RV AC Shroud Replacement – DIY Project


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If you’ve seen my chat with the Texas RV Professor, you know that my AC shroud gets cracked or damaged all the time. Seriously.  EVERY SINGLE YEAR since I’ve had the RV.  I can’t be the only person that this happens to, because Camping World keeps them in stock at every store where I’ve ever asked about them.  (You can also order them online, like this one, if it’s not convenient to get to a Camping World.)

Well, when I went to Camping World to pick up a new one, they offered to replace it for me… for a fee. That’s when it occurred to me that maybe not everyone knows how easy this RV maintenance task is to do yourself.  So that’s why I made this video of the process of replacing the Air Conditioner shroud on our Dometic Penguin 2.

I also threw in straightening the fins with a fin straightener comb, and cleaning out the unit with compressed air.  You can buy the same fin straightener comb I use in the video from Amazon, and it’s only about 12 bucks.  I like this one, because it has a variety of fin spacings, and you can use it for the home air conditioner, other car air conditioners, etc.

The video is 6 minutes, and the whole process didn’t take me much longer than that.  It took more time to make the video than to do the repair.  Seriously.

Be safe when you do it, and this project is one of those 80% of RV projects you can handle yourself.

See you on the road!



James is a former rocket scientist, a USA Cycling coach, and lifelong fitness buff. When he's not driving the RV, or modifying the RV (or - that one time - doing both at once), you can find him racing bicycles, or building furniture, or making music. In his spare time, he works for a large IT company.


    4 thoughts on “RV AC Shroud Replacement – DIY Project

    1. DT

      We both have Sprinter-based Class B motor homes and we both live In Utah
      My wife and I really enjoy your videos, both fitness and otherwise. My wife has placed me on a diet and a daily fitness routine, and I must admit that it’s helping.
      I’d like to put a MAX Air II up on “Stanley” but I’m torn between doing it myself or having Camping World do it.
      If I do it I’ll have to get up on the roof which I’m a bit reluctant to do because I weigh 210 lbs, Do you think it would be safe for me to get on the roof?

      Reply
      1. James - Post author

        Hey there DT!
        I typically weigh in between 180 and 185, and I’ve never thought twice about getting up there. Of course, I don’t stand up, and I keep my weight distributed on hands & knees or knees & feet. The sprinter has the longitudinal ribs pressed into the roof, and underneath there are crosswise struts every few feet. I *think* you’d be OK if you were careful to keep your weight spread out – like working in an attic. And according to this site, the roof weight limit is 330 lbs (at least in the first generation Sprinters), so I really think you’ll be OK. Having said that though, please don’t get angry with me if you do dent the roof!
        The install of the Maxx Air II should be pretty smooth. Before the remodel, I had a similar product, and it was pretty quick to install. You shouldn’t have to spend too much time up there, and there are not too many things that can go awry. Hope that helps, and thanks for checking us out!

        Reply
        1. Mike Stephenson

          On my 2004 Sprinter conversion MB Cruiser by Forest River I worked on the A/C and later began to have a roof leak. The side to side seam behind the A/C had separated from my weight. It was only sealed with body sealant from the factory and the seam is not over a roof purlin.

          If you are going to get on the roof, cut plywood to fit and allow it to spread your weight out and keep it off of that seam

        2. James - Post author

          That’s great advice for any roof repair on these metal-bodied vans.
          I’d add… do make sure you have a way to *secure* the plywood. You don’t want it to slide off the roof with you on top of it!

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