Thermostatic Shower Valve Install in an RV

Retrofitting a thermostatic shower control valve to replace on old standard shower valve in a 2013 Seneca JK36.
The valve I used was purchased on Amazon, here is the link:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z...

[@mjremy2605]

The Walmart cutting board faceplate was genius! Lovely work, you are so handy. Everyone needs a husband like you! Mine was so useless, I left him and kept the dog. I do all my own DIY and have to redo my shower like yours. I liked the hacks you improvised, the wood frame behind the screws. It's appalling how poorly they build RVs - shortcuts everywhere. Mine is just as bad. I'm going to remove the entire shower surround, fit in a proper wood box to hold this shower control in, and cut out an access hatch on reverse side. Why not? Everything should be modular and accessible. Did you have to lube any controls? Some Amazon reviewers said that the cold water access did not work after some time, something about lubrication and winter weather. Thanks again, very useful video and very educational. You are a good teacher. Enjoy Arizona! I lived in Tucson many years. There is an annual Gem Show in Tucson around Jan-Feb that is huge and you will both love it. Lots of inexpensive stone necklaces, carved items, and mineral displays. It should be seen.

[@RobMan]

Couple things since this is a 7 year old video. They now make a 4 inch one for RV's. It has a hose connection on the bottom. Also perhaps putty tape would have been less messy than silicone. The trim rings can be sanded down to make the brass fittings protrude further in the back if need be. Also you could hit that chopping block with a torch for a couple seconds to clean up the cut edges. Great video though

[@foretravelman67]

I'm impressed! I do a lot of remolding as well as plumbing, etc. Having full timed for 6 years, this is a great fix. Nice job of covering the good and bad in this install!

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

Thanks, it was sort of a PITA, but I love it every single day!

[@thehawksnest]

good video, I liked the detail and the wood falling in the wall.

[@samhoskins8706]

Pro tip regarding the wood reinforcement. Before you glue it in, take some 240 Grit sand paper and thoroughly scuff up the inside of the shower stall where the wood will go. The glue won't stick to the slick surface unless you roughen it up.

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

Try to put in my own "bloopers" for added excitement

[@samhoskins8706]

Finished my installation yesterday and it works great. I had quite a bit of trouble having too much thread length on the plastic supply fittings to get a good seal on the brass couplers, the fitting would bottom out on the locknut thereby allowing leaks. I had to add another washer next to the black screen washer and had to sand off 1/8" of material off of the chrome coupling covers. I also had to remove several threads of material from the plastic supply couplings. If you take this project on, be sure and allow plenty of time and also have a source for the various fittings you might need.

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

Sam Hoskins glad to hear it worked out in the end. I think the thickness of wall or plate it is installed in makes a difference as well for the trim rings. I see you found one (too late of course) that had a downward facing outlet. Perhaps you could put an Amazon link in the comment section here for others that may attempt the project!

[@samhoskins8706]

On Amazon, Google: Rozin Wall Mount Brass Thermostatic Mixing Valve for Bathroom Shower

[@jimmyemerson3824]

Great job, just ordered one from Amazon.

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

You will love it!

[@kiteskier]

Thanks for showing this. Just working on this project. Bought already a Thermostatic Valve and tried figure out how to mount it. Will let you know how it went.

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

I have actually now done two of them. I absolutely LOVE them.

[@deanwoodard4830]

Great idea

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

Makes all the difference in the world

[@samhoskins8706]

Excellent video. Thanks for documenting the process. These valves are fairly heavy and can use the extra support. I wonder if an elbow might be available to route the hose behind the valve, so it comes out downward.

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

That would be a good idea, I have not been able to find one, but would love one. The valve could also be installed with the outlet facing downward, but there are two small allen screws that would be visible on top that hold in the thermostatic coupler and shut off valve.

[@samhoskins8706]

After I installed mine, I found another one on Amazon that had the outlet facing down.

[@lxe1986]

Nice Job..., Thank you for the info for the " Rozin Wall Mount Brass Thermostatic Mixing Valve"

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

You bet, love these valves.

[@chucknSC]

I too used the Rozin valve. I put a 1/2 to 3/4 bushing to reduce the valves 3/4 down to 1/2 male. Then used 1/2 schedule 40 and 1/2 electrical conduit nuts to mount to the cutting board plastic. I had to use a threader die to add some thread length so that my same old elbows from my old faucet had enough threads. I was replacing a tub valve so I moved it up higher in the wall so we don't have to bend over to adjust the water. This was a great mod for campers. I will test it soon on our next trip.

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

+Chuck Neil awesome, if it works as well as mine you will love it!

[@gkeith4120]

Great job, Great presentation!

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

Thanks so much.

[@ApolloWasReal]

Nice job! I'm hoping to find a thermostatic shower control valve that would be a easier physical fit to our RV, but at least I know it can be done!

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

ApolloWasReal if you find one let me know for sure. Love how it works, but it would be nice if there was an easier one to use.

[@jMP0131]

This inspired me to do a similar mod. I will probably buy the plastic at TAP Plastic rather than hunting for the cutting board. Hoping that I can find the mixing valve that you used and the offset nipples.

[@FreedomIsntFree2023]

Thanks for posting your work! Definitely gave me ideas to run with....like using UHMW sheeting for the block off plate. The execution of your idea was fantastic! I saw you had a bit of a challenge with the wood backing blocks; if one was to mount those backer boards vertically instead of horizontally, that seems like you would have more space to get your hand behind for the final hook up? Thanks again

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

Was a bit of a challenge, but more than worth it in the end. Installed another one in my new smaller Bigfoot RV, you can see that installed in Bigfoot interior tour video.

[@20111111jorg]

We have the same problem, so just what I was looking for, particularly on if it worked. A heads up for your readers, there are a number of smaller ones on the market now, so another brand might be a better fit for your RV. If using Amazon, search for "Thermostatic Mixing Valve".

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

There are some newer ones that may be a bit easier to deal with. Always been happy with mine

[@golfdrtool947]

You seem very handy. What is your construction background or career?

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

+Mark Stewart I am (was) and electrical contractor prior to living full time in the road. My whole family is in all different aspects of the construction trades, so I love this stuff.

[@gkeith4120]

Too bad you did not provide the size of your cutting board. buying one at size usually works best.

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

It was about 10"x6". They are pretty easy to cut to size if you can only get a larger one

[@foretravelman67]

Hmm, this valve is no longer available!

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

Thats a bummer! I bet there is still someone out there selling this valve or others like it. May just have to do some searching around.

[@jimmyemerson3824]

Look for Robin shower on Amazon. $38.00 free shipping.

[@jimmyemerson3824]

Joe Allen look on Amazon, Rozin $38.00

[@jimmyemerson3824]

ROZIN SHOWER

[@MarkSmith-pd3nt]

Your product link goes to a USB adapter.. other then that, great mod and video.

[@TheKuhlOdyssey]

Dang, a will take a look at that