Sightseer 35J shower valve access through the OnePlace panel

[John Mo]

I'd like to replace the Barbie Playhouse shower valves in my Sightseer 35J. I think I may be going for an outcome similar to what's pictured in this post: Shower valve replacement with single-handle

Mostly I think I just need a little encouragement and some hand-holding.

So I see there are four screws and caulk that hold the access panel on the inside of the shower. I haven't opened that up yet. I suspect that I'm going to need access to the back side of the shower valve plumbing to really accomplish anything. On the plus side, I think I can get to the back side of my shower by removing the OnePlace panel. It looks like the OnePlace panel is held in place by a screw top and bottom. That's easy enough, but it seems like there's a huge opportunity to mess things up by pulling that panel.

Has anybody opened up the OnePlace panel? What am I getting into there? If anybody has a link to some pictures that would be great.

Tips, suggestions, pictures, and encouragement on swapping out the shower valve would also be appreciated. I think I can do it, but I don't want to cause myself problems in the process of trying to make improvements. Thanks.

[Hikerdogs]

If you're just replacing the valve and not trying to change the configuration of the riser you shouldn't need to go into the OnePlace panel to replace the shower valve. If your original valve looks like the one in the post you linked to everything can be done from inside the shower stall.

Look closely at the original valve. There should be a decorative cap in the center of the knob. Pop it off with a screw driver and remove the knob by removing the screw under it. The knob should then slide off the valve stem.

Now look at the trim plate that covers the valve. There shold be 2 screws that can be removed to take off the plate. There will probably be a film of caulk around the perimiter. Slide a putty knife nder the plate to loosen the caulk then removw the plate. The valve itself is screwed to a bracket inside the wall. Again if you remove the 2 screws the valve will be free except for the water lines.

A word of caution, before loosening the nuts that hold the water lines to the valve wrap a few rounds of electrical tape on the tubes a few inches below the nuts. When the nuts are free of the valve they will slide down the tubes. If there's nothing to stop them they may go all the way to the floor.

Once the valve is totally disconnected you'll need to remove the plastic PEX to pipe adaptors from the old valve and install them in the new one. Be sure to use a few wraps of teflon tape on the threads before installing them. The last thing you want is a slow leak inside the wall. Just reassemble the water lines and other items in the reverse order they were removed. Make sure you test the operation of the valve and check for leaks before you reinstall the trim plate and handle.

[John Mo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs You shouldn't need to go into the OnePlace panel to replace the shower valve. Everything can be done from inside the shower stall. If you look closely at the original valve there should be a decorative cap in the center of the knob. Pop it off with a screw driver and remove the knob by removing the screw under it. The knob should then slide off the valve stem. Now look at the trim plate that covers the valve. There shold be 2 screws that can be removed to take off the plate. There will probably be a film of caulk around the perimiter. Slide a putty knife nder the plate to loosen the caulk then removw the plate. The valve itself is screwed to a bracket inside the wall. Again if you remove the 2 screws the valve will be free except for the water lines.

My original equipment is one of the cheapo two-knob things with a vaccum breaker coming out the bottom where the hose connects. I intend to replace with one of the nice residential-style blending valves, but those don't have an outlet on the front. If they were made with an outlet on the front, I think I'd have it made, but I think I'm going to have to run a line from the outlet of the valve through the shower wall like hoppers4 did in the post I linked above. My concern is that I won't be able to run a line out of a residential valve very far or at all by working through the hole where the original valve is installed. Maybe I can, but I bet it would be a lot easier if I had access to the back side of the shower.

[pace89]

I have replaced the shower faucet in our 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, it was replaced by opening the "one place" panel. Photos of that project & others at: Picasa Web Albums - Terry & Bev + Cookie

[John Mo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pace89 I have replaced the shower faucet in our 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, it was replaced by opening the "one place" panel. Photos of that project & others at: Picasa Web Albums - Terry & Bev + Cookie

Thank you! That's exactly what I wanted to see about the OnePlace panel. It's a mass of wires, but they're orderly and have connectors. Excellent.