Bidet

We use a bidet at home and love it. When not using a bidet, I like to use baby wipes to keep fresh and good hygiene down there. Toilet papers just isn't enough. So we want to install a bidet in Voyager.

 

The problem with bidet is that most of them require over 1.5" between the seat mounts and the back tank. Most toilets can hendle that just fine. But RV toilets are designed to be compact and space saving. Most of the toilets do not have the 1.5" behind the seat mounts. That's no exception on the Thedford toilet in Voyager. Fortunately, the hump in the Thedford toilet is only hiding a 2" pipe directly in the center of the hump to control water flow into the toilet when operated by the foot pedal. The bidet that I found has a round cut out in the center of the mount that would let the mount go around the 2" pipe. The main difficulty is to dremel 2 slots, one on each side, into the hump so the bidet mount can sit on top of the toilet and slide into the hump.

 

I first removed the toilet seat and placed the bidet on the toilet to mark how high the slot I'll need to cut into the hump using a Dremel with a circular saw blade. The toilet hump is open in the back. So you can feel the 2" pipe and the location of it. That makes marking where to cut the slots fairly easy. On both ends of the hump, the plastic wraps around a bit. I found that I have to cut into that as well to allow the bidet to move back far enough for the mount. It would be easier to remove the toilet to dremel the slots. But I really didn't want to bother with it. So I just sat in front of the toilet bowl and started working on dremel the slot. Not so shabby working in such tight space.

 

 

 

I also chose this bidet because it has a warm water feature by using both a cold and hot water intake. The idea is that the cold water would tap into the toilet water line just like any other bidet installation. But this one also allows a hot water intake to a hot water source, mainly a nearby sink. Since the toilet is right next to the sink in the bathroom, I can use the hot water feed from the sink. The toilet water line is tucked very tightly behind the toilet into the floor opening. Making it very difficult to work with. Since I have to run a water line to under the sink for the hot water, I decided to do that for both the cold and hot water.

 

So now the bidet is in place, but not yet hooked up. I found out that the plumbing world, they also use TRADE size instead of actual size. Just like lumber, when you by a 1x2, you're actually getting a 0.75"x1.5". So the size on the fitting on the water line under the sink, is 1/2" even though it's 15/16". And on the bidet side, the fitting is actually 3/8" even though it's 1/4". Without the knowledge of the Trade size, I keep ordring the wrong hose. And when I finally ordered the right hose, it was still wrong. I found out that 3/8" fitting is mostly for compression fitting, which is not what the bidet is using. Compression fitting has an extra protrusion in the hose meant for plastic tubes to fit onto, and then as you tighten the fitting, it cramps down on the tubing for a leak proof connection. Given that 3/8" is most popular for compression connection, I can't seem to find a hose that has the correct connector on both ends. The only option left is to get a hose that has 1/2" fitting on both ends and use a 1/2" to 3/8 (non-compression) adapter. Sigh. I can't find such an adapter either. I was able to get a 1/2" male to 3/8" male, then get a 3/8" female to 3/8" female adapter. That's a lot of opportunity for leaks. I just need to make sure to use teflon tape and tight connection to keep this hose from leaking. I'll let you know when I get that done.

 

UPDATE:

All this time, I've been trying to find a regular 3/8" connector on hoses that is not compression. I didn't realize that the connector on the bidet is actually compression compatible. There's a slight gap between the brass connector and the nylon piece. So the 3/8" compression connection will go in just fine. I finally got the bidet hooked up and it is done. I let the water pump stayed on over night with lots of towels under the hoses and bidet to make sure there's no leak. The next morning, all are dry and not a single drop. Now, we are happy campers. laugh

 

The only issue that this bidet has is that because it's not electric, it uses the water pressure to extend the nozzle. So you do need to use a very high pressure jet to extend the nozzle. This means that a lot of water can go through very quickly and fill up the toilet bowl. You'll need to flush the toilet a couple of times while you clean.

 

TECHASE Warm Water Self Cleaning Dual Nozzles Bidet

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N2GSPBQ/

 

1/2" CIENCIA 3-way T adapter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DBNYXNG/

 

1/2" IP to 3/8" Compression 48" long hoses:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CQ9TPL/

* I am not affiliated with any of the links above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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