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Reich Taps

Before removing the tap top mark the off position. Reich taps use the same microswitches as Comet apart from the wire is soldered at 90 degrees to the switch. If you haven't a soldering gun ask the centre you brought the switch from if they will do it.The wire is soldered to the left with the flat metal part of the switch horizontal and at the top.

The switch can be replaced without removing the tap but the first thing to check is weather you need to replace the switch at all.Sometimes the switch will just get dirty,and with a small screwdriver the flats of the switch can be cleaned.To do this it is best if you can prise the switch from it's position in the tap housing using a small screwdriver.For some reason Reich started to glue the switch into position if the switch isn't working then it has to come out or the tap will have to be replaced anyway so use as much force as needed sometimes you will be lucky and the switch will come out before the tap breaks.Clean the flats then work the switch a few times, it also helps if you give it a squirt with WD 40, then replace it.

With the switch removed from the tap housing it can be replaced.The wires go down through the tap body and out at the bottom.Disconnect these wires and pull the switch out, the new switch will have neat soldered ends to the wire these are helpful because the wire has to slide down a groove between the tap body and the fixing nut.

Once through that gap the wires will get stuck on the top of the hose tail they will have to be bent over this, if you can get to it.If not the wires ends can be bent slightly outwards so when the wire gets to the hose tail they will ride over it. Push the switch back into the tap housing, reconnect the wires then the top has to refitted but this isn't as easy as it sounds.

1. Remove the white plastic centre from the tap top complete with the clear plastic hexagonal insert.
2. Screw the clear part onto the white part fully.
3. Push the whole thing into the tap.
4. Turn the clear part so that the white part goes down and hits the microswitch, keep going until the clear part lifts off the black tap body slightly.
5. Line the nearest hexagonal point of the clear part at 90 degrees to the tap spout insure there is still a slight gap between the clear part and the tap body.
6. Replace the top in the Off position using the mark you made earlier.
7. Test the tap, you should hear the switch "click" and the tap should work.
8. Close the tap and turn the bathroom tap on, no water should come from the kitchen tap, if it does you will have to try again.It is sometimes easier to remove the tap completely, if time isn't a factor.

It is sometimes easier to remove the tap completely, if time isn't a factor.