Upgrade kitchen faucet in Tab 400

greenjacket · September 2019

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

greenjacket · September 2019

Is there a more robust domestic faucet that would work?

SubaruLou · September 2019

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.

VictoriaP · 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.

@SubaruLou Looks terrific! Which faucet did you use?

SubaruLou · September 2019

@VictoriaP Thanks! I ordered it from Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Faucet-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Bathroom/dp/B075294KMD

VictoriaP · September 2019

SubaruLou said:

@VictoriaP Thanks! I ordered it from Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Faucet-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Bathroom/dp/B075294KMD

Excellent, thanks!

JEB · 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.

rh5555 · September 2019

I installed the AC542 from Panther RV products https://pantherrvproducts.com/dometic-ac542-fold-down-kitchen-fresh-water-faucet/ and couldn't be happier with it. Pricey, but really high quality. Solid brass and weighs a couple of pounds! Faucet folds to one side so the sink lid still closes:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/z3/mk09teiuzh92.jpg

Spout is high enough to fill pots and pivots out of the way:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/o9/1eeqw8odoevi.jpg

Installation was a bit of a bear: Don't mess about, take the sink out first thing (lift the 4 rubber bumpers and there are screws below). Getting the old hoses off the faucet requires removing a crimp and then slicing them off. The AC542 comes with shorter flexible hoses that terminate at a parallel-thread 1/2" male connector, TAB400 plumbing ends at a taper-thread 1/2" male connector. You need a female-to-female bridge that is about 8" long to join them. I used the old hoses from the removed faucet and added 1/2" female connectors (Sharkbite Model# UC072LFA5) which I crimped on (hose clamps would work too):

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/g6/v4avs88h7sw1.jpg

The Sharkbite ends were then screwed on (with PTFE tape) to extend the TAB plumbing to reach the new hoses.

This is an amazing faucet and NuCamp should think about installing them as standard equipment (like Airstream does).

greenjacket · October 2019

Thanks . I got the AC542 from Panther and it works perfectly!

IAjules_KSmike · February 2020

Have you considered replacing the sink?

Michigan_Mike · February 2020

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. 👍🏻

rh5555 · February 2020

It could swivel 360 degrees if the lid didn't get in the way...

DenisP · 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.

Hikerman · July 2020

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 · July 2020

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...

VictoriaP · July 2020

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.

AirBoss · July 2020

@VictoriaP
That's very nice! But I'd prefer to retain the glass cover. Thanks for the heads up, tho.

rh5555 · July 2020

I believe the aerator on the AC542 can be unscrewed and replaced with this.

Image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41NLVhMGP8L._AC_.jpg

(Haven't tried it, but the threads measure ok)

DenisP · 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

Denny16 · July 2020

that one is a nice find.
cheers

LeeM · August 2020

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.

Amazonica · September 2020

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...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ah/hkculljbh7eb.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/11/2ciyy9klhhjw.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/u1/ccmjzkkcekvp.jpg

JeffroNC · September 2020

I am looking for the faucet handle used on the original 2019 Tab400 sink. Does anyone know where I can get one?

MandoBiker · September 2020

@JeffroNC https://www.amazon.com/Dometc-Dometic-3313108-001-Galley-Faucet/dp/B07CWZRSLQ

JeffroNC · October 2020

@MandoBiker Thanks. I guess for that much money I might as well upgrade to the better faucet.

MandoBiker · October 2020

@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 · March 2021

So, WHEN (not if) your faucet pops off, you can do this until the new AC542 unit gets to you. LOL

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ur/s9hb7b8ysea6.jpg

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

rrcbov · April 2022

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.

Denny16 · 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

Dutch061 · April 2022

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

rrcbov · April 2022

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?

Upgrade kitchen faucet in Tab 400

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