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Shower Faucet

datswite

Ken Ferrari
Can someone please confirm the center spacing on the original shower faucet fixture of the 382? And, share a photo of the original to confirm that Morgan didn't use different faucet fixtures. I'm in Chicago, and my boat is in Portugal. I want to return to the boat with a new fixture in hand.
 
If I remember I can take pictures and measure when I get off work. I am hull #256 so I expect ours will be the same. It was smaller than "standard" but a common/standard size for RV's.

That said, have you looked at getting it out? I was not able to without serious cutting of fiberglass. Even through an access hole that had already been cut. I could reach it, but there isn't enough room for a wrench. I replaced the hose and shower head from the new unit, and left the old faucet.

$5 in washers from the hardware store and it works good as new, although still looks ugly. The challenge is that you wouldn't be able to bring the old washers into a hardware store, and its doubtful a hardware store in Portugal would have them. I can attempt to measure them but don't have a good set of calipers on board.

Also, the shower faucet and sink faucet are completely different. They look similar externally, but are a completely different mechanism with different washers internally.
 
If I remember I can take pictures and measure when I get off work. I am hull #256 so I expect ours will be the same. It was smaller than "standard" but a common/standard size for RV's.

That said, have you looked at getting it out? I was not able to without serious cutting of fiberglass. Even through an access hole that had already been cut. I could reach it, but there isn't enough room for a wrench. I replaced the hose and shower head from the new unit, and left the old faucet.

$5 in washers from the hardware store and it works good as new, although still looks ugly. The challenge is that you wouldn't be able to bring the old washers into a hardware store, and its doubtful a hardware store in Portugal would have them. I can attempt to measure them but don't have a good set of calipers on board.

Also, the shower faucet and sink faucet are completely different. They look similar externally, but are a completely different mechanism with different washers internally.

Thanks, Warren. Yeah, it's not a project that I'm looking forward to. I have long-since replaced the bathroom and kitchen sink fixtures. The difficulty in accessing the shower faucet is the reason that it's still there. I have tried to replace the rubber washers/packings in the shower faucet. Unfortunately, the original washers were so deformed that it proved impossible to find exact replacements. I even visited a few large east coast plumbing houses, and they couldn't assist. I tried a collection of them, but they all leaked. So, I had to put the original washers back. They slowly leak pressure, but not to the extent that the incorrect replacements did.

This wasn't a big deal in the tropics (or when we're in marinas), as we could simply bathe outside in the tropical sun. Now that we'll be cruising the Med, that's less of an acceptable option. And, frankly, no matter how warm it got outside in the tropics, my wife would freeze whenever she showered in the cockpit. So... it's time to make the shower more functional/livable - despite the challenges.

I look forward to the photos and measurements. Thanks!
 
I can’t say with 100% certainty as I didn’t take pictures but I just replaced mine a few months ago and I believe it was 3 1/2”. I have a ‘78 382. After a short search I wasn’t finding an exact replacement so just went with a standard cheap 4” rv faucet. Just had to make the holes slightly oblong to fit it and the base of the faucet covers it all anyways.
Access was definitely the hardest part.
 
Here is a pic of the old faucet. I did install a small round screw in access below the faucet but also had to reach through the hatch behind the toilet. Same style hatch that is below shower seat.
 

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Here are pictures of the washer. The packing is in bad shape. It is a hard wood material, and the hardware store recommended not to touch it unless it leaks, which it does not.

The faucet is 3 1/2" on center as stated above. The washer is 5/8" diameter. It fits in a cup and was tricky to install, it needed to be compressed slightly to fit. I started the screw, then used a flat blade screwdriver around the edge to push it in.

I got the washers at a small Ace hardware store in Charleston. I imagine any Ace hardware would carry them.


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Thanks, guys! If anyone is interested, I believe this Scandvik faucet should do the trick (if you decide to replace, that is). Three different knob choices and a few different shower choices. It's also widely available online for not a lot of money. I'll be taking one to Portugal with me when I finally get to return. Thanks again!

Scandvik Shower Faucet
10411_mixingbridge_5006.jpg

Here is one of the shower head options: Shower Head
standard-euro-kit_500.jpg

It's also available as an assembly: Shower Assembly
 
Ken
Here is a photo of the replacement for the shower faucet. The new unit is a Scandvik model with a starboard base because the hole pattern was different. Then a Beckson watertight hatch was cut into the glass below the unit so the work could be done. The hose for the handheld shower sprayer disappears down into the space below. The white larger hose is the sanitation hose heading to the replacement holding tank in the V-bunk.

Jim
 

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Can someone please confirm the center spacing on the original shower faucet fixture of the 382? And, share a photo of the original to confirm that Morgan didn't use different faucet fixtures. I'm in Chicago, and my boat is in Portugal. I want to return to the boat with a new fixture in hand.
Here is a picture of an original shower faucet on my 382 Hull 80. Sorry about my pencil case ruler but it was the only scale on the boat. 9DF40EAF-71F0-40AF-A3D9-6C8AC17135C5.jpeg
 

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