How to Fix a Motorhome Tap

I show you how to fix the micro switch on a tap in a motorhome/RV.
The microswitch is a
15406420 - Caravan Motorhome Reich Charisma Tap Microswitch
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[@christiankirkefjord4649]

Thanks. Solved my problem halfway through 1 month trip to Italy. Although, the problem was not the microswitch but that the cable leading into it had broken due to being bent to many times. I also figured out that my microswitch stops the electricity flow when "closed" and when the tap is opened the current is activated and the pump starts. If the tap is not tightly screwed together it will allow the microswitch to be open and the pumps runs,; which might help those with the pump always being on

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for tip, @christiankirkefjord4649.👍👍

[@rstonehawk]

You just saved me a lot of hassle there, exact thing happened to us and now I know what to do ❤

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I'm glad you found it useful, @rstonehawk 👍👍

[@ari.voutilainen]

Old video but helped me today. Thanks Ads!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Glad it helped, Ari 👍👍🚙

[@Blisteringbarnacles2]

Thank you very much for this - saved hours of frustration!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I'm glad to be of help, Blisteringbarnacles 👍👍

[@martindumontakatherumrunne6019]

Useful info, thanks

[@ianrobinson2432]

Good vid..easy to follow 👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Ian. Do you have a problem with your tap?

[@mickeywalsh2950]

Cheers for the tip will have a go at it now thanks

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I'm glad I could help, Mickey

[@mickeywalsh2950]

@@HermanHitstheRoad cheers got it sorted 👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

That's great 👍

[@stevepjackson]

Didn't we look young back in August 2018 haha. Thanks for this Vid Ads, I didn't have the cable issue but I wasn't sure how to tighten my tap with it being out of site. . Many Thanks buddy :)

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I'm glad you found the video useful, Steve. We're still looking young 🤔🤣😉

[@TCSC47]

Thanks for this Herm. Exactly what I needed to know and quite clear. Problem exactly as yours with a broken wire. My microswitch was slightly different and I needed to use an allen key to undo a grub screw holding the tap in place. A replacement switch only costs around £15 but instead I found I could cut away the silicon rubber sealing the switch connection pins and solder the wires back in place, sealing afterwards with ordinary silicon sealant. Had a problem getting it going again until I realised I had somehow blown the fuse when dismantling the tap. Lesson there somewhere? I feel smug at the moment having saved £15 but I'm not so sure how much Mrs Corbett will appreciate me if/when the switch fails again in the field! Still, no safety issues I can think of, so worth having a go, I thought. Fingers crossed!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

That's excellent, Tom. Thanks for letting me know. It's always good to know that you've helped someone.

[@whizz37]

I have the same problem with my caravan shower tap & it's very similar to your sink tap so hopefully this video will help my caravan is a 2004 hymer nova 470. So fingers crossed

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Good luck, whizz. I hope it helps 👍👍

[@laikatravels]

Good to know, cheers Ads

[@chrislast3998]

Very helpful.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Glad you found it useful, Chris 👍👍. Do you have a tap problem?

[@johnvickers5750]

That was quite good Ads well done!👍

[@nadiamoka]

Thanks a lot, my problem is quite the opposite the water pump won’t stop working so I figured maybe this has something to do with it? I will try this though. Thanks again

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Yes, it could that the two tiny wires coming out of the micro switch are touching which is making the pump turn on. Good luck, @nadiamoka

[@aguitarcalledchutzpah]

Great vid with good close ups! I'm having issues with my tap. It's stopped working and I can't hear pump. Is it. 1. Water pump 2. Micro switch. 3. Earth. ( this was a problem before and it also affected usb charger but usb charger seems fine) 4. Wires from tap under the sink ( tap is leaking near the jubilee clip and am wondering if water is running along wire and affecting connection. What's really annoying is that shelf stops me getting under sink to better fasten jubilee clip. Thanks

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi there. Thanks for commenting. Does the pump work off of a different tap? If not then I'm guessing the pump is gone or the fuse for the pump is gone. If it does work then it could be the switch or bad earth and you may need to check the wires with a volt meter.

[@aguitarcalledchutzpah]

@@HermanHitstheRoad Hi. No, it's just connected to the one tap. I will check the fuse box and see if a fuse has blown and also check the wires going to the pump. Thanks for response. Keep up the great vids!

[@richyandliz4802]

Hello you don't by any chance have the part number for the switch do you?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Richy and Liz. The microswitch is a 15406420 - Caravan Motorhome Reich Charisma Tap Microswitch. I've also now put it in the video description. Thanks and good luck with fixing yours 👍👍

[@1tonyboat]

Hi Ads, maybe a inch or so heat shrink over the wires where they enter the micro switch might add a bit extra support to the wires...just a thought

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Anthony but I've tried that and it doesn't really work.

[@tempus.narrabo]

I have a 97 vw motorhome and I'm renewing the bathroom I brought almost everything but the tap. My old tap doesn't have any wires coming from it, is that because I have a pump switch on my control panel? If so would a tap with a micro switch still work with connecting up the wires?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Chic, on our tap the micro switch turns the pump on. I your system it sounds like th pump is turned on at the system panel and when there is a lose in pressure because the tap has been opened it will activate. I could be wrong.

[@bobparker637]

Useful to know. How many people know that they have a filter on the end of the tap, not many. We had seasonal pitches for 5 years and the number of people that thought their pump was wearing out as the pressure was low. It takes 5 mins to sort, I did a few in our time. I must stress that not every tap has a screw in filter at the outlet, but it is worth checking and cleaning

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Bob, how do you know if you have a filter in your tap? I guess you have to remove the past where the water comes out?

[@bobparker637]

Simple - can you put your finger up the outlet, if not probably a end of tap filter

[@bobparker637]

Hi Ads, I have been meaning to ask if you removed the dome from the end of your tap - if so what did you find? cheers Bob

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Bob, I removed the dome from the kitchen tap. Found nothing in there, not even lime scale. I wouldn't call it a filter though. It just sprayed the water out like a shower head.

[@bobparker637]

Cheers Ads, just thought I would catch up on filters. As I said previously not many people know they have a filter in the tap - Google it lol

[@H4rleyBoy]

Would it be worth wrapping some Sugru around the wires where they go into the switch? Just mentioning that not all taps are switched, many rely on the pressure drop in the pipe to turn on the Fiamma or Shurflo pump

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Kevin, that might be a great idea. Our wires are wearing out again. So, I might try that or use wire shrink wrap or a blob of mastic. 🤔

[@H4rleyBoy]

@@HermanHitstheRoad It might be worth fitting a normal shurflo pump, then it doesn't matter about the micro switches, a lot of peeps on forums have done it as it's an easier fix.

[@pmamaia]

Hi, nice. I've one on my own that has some failure once in awhile. Maybe is the same problem. One technician told me that I had to replace all. I'm seeing that guy doesn't have any clue about RV. Is not the first time that is messed up. Unfortunately I see a lot of this......😕😕

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Pedro, yours could be shorting out somewhere

[@pka1969]

Next time you need to feed through a hole so you don’t have to undo everything use fish wire or fish tape or fine string tape to the old cable once pulling old cable back through the hole with the string / fish tape will follow so can tape the new cables to the guide string / fish wire and pull back through. Easy.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for commenting, @pka1969

[@anonymouse1309]

ADS, I would revisit how that tap is secured to bench. I am assuming the hole made for the tap was too big hence the tap holding bracket not married all way round. I suggest using a large washer in between or making one out of ply.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Anony, I'm not sure I understand. The tap is fine secured to the sink top. If it ain't broke, don't fix it

[@raykeogh1972]

HANDY to know thank you. Problem I have I emptied the water in the winter now summer is here when you lift the taps up you hear and see a splutter or two then it stops, it is like a air lock but leaving the tap all open just won,t do it. Not sure but I think it cuts out then you leave it for half hour or so and you can get another splutter but there is not enough UMFF. GREAT VIDEO THANKS FOR SHARING OOPS Ray K UK YNWA.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Ray, I assume you have enough water in the fresh tank so that the pump is immersed? Is it possible to see the pump within the tank? It could be that the pump is worn out. Our pump doesn't cut out it just keeps pumping when a tap is turned on. When you turn a tap on do you hear the pump? You should also open the other taps too. This will help get rid of the air. I hope this helps.

[@raykeogh1972]

@@HermanHitstheRoad HI THANKS FOR SUPER FAST REPLY oops. Yes all taps are on, if I try to fill my immersion tank for hot water you can hear the pump working to fill it and you can also see the water movint to it, I thought there would be a manual pump just to get the air out incase something like this happens. I dont think the pump has gone, its on a 06 plate but only done 19,000. Thanks again for replying , RayK UK YNWA.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

You should also make sure that the pipe from the pump is connected properly. Ours sometimes comes off slightly and this allows air in to the system. One last thing, ours has small taps for draining out the pipes and a boiler freeze protection switch. They are near the boiler. Make sure all of these are closed. If they weren't then you'll have water running outside underneath the moho.

[@raykeogh1972]

@@HermanHitstheRoad I did see a large puddle under the MH. I was trying everything as well of not knowing what I was doing .haha

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Did you sort it out then?

[@surfreadjumpsleep]

I need to fix a leaky faucet when I'm back in Hungary. I'm trying to make sure I'll have what I need before I get there. 6:14 Could you tell me what size red / blue hoses you have there? Would you say it is 1/2" on the outer diameter? Those white adapters are interesting. Are they converting the hose into a threaded female? Thanks again Herman!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Matthew, the hoses are 12mm on the inside and 15 to 17 mm on the outside (hoses can in different thicknesses but the inside is the same). The white parts are actually plastic compression nuts. The tap has the brass pipes coming from it (hot and cold) and they have a screw thread at the end. You push the hose on the tap pipe and screw the plastic nut to it. I believe this is the tap and you can see the brass pipes and the ends www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174318957649?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=iNNTOvwbRee&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=6-n7vzgVQP2&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY I hope that help? Ads

[@surfreadjumpsleep]

@@HermanHitstheRoad @Herman Hits the Road hi Ads thank you for providing this bit of the rv decoder ring. Those wit widths are bigger than I would have thought. I now have realized that RV faucets really aren't that expensive and I should just get one of those instead of trying to make a house faucet work in the camper. Plus, your video here reminded me that there are electric bits rv faucets that will prevent a flood in your camper should something go wrong. Currently I don't have those hooked up, but it's something that I could aspire to. I suppose if I order a faucet from a German RV shop for my German camper I shouldn't have too much difficulty. Maybe I can make a video on how it was done for my Euro Mobil 1997. I'm still hauling wood over here in Maine. Seems like I'll never make it there.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Glad to of help, Matthew. Good luck with fixing your motorhome 👍👍

[@paulfarrow3170]

Hi got the same problem same tap I think but can't get the top off can't see any other way of doing it.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I just lifted ours off, Paul.

[@RcBuddy]

Good info, next time use one of the old wire as a guided wire to guide the new wires trough, so you do not have to unbolt the whole tap from the sink, time saved. ;o) cheers.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks but the hole in the tap is too small for that. I tried it the first time the switch broke

[@RcBuddy]

Ok, I think you misundertand my explanation, but no worry's ;o)

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

What I think you mean is to join the new and old wires together at the ends and pull through the old wire so the new ones get fed through the same route. Is that right? I'd have to tape them together but the hole in the back of the tap is just wide enough for two wires.

[@RcBuddy]

Yes indeed, recap; first pull one of the old wire out, strip a desend amount of the second remaning wire, strip te ends of both new wires and twist it all together (use a bit of solder if needed) with the remaining old wire, no tape needed. Now feed it jently trough. On top you guide the new wires slightly pushing and at the bottom pull jently on the old wire at the same time. That must work ;o)

[@ladydunraven]

Just what i was looking for. Except mine is the shower tap`!!! Same principle i hope.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

The shower tap should be the same sort of thing, ladydunraven. However, I wasn't able to remove it from our moho.

[@MrG.444.]

Hi. Where was the loose connection?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

More like a broken connection, dziubdzius

[@alana2232]

Just a thought instead of replacing the micro switch could you have not just re soldered to wires to the connector? Look like that's the problem not the micro switch being at fault

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

You're right. It's the wires that's at fault rather than the switch. However, the wires have broken off right at the top and very close together making soldering impossible.

[@garyspracticalworkshop357]

Oh dear , great video Ads, but running the pump dry ?? 🤥🤥

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

No, we had water in the tank, @garyspracticalworkshop357

[@garyspracticalworkshop357]

@@HermanHitstheRoad Good to hear it, made that mistake in Billy, our mortorhome, if you get 5 take a peek " gary' practical workshop" cheers Ads.

[@philipvayro6293]

Very informative...but to be honest it looked very fiddly and if you saw the size of my hands and fingers ...plus my impatience I think I'd get a man or women that can 😮

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

No problem with doing that, @philipvayro6293 👍👍

[@allenmclaughlin5283]

ad you are not american so why rv and faucet doing my head in

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Sorry, @allenmclaughlin5283. I'll grab my 50 bucks sweater from the trunk of my car and take a walk along the side walk a few blocks to the mall to cool off 🤣🤣🤣