Just plumbed in a Rocket Evo 2 recently bought from the forums. I had no inclination to have a plumbed-in machine when I bought the thing but hey, it's still kind-of lockdown and ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN FUCKING DEGREES OUTSIDE so why not spend time moving heavy kitchen and laundry appliances around and testing the limits of my patience?
Connecting to the water supply was by far the most complicated task thus far of owning the Rocket, mainly because (i) I hate anything to do with plumbing and (ii) the connection on the back of the Rocket is 1/8" BSP which doesn't appear to be common. So here's a recap in case it helps anyone else in the future. Photos at the end.
Final point: we have softened water already, otherwise I might have considered installing a water filter somewhere along the way.
STARTING OFF
The Evo 2 comes supplied with a long braided silver hose with 1/8" BSP connections. It's a good quality hose to match the good quality Rocket. However, I'd decided that I was going to plumb it off the dishwasher so needed to extend the connection in some way. Why the dishwasher? Because it's used much less often than the washing machine and because the connection is much easier to reach.
Obviously I am stubborn enough not to call in a plumber to do this despite (i) above, given that it seemed just a matter of finding the right bits. So I spent a lot of time watching videos (not very helpful), browsing suppliers (a bit of a minefield unless you know what you're doing from the start), reading threads (sort of helpful), and determining what was needed.
Eventually, I worked out the following series of connections, from the typical washing machine / dishwasher 3/4" connector into the back of the Evo 2.
The connections go:
Dishwasher 3/4" connector ==>
3/4" to 1/4" push-fit adapter (screws onto above) ==>
1/4" tubing (push-fit into adapter) ==>
1/4" to 1/8" John Guest adapter (tube push-fits into adapter) ==>
Rocket 1/8" BSP hose that came with the machine (screws onto other end of adapter - screw in *very* firmly) ==>
Hose connector on back of Rocket machine (Rocket hose screws into this - again, *very* firmly)
See photos below for a bit more clarity here.
THE BITS
So here's what I bought to make this happen:
1. Washing machine Y-splitter, all 3/4" connectors. 3/4" BSP is the standard washing machine / dishwasher pipe thread size. The splitters are found at Screwfix, Toolstation, Amazon, etc.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/washing-machine-y-piece/81000 (pretty basic, no on/off valve)
https://www.toolstation.com/washing-machine-y-piece/p81426 (ditto)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Washing-Machine-Splitter-Additional-Washer/dp/B077HS87LT/ (bought but leaked - many alternatives on amazon)
2. 3/4" to 1/4" push-fit adapter. This screws onto one part of the Y-splitter above.
https://www.aquacure.co.uk/dm-fit-female-adaptor-14-pf-x-34-bsp-afab-0409f
3. 3m of 1/4" John Guest tubing. I could have managed with 2m but always good to have more and not need.
https://www.aquacure.co.uk/john-guest-lldpe-tubing-14-red-by-the-metre
4. 1/4" to 1/8" BSP John Guest push-fit straight adaptor to attach to the Rocket hose.
https://www.aquacure.co.uk/john-guest-straight-adaptor-14-push-fit-x-18-bspt-pi010801s
5. Push-fit / John Guest stuff is amazing.
CONNECTING
To start with, I made connecting as simple as possible, bringing the tubing out from the splitter and over the counter-top to the Rocket, just to make the inevitable explosion of water from each and every connection slightly easier to catch and clean up. Everything was tightened. The correct prayers and sacrifices made to the correct fates.
The Evo had been turned off a while and was cool (no idea if necessary but eh). I emptied the water tank. Switched the switch behind the tank to the tap rather than the tank. I made sure all the connections were tight. Then I turned on the water, expecting a spurt of water here, there, or here and there. Towels and inventive curse words were ready - see (i) above. But there was nothing but the brief sound of water flowing up the pipe and then... nothing. Silence. But a good, content kind of silence, not a you-think-you've-done-this-but-there's-a-quiet-leak-you'll-never-know-about-until-it's-done-thousands-of-pounds-of-damage kind of silence. The Evo remained quietly on the counter, looking satisfied.
So I turned on the machine, expecting a spurt, leaks, cursing, etc etc. Again nothing. The Evo warmed up as normal. Still no leaks. So after half an hour when all was up to temperature I threw caution to the (very very warm) wind and said let's do this thing. Reader, I pulled a shot. And
IT WORKED
Not only that but
IT WORKED WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF LEAKING OR UNTOWARD NOISES
And not only that but
IT WAS QUITE TASTY TOO.
MAKING IT ALL JUST RIGHT
So having established all was good and having failed to keep the attention of any of the children with a recap and tour of my engineering magnificence, it was time to tidy things up. So:
+ I disconnected the tubing from the dishwasher push-fit adapter (did I mention the push-fit stuff is amazing?). I even remembered to turn off the valve on the pipe so there was only a tiny spurt of water from the disconnected tube that I even had a towel at the ready to catch. GO ME
+ I drilled a small hole at the back of the counter-top behind the machine (making sure my wife was not in the house or in danger of returning within at least an hour). I used, first, a number six wood drill bit (because I didn't have any bigger wood bit and because the counter-top is some kind of covered wood) and, second, a number eight masonry drill bit just to expand the hole a teeny bit so the red tubing would easily fit through. Having inspected, I reckon the number six bit would probably have been enough alone. Who knew.
+ I threaded the tubing back down the hole and reconnected to the dishwasher push-fit adapter. One click, done.
+ I tidied up all the tubes and hoses and cables at the back of the Evo so nothing was on show
+ I turned everything back on (water, machine, etc)
+ I pulled another shot
+ Again, IT WORKED. I was quietly amazed.
PHOTOS
Then I realised I should have taken photos along the way so I pulled out the dishwasher once more and did what I could. Bow down to my labelling prowess.
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Questions, comments, feedback, happy to hear...
Join me tomorrow for a thread entitled "HELP WATER LEAKING EVERYWHERE DOES ANYONE HAVE A SPARE PAIR OF WELLIES?"
Connecting to the water supply was by far the most complicated task thus far of owning the Rocket, mainly because (i) I hate anything to do with plumbing and (ii) the connection on the back of the Rocket is 1/8" BSP which doesn't appear to be common. So here's a recap in case it helps anyone else in the future. Photos at the end.
Final point: we have softened water already, otherwise I might have considered installing a water filter somewhere along the way.
STARTING OFF
The Evo 2 comes supplied with a long braided silver hose with 1/8" BSP connections. It's a good quality hose to match the good quality Rocket. However, I'd decided that I was going to plumb it off the dishwasher so needed to extend the connection in some way. Why the dishwasher? Because it's used much less often than the washing machine and because the connection is much easier to reach.
Obviously I am stubborn enough not to call in a plumber to do this despite (i) above, given that it seemed just a matter of finding the right bits. So I spent a lot of time watching videos (not very helpful), browsing suppliers (a bit of a minefield unless you know what you're doing from the start), reading threads (sort of helpful), and determining what was needed.
Eventually, I worked out the following series of connections, from the typical washing machine / dishwasher 3/4" connector into the back of the Evo 2.
The connections go:
Dishwasher 3/4" connector ==>
3/4" to 1/4" push-fit adapter (screws onto above) ==>
1/4" tubing (push-fit into adapter) ==>
1/4" to 1/8" John Guest adapter (tube push-fits into adapter) ==>
Rocket 1/8" BSP hose that came with the machine (screws onto other end of adapter - screw in *very* firmly) ==>
Hose connector on back of Rocket machine (Rocket hose screws into this - again, *very* firmly)
See photos below for a bit more clarity here.
THE BITS
So here's what I bought to make this happen:
1. Washing machine Y-splitter, all 3/4" connectors. 3/4" BSP is the standard washing machine / dishwasher pipe thread size. The splitters are found at Screwfix, Toolstation, Amazon, etc.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/washing-machine-y-piece/81000 (pretty basic, no on/off valve)
https://www.toolstation.com/washing-machine-y-piece/p81426 (ditto)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Washing-Machine-Splitter-Additional-Washer/dp/B077HS87LT/ (bought but leaked - many alternatives on amazon)
2. 3/4" to 1/4" push-fit adapter. This screws onto one part of the Y-splitter above.
https://www.aquacure.co.uk/dm-fit-female-adaptor-14-pf-x-34-bsp-afab-0409f
3. 3m of 1/4" John Guest tubing. I could have managed with 2m but always good to have more and not need.
https://www.aquacure.co.uk/john-guest-lldpe-tubing-14-red-by-the-metre
4. 1/4" to 1/8" BSP John Guest push-fit straight adaptor to attach to the Rocket hose.
https://www.aquacure.co.uk/john-guest-straight-adaptor-14-push-fit-x-18-bspt-pi010801s
5. Push-fit / John Guest stuff is amazing.
CONNECTING
To start with, I made connecting as simple as possible, bringing the tubing out from the splitter and over the counter-top to the Rocket, just to make the inevitable explosion of water from each and every connection slightly easier to catch and clean up. Everything was tightened. The correct prayers and sacrifices made to the correct fates.
The Evo had been turned off a while and was cool (no idea if necessary but eh). I emptied the water tank. Switched the switch behind the tank to the tap rather than the tank. I made sure all the connections were tight. Then I turned on the water, expecting a spurt of water here, there, or here and there. Towels and inventive curse words were ready - see (i) above. But there was nothing but the brief sound of water flowing up the pipe and then... nothing. Silence. But a good, content kind of silence, not a you-think-you've-done-this-but-there's-a-quiet-leak-you'll-never-know-about-until-it's-done-thousands-of-pounds-of-damage kind of silence. The Evo remained quietly on the counter, looking satisfied.
So I turned on the machine, expecting a spurt, leaks, cursing, etc etc. Again nothing. The Evo warmed up as normal. Still no leaks. So after half an hour when all was up to temperature I threw caution to the (very very warm) wind and said let's do this thing. Reader, I pulled a shot. And
IT WORKED
Not only that but
IT WORKED WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF LEAKING OR UNTOWARD NOISES
And not only that but
IT WAS QUITE TASTY TOO.
MAKING IT ALL JUST RIGHT
So having established all was good and having failed to keep the attention of any of the children with a recap and tour of my engineering magnificence, it was time to tidy things up. So:
+ I disconnected the tubing from the dishwasher push-fit adapter (did I mention the push-fit stuff is amazing?). I even remembered to turn off the valve on the pipe so there was only a tiny spurt of water from the disconnected tube that I even had a towel at the ready to catch. GO ME
+ I drilled a small hole at the back of the counter-top behind the machine (making sure my wife was not in the house or in danger of returning within at least an hour). I used, first, a number six wood drill bit (because I didn't have any bigger wood bit and because the counter-top is some kind of covered wood) and, second, a number eight masonry drill bit just to expand the hole a teeny bit so the red tubing would easily fit through. Having inspected, I reckon the number six bit would probably have been enough alone. Who knew.
+ I threaded the tubing back down the hole and reconnected to the dishwasher push-fit adapter. One click, done.
+ I tidied up all the tubes and hoses and cables at the back of the Evo so nothing was on show
+ I turned everything back on (water, machine, etc)
+ I pulled another shot
+ Again, IT WORKED. I was quietly amazed.
PHOTOS
Then I realised I should have taken photos along the way so I pulled out the dishwasher once more and did what I could. Bow down to my labelling prowess.
Questions, comments, feedback, happy to hear...
Join me tomorrow for a thread entitled "HELP WATER LEAKING EVERYWHERE DOES ANYONE HAVE A SPARE PAIR OF WELLIES?"
