Upgrade kitchen faucet in Tab 400

greenjacket
greenjacket Member Posts: 22
edited September 2019 in Heating/Plumbing & Winterizing
The plastic kitchen  fold down faucet that came in the Tab 400 is poor quality and has developed  a crack after just a few months. Has anyone installed an upgrade and what would you recommend? The Dometic AC 542 looks as though it may be an option
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Comments

  • greenjacket
    greenjacket Member Posts: 22
    Is there a more robust domestic faucet that would work?
  • SubaruLou
    SubaruLou Member Posts: 122
    I recently replaced the fold down faucet in my 320 S with a small bar faucet. It fit perfectly to the curve of the wall. I did install so the handle is in front so I would have full range for hot and cold. Way better than a cheap RV faucet! Something to consider.
    2019 T@B 320 S  |  2019 Subaru Ascent
  • VictoriaP
    VictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    SubaruLou said:
    I recently replaced the fold down faucet in my 320 S with a small bar faucet. It fit perfectly to the curve of the wall. I did install so the handle is in front so I would have full range for hot and cold. Way better than a cheap RV faucet! Something to consider.
    @SubaruLou Looks terrific! Which faucet did you use?
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
  • SubaruLou
    SubaruLou Member Posts: 122
    @VictoriaP Thanks! I ordered it from Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Faucet-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Bathroom/dp/B075294KMD
    2019 T@B 320 S  |  2019 Subaru Ascent
  • VictoriaP
    VictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    SubaruLou said:
    @VictoriaP Thanks! I ordered it from Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Faucet-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Bathroom/dp/B075294KMD
    Excellent, thanks!
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
  • JEB
    JEB Member Posts: 268
    edited September 2019
    SubaruLou said:
    I recently replaced the fold down faucet in my 320 S with a small bar faucet. It fit perfectly to the curve of the wall. I did install so the handle is in front so I would have full range for hot and cold. Way better than a cheap RV faucet! Something to consider.

    This faucet would be problematic in a 400 for a number of reasons.  First, since the OEM faucet is inside the sink, you’d need to drill a new hole in the countertop and reroute the plumbing in order to use this, or any, residential faucet.  Second, the Dometic sink in the 400 is covered by a glass top that flips up.  You’d have to remove it entirely to make this work, which eliminates counter space when not using the sink.

    I don’t think you have many options for the 400 other than to get another OEM replacement if you don’t want to drill and want the glass top to retain its original functionality.

    There are a few foldable RV faucets available that might work.  This, for example:  https://www.amazon.com/Decdeal-Foldable-Rotating-Mounted-Kitchen/dp/B07G3B8MDV/ref=pd_cp_263_1?pd_rd_w=21Vku&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=A0ECK71XA2XP68TSD53B&pd_rd_r=814913bc-044b-47d2-9f5d-0ce526e2f8b0&pd_rd_wg=ga7Tp&pd_rd_i=B07FMZVYVP&refRID=A0ECK71XA2XP68TSD53B&th=1#customerReviews.

    But it’s hard to tell from photos whether it would fit and/or be an improvement. Most folding RV faucets I’ve seen are cold hookups only. 
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
    2019 Chevy Colorado Z71 Duramax
  • greenjacket
    greenjacket Member Posts: 22
    Thanks . I got the AC542 from Panther and it works perfectly!
  • IAjules_KSmike
    IAjules_KSmike Member Posts: 5
    Have you considered replacing the sink?
  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    I can see the advantages in the faucet and was wondering how far back the faucet can be positioned?  Will it swivel further back, just curious?  Thanks for sharing.  👍🏻
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
  • rh5555
    rh5555 Member Posts: 536
    It could swivel 360 degrees if the lid didn't get in the way...
    Roger and Sue Hill | 2020 T@B400 Boondock (Cryst@bel) | 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 - P400 | San Juan Island, WA
  • DenisP
    DenisP Member Posts: 542
    edited March 2020
    I want to thank you @rh5555 for your installation details. 
     I just installed the AC542 faucet and found the hose extensions  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B6EZBK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 
    and found this detailed instructions from Panther which were very helpful:https://pantherrvproducts.com/how-to-install-a-dometic-ac542-faucet/.
      I love the quality and the function of this faucet. 
     Thank you for a great upgrade.
    2018 T@b 400, 200ah Lithium with Solar
    2013 Tundra TRD 5.7L
    Massachusetts
  • Hikerman
    Hikerman Member Posts: 12
    Thank you at Roger Hill and DenisP. I just did the Panther faucet upgrade on my Tab CS-S which worked very similarly. The instructions from Roger and the extensions and instructions from DenisP made this straight forward. Great upgrade and you guys are the best!
  • AirBoss
    AirBoss Member Posts: 740
    Curious. I've yet to find a faucet upgrade that also works as a spayer. The height of this looks like a win, but its still fixed. Is there one that pulls out on a hose so you can spray the sink down or rinse a large pan without doing a Kabuki dance? Still searching...
    2020 T@B 400 "OTTO" (build date 08/19)
    Factory Victron Solar; Norcold 3-way fridge
    '04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 DinoKiller
    San Diego, CA
    www.airbossone.com
    https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/owen-ashurst/shop


  • VictoriaP
    VictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    AirBoss said:
    Curious. I've yet to find a faucet upgrade that also works as a spayer. The height of this looks like a win, but its still fixed. Is there one that pulls out on a hose so you can spray the sink down or rinse a large pan without doing a Kabuki dance? Still searching...
    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/136942#Comment_136942
    Michael49 installed a pull down kitchen faucet on a 400. It does require removing the sink cover.
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
  • AirBoss
    AirBoss Member Posts: 740
    @VictoriaP
    That's very nice! But I'd prefer to retain the glass cover. Thanks for the heads up, tho. 
    2020 T@B 400 "OTTO" (build date 08/19)
    Factory Victron Solar; Norcold 3-way fridge
    '04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 DinoKiller
    San Diego, CA
    www.airbossone.com
    https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/owen-ashurst/shop


  • rh5555
    rh5555 Member Posts: 536
    I believe the aerator on the AC542 can be unscrewed and replaced with this.
    (Haven't tried it, but the threads measure ok)
    Roger and Sue Hill | 2020 T@B400 Boondock (Cryst@bel) | 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 - P400 | San Juan Island, WA
  • DenisP
    DenisP Member Posts: 542
    edited July 2020
    @rh5555. Thanks for the aerator suggestion as my DW did not like where the new faucet extended to the outer edge of the sink. I looked on Amazon and found this one. Works great and more importantly my DW likes it.
     Waternymph Kitchen Sink Faucet Aerator Solid Brass - Big Angle Swivel Faucet Aerator Dual-function 2 Sprayer kitchen faucet attachment swivel sprayer- 360-Degree Swivel - Polished Chrome/ 1.8GPM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WFMCMBR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_PgGaFb21CF80V 
    2018 T@b 400, 200ah Lithium with Solar
    2013 Tundra TRD 5.7L
    Massachusetts
  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    that one is a nice find.
    cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • LeeM
    LeeM Member Posts: 7
    Add my thanks Roger and Dennis.  I've just done the upgrade in my 2016 Tab S.  We have the glass top over the sink version. Worked like a champ.  Panther RV rocks, delivered great and the wonderful instructions.  Gonna consider the aerator also.
    L & L
    2016 t@b, t@bitha trim, 'TinyTot'
    TV: Toyota Highlander, 'the Buggy'
  • Amazonica
    Amazonica Member Posts: 151
    Huge thanks to @rh5555 for the faucet install and @DenisP for the great swivel attachment and perfect hose extensions. I got the faucet today and it was super simple to install in my 2020 400BD. Getting the old faucet off of the sink was by far the most time consuming part. I am not 'handy' and even I could do it with the help provided here.
    For those like me who are intimidated and easily confused by tooly-type things, if you get the hose extensions mentioned above by DenisP, you don't need the sharkbite fittings. The hose extensions in Denis's link just screw onto the T@B red and blue 'pipes' and screw right onto the ends of the flex hose pieces that came with the AC542 faucet that rh5555 mentions. And I found it doesn't matter which hose (hot or cold) goes on which faucet fitting point, you can tun the little white color dot indicator on the tip of the faucet handle so hot is either up or down, if you're like me and don't want to switch the 'pipes' once you've screwed them on. 

    Love this mod!
    I have the original faucet for free if anyone wants it... ;)

    2020 T@B 400 BD w/Solar, Microwave and Closet
    Towed by 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel 5.7L Hemi 4x4 Crew Cab
  • JeffroNC
    JeffroNC Member Posts: 366
    I am looking for the faucet handle used on the original 2019 Tab400 sink. Does anyone know where I can get one? 
    2019 T@B 400 BDL 2017 F150 3.5L Ecoboost
    Jeff & Amy
    Now in Manistee, MI

  • MandoBiker
    MandoBiker Member Posts: 22
    edited September 2020
    @JeffroNChttps://www.amazon.com/Dometc-Dometic-3313108-001-Galley-Faucet/dp/B07CWZRSLQ
  • JeffroNC
    JeffroNC Member Posts: 366
    @MandoBiker Thanks. I guess for that much money I might as well upgrade to the better faucet.  ;)

    2019 T@B 400 BDL 2017 F150 3.5L Ecoboost
    Jeff & Amy
    Now in Manistee, MI

  • MandoBiker
    MandoBiker Member Posts: 22
    @JeffroNC yeah, our faucet had a leak earlier this year, and I broke one of the faucet fittings trying to get the supply hose off to put a new clamp on.  In my haste to get it repaired before our next outing, I found that one on amazon and bought it.  In hindsight, I wish I'd gotten the better one.
  • JeffroNC
    JeffroNC Member Posts: 366
    So, WHEN (not if) your faucet pops off, you can do this until the new AC542 unit gets to you. LOL

    PS I told my wife "There I fixed it!" but she was not amused. If you want to chuckle, check out the so called repairs on this site: There I Fixed It
    2019 T@B 400 BDL 2017 F150 3.5L Ecoboost
    Jeff & Amy
    Now in Manistee, MI

  • rrcbov
    rrcbov Member Posts: 109
    My 2021 TAB400 sink lines terminate differently than @rh5555 - the black piece bridges the thread types.   Made the job easier.  Also learned that the blue line is hot water - would have guessed the red line would be hot.


    2021 Tab 400 Boondock, 2021 Toyota Tacoma, Juno Beach Florida
  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    edited April 2022
    If you are referring to the supply lines in the TaB, the red line should have been hot, it is on our 2018 TaB.  Red on a PEX pipe used to denote a pipe designed for higher temp applications, like hot water lines, and had an oxygen barrier. 

    Edit:  Thanks Brad, I just checked, and you are correct, the commonly used red/blue PEX used in plumbing is made from the same components, and the colors are used to make pulling plumbing lines easier, red for hot and blue for cold.  The Oxygen barrier pipe comes in red, gray and black, and is more commonly used in radiant heating applications.
     Cheers 
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • Dutch061
    Dutch061 Member Posts: 765
    I doubt the formulation of the plastic differs at all between blue and red, just a different pigment added. Of all things to be worried about, this one wouldn't make my list even though I am borderline OCD. 

    Here is a link to some reading material that backs up my "assumption".

    https://allfamousbirthday.com/faqs/whats-the-difference-between-red-and-blue-pex/#:~:text=Although%20there%20are%20three%20types%20of%20PEX%20%28see,hot%20water.%20Blue%20PEX%20pipe%20carries%20cold%20water.

    Brad
    2020 400 BDL aka "Boonie"
    2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
    2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
    Concord, NC 
  • rrcbov
    rrcbov Member Posts: 109
    I’ve got no worries on this - just sharing information.  But now that I think about it, the pigments in electrical wire doesn’t impact the flow of electrons.   Doesn’t having a standard and following it provide benefit?
    2021 Tab 400 Boondock, 2021 Toyota Tacoma, Juno Beach Florida

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