A tank connector tool is used to make the awkward job of fitting or removing a connector to a cold water tank, much easier. By engaging with the dog drive, the tool allows you to turn and tighten the fitting with one hand. This was a job that traditionally needed two pairs of hands or extremely long arms.
The difficulty with fitting a tank connector is that, traditionally, you would have had to reach over inside the tank to hold one end of the connector in a static position whilst using your other hand to tighten the nut on the outside with a spanner. The larger the water tank, the harder this job becomes and in some cases it may be impossible. The tank connector tool allows you to do this with one hand from the outside of the tank.
This picture shows the exploded view of a tank connector and the place at which it passes through the water tank’s wall.
A tank connector tool has been specially designed to eliminate the difficulty when working with large water tanks. It is worth noting that you may not need (or want) to use this tool for other tank connectors (such as the connectors found on toilet cisterns).
A tank connector tool can only be used on either15mm or 22mm tank connectors. You will need one of each size tool for each size of connector.
This picture shows the fitting of a tank connector to a toilet cistern. You would not want to use a tank connector tool in this case as the cistern is fairly shallow and there is no difficulty in reaching both sides with your hands. Also, the connector is likely to be made out of plastic and the cistern made from ceramic, so you risk shattering them if overtightened. Hand tightening only is advised for jobs like this.