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Old 07-02-2020, 03:28 PM   #1
dwall
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AC cover hack on YouTube

I ran across a video about removing the plastic vents on the rear of the ac roof cover and replacing with expanded metal to improve the air flow from the condenser fan. In theory I can see where it would help. Just wondering if anyone has done this. My unit is working but is getting some age to it and trying to get all I can out of it.
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Old 07-02-2020, 05:43 PM   #2
chuckster57
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Since the cover is plastic, cutting it to install metal mesh might make it break, then your hack costs you more than you thought. I personally don’t see any gain to it.
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Old 07-02-2020, 06:46 PM   #3
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I've seen that video. Yes, it makes sense to allow more airflow (less restriction), one reason why your home A/C condenser doesn't have that kind of design, max airflow. However, your home A/C isn't on top of your roof doing 65mph.

If you decide to do that hack, I would leave two vertical supports spaced out instead of the one in the center, and reinforce that whole area with aluminum stock using hardware with fender washers to make sure the hardware (screws, rivets, etc.) don't pull through the plastic. Just keep in mind that 65mph wind and remember TTs are rolling earthquakes.
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Old 07-03-2020, 03:30 AM   #4
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My guess, if it was a "great mod" someone like Cammco would be producing and selling them. The A/C manufacturers design what they build with many factors determining the final outcome. They designed and built that cover with airflow in mind AND impact resistance, vibration resistance, hail and snow, etc. While it's possible to improve one aspect you may be compromising another.

If you want to prolong the life of the unit keep the coils clean and don't run in and out of the door every 2 min when it's 95 deg with 90% humidity.
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Old 07-03-2020, 03:49 AM   #5
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Let's not give HVAC engineers too much credit.
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Old 07-03-2020, 04:27 AM   #6
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I give them more credit than someone setting around a campfire that jump up and says "Hold my beer! I just had an idea!"
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Old 07-14-2020, 07:44 AM   #7
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I've seen that video too. I was looking at my Dometic and wondered about taking out 2, leave one, take 2, leave one etc. I dunno - it cools quite well.

A more important investment is keeping coils clean. That is ultimately what can cause inefficiency.
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Old 07-14-2020, 07:53 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ewbldavis View Post
I've seen that video too. I was looking at my Dometic and wondered about taking out 2, leave one, take 2, leave one etc. I dunno - it cools quite well.

A more important investment is keeping coils clean. That is ultimately what can cause inefficiency.
My roof AC cover is vented with slits that would barely admit the smallest rodent. Cutting out two/leave one would be, in this part of the country, an open invitation for chipmunks and larger rats to take up residence during storage. No thanks, I'll "survive with the limited ventilation" in lieu of having to clean out rat nests every spring..... YMMV
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Old 07-14-2020, 08:21 AM   #9
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My roof AC cover is vented with slits that would barely admit the smallest rodent. Cutting out two/leave one would be, in this part of the country, an open invitation for chipmunks and larger rats to take up residence during storage. No thanks, I'll "survive with the limited ventilation" in lieu of having to clean out rat nests every spring..... YMMV
No doubt - rodents or other pests! Those slot sizes help make it easier to keep it clean!
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Old 07-16-2020, 06:33 PM   #10
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I was up on the roof today working on the A/C and while it was running (with the cover off) I noticed that the air flow outward through the condenser was really only right where the fan was behind it. The fan is offset to one side (toward the off door side) because of the compressor's location. Even though the foam fan "cowling" is designed to direct airflow across the entire surface area, the air that makes it through the fins with any velocity is blown through the condenser really only right at, or in front of, the area of the fan. Too bad, the cooling ability might be increased some by getting air more evenly across the entire surface getting rid of that heat- oh well. It is what it is until the day it finally quits. (Dometic Brisk II - 13.5K)
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Old 08-03-2020, 08:42 PM   #11
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I have done the modification on my domestic cover. Didn’t have any issues with strength. I left two rows wide in the middle.
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Old 08-04-2020, 04:49 AM   #12
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I have done the modification on my domestic cover. Didn’t have any issues with strength. I left two rows wide in the middle.

Well, since you probably ain't the guy on youtube, did this mod increase the effectiveness of your a/c? Need a first hand report here!
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Old 08-04-2020, 05:24 AM   #13
Firefighter1406
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Biggest thing I have noticed is that on our camper if we used the a/c on low In the summer it would ice up. After doing this with the cover we haven’t had any issues with icing over since. I don’t have the wind meter like the guy did in the video to test flow but it has improved that area for us.
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