Sloan EBV-500-A Exposed Side Mount Sensor Urinal/Water Close

The Verdict

Let me be blunt: if you’re a homeowner with a standard tank toilet, this isn’t for you. But if you manage a commercial building, own a restaurant, or run a facility with Sloan flushometers already on the wall, the EBV-500-A is the single most cost-effective upgrade you can make to stop the “everyone touches the handle” problem. Here’s the real story after digging through 235 verified buyer experiences.

What’s actually in the box

You get the sensor assembly, the solenoid-operated diaphragm kit, mounting hardware, and a 9V battery. Notably absent: a new flushometer body. That’s the point. This retrofits onto existing Sloan Royal or Regal exposed flushometers — the ones with the big chrome handle on the side — converting them to hands-free operation. The side-mount design (shown in the product images) places the infrared sensor on the left side of the valve body, which is where the old handle used to be. This matters because it means the sensor covers the urinal bowl directly, not the wall behind it.

Performance and real-world behavior

The sensor logic is what separates this from cheap Amazon knockoffs. It uses a “first flush on approach, then delay” algorithm: when someone steps up, it primes the diaphragm. When they step away, it fires a complete flush cycle. Users consistently report it catches movement from 24 to 30 inches — wide enough to avoid false triggers from passersby, but sensitive enough to catch a quick visit. One facility manager noted, “I installed six of these in a truck stop. The false-flush rate dropped to nearly zero compared to the top-mount sensors we had before.”

Battery life is the other headline. A single 9V runs 2-3 years under normal traffic. The low-battery warning is a chirp every 10 seconds for roughly two weeks before it stops functioning — enough lead time to swap batteries on your schedule, not an emergency call at 2 AM.

Where buyers consistently praise

The overwhelming theme in positive reviews is the install economics. You’re not paying a plumber $300-$500 for a full valve replacement. One reviewer summarized it well: “I’m not a plumber. I watched a 10-minute YouTube video, shut off the water, drained the valve, and had it running in 40 minutes. The hardest part was getting the old diaphragm out.” Multiple buyers with zero commercial plumbing experience reported successful installs in under an hour.

The flush quality also gets consistent praise. The solenoid-driven diaphragm delivers the same 1.0 GPF or 1.28 GPF flush that the original manual valve provided — no weak flushes, no clogs from insufficient water volume.

Where it falls short

The exposed sensor housing is the weak point. In public restrooms with heavy traffic or vandalism risk, a solid impact can knock the sensor out of alignment, causing intermittent misses or constant false triggers. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re installing in a prison, school locker room, or gas station with a rough crowd, budget for a metal sensor guard (Sloan sells them separately) or consider a concealed sensor model.

Installation also isn’t for everyone. You must shut off the water supply, drain the flushometer, and replace the internal diaphragm. If you’ve never touched a flushometer, the spring-loaded internals can be intimidating. It’s doable, but don’t expect a 10-minute swap. Also note: this only fits Sloan Royal and Regal models — verify your valve’s model number before ordering.

Who should buy this

Buy it if: You own or manage a commercial property with existing Sloan exposed flushometers, want to eliminate touchpoints without a full remodel, and have basic DIY comfort with plumbing. It’s also ideal for landlords retrofitting units to meet updated health code expectations for touchless fixtures.

Skip it if: You have a residential tank toilet (this won’t fit), need a fully concealed sensor for vandal-prone locations, or want a complete new valve with a warranty covering the entire assembly.

FAQ: What shoppers actually ask

Q: Will this fit my Sloan Royal model? A: It fits any Sloan Royal or Regal exposed flushometer with a standard handle side-mount configuration. Check the model number stamped on the valve body — if it says “Royal” or “Regal,” you’re good. It won’t fit the newer concealed models.

Q: How hard is the battery replacement? A: The battery sits in a compartment on the sensor housing. Remove one screw, pop the cover, swap the 9V. Takes 60 seconds. The chirp warning gives you about two weeks of lead time.

Q: Can I adjust the sensor range? A: Yes. There’s a small potentiometer on the circuit board accessible through a pinhole. Turn clockwise to increase range, counterclockwise to decrease. Most users leave it at factory default, but you can tune it if you have a tight stall layout.

The Verdict

The Sloan EBV-500-A is a smart retrofit that turns a decades-old flushometer into a modern touchless fixture for a fraction of replacement cost. It’s not perfect — the exposed sensor needs protection in rough environments, and installation requires more than a screwdriver — but for the 90% of commercial applications, it’s the right call. At 4.7 stars from 235 buyers, the consensus is clear: this is the upgrade that works.

Rating: 4.6/5 — Buy it if you have Sloan Royal/Regal valves and want touchless operation without a full replacement. Skip it if you need vandal-proof concealment or have non-Sloan valves.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.