I scored a free roof air yesterday, need a shroud!

Dallas · June 17, 2009, 06:40:39 AM

Yesterday I was suppose to clean the crud out of a roof air on a 5th wheel, but the owner decided to just upgrade and replace it instead and started to undo the shroud, but ended up breaking it into a kazillion chunks.
So, I have possession of a 2 year old Coleman RSV roof A/C that works quite well since I pulled the cooking grease and smoke tar out of the evaporator fins. I need to find a shroud for it, if it's cheap enough. Any one have a used one laying around?

This is a Coleman RSV 7335, I believe it is the Mach version.

If nothing comes up, I was wondering about the viability of making a shroud out of sheet aluminum, making flat sides with vents to allow air in to the condenser and open at the back? Would this work as well as the plastic shroud? how about if I lined it with styrofoam insulation and reflectix? would this help?

Thanks for any ideas!

Dallas

WEC4104 · June 17, 2009, 07:09:33 AM

If you can't find one, how about the possibility of fabricating a fiberglass one? Build yourself a mold/shape and then overlay it with the glass?

FloridaCliff · June 17, 2009, 07:16:38 AM

Dallas,

Don't know about where your at, but a short trip down the interstate on a Monday usually yields one a/c cover and two or thee orange life jackets.....

Cliff

bubbaqgal · June 17, 2009, 07:21:16 AM

Gee thanks Cliff. Now he is thinking about making me hang out the door to grab one as we pass by. I guess I am lucky that we are not close to any Interstate Hwy here in Texas.

FloridaCliff · June 17, 2009, 07:31:57 AM

Cat,

Tie a rope around your waist and to his neck...He will increase the concern for your safety..

I have probably seen dozens in the last few months, in various stages.

But know that I will be looking....a dry spell.......But then maybe not.....

Cliff

Dallas · June 17, 2009, 07:33:53 AM

Cat put her foot down... she won't let me tie a rope to her and let her hang out the door. She's a spoilsport sometimes! Maybe it's because I only know how to tie a slipknot.

Quote from: FloridaCliff on June 17, 2009, 07:16:38 AM
Dallas,

Don't know about where your at, but a short trip down the interstate on a Monday usually yields one a/c cover and two or thee orange life jackets.....

Cliff

If you knew how bad I am at any sort of autobody work, you wouldn't even consider allowing me close to a can of fiberglass and catalyst.
Cat would have to get the DA sander and the sawzall to get me loose!

Quote from: WEC4104 on June 17, 2009, 07:09:33 AM
If you can't find one, how about the possibility of fabricating a fiberglass one? Build yourself a mold/shape and then overlay it with the glass?

WEC4104 · June 17, 2009, 08:02:37 AM

Okay then, aluminum it is!!!

kyle4501 · June 17, 2009, 08:02:51 AM

I'd be surprised if you can get a useable used one for cheap. They're all pretty much like the one you tried to remove if it has been outside all this time.

The one on my tin turd is barely holding on as it is now. Dad had to pay a bunch when the last one disappeared mid trip.

Dallas · June 17, 2009, 08:10:56 AM

Yup, new shrouds are expensive... for this one the lowest price I can find is $120 and I have seen them up to $213. $200? that's 25% of the cost of a whole new unit!

Quote from: kyle4501 on June 17, 2009, 08:02:51 AM
I'd be surprised if you can get a useable used one for cheap. They're all pretty much like the one you tried to remove if it has been outside all this time.

The one on my tin turd is barely holding on as it is now. Dad had to pay a bunch when the last one disappeared mid trip.

bigjohnkub · June 17, 2009, 08:13:56 AM

I have one. Not new but usable. Dont know model. We will be at Cabelas Ft worth Sat &Sun for cookoff. free. Call or Pm and i will bring.
Big John

Dreamscape · June 17, 2009, 08:28:34 AM

Duct tape, what's the matter with you guys anyway. A bus converters best friend!

Paul

FloridaCliff · June 17, 2009, 08:35:26 AM

Quote from: Dreamscape on June 17, 2009, 08:28:34 AM
Duct tape, what's the matter with you guys anyway. A bus converters best friend!

Paul

Hey, And a little white paint!

Cliff

poppi · June 17, 2009, 08:42:36 AM

Dallas.....
I envisioned nice light and dark wood strips with a fine hand rubbed finish to bring out the wood tones.

So instead of a wort on your bus you could have a fine peace furniture........just make it strong enough
to sit on

I guess thinking outside the box is fine if one has a box to begin with.

Skip

JohnEd · June 17, 2009, 09:49:19 AM

Dallas,

HTR has the same problem with a different AC model. I mentioned that to Don Fairchild and he suggested "Family RV in Florida". He has used them for hard to find AC stuff with success and he also said they were reasonable.

Good luck,

John

Sean · June 17, 2009, 09:49:46 AM

Dallas,

You might try dumpster diving at the nearest RV parts or service vendors. Take-offs get chucked all the time, and you might be able to salvage the shroud from one of them.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com