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beachfrontpool
03-04-2015, 12:24 PM
We gave up our gas heater just before winter, as beachfront wear and tear rusts them out regularly. After a winter of being unable to use my pool (just too cold this winter in central Florida), I am anxious to investigate alternatives for next winter that would wear better on the beach.
I came across this idea online: someone took a truck radiator, painted all the fins black, and put it where sun shines most of day. A 1/2 inch line was put on the discharge side of filter pump and run through the radiator. A faucet (I assume that means a valve) was put on the line to reduce or stop the flow. This method was used on a 20' x 40', 11' deep end pool in the midwestern US. They stated that it heated pool so well it often had to be shut off. Even on a a cold sunny day, like late September, it warmed the pool enough (82 to 84 degrees) to last for late night swim. The owner also had a gas heater, and stated he seldom had to use it as a booster to the home-made system.
It's much warmer here in central Florida (with lots of sun), and this seems a simple, elegant, and low cost way to warm up my pool in the winter. What do you think?

kelemvor
03-04-2015, 02:13 PM
Lots of folks have success with DIY solar. Most thread I have read involve using black hose to pump the water through. Seems like a radiator should work too, but it's metal so as it corrodes it might add metals (and therefore stains) to your water.

Here's an example thread: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/17432-Thoughts-on-a-DIY-solar-pool-heater

mas985
03-07-2015, 09:09 PM
A radiator is very small area compared to the volume of a pool so I don't think it would add much heat at all. The numbers don't add up. It is all about surface area with solar. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

FormerBromineUser
03-27-2015, 01:25 AM
Yea.... I am buying a new heater this year... Wish there was a good alternative. Can live with 'em, can't live without 'em...