LED Colour changing tap

noelphobic

I got one of these recently for my new bathroom sink. I assumed that at some point the LED bulb would need replacing and thought it would be quite straightforward. However, the colour changing is no longer happening and when I took it apart to find the bulb I realised that it doesn't seem to just come out, it appears to be almost 'welded' into a plastic part. I have emailed the seller and they have said that they will pass the query on to their technical team. Just wondered if anyone had one of these taps and/or knew how to change the bulb or why it would stop working.

I liked this tap and would have bought it without the LED as it was not something I was specifically looking for. However, now that I have it, it would be a shame tonot be able to use it! Thanks in advance for any help.

markdavey

LEDs are not replaceable. They are generally soldered to the circuit board. Either the tap will need to be replaced or, if it is removable, the circuit board will need replacing.

Out of interest, how is it powered? Is it by a battery? If so, surely that is easy to replace to see if that is the issue?

ListysDad

MD The ones I've seen are powered by a tiny generator which harvests the vibration caused by the water flowing. The LEDs used are not hi quality and I've never seen one last past 18mths. The voltage generated by the cct fluctuates like mad and its prob this that shortens their life.

27col

I can't imagine many things that I would want less. But hey ho, each to his own taste.

noelphobic

markdavey wrote: »

LEDs are not replaceable. They are generally soldered to the circuit board. Either the tap will need to be replaced or, if it is removable, the circuit board will need replacing.

Out of interest, how is it powered? Is it by a battery? If so, surely that is easy to replace to see if that is the issue?

Silly question, but what would the circuit board look like? The bulb seems to be attached to a plastic part that it can't be removed from. Could this be the circuit board?

I don't know if there is a battery. If there is I can't see it. My builder was round at lunchtime and he asked the same question. It would obviously help if I could find the manual!

noelphobic

ListysDad wrote: »

MD The ones I've seen are powered by a tiny generator which harvests the vibration caused by the water flowing. The LEDs used are not hi quality and I've never seen one last past 18mths. The voltage generated by the cct fluctuates like mad and its prob this that shortens their life.

I have only had this tap for a few weeks and there is a 3 year guarantee. Will the whole tap definitely need replacing? That's going to be a pain as I will have to pay to have it fitted when I have already paid once. Under the circumstances I think the company that sold me the tap should pay the costs of fitting.

noelphobic

27col wrote: »

I can't imagine many things that I would want less. But hey ho, each to his own taste.

As I said in my original post, I wasn't looking for a colour changing tap, I happened to find a tap I like that had this feature.

Not sure why you thought commenting on the fact that you wouldn't like to have a tap like this was helpful or even interesting!

lostinrates

I actually think some i have seen are a good safety feature, the ones that go red in hot and blue in cold water. On sleek modern taps with no other indication of temp. I was considering one. Now reading it will not last that long, (A guarantee for a tap for three years seems funny when i am replacing taps almost sixty years old, and they don't seem that old) i won't bother.

noelphobic

lostinrates wrote: »

I actually think some i have seen are a good safety feature, the ones that go red in hot and blue in cold water. On sleek modern taps with no other indication of temp. I was considering one. Now reading it will not last that long, (A guarantee for a tap for three years seems funny when i am replacing taps almost sixty years old, and they don't seem that old) i won't bother.

I don't have young children and would be unlikely to get one of these taps if I did. I could imagine they would play with it a lot and there would be a risk of flooding! I have recently had to replace my kitchen tap also and that was 'only' about 8 years old!

Mr_Ted

LED's can be replaced with a little soldering iron knowledge and a visit to Maplins for one of a similar size and voltage!

All sounds a bit HIPPY to me, simple is usually the most practical!

ListysDad

What SMD types?
All the ones I've seen in this application are surface mount and encapsulated... water etc!