Replacement Lazy Daze Shower Dome

Saturday, 9/14/2014, I went to the Lazy Daze Factory, (Mother Ship) to look at the rumored shower dome replacement.  Steve showed me the parts and offered to fabricate one up if I wanted to buy one.  I told him to go ahead and he said about 45 minutes. (under $200) This is a very robust, professional, well engineered part.  Tig welded aluminum frame and Acrylic dome.  Steve said it should last at least 15 years.  It will fit my '02MB.  I did a copy and paste of the installation instructions below.  It does not use caulk/sealant.  Compression fit of the "D" gasket should make it water tight.  I will post the results after the installation.  BTW, he supplied the 6, SS screws and the drill bit.  Only part of the installation that might be a little difficult is drilling the front center screw hole as the bathroom skylight is in the way on the MB.  He said to open the vent and that should give ample clearance to get a drill lined up.

From the top.  Protective film still in place.

From the side showing mounting holes on the front edge.

 

 

Underneath, showing the rubber "D" gasket.

 

 

 

Paste up of Steve's instruction sheet: 

We had a difficult time pasting this up so I hope nothing is missing.

 

READ FIRST!

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPLACEMENT
ACRYLIC SHOWER DOME LID WITH ALUMINUM FRAME.

1.  Remove the original plastic shower dome and all of its mounting screws securing it in place.

 

2.     Completely remove the white vinyl bulb gasket that is mounted on top of the silver aluminum frame that is attached to the motorhome roof.  Make sure the top of the silver aluminum frame is smooth and clean once the bulb gasket has been removed.

 

3.     Install the new dome lid assembly over the existing silver aluminum frame.  The new dome lid frame assembly has three vertical slots on two of its opposite sides.  These slots must face the front and rear of the motorhome.  Not toward the driver and passenger sides.  The new dome lid assembly should drop down into place with minimal resistance.

 

4.     Center the new dome lid assembly left and right (driver to passenger sides) to the silver aluminum frame on the motorhome roof.  Use a tape measure and check the distance between the outer bottom edge of the new dome lid frame and the vertical side of the silver aluminum frame underneath. It should measure approximately 9/16 ths on both sides at the forward and rear ends.  If you need to adjust the assembly, raise it up slightly so it can be moved to the left or right without pinching the black bulb gasket that is installed underneath.
It  is very important that the new dome lid assembly is properly centered on the existing silver aluminum frame.  This will help assure that the black bulb gasket is setting properly on top of the silver aluminum frame to prevent water entry.

 

5,  Go inside the motorhome and make sure that the black bulb gasket is uniformly exposed on all four sides of the silver aluminum frame.  There should be approximately 3/16 ths of an inch of gasket showing.

 

6.     Once the dome lid assembly is centered correctly, make sure its frame is setting parallel to the roof.  Then use a sharp pencil and mark the inside of all six vertical slots located on the new dome lid assembly frame.  The pencil should leave clear vertical lines showing the position of the slots on the silver aluminum extrusion underneath.  NOTE:  The vertical slots were not designed to line up with any of the original screw holes.

 

7.     Mark the forward end of the new dome lid assembly frame so you know which is front and rear.  Remove the new dome lid assembly from the silver aluminum frame underneath.   

8.     Clearly mark a horizontal line through each pair of vertical pencil marks which you previously made on the silver aluminum extrusion using the new dome lid frame assembly vertical slots.  The horizontal line should be marked exactly 5/16 ths of an inch down from the top edge of the silver aluminum extrusion that contains your vertical pencil marks.  This will put the horizontal line on the vertical center point of the extrusion.

9.    Reinstall the new dome lid assembly back onto the silver aluminum frame making sure that your mark is at the forward end.

10. Reposition the dome lid assembly so that its vertical frame slots align precisely back to your vertical pencil mark.

11.  using a 9/64" drill bit, drill a hole through one of the vertical slots into the silver aluminum extrusion behind.  Select a vertical slot that gives you the easiest drill access.  Make sure the drill bit is centered in the vertical frame slot and on your horizontal pencil mark.  Keep the drill as perpendicular to the frame as possible while drilling the hole.  Do not allow the drill bit to wander.  You will drill through the outer silver aluminum extrusion only.  Do not drill through the main aluminum frame behind.

12. Install one of the supplied #8 half inch stainless steel Philips head screws into the hole that you just drilled.  Tighten the screw so that it will secure the frame from shifting.

13. Now go to the opposite side of the new dome lid assembly and select a vertical slot that gives you the easiest drill access.  Verify that the new dome lid assembly is positioned so that its vertical frame slots align precisely back to your vertical pencil marks.  Again make sure your drill bit is centered in the vertical frame slot and on your horizontal pencil mark. Keep the drill as perpendicular to the frame as possible while drilling the hole.  Do not allow the drill bit to wander.  You will drill through the outer silver aluminum extrusion only.  Do not drill through the main aluminum frame behind.

14. Install one of the supplied #8 half inch stainless steel Philips head screws into the hole that you just drilled.  Tighten the screw so that it will secure the frame from shifting.

15. Now drill each of the four remaining vertical slots as you did the first two.  Select and drill in order the easiest to access with your drill.  NOTE:  On the 261/2' Mid-Bath the bathroom 14" X 14" vent will impede access to the forward center slot.  Opening the vent lid fully will give your drill motor additional clearance.  However this hole will probably end up at a slight downward angle.

16.Install the remaining four #8 half inch stainless steel Philips head screws into the holes that you just drilled.  Tighten the screws in until they are tight then back each screw off one full turn.  Also loosen the first two screws that you installed one full turn.

17. Firmly push down on the top of the new dome lid assembly frame on one side above the middle screw location.  While pushing the frame down as much as possible, tighten all three screws.  The vertical slots in the new dome lid assembly frame create vertical adjustment.  This will allow you to compress the black bulb gasket underneath the dome creating a water tight seal.  The more you compress the gasket the tighter the seal.  Repeat this procedure on the opposite side.  Make sure all six screws are tight.

18. Inspect the shower dome from inside the shower.  Make sure that the gasket is centered to the frame and uniformly compressed.  Verify that no light is coming through the gasket area.

 

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