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An exploded view of a similar one
from ebay showing the parts. There is a square
chunk cut from the upper closeout plate. The top drip
cap/retainer is shown at the bottom.
Side view of the chimney side
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- click on any
image to enlarge -
Reproducing a cover |
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End
result (reusing
old data plate) |

Another view |
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Dimensions of the chimney from the side
(lower access door removed)
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and front |
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Close up view of the upper closeout plate
and retainer (drip cap) detail |

View with the bottom access plate removed |
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View looking up the chimney with the lower
access plate removed. On a new heater replacement,
the exhaust pipe would not be present. Instead, the heater
exhaust would direct to the opening in the lower access plate
and would exit at the top of the chimney. |

View of the back side of the lower access
plate and the cutout for the exhaust. |
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One of the 2 Camlocks that
holds the lower access plate installed |

Dimensions of the lower access plate (perforated
aluminum) |
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Most
any sheet metal shop can fabricate one from novelty and
perforated aluminum stock on a Pan
Brake
from
these pictures and dimensions from your trailer opening.
They also have sources to get the unique rolled aluminum. Extrusions
for the opening surround are available from Hoskin & Muir.
Example 2 (courtesy
of Herb Spies)



Here's what Herb did to get a newer 6 gallon
suburban water heater to fit the space of he old Bowen:
1) cut a hole in the old cover to get to the valve (lower
image) 2) add an extension to the new Suburban exhaust
for the exhaust to go into the old Bowen chimney 3) patch
the old gap (under the new vent) 4) installed a piano
hinge on the front side of the chimney
so as to easily gain access to the gas valve when lighting
the heater 5) patched the open space around the newly mounted
Suburban with aluminum as the new heater is much smaller
than the old Bowen.
Example 3 (courtesy
of Scott & Megan)
- click on any image to enlarge -
 

This is a really ingenious install that
reutilized the old cover mounted on a hinged door.

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View with the lower access plate removed |

With the cover entirely removed showing
the heater, which was inserted from the outside and the
flanges sealed
into
the openings. You can also see the big old heater
exhaust - the reason for the larger external HW heater
shrouds.
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Front view of the lower access door - made from perforated
aluminum formed into the shape of a pan on all four sides,
except the top has a lip - see next photo.
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Backside. Almost any latch mechanism
can be adapted to hold it in place. The top has
a lip shown here that tucks into the shroud opening.
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This was a newer Bowen with the smaller
opening replaced with a 6 gallon Suburban. The chimney
was missing, so the white cover supplied with the new heater
was painted silver, and the
old cover was flipped upside down to form a closeout
of the space around the newer (& smaller) heater.
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