Loose shower knobs - no friction - ouch!

[tlittle2]

Have a brand new Copper Canyon FWRLS 314 5er and so far the thing that has made me craziest (and it doesn't take much these days) is that the water hot and cold knobs in the shower have no friction whatsoever. If I even look at a knob it turns and I get alternately scalded or frosted. And as you all know, there's no room in there to jump out of the water stream...

Any ideas - other than wearing a wet-suit in the shower?

The other thing that makes me crazy (maybe there's a connection) is that the overhead space (headroom above the pillows) in the bedroom slide is pretty sparse. Somebody's truck backfired the other night and I think I got a concussion...now I wear a helmet in bed.

tl

[Terrydactile]

It sounds like the packing/seals on the stems of your faucets are either none existent or need to be tightened up by tightening the packing nut. Just a thought.

[MightyMike]

Those RV faucets don't have a lot of resistance. I usually turn the shower on and let it settle down before getting in, easy to adjust when you're outside not getting scalded/frozen. If it's a real problem for you, you may want to consider putting a regular home unit in there. The new RVs are plumbed with pecs tubing now, so it should be an easy fit. As far as the helmet in bed, does it have a facemask? Think that would make a good nite kiss pretty tough.

[Bob Vaughn]

Are you on shore water or you running your pump? If running your pump it may be the pressure on the cold/hot side being greater than the other.... BTW I even hate plumbing problems at home...

[Ruffus]

Bob
The shower is easy to fix. Go down and buy a Oxygenetic shower head and hose from Camper World or like company. Then go down to Lowes or Home Depot and buy a $5 chrome (not plastic) push button on/off 1/2 inch valve. Remove the old the old shower hose from the top of the valve assembly and install the new 1/2 inch push valve. Then assemble the new Oxygenetic shower hose and shower head. Now when you turn on the shower get the water at the temp you want and just shut it off and on with the push button on the 1/2 valve. "One note" after you shut the water off with the new valve make sure that you hold a wash rag over the nozzle before turning it back on so you don't get the cold blast of water and remember to turn off the shower valves when your done in there.
As far as hitting your head while sleeping, man you just need to learn how to relax!!!!! Camping or RV'ing is the best part of living and it's all about relaxing and enjoying your life.
Just my 2 cent's worth.

[tlittle2]

I already have the Oxywhatever shower head. And the metal shut off valve I found cost $10 at my Ace Hardware. Still doesn't solve the loose knob issue, but thanks for your concern.

I'm trying to relax...

Tom

[Ruffus]

Super Glue!!!!

[hankpage]

tl, I think terrydactile was right. If you remove the handle, there should be a packing nut on the stem. Since these faucets are plastic tighten the nut gently. It should increase the force needed to turn the stem. But then .... what would a plumber know about faucets. JM2¢, Hank

Come on Jim ....... super glue ..... it's not water-proof ...... gotta use gorilla glue.

[Ruffus]

Hank
Your right, it's only water proof once you stick your fingers together. Merry X-mas.

[hankpage]

Merry Christmas to all, from the other jolly fat guy, Hank

[tlittle2]

I took the knobs off and the entire assembly is plastic, with the knob keyed onto the innermost/smallest shaft. There are two or three other increasingly larger concentric shafts, but all are round without flat sides for a wrench to grip.

Does this sound like a fixture that can be tightened/adjusted?

Tom (not a plumber but when my trousers sag I can pass for one...)

[tlittle2]

I know you've all been on the edge of you seats waiting to hear how I resolved this, so here goes:

Since the original all-plastic shower valves couldn't be tightened, I replaced the valve assembly with one from the Catalina line, bought from Amazon for $14. The handles operate in a 45 degree range and have FRICTION like the other fixtures in the camper.

I'm a happy camper and I even smell better now.

[Firecapt]

tlittle2,

Could you post a link to the set you got from Amazon?

[tlittle2]

Here's the one I bought...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

[Firecapt]

Thanks!! I can see this mod in my immediate future

Was this a direct replacement or did you have to do anything or make adjustments in order to do the install?

[tlittle2]

It was a direct replacement - about a 5 minute job because the valve sits on a base that is secured to the shower wall with four screws.

Your results may vary.