've just left it in there to avoid doing it any more damage), so only time will tell I guess.
Anyway, it was good enough for me to enjoy my first ever shower in a caravan, which went very well. Not exactly a power shower, but I've had worse, slower showers in peoples houses. Very usable.
& now I can brush my teeth at the washroom sink, as that cold tap is working fine now as well.
I have to say, I was expecting a better response on a help forum, especially with such a popular caravan. But this seems to be something of an enigma topic, as I've posted this problem all over the place & got even less response than on here. Maybe the majority would just replace the whole tap units. I see this as an unnecessary expense which would mean disturbing the seal of the washroom vanity units. Besides, new taps aren't within my budget right now, lets just hope someone else can gain something from my discoveries.
I have to say, I was expecting a better response on a help forum, especially with such a popular caravan. But this seems to be something of an enigma topic, as I've posted this problem all over the place & got even less response than on here.
possibly because no one knows.in 10 years of being on here on this site i can not remember taps of the same construction as yours.do they have a name stamped on anywhere? will keep looking for you though.pictures are good.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
I wasn't having a go, I was merely saying how odd it was, as all old Lunars seem to have these taps, yet no one seems to know anything about them.
Just strikes me as strange, that's all.
I haven't yet removed an entire tap unit, as they will undoubtedly be a complete arse to get off. I did see one for sale on ebay which was advertised as a Whale, but this is by no means conclusive.
I suppose a quick email to Lunar could answer the question, but that would be far too easy, wouldn't it?
I'm sure one of these days something will come to light on the subject. I'm just glad I'm not the only one looking, there's another thread with a very similar title.
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Topic: Old Caravan Taps HELP!
