I need to do something about a shroud for my AC on my Argosy project. Has anyone ever build an AC shroud from scratch? It an Armstrong AC and I dont even know if you can get a new shroud? I thought about making me a shroud from sheet metal. Any suggestions?
mtnman
or is it missing completely? If it's repairable, take a look at member TomW's website, his threads on this forum, or my thread (below, at the end of the thread). Tom came up with a way to repair them that is way cool.
If it's missing altogether, you can buy them. At least I've read here that members have bought them, but I don't know from where. Member RebelBeck found a source for them, I believe, but they are bit expensive.
Yes they are costly. We are at the point of what to do with ours. I searched alot on this and can't decided. I'm afraid if you fabricate something is it going to work, is it going to be to heavy, and most of all will it be safe and not blow off as you are going down the road. Let me know anything you find out.
Yes they are costly. We are at the point of what to do with ours. I searched alot on this and can't decided. I'm afraid if you fabricate something is it going to work, is it going to be to heavy, and most of all will it be safe and not blow off as you are going down the road. Let me know anything you find out.
Becky
I will keep you posted. I do not have a shroud at all. It was wasted when I bought the Argosy. I even thought about just painting the AC its self and not having a shroud, anyone done that? I really believe I can make one from sheet metal available from Lowes Hdw, I looked at it yesterday.
mtnman
I think you will have to have a shroud, that is how we found out our's had a big hole in it. After a heavy rain I noticed the carpet was wet so we climbed up and found the hole.
I dont think mine is leaking anywhere. We camped in it about 2 weeks ago and were in a heavy rain storm one night and had a couple small leaks around a couple windows but nothing around the AC.
mtnman
You can build your own shroud out of sheet metal...aluminum prefered I have played around with doing one on an english wheel, but haven't done anything past some bits and pieces. You could build a nice square one, I have seen several, they look very vintage (50's that is) I suppose if you were handy you could make one out of fiberglass or even get some sheet ABS and build a new one from scratch. IIRC a replacement fibreglass one is going to set you back somewhere in the $250-$300 range.
Aaron
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You'll find replacement shrouds right here. I would suggest tightening your seat belt before you click. Almost half way down the page, four different ones listed in a row, items 69807 thru 69831. Hold on tight!
You'll find replacement shrouds right here. I would suggest tightening your seat belt before you click. Almost half way down the page, four different ones listed in a row, items 69807 thru 69831. Hold on tight!
You can build your own shroud out of sheet metal...
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aluminum
prefered I have played around with doing one on an english wheel, but haven't done anything past some bits and pieces. You could build a nice square one, I have seen several, they look very vintage (50's that is) I suppose if you were handy you could make one out of fiberglass or even get some sheet ABS and build a new one from scratch. IIRC a replacement fibreglass one is going to set you back somewhere in the $250-$300 range.
Aaron
Wahoonc,
Am I correct in assuming that the shroud does nothing but cover the AC and make it look better? It does not waterproof the AC unit does it?
I can buy 5 sections of aluminum ducting for $5 each to build a shroud from the local hdw. I can rivet it together and caulk it and maybe even paint it to match my argosy and it will cost me less than $30.
mtnman
The shroud IS necessary. It provides rain protection, keeps debris out of the condenser and evaporator and if sealed properly, channels the cool air into the T/T and keeps it separated from the warm air exiting (return air). Plus they suffer from extreme inefficiency without a shroud. You might look at Maxx-Air. They have several replacement shrouds that are generic in nature and might just fit!
This is exactly why I decided to have my fresh water tank repaired rather than buying a new one. I could quite literally have a stainless steel tank custom made locally for the prices I was seeing at the "vintage" trailer websites.
Mtnman, you need to cover the A/C unit in some way if its like mine. There are 120 ac volt items exposed to the elements if you don't. Mine has the fan motor sitting in the open under the shroud.
You are welcome to come to Atlanta and make a "mold" (or is that mould) of mine if you wish.
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Solid on top and front, louvered on the sides and maybe the rear
You want to have a solid top and front to keep the water out, louver the sides and back. If it would help you, I could try to take some digital pics of the shroud on my Armstrong and email to you. Just let me know.
I think it'd be really cool to make a metal one. My friend had a hood louvered by a custom shop for his '52 Chevy. Something like that done in stainless or Aluminum would be really cool. You could probably make a stamping tool yourself with a couple blocks of hardwood and use the old mallet method.
Mtnman, I am not too far away from you and I have what is left of a shroud that came off a 1965 Armstrong AC unit. Free for the taking. Heck, I'll even meet you in Hickory one day, evenings preferred.
Kev
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I have played around with doing one on an english wheel, but haven't done anything past some bits and pieces. You could build a nice square one, I have seen several, they look very vintage (50's that is) I suppose if you were handy you could make one out of fiberglass or even get some sheet ABS and build a new one from scratch. IIRC a replacement fibreglass one is going to set you back somewhere in the $250-$300 range.
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