UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE: Hose bibb doesn't fit!!!

Aurora40 · 12-31-04, 07:21

Man, so I figured this thing would be kinda big. I guess it's my own fault for not thinking it through, but really I didn't know what I'd need to hook onto it to make it work until I saw it.

But the overall height of this thing is 5 1/2" according to the website:

My ceiling space in the basement to mount it in is 9" high. So that leaves me 4 1/2" to work with, not bad I thought. Well, it is bad. By the time I screw in a 3/4" male fitting and attach a 90-degree bend on each, the freaking thing is over 10" tall!!!

I think about the only way it would fit is if I could find a 3/4" male fitting that a) had less extra thread and b) incorporated the 90 neck. But I think that's unlikely as the 90 neck might point any which way once it's snugged up.

The other suck thing is that even if it did barely fit, the old bibb is installed pretty high up in the 9" space. So this new one would have to be very centered to fit. Which means it wouldn't cover up the existing hole, which sucks. The space is 9" tall by 14" wide, so maybe I should just mount it sideways...

All in all, this sucks. I think I might just buy the cheaper two-knob one and see if a family member can use this one or else eBay it...

I don't think I'm missing anything with this one being able to fit, but obviously I'm a terrible judge, so feel free to point out something:

Setec Astronomy · 12-31-04, 07:37

That's 1/2" copper water pipe? 5/8" OD?

Aurora40 · 12-31-04, 07:44

yeah, I'm using 1/2" copper pipe to supply the water. The inlets are 3/4", but actually they don't open up much at the valves, and the pipe out to the bibb is only 1/2". So I think 1/2" supply pipe will be more than adequate. 3/4" pipe would fit even worse.

Setec Astronomy · 12-31-04, 07:45

With pipe threads, you just wrench it around until it lines up the way you want. This adapter will reduce the length of the connection somewhat if you're using 1/2 (5/8 OD) water pipe, but they will be pricey: Swagelok fitting

zzyyzx · 12-31-04, 07:45

A couple thoughts....
- Can you rotate the inlets so they might be angled?
- What about cutting and changing the direction of the PVC pipe?
- Any chance of sweating the joints somehow?
- What about a flexible copper pipe?

I hope it helps!!!

norahcrv · 12-31-04, 07:47

OK, I'm no plumber, but what would be wrong with putting it sideways? Just rotate it 90* from the coupling to the PVC? Or would that mean having to re-arrange/re-fit the pipes inside the wall?

Aurora40 · 12-31-04, 07:48

Hey Setec, I can't really tell what that thing is... But I'll take it with me to my local plumbing supply place to see if they've got one or anything else that might work... Thanks for the help!

Setec Astronomy · 12-31-04, 07:52

Quote:

Originally posted by Aurora40
Hey Setec, I can't really tell what that thing is... But I'll take it with me to my local plumbing supply place to see if they've got one or anything else that might work... Thanks for the help!

That's not a plumbing item....you need to go to a Swagelok distributor. You want the B-1010-2-12, which is a fitting that has a 3/4 MNPT on one end, to screw into your bibb, and the other end is a compression fitting that will accept the 5/8 OD water tube. It looks like it might save you an inch on each end.

Aurora40 · 12-31-04, 07:53

Quote:

Originally posted by norahcrv
OK, I'm no plumber, but what would be wrong with putting it sideways? Just rotate it 90* from the coupling to the PVC? Or would that mean having to re-arrange/re-fit the pipes inside the wall?

Heheh, the whole fixture would have to go in sideways! That PVC might be misleading you, all it does is house the rod for the temp control, nothing flows through that. It flows through the side of it. Here's a pict that shows the whole thing better.

norahcrv · 12-31-04, 08:06

Oh, sorry - I'll leave it to the pros

Aurora40 · 12-31-04, 08:47

It's cool Norahcrv. I appreciate the attempt.

Mike, looks like there's one in Frederick. I think I'm just frustrated, so I'm just going to go get a tee, maybe a check valve of some kind, and hook it up straight to my existing bibb for now. That way I can have not-easily-adjusted warm water and still wash some cars. I'll take my time assembling just the right parts for this mixing valve, and take a stab at it when I'm less frustrated.

I'll need to re-side the area where the existing hole is, and fill the hole in, so it'll be good to not be in a rush to get it done.

Peter Crowl · 12-31-04, 04:23

Ok...off the wall thought...but....stainless steel braided washing machine feed hose with integral 90 degree connection. Would cut your height by quite a bit I'd think.

Peter..in Denver