2008 Update - Bathroom Upgrade

[oemtech]

I spent most of Saturday July 8th, 2007 in the bathroom of my RV.... It's not what you think!

My wife and I have always thought there was something not just right in our bathroom decor wise. Well we finally figured it out about 3 days before we left for the Winnebago GNR (went as a vendor) and vacation. It seems that the Newmar design folks decided that a mix of brushed aluminum, chrome and plastic was the way to go. The sink fixture was a nice chrome Delta faucet. The Dometic Porcelain Sealand stool had really high dollar plastic seat. Newmar then added a really great dark brown plastic floor vent cover that cracks if you happen to step on it.

So the wife and I decided to update the fixtures. The first trip was to good old Wal Mart for a new toilet seat with brushed aluminum hardware. Cost about $20 and about 10 minutes to R & R. I would post a photo but I figure most of you don't need a visual for that.

Next we went to Home Depot a got a new Price Fister single handle fixture in brushed aluminum. Cost about $90 and about a hour to install.




Now how does an hour and 15 mins turn into all day. Well while the wife was changing the T paper roll she dropped part of the holder. When she retrieved it she found water behind the stool. I just figured the hoses needed to be tighten. But, to get at them you must take the bowel off the base. After I figured that out (I read the documentation provided by Dometic to Newmar) I was able to check things out and tighten up everything. I also found that they (Newmar or Dometic) had assembled the rubber seals wrong (the stool wouldn't hold water all the time). So, I clean them up, put some silicone grease on the seal and reassembled the toilet. The part (rubber seal) that was installed wrong had "This Side Up" written on it, it was upside down!. Now the stool holds water as it should. But, the toilet still leaked. I think the plastic "Vacuum Brake" valve the hoses connect to is cracked. I will fix that later. For now we will just have to clean up the few drops that leak out until I can get the part.

Next the wife found water on the floor in front of the vanity. I checked it out and found the hot water line was leaking. I spent the next couple of hours or more trying to fix it. Nothing seemed to work. I was just about to put the old faucet back in when I decided to check the cold water connector as it didn't leak. Sure enough it had a special rubber washer to provide a seal. You guessed it, it was missing from the hot water connector. I checked the box with the old faucet in it and sure enough there was the washer. It must have fell off the hose and I put in the box when I cleaned up. I installed the washer and no more leak.

July 21, 2007 Update - Autumn Woods RV Park Rochester, MN

I ordered the Vacuum Break part from a local RV dealer. It will be here July 24th. I decided that I would at least have it just in case the leak gets worse. Cost is about $40.



Lastly, I decided that an injected molded piece of plastic that served as a floor vent cover had to go. We searched high and low for replacements but found nothing to fit. Come to find out the vent cover is 2"x10". The most common size is 2"x12". But, I found some at Menards ( the for runner to Home Dept and Lowes) had some brown 2"x10" and white 2.25"x10" metal vent covers, with a shut off for $4.36 a piece. I bought 3 of white ones as they fit and had a larger opening for the air. I also bought a can of beige spray paint so they would blend in with the carpet and bathroom floor tile.

BEFORE



AFTER


I got a PM from LeeB about my battery box project and we got hooked up via cell phones rather than swap emails. I told him about the vent covers and sent him the photos. Now I need to go get him 3 vent covers and put them in the mail...

Here is the floor vent upgrade for the carpeted area.

BEFORE


AFTER

[oemtech]

I spent most of Saturday July 8th, 2007 in the bathroom of my RV.... It's not what you think!

My wife and I have always thought there was something not just right in our bathroom decor wise. Well we finally figured it out about 3 days before we left for the Winnebago GNR (went as a vendor) and vacation. It seems that the Newmar design folks decided that a mix of brushed aluminum, chrome and plastic was the way to go. The sink fixture was a nice chrome Delta faucet. The Dometic Porcelain Sealand stool had really high dollar plastic seat. Newmar then added a really great dark brown plastic floor vent cover that cracks if you happen to step on it.

So the wife and I decided to update the fixtures. The first trip was to good old Wal Mart for a new toilet seat with brushed aluminum hardware. Cost about $20 and about 10 minutes to R & R. I would post a photo but I figure most of you don't need a visual for that.

Next we went to Home Depot a got a new Price Fister single handle fixture in brushed aluminum. Cost about $90 and about a hour to install.




Now how does an hour and 15 mins turn into all day. Well while the wife was changing the T paper roll she dropped part of the holder. When she retrieved it she found water behind the stool. I just figured the hoses needed to be tighten. But, to get at them you must take the bowel off the base. After I figured that out (I read the documentation provided by Dometic to Newmar) I was able to check things out and tighten up everything. I also found that they (Newmar or Dometic) had assembled the rubber seals wrong (the stool wouldn't hold water all the time). So, I clean them up, put some silicone grease on the seal and reassembled the toilet. The part (rubber seal) that was installed wrong had "This Side Up" written on it, it was upside down!. Now the stool holds water as it should. But, the toilet still leaked. I think the plastic "Vacuum Brake" valve the hoses connect to is cracked. I will fix that later. For now we will just have to clean up the few drops that leak out until I can get the part.

Next the wife found water on the floor in front of the vanity. I checked it out and found the hot water line was leaking. I spent the next couple of hours or more trying to fix it. Nothing seemed to work. I was just about to put the old faucet back in when I decided to check the cold water connector as it didn't leak. Sure enough it had a special rubber washer to provide a seal. You guessed it, it was missing from the hot water connector. I checked the box with the old faucet in it and sure enough there was the washer. It must have fell off the hose and I put in the box when I cleaned up. I installed the washer and no more leak.

July 21, 2007 Update - Autumn Woods RV Park Rochester, MN

I ordered the Vacuum Break part from a local RV dealer. It will be here July 24th. I decided that I would at least have it just in case the leak gets worse. Cost is about $40.



Lastly, I decided that an injected molded piece of plastic that served as a floor vent cover had to go. We searched high and low for replacements but found nothing to fit. Come to find out the vent cover is 2"x10". The most common size is 2"x12". But, I found some at Menards ( the for runner to Home Dept and Lowes) had some brown 2"x10" and white 2.25"x10" metal vent covers, with a shut off for $4.36 a piece. I bought 3 of white ones as they fit and had a larger opening for the air. I also bought a can of beige spray paint so they would blend in with the carpet and bathroom floor tile.

BEFORE



AFTER


I got a PM from LeeB about my battery box project and we got hooked up via cell phones rather than swap emails. I told him about the vent covers and sent him the photos. Now I need to go get him 3 vent covers and put them in the mail...

Here is the floor vent upgrade for the carpeted area.

BEFORE


AFTER

[Scottsdale]

I just checked and 3 of 4 of my floor vents are cracked.

They do not have Menards here in Branson MO, so will stop at one when I am Indiana in Sept.

Thanks for the info from you projects. Threads like this sure do help me.

[oemtech]

You can check Home Depot and Lowe's. But, when I check the local Texas stores I didn't find any.

[ruppr]

Hey guys,
You might try here: www.DWIncorp.com

Best,

[oemtech]

Thanks Bob... But, the registers are plastic and that's what we want to get away from.

But, as a side note Newmar charged me almost 4x more than what DWI wants for the same floor register.

[LeeB]

I did the Battery Box upgrade and it turned out awesome. No more ugly batteries to look at...

Dale I am looking forward to the register's even my wife is excited. (she is tired of getting her socks snagged).... I am now looking for your post on Lights (Driver told me to look around for it)

F.Y.I. they don't have the metal register's at Home Depot or Lowes here either...

[depchief]

You should be able to get 2 x 10 floor registers at any Plumbing Supply or Heating and A/C supply. Try to find Ferguson, Johnstone, try Grainger also

[oemtech]

Lee on the battery project.

The registers will be sent out today. I got the last 3 they had.

[LeeB]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oemtech:
Lee on the battery project.

The registers will be sent out today. I got the last 3 they had. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Woo Hoo thanks a bunch... I'll check the mail box this afternoon..... ha ha ha.. Do you want cash, check or just my Master Card?

[oemtech]

Fisrt born! I call you with final bill. Bad news is delivered personally.

[LeeB]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oemtech:
Fisrt born! I call you with final bill. Bad news is delivered personally. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Dale your awesome I don't care what DriVer says...... ha ha ha ha......

My forst born is in the Air Force stationed at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City stop and pick him up

[depchief]

I was in Lowes in Conway, SC last night and they stocked the 2 x 10 floor register in both white and brown. $4.77 each either color
If not available have a sale assistant look up on computer when the will be in stock

[ruppr]

Dale,
You didn't go far enough down the list, steel is toward the bottom of the left hand column. Think I paid $3.45 for mine.

Best,