Purchased the Perfect Faucet – This year we remodeled our kitchen and replaced the faucet with the Delta faucet from Lowes. The price, under $350, was very reasonable. The installation went well, but I cannot imagine anyone installing this faucet that does NOT have a solid grasp of mechanical aptitude.
* Battery Life – This all came after replacing 2 sets of batteries in less than 2 weeks. I have been involved in electronics for most of my life and was just mystified why the folks at Delta offered a battery solution without an Optional adapter. I think the battery adapter should have been included with the faucet and charged a few bucks more. Marketers are always looking for ways to get extended sales and this is a no brainier to offer it as a must have accessory for $30-50. Everyone would buy it.
What you need to do - You are only going to replace the battery pack with a permanent low voltage wall unit. I did not want to wait around for Delta to figure it out, which could be months or never. Dead batteries on a faucet at anytime is a real bummer. BTW – Save the battery pack unless you have a power outage, then you can still have running water during the outage.
Quick Fix Solution – If you do not want to mess with wires and testing stuff, I found a universal adapter that will has the plug adapter that comes with it. Radio Shack did not have any adapters with the old style 9 volt plug, which is what they used for this faucet. Really…. it should have been USB.
You will have to order the adapter. When you get it, set it for 6-10 volt range. Start at 6 but i think that you will have to go to the next range to be sure. I spent a long time searching on the net for an adapter that will just plug-in and here it is Quick Fix Adapter, purchased it on Amazon, I could not get the direct link from amazon, and it is under $20 bucks. Perform a search on the following:
Name -Axis-Universal-Adapter
Model number – dp/B0018BMPS
Cost $7.87 + Shipping
Note that One side of the Delta Battery pack is marked as Positive or + . Your adapter has a polarity changer switch which makes it nice. You can plug in the adapter and switch or polarity changer at the end of the cord. It will work in one way and not in the other.
Reader update – This is what they found – Cables Unlimited AUD-6000 Universal AC/DC Power Adapter (Black)” Searching for “AUD-6000″ will find the one you need.
Note: The Delta Faucet is protected from backwards wiring or incorrect polarity, so it will not hurt the faucet electronics for brief periods of being hooked up backwards. I tested it to be certain. Make sure you do not leave the adapter plugged into the faucet when it does not work, you could harm it. If it does not work in either position, you probably have to bump up the power selection to the next one. You may have to tap both the spout or the hot cold handle to get the faucet reset itself and start functioning properly.
Geek Speak - My fix was an easy one. I just found an old adapter 7.5 Volt 200ma adapter and wired it directly in. You will need a volt meter to determine the correct polarity of the adapter and connect it to the faucet system. It is all low voltage coming out of the wires, and as long as your adapter is plugged safely in the wall, there is no potential for getting shocked. (The only time that could potentially happen if the under-cabinet springs a leak but that will happen with or without the adapter.)
DIY’ers – Video Instruction Here
So for you geeks that need to figure out why it does not work, read on. For the simple user
I looked around for the most universal adapter that most can get hold of and found one at Radio Shack.
The battery pack is a 6V battery pack (4 at 1.5 Volts C Cell batteries). I tested faucet module that the battery pack attaches to and found the following specs.
2-26-2010 UPADATE NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT USE A 9 VOLT OR HIGHER TRANSFORMER, YOUR FAUCET WILL WORK IRRATICALLY…LIKE COMING ON BY ITSELF CHATTERING ON AND OFF.
The Delta Faucet runs on: 6-10 Volt DC
Draw: 10-50 milliamps
At rest not turned on the system draws 10ma (milliamps, a form of current drain or flow) (so there is a minute but continuous drain on your batteries, hence, lose the batteries).
When you turn on the water you draw between 20-30ma, and higher up to 50ma when you turn it on and off rapidly.
The smallest adapter that is made by Radio Shack is a 500-1,000ma one at selected voltages. Cut the adapter wire and strip the ends and connect it to the faucet system and your done.
Radio Shack Recommended Power Adapter
Video -
Here are some important tips the installation.
* Hose Installation - Make sure you insert the hose into the correct end of the spout. Also, You must put the plastic guide piece in the end of the hose (it only fits on one end. The correct side is the opposite side with the free spinning ring on it). If you insert the free spinning ring into the either end of the spout, it will not come out and you have to call the factory. They will tell you that it is not covered under warranty and you should just return it to the place where you bought it. It is really retarded.
* Spout Wire - If your looking for the wire hanging out of the copper threaded area of the spout, don’t worry, it is there and I found it pushed up inside as far as it can go. You have to carefully fish for it.
* Take your time * – I know, all you professional DIY’ers, this is not typical install. Plan, read the instructions, and read carefully. The install instructions are marginal, but ok if you have some experience. The average plumber, paid by the hour will be challenged. If your going hire a plumber or installer, make sure it is someone who has had experience in at least a few installations of this particular brand of faucet or you will pay for his learning time.
Delta Product Information for this Model
They do not make it easy to find the phone number for Delta on the instructions so here it is – 800 345-3358
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30 users responded in this post
just outta curiosity, will the pilar still work manually without the batteries (i.e., if the batteries are dead
Thanks for this info.
Do you know how to override the touch feature so it can be used as a regular faucet. I know this seems like a waste but I just want to do it temporarily.
I have connected my fuacet as per your instructions. I am incountering some issue and looking for some guidance.
I.E
The faucet turns on at random times. When there is no one withn 10 ft.
If I put batteries back in,eveything works fine.
any suggestions?
Craig mcLaughlin
Hello, call me and i can give you a few minutes.
714 329-4860 Eric
I remember that one, your batteries are almost dead. This is real dumb. I bet it was 8-10 days after installation. You need to put in a transformer and forget batteries.
Yes most versions have a manual switching the small box
In the update you say 9 volts or higher. What about a 12 volt “wall wart”? These are pretty common.
I performed quite a bit of tests but caution you to not go to the top as near the 12 mark the faucet electronics started drawing more current, which means that you could cause it to fail and or in worse case, a fire. (very extreme, but i want to be cautious. Most power supplies will fail before anything happens). Keep your voltage at 8-10 DC volts output, with under 500ma.
It seems crazy that Delta has not picked up on this. Please send them this blog link to them. You might have to call them to find an email to send to.
e
Thank you Eric for your helpful information on the Delta touch faucet. On connecting the battery pack to the dc adapter, I took a 9v connector off an old smoke alarm and wired it to the adapter.
My plumber/electrician is going to install my Delta Pilar Touch faucet for me but did tell me to purchase the adapter for him so that he can perform this procedure. Could you quickly verify what I should be buying. I believe I am purchasing an Enercell Universal 1000 MA AC Adapter from Radio Shack. I should set this Adapter at 9 Volts as to not have any problems. Does this all sound correct?
Thanks for the verification.
Again I cannot say it any better – I performed quite a bit of tests but caution you to not go to the top as near the 12 mark the faucet electronics started drawing more current, which means that you could cause it to fail and or in worse case, a fire. (very extreme, but i want to be cautious. Most power supplies will fail before anything happens). Keep your voltage at 8-10 DC volts output, with under 500ma.
It seems crazy that Delta has not picked up on this. Please send them this blog link to them. You might have to call them to find an email to send to.
e
Thanks for reiterating the info. I clicked on the “Radio Shack Recommended Power Adapter” link above and assumed that the volts and milliamps on that adapter would be adjustable. I just bought an Enercell 9 volt – 300 ma adapter from Radio Shack. Is there any reason that 300 milliamps would be too few? Or that I should have gotten an adjustable volt adapter? Again…just want to verify that what I bought should work. Thanks very much for the advise. I appreciate your website for all the useful information.
You can try the 9 volt one transformers vary greatly in voyage accuracy. 300 ma is perfect. Go to 10-12 b if 9 does not work.
I purchased the product you have linked to on Amazon.com and that power supply is bad news. It doesn’t work at all with the Pilar and even at its lowest setting, it outputs 9-12vdc. I couldn’t get the faucet to work with the power supply. I wonder if newer models will not allow an A/C adapter?
Eric Reply – Did you switch the polarity or wires and is the power more than 300ma? If so, you should be fine unless they modified the electronics in the faucet. Also, you need to use a tester to make sure you did not short the wires together or it will blow the power adapter.
I am getting ready to do this, but need to order the power adapter. Is the one from amazon ok?
Hi Eric-
After hooking this thing up to the wall, do you know how much current it draws? My wife is wondering how much we are going to pay to have this faucet standing by at all times.
Thanks for this info. I’m trying to decide if this faucet is worth the “bother.” I appreciate your clarity & helpfulness!!
Nice solution. Just a thought that others might want to consider. I was thinking about connecting the power adapter to a small UPS backup. That way, if you have a blackout, you can still use the faucet.
Heck, just go to your local thrift store… they usually have a plethora of adapters! I’m sure you’ll easily find a 9v adapter.
is 9V, 100mA adapter ok to use?
I was very specific on the specs as if you have too low of current it might affect the voltage and then it might chatter or just not work.
Most of the new ones have a switch on the black box that is under the sink for power failures.
It is totally worth it
Next to Zero, you will never see what it draws in a million years. Unless your a scientist.
Thank you — Eric and all the comments! FWIW, I used the ff adapter from amazon (if you cannot find the one Eric reccs above): “Cables Unlimited AUD-6000 Universal AC/DC Power Adapter (Black)” Searching for “AUD-6000″ will find it. I set it at 9V and my Pilar has gone back to an amazing thing of beauty.
Also, I never had the low battery signal — my light was always blue but the faucet would not always work reliably.
Now it’s back to the early days of loving the faucet.
Thanks again!
Glad you were helped, that was the purpose of the articale.
I bought and installed the AUD-6000, and I started it at 1.5 volts, which didn’t work, and then at 3volts it worked fine….is there a reason why it would start working at such a low voltage? What would be the risks of going to higher voltage? (i.e….if the pack isn’t really outputting correct voltage, and if I moved it to 9 v if it really was outputting like 15V or something, could I fry my faucet?)
I really do appreciate the info Eric! No more batteries for me!
I bought the “AUD-6000″ as mentioned above, and the pilar will work at low voltage settings like 4V….is there a risk at running the pilar at low voltage settings?
Sorry for the delay in replying.
I would not go that low and it will not hurt it but it will be unreliable and maybe come on by itself at night.
Actually, I ran tests up to 15-18 volts and it was not stressing. Most electronics have a governing device (called a Zener Diode or equivalent chip) that is set to kill the voltage if it gets to high. But when it gets to high, you run the risk of burning the protective device, not the unit. Some units have the protective device incorporated into the electronics as one package. You over voltage and pump it with lots of current, you can fry it.
You would be hard pressed to to this. 3-4 volts is the threshold. Remember it uses 4 1.5 volt batteries and that is a minimum of 6 volts. So, to answer your question, I would not go with 3 or 4 volts.
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