Shower fixture replacement in a BF10.4E
I have complained about the poor quality of RV shower fixtures and also the weather. I can't do anything about the weather, but I did replace my shower fixture.
The factory installed the standard Phoenix POS plastic mixer:
This is almost entirely plastic, uses rubber washers for sealing just like a garden hose bib from the 1950s. The feel of the knobs when you adjust it is far worse than a cheap Chinese hose bib. It is very difficult to adjust for volume or temperature, such that you alternately get scalded and frostbitten. Completely unsuitable for a shower mixer, and too light weight for a door stop:
Suitable quality replacements are available from the yachting industry. This is a Scandvik mixer and bulkhead fitting machined from solid brass, chrome plated, ceramic cartridge single lever mixing valve. They are widely distributed through marine suppliers, I bought these at Defender online.
The components are like miniature versions of quality home fixtures. The mixer hooks up with supplied hoses.
I had to enlarge the hole from 1" to 1.25" for the mixer. Being unsure which side I wanted the mixer on, and realizing that the other hole was already too large for the bulkhead fitting (and would need a filler) I enlarged them both, that would allow me to swap them later if I changed my mind.
I had to make some adapters. The hoses are intended for 1/2 NPS (straight thread!) male, while the normal plumbing connection in the RV is 1/2 NPS female. You could probably just tighten them on a 1/2 NPT adapter, but I am accused of "obsessive attention to detail". Also to fill up the oversize hole I made the ring indicated in the picture, with a profile and diameter to match the mixer bezel. It was turned out of 316 stainless, which does not have the same polish as the chrome, but compromises have to be made.
Access on the BF10.4E is through a cover under the lav sink. When I say "access" you must do everything by feel, with one hand. It's a bit tricky and required some choice swear words. Connections are way up out of the picture, no way to get two arms in there.
The finished install. It works MUCH better that the POS plastic fixture, just flip it on in the middle and you are at least not going to get scalded or frozen, very easy to adjust and it stays adjusted.
At the same time, but really an independent problem, I replaced the shower sprayer with this Scandvik version. It looks (and sprays) a lot like a kitchen sink sprayer which is fine with me. The main advantage is that it is off until you push the lever. By "off" I mean not dribbling, leaking, dripping: OFF. You can turn the shower valve on and get it adjusted to your liking, then leave it that way for the duration of the trip if you like, just step in the shower and push the lever for water. In fact Scandvik makes a pure shower mixer (no shut off, just temp adjustment) if you prefer this. The sprayer will lock on by pulling the lever up, if you need that. This one is plastic, they make also a brass one in a different shape but it is heavy so when you drop it, it can chip the shower gelcoat.
The factory installed the standard Phoenix POS plastic mixer:
This is almost entirely plastic, uses rubber washers for sealing just like a garden hose bib from the 1950s. The feel of the knobs when you adjust it is far worse than a cheap Chinese hose bib. It is very difficult to adjust for volume or temperature, such that you alternately get scalded and frostbitten. Completely unsuitable for a shower mixer, and too light weight for a door stop:
Suitable quality replacements are available from the yachting industry. This is a Scandvik mixer and bulkhead fitting machined from solid brass, chrome plated, ceramic cartridge single lever mixing valve. They are widely distributed through marine suppliers, I bought these at Defender online.
The components are like miniature versions of quality home fixtures. The mixer hooks up with supplied hoses.
I had to enlarge the hole from 1" to 1.25" for the mixer. Being unsure which side I wanted the mixer on, and realizing that the other hole was already too large for the bulkhead fitting (and would need a filler) I enlarged them both, that would allow me to swap them later if I changed my mind.
I had to make some adapters. The hoses are intended for 1/2 NPS (straight thread!) male, while the normal plumbing connection in the RV is 1/2 NPS female. You could probably just tighten them on a 1/2 NPT adapter, but I am accused of "obsessive attention to detail". Also to fill up the oversize hole I made the ring indicated in the picture, with a profile and diameter to match the mixer bezel. It was turned out of 316 stainless, which does not have the same polish as the chrome, but compromises have to be made.
Access on the BF10.4E is through a cover under the lav sink. When I say "access" you must do everything by feel, with one hand. It's a bit tricky and required some choice swear words. Connections are way up out of the picture, no way to get two arms in there.
The finished install. It works MUCH better that the POS plastic fixture, just flip it on in the middle and you are at least not going to get scalded or frozen, very easy to adjust and it stays adjusted.
At the same time, but really an independent problem, I replaced the shower sprayer with this Scandvik version. It looks (and sprays) a lot like a kitchen sink sprayer which is fine with me. The main advantage is that it is off until you push the lever. By "off" I mean not dribbling, leaking, dripping: OFF. You can turn the shower valve on and get it adjusted to your liking, then leave it that way for the duration of the trip if you like, just step in the shower and push the lever for water. In fact Scandvik makes a pure shower mixer (no shut off, just temp adjustment) if you prefer this. The sprayer will lock on by pulling the lever up, if you need that. This one is plastic, they make also a brass one in a different shape but it is heavy so when you drop it, it can chip the shower gelcoat.
