What it is?
Choosing a mixer is a responsible task in which many parameters need to be taken into account. This makes it doubly offensive when a mixer that seemed ideal ends up not being suitable for any one size. Most often, this is the distance between its inlet pipes, which does not coincide with the distance of the water supply outlets already installed in the apartment.
Theoretically, this distance in all apartments of the old building should have been exactly 15 cm , but often due to defects the actual value differs by several centimeters. And sometimes these conclusions were at one time adjusted to some long-outdated specific model of mixer, which was installed in the apartment when the house was built. Fortunately, this problem is easily solved. It is in such a situation that a small but very important detail will come to the rescue - an eccentric for the mixer.
At its core, a typical eccentric is a special adapter designed to connect the inlet pipes of mixers and the outlets of the plumbing system. The adjustment of dimensions is carried out due to the fact that such a part usually has the form of two small sections of metal pipe of different diameters, which are not connected to each other coaxially, but with a certain distance between the axes. It is this distance that allows you to level out the difference between the positions of the mixer inlets and the pipeline outlets. A mixer is usually connected to a section of a smaller diameter, and a larger diameter outlet is most often designed for connection to a water supply network.
S-shaped eccentric Grohe adjustment 12000000 1210 mm 1440 RUR
S-shaped eccentric Grohe adjustment 12001000 7.5 mm 718 RUR
S-shaped eccentric Grohe adjustment 12004000 10 mm 1764 RUR
S-shaped eccentric Grohe adjustment 12006000 12.5 mm 707 rub.
S-shaped eccentric Grohe adjustment 12023000 12.5 mm 1764 rub.
Plumbing manufacturers are, of course, aware of the problem of discrepancy between distances. Therefore, many faucet models available on the market are equipped by default with eccentrics included in the delivery package. Despite the fact that in this case one of the problems (matching the diameter of the eccentric to the size of the mixer inlet pipes) is solved, often “native” eccentrics are inferior in quality to parts from third-party manufacturers.
In addition, there are situations when the eccentrics supplied with plumbing fixtures either do not fit the dimensions of the pipeline outlets, or have insufficient distance between the axes for fitting. Thus, with Argo mixers, eccentrics are usually supplied with a diameter of only ¾ inch for the part intended for fastening to the water supply and a length of 40.5 mm. This limits the possibility of installing such a mixer in apartments where the pipeline outlets are located at a large distance or have a different diameter.
So buying a mixer almost always leads to the need to search for a suitable eccentric. However, these parts are available in a wide range. Therefore, before you start choosing such a fitting, you need to understand how they differ and what types of them are currently on the market.
Using additional devices
Most often, eccentrics are purchased complete with a mixer, and if additional gaskets are included with them, then you don’t have to think about insulation. If the gaskets are made of paronite, then before use, it is recommended to immerse them in a container of cold water for several minutes. If they are made of materials such as silicone or rubber, then they can be attached without resorting to any additional preparation.
After this, the tap can be tightened manually by tightening all the nuts using an adjustable wrench. This is necessary to ensure correct installation on the thread. If necessary, you can not only lengthen the eccentrics of the mixer, but also adjust, tighten and adjust its location in every possible way.
For example, if after installation a leak is detected in the water connection, this indicates that the nut is not tightened well enough. If the leakage does not stop after fixing the problem, the cause should be looked for in the quality of the gaskets used.
It may be interesting: How to eliminate a leak in a pipeline using improvised means
Characteristics
Thus, an eccentric is a plumbing adapter for installing a faucet in a bathroom, allowing you to match the dimensions of the parts. These products are always sold in pairs, and the price is usually indicated per set.
Based on operating conditions, its most important characteristics will be:
- dimensions;
- design features (internal or external thread arrangement);
- corrosion resistance;
- a distance that the installation of an eccentric can help compensate for;
- rigidity and strength, allowing its installation without the risk of destruction;
- aesthetic qualities (how well the selected detail fits into the overall design of the bathroom).
It is these characteristics that you should pay special attention to when choosing the desired model of this fitting. The price range for products is from 200 to 2000 rubles, depending on the material, manufacturer and size.
Design and coatings
Continuing the theme of design, it should be noted that companies producing accessories for expensive brands offer various design and coating options. Adapters can be made in chrome, brass, gold and copper, and have a matte or glossy finish. The Grohe brand is distinguished by a wide variety of models that are suitable for both expensive and budget plumbing fittings.
Types and sizes
Modern fittings for plumbing are produced by many companies. Eccentrics are especially popular because they allow you to adapt all plumbing mechanisms to a certain standard size. Conventionally, these products are divided into several types.
- Extended eccentrics. The products have a significant length of tube, which allows you to bring the faucet to a certain distance from the wall. They are very often used when it is not possible to install a mixer due to pipes and other similar obstacles.
- Short eccentrics. These designs are standard and often come complete with faucets. They are also supplemented with a reflector, which is a decorative overlay. Using short eccentrics, distances of up to 80 mm can be compensated.
Please note that such fittings come with both external and internal threads. Therefore, it is important to evaluate these parameters when purchasing. Many well-known manufacturers of such products cover them with decorative paints. Today on the market you can find eccentrics that imitate several materials: copper, brass, gold, silver and many others.
One of the criteria for an eccentric is its dimensions. A correctly selected design allows for quick connection of all devices. Almost all eccentrics have threaded connections at their ends. But their diameter may differ, as they are used to connect different systems. These specifications are often ½ and ¾ inches, which corresponds to most standard plumbing and faucet outlets.
S-shaped eccentric Grohe 43825000 5028 RUR
S-shaped eccentric Grohe adjustment 12005000 30 mm 1716 RUR
S-shaped eccentric Grohe adjustment 12465000 4176 RUR
S-shaped eccentric Grohe, adjustment 12482000 65 mm 10392 rub.
Set of adapters Lemark LM8556СR for installing the mixer on the side of the bathtub, 2 pcs. 3305 RUR
Another criterion is the size of the eccentric shoulder. This characteristic indicates how much the distance between points can be increased when turning to the extreme position. Today there are several standard sizes of similar structures on the market: 40 mm, 60 mm, 80 mm.
Some manufacturers mark such devices with special designations - M8, M10, etc. All this depends only on the specific brand of eccentric and its purpose. Product sizes are often standard, which allows them to be used to solve most problems.
They produce eccentrics of non-standard shape, which allows the system to be more flexibly adapted to difficult conditions.
Eccentric for mixer: installation features
Despite the apparent simplicity of installing such a mechanism, its installation should be carried out with extreme care and precision. The whole process consists of two stages:
- Fastening the structure.
- Mixer connection.
Before you begin work, you need to turn off the water to avoid flooding your neighbors.
Next, it is recommended to assemble the structure without using a seal - this stage is needed to ensure that there are no distortions in the assembled product, as well as difficulties in connecting individual elements. If the parts are too short, they should be replaced with elongated eccentrics for mixers, or additionally purchase special screens for such structures.
Separately, it is necessary to say about dismantling the old eccentric. It is important to unscrew it as carefully as possible, after which you need to wrap the short thread with flax or fluoroplastic tape. Any of these products must be wound very tightly to prevent the material from twisting around the base.
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After this, a special paste should be applied to the winding, which makes working with threaded connections easier, or silicone sealant. If these materials are not available, you can use regular oil paint. In the worst case scenario, this step can be skipped.
What follows is a delicate operation, which is important to be treated with the utmost care. It is important to install the eccentric mixer carefully and only by hand. This will avoid possible distortions in the structure. Only after the correct relationship between the device and the thread has been checked, the eccentric can be tightened more tightly, using an adjustable wrench or wrench.
In this case, it is necessary to constantly check that the linen threads previously wound on the thread do not twist. Since in this case the functionality of the entire structure as a whole may be impaired.
If a problem with flax does arise, you should completely dismantle the installed equipment and repeat the entire procedure again, starting with the thread winding stage.
After installing the crane, you can install special reflectors - decorative screens.
Why do you need an eccentric?
The range of mixers today is very diverse. Each mixer has its own technical parameters, differing in design features, appearance and distance between pipes. Often, when installing a mixer, some difficulties arise with its fastening and mismatch of the joint holes. And in such cases, an eccentric for mixers comes to the rescue.
Installing eccentrics for a mixer involves screwing one end with a narrow and external thread directly into the water supply system, that is, a water pipe, and the other end with an internal thread serves to attach one of the pipes of the plumbing fixture to it. Some types of faucet eccentrics are made of brass or bronze. If the pipes are made of plastic, then there is no difference what material the eccentric is made of, but when screwed into a metal water supply, the eccentric must be made of the same metal, in this case it is stainless steel. This ensures equal pressure in the middle of the pipe and thermal expansion, which automatically eliminates water leakage.
Advantages of an eccentric coupler
Judging by the reviews, many craftsmen prefer this method of fastening. The high popularity of connecting furniture structural elements using eccentrics is explained by the fact that the parts can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly. It is noteworthy that this is done quickly. Great physical effort is not required. In addition, the craftsman has the opportunity to connect products at a variety of angles.
This is also possible with confirmations. However, after the next disassembly and reassembly, the material loses its rigidity. It is worth noting that this method not only ensures the reliability and strength of the fasteners, but also does not spoil the appearance of the furniture. Euroscrew (as furniture makers also call eccentric) is not very expensive, has a long service life and is able to withstand impressive loads.
Installation
If the fitting shows that the eccentrics are too long, they need to be shortened. It is better to shorten from the ¾ thread side - it does not hide into the wall. In particularly severe cases, both threads are shortened. You need to remember one important rule - the thread should be enough for at least three turns
, otherwise shortening is fraught with leaks.
If there is a strong deviation from alignment, it is better to “saw” the eccentrics in place. It is more difficult to guess the final position of the eccentric in advance. Also, replacing the “native” rubber gaskets with silicone ones can help with the solution - they are softer. As a last resort, you can try placing two gaskets in one connection.
The eccentrics are packed with a sealant and screwed into water sockets; more details about sealing threaded connections are in this article. It is good to check the positions of the terminals to each other with a level - then the mixer will fit clearly and evenly. By adjusting the eccentrics, you need to achieve the required distance between them - both union nuts should fit without effort or friction.
Screwing in eccentrics with a gas or adjustable wrench is not very convenient; for this it is better to use a regular open-end wrench, hooking it onto the square transition between the threads. Some products have an internal hex structure - a hex wrench will help.
Most of these products have four edges in the middle. Therefore, it is convenient to tighten them with an open-end wrench. You may need a different key number: in some places it will fit “14”, and in other places the number “17”.
The hardest part is over, all that remains is to screw on the reflectors and the tap with gaskets. Be careful when tightening the union nuts
– they are quite fragile and can burst if too much force is applied. The tightening force should be slightly stronger than if the nut were pulled with bare hands.
Adapter set Lemark LM8556BR for installing a faucet on the side of a bathtub, 2 pcs. 4294 RUR
GZ 009 Eccentric on the side of the bathtub 2069 RUR
GZ 009D Eccentric on the side of the bathtub 2276 RUR
S-shaped eccentric Grohe 12693000 1932 rub.
S-shaped eccentric adjustment 12400000 10 mm 3528 rub.
All prefabricated parts of the crane are twisted together manually, without the use of keys. The assembly of the spout and shower is so primitive that it is not covered here.
This completes the installation. All that remains is to supply water and check the connections for leaks.
Things to remember
- Before starting work, you must ensure that the crane is complete. Check for defects in parts and their dimensions.
- Make sure the eccentric dimensions are correct.
- Remember that flax or insulation should be screwed only in the direction of the thread.
- Check the tightness and reliability of the fastening of the insulation. It should not scroll along with the thread.
- Be sure to use a lubricant over the flax. An excellent option is silicone sealant or oil paint.
- First, you need to tighten the eccentric manually, then use the key.
Installing a tap without eccentrics
To change from a half-inch thread to a ¾-inch thread, a corresponding nipple is used, which is much shorter than conventional eccentrics. Actually, thanks to the adapter nipple, installation without eccentrics becomes possible.
Based on the above, installation directly on water sockets with ¾ external thread is an amateur activity and a “collective farm”. Why reinvent the wheel when these things were thought out by engineers a long time ago?
Sources:
- https://santehnika.guru/aksessuary/ekstsentrik-dlya-smesitelya.html
- https://dekoriko.ru/vannaya/smesiteli/vidy-ekscentrikov/
- https://stroy-podskazka.ru/vannaya/smesiteli/ekscentrik/
- https://prostroiku.info/ekstsentrik-dlya-smesitelya-vidy-i-razmery-udlinennye-varianty-dlya-vannoj-korotkij-perehodnik/
- https://prostroiku.info/naskolko-realno-obojtis-bez-ekstsentrikov/
- https://my-class.ru/kak-ustanovit-smesitel-bez-ekstsentrikov/
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