Replacement Tap for Elho Pure Raindrop Rain Barrel

Replacement Tap for Elho Pure Raindrop Rain Barrel (Older Model) – 3D Printable DIY Fix (1/2" BSP Thread + Gardena Output)

Description:
This is a 3D printable replacement tap for the Elho Pure Raindrop rain barrel (older model). The original plastic tap on my barrel broke, and unfortunately, Elho no longer provides replacement taps for this version. Newer Elho models use a different design and thread size, so their current replacement taps don’t fit.

I reverse-engineered the broken tap and created this printable version, which fits:

• A 1/2 inch BSP (British Standard Pipe) thread on the barrel side
• A Gardena-compatible outlet on the spout side, so you can connect Gardena hoses and accessories

To make the Gardena connection leak-proof, you’ll need to reuse the original rubber O-ring from the broken tap — this model includes the groove for it.

The connection between the barrel and the tap itself seals well. However, the internal valve mechanism (the moving part, also known as the valve stem or plug) never sealed fully for me, even after multiple iterations. I tried printing in PLA and PETG, and experimented with various gap tolerances and surface overlaps on the valve’s sealing face. There’s a tunable sealing surface in the model to help with this. But no matter what I tried, the tap continued to drip slowly when closed.

Eventually, I gave up and bought a standard metal faucet with a 1/2" thread. It works perfectly and doesn’t leak — but it looks completely out of place on the Elho Raindrop’s sleek design.

Still, I’m sharing this design in case someone else wants to pick up where I left off. You might have better luck with different materials (e.g. TPU), rubber seals, or more precise tuning. Even if it’s not perfect, this can be a great starting point for your own rain barrel repair.

Features:

• Designed for the Elho Pure Raindrop rain barrel (older model)
• Fits the 1/2" BSP threaded barrel hole
• Gardena-compatible output, accepts standard Gardena quick connectors
• Adjustable internal valve sealing surface
• Fully 3D printable on standard FDM printers

Known Limitations:

• The internal valve still leaks a bit when closed
• Not suitable for permanent or high-pressure use unless further modified
• Not compatible with newer Elho rain barrel models (different thread and style)

Printing tip / Learning: I printed both the tap body and internal valve (plug) in an upright orientation. This helped ensure the sealing surface was round and smooth. Earlier attempts printed sideways had poor sealing due to slightly uneven circular surfaces from layer stepping.

Tags / Search terms:

Elho, Pure Raindrop, rain barrel, rainbarrel, regenton, rainwater collector, Gardena compatible, 1/2 inch BSP, garden tap, water butt, rainwater harvesting, replacement faucet, 3D printed tap, rainwater tank, rain barrel fix, valve stem, leaking tap, PETG, PLA, threaded tap, plastic faucet, outdoor water spigot, Gardena hose connector, waterton, O-ring, DIY rainwater system, obsolete Elho part, discontinued rain barrel, printable faucet, 3D printed valve, garden irrigation