Where To Buy Cronex Stop Cock?

[OldChestNuts]

Currently I have the Cronex Stop Cock 15mm compression fittings fitted (Part No. BBL810). I am trying to buy a spare one so in the future I can easily swap out the moving parts without removing the entire stop cock to avoid undoing the compression fittings on either end.

This is Cronex catalogue showing the part I need: https://cronexuk.com/catalogue/plumbing-brassware/valves/unpolished-brass-stopcock

The closest look a like is sold in Tool Station but not 100% identical.

[The Builder]

Are you sure it's not "Conex"? That's a very old established make.

Anyway, I would suggest taking a couple of good photos on your phone, and going along to a "Trade" plumbers' merchants.
Maybe even a builders' merchants if they have a good plumbing ​section.

If you can get to speak to a couple of the old-school assistants, I've always found they love a challenge.

Actually, it shouldn't be too difficult. I would guess a "Pegler" might well be the right one.

[TonyV]

If it's just a stopcock doesn't matter what brand you buy, I would be using just the stopcock and leave original fittings as is. Why are you replacing stopcock?

[The Builder]

Or this....

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stopcock-15mm/31490

[OldChestNuts]

TonyV, I wasn't sure if the moving parts are the compatible with different manufacturers. If that is the case, I don't need to look for the same one then. Thanks for your reply.

[OldChestNuts]

I bought a Pegler for the plumber to fit and he could stop the leaks in the compression fittings. I thought the Pegler was a good brand, but the plumber just used the one he has with him in his van, a Cronex brand.

[The Builder]

I beg your pardon Chestnuts. I'd never come across Cronex.

Anyway, the one in my Screwfix link looks close, but I have found the odd discrepancy in sizes before. Can you get the actual Cronex one if you need to, from the catalogue?

[OldChestNuts]

This is long saga after I used DYno (British Gas contractors) to try and replace the Stop Cock as it was faulty causing water hammering. The Dyno plumber didn't remove the old faulty stop cock and replace with another stop cock, he decide to put a quick fix in my absence. He fully jammed the stop cock in the open position. When the plumber left, I tried to make sure there was no leaks and I tried to check out if I can close the valve. I couldn't turn it by my bare hands, it was so tight. So I reached my glove and still couldn't make any movement. I then tried to use my wrench to get more leverage on the spindle. But it won't move, so this tells you what the plumber has done.
The plumber wouldn't think in a million years that I tried to turn the stop cock after he left and discovered that it was dead seized opened so exposed me to risk of inability to isolate the mains should a leak occurs in the house.

I called him back immediately and he came back and he didn't need to check the stop cock for himself to see if it can't be shut off. Instead he came straight back with a Gate valve and fitted one next to it, as the stop cock is in a permanent opened state.

I though that was the end of it, until I checked with my home insurance leak policy, it states that their should be a means of isolating the mains should a leak occur and it should be maintained (i.e. able to shut off when required) and it should be to BS standard. It was very clear to me, so I talked to the insurance to clarify the Gate Valve if it can be used in place of the conventional stop cock, the answer was no!

Now I have asked my local plumber to put things right. He removed the both the old stop cock and the gate valve and replaced with the Cronex Stop cock. Sorry for the long story.

[TonyV]

Builder do you mean the length of fitting? Thought the connections were universal?

[OldChestNuts]

The Builder: No I can't buy one directly from Cronex as they only sells in volume. But if any other stop cock is compatible without removing the compression fittings that will be fine.

[TonyV]

Glad you got it sorted by a componant tradesman. Gate valves are fine for appliances as you probably already know.

[The Builder]

Tony... I may be overcomplicating things here. I have had trouble in the past, not with the thread, but with the "throw" of the valve.
That is, the distance the valve travels out when the valve is turned off.

Now i see that this is a recent valve, so probably not the problem that I found with ancient ones.

I would agree with Tony that you have a fighting chance......... but, there is only one way of knowing for sure, and you'll need to turn off in the pavement for that.

[TonyV]

Ok Builder I just thought I was missing something. As an aside I turn my water off at outside stopcock twice a year just to make sure it's working if I needed to in an emergency. Sad but true lol.

[The Builder]

Sadly Tony, not everyone is as sensible as you ;o)))
It's a very good idea.

[OldChestNuts]

Guys I found it: Cronex also trade under Beta with same address (https://www.masefield-beta.co.uk/catalogue/plumbers-brassware-accessories/valves/compression-x-compression-stopcock)

I can buy one from here on the Beta badge:

https://www.sparespro.co.uk/beta-stopcocks-compression-x-compression-bs1010

[teacake44]

A quick blast of WD40 in and around the house keeps the wheels turning, sadly it don't work on my knees. :0))))

[TonyV]

Builder gives me something to do on 21st of December and 21st of June lol

[The Builder]

Well done Oldchestnuts.
Problem solved ;o)

[TonyV]

Glad you got it sorted OldChestNuts

[OldChestNuts]

What I have learnt from this event is that you can't trust even the large corporate workman. In my eyes it was unethical and negligence what this Dyno plumber did.

[Canary42]

What a cowboy - glad you got it sorted finally, but you shouldn't have had to .