This guy cut the shroud on his A/C---Good idea?

[wopachop]

Its a 15 minute video of him cutting the shroud and installing metal lath. Idea being there is better airflow and therefor better cooling. Feel free to fast forward you wont miss any special tips.

I read some of the comments. Few people disagree and which way the air flows. Several said older units used to be open like this mod. Negative was damage during hail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWUqQnEw-8Y

[1320Fastback]

My new AtWood AC, designed for the Australian market, does not have a back to the shroud. The Dometic it replaced did.

[joshuajim]

In order to get more air out, you need to get more air in. I wonder if the side vents should be replaced also. Most fans "blow" better than they "suck".

[wa8yxm]

I WOnder as I wander if that would work the sanme on a coleman.
(Air flow is the other way around on colemans. they suck not blow)

[SidecarFlip]

I'd do it but I don't have ac.

[red31]

If this thread is about the video then I'm on in on liking it.

[Ivylog]

Hard to complain about something for free, but it could have been done in 5 minutes or less.

[dougrainer]

What he did is a great thing to do. The MORE FRESH air you get thru the Condensor, the better the AC unit can remove the heat to cool. Doug

[SoundGuy]

Seriously? A 16 minute video with the camera bouncing so badly it'll make you sick just watching it to describe what is such a simple mod?! Good grief, I added a screen mesh to the rear of the Carrier AirV I installed back in 2000 on our Santa Fe popup in less time than this guy's video took! I guess I'm told old now to appreciate the "magic" of today's social media. :S

[Tvov]

I need to go look at mine... I think mine came without the "grating".

[bucky]

I wish all youtubers were able to communicate as well as this man.

[j-d]

Our Coleman Mach 15 was overheating. Without shroud (Maxxair MaxxTuff) it ran better. So I made a flat "roof" from plastic sheeting.
Then Chris Bryant pointed out that I needed baffling at the corners of the condenser. Cut a couple from a swim noodle and it ran right again with shroud on.
A season later it didn't seem quite right. I carry spare capacitors and swapped Compressor Run. Smoother, queter, cooler. Cap tested OK on Fluke and ran the compressor. Go Figure

[time2roll]

Not sure I would chop a new unit but an older model that is not cooling as well and icing up a bit... what is the harm in that. Alternative is a new upper unit.

[wopachop]

If i remember it was a guy from Colorado saying he needed hail protection while the trailer is parked. In a way the lath might protect more because of the smaller holes. Assuming its strong enough.

You know that reflective bubble wrap people put on windows? Think it would help on the inside of the shroud? Good time to add some while the shroud is off.

[Juzaxadar]

Notice the cutout was on the back of it. I don't see how hail would do much damage there. Driving so that hail would hit the front would not make a difference here. This seems like a good idea.