A Cheap Pool Cooler

[duraleigh]

Not applicable to many of you, but those of us here in the sweltering South frequently get tepid pool water. Water temps above 85 are just not comfortable to me.

I cobbled together a few pieces of pvc and screwed them into one of my returns to create a poor man's evaporator. Cost me about 6-7 bucks and an hour or so. 394

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The results have been significant. Normally, on a 95 degree day, I'm lucky to keep pool temp below 88. With this evaporator running about 8-10 hours daily, my water has not risen above 83. The big test comes tomorrow and the next day when air temps approach 100. I'm expecting, because the relative humidity will be lower, to maintain the pool less than 85.

To this point, no drop in Alk......probably because my pH is up around 7.6 most of the time. Water loss has been minimal.

Those of you in the dry air of the West and Southwest could probably see even better results.

[mkelley]

That's fairly neat, Dave, and something I could use.

Too bad I have an in-floor cleaning system (no returns except in the spa, and not much pressure there). Sigh.

[drumr]

duraleigh, I really like your idea, I have one of those floating fountains that hook into the return, but the fountain and hose get dragged all over the place when the kids are in the pool. One time, the floating fountain made its way over to the pool wall (24' above ground pool and the hose had the weight on it) and proceeded to empty the pool to the bottom of the skimmer, luckily it didn't do any damage to the pump so I am wary of it. When I use it I have added a heavier weight and it stays put, but I may try your idea out too. I am in Middle TN. and we are experiencing the high heat that you are and can't enjoy the pool when the water is so hot!!

[us7sail]

Dave, nice job and I bet the kids love it too. I might have to try that. Looks like a lot of fun not to mention the drop in temps. chris

[jnorris]

I'm in SC, and our pool temp was 90 degrees yesterday! I expect it to go higher next week too. I have 5 deck jets, so I'm going to try running those, to see if I can bring the temp below 90. Thanks for the great idea!

You know, back in May, when we swam for the first time, we cranked up the heater and got the water to 90 degrees. It felt heavenly then; what a difference a couple of months makes!

[us7sail]

Dave, Are those ends just pvc ends with holes drilled in them. What size holes did you find work best? Chris

[duraleigh]

Hi, Chris,

Yeah, 3/4" pvc end caps.....drilled 1/4" hole.

I'm considering trying new caps with a saw cut across the top. That would give me about a 1/16" x 1/2" opening that I think will give me smaller droplets for better evaporation. Downside is that I'll lose some altitude (goes up about 20-22 feet right now) so the droplets won't be exposed to the air as long....might end up being less effective...I dunno.

The cooler water is a remarkable improvement.

[aquarium]

Heh,

BMTA

Although my version was intended to aereate the water in order to lower alkalinity:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/tomwood2/pools/fountainwater.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/tomwood2/pools/fountainpipe.jpg

And it works like a champ to lower alkalinity. Which raises the question: Will pools with 'water features' have chronic low alkalinity? Aside from the cool temps...:cool:

[docwalker]

...Will pools with 'water features' have chronic low alkalinity?...Not if you maintain a proper pH. The reduction in alkalinity is a result of lower your pH to 6.8 or so which converts the carbonates into carbonic acid. Carbon dioxide is then released into the atmosphere by aerating.

[aquarium]

Not if you maintain a proper pH. The reduction in alkalinity is a result of lower your pH to 6.8 or so which converts the carbonates into carbonic acid. Carbon dioxide is then released into the atmosphere by aerating.

I've been working on lowering the alkalinity from 220ppm to (now) 70-80ppm. I've -never- lowered the pH below 7.2 during the entire process. I have had to add acid when aerating, but that was my understanding of how it works.

But I see your larger point, that by not adding more acid, the pH -should- hold. When I hit 90-100ppm I was in a reverse situation because the pH kept bouncing back to 7.6. It looks like it's going to hold at 7.2 with the alkalinity at 70-80ppm. I suspect there's a chemical explanation occuring at the watersurface/atmosphere interface. But I'm not smart enough to explain it. :p

[docwalker]

I suspect there's a chemical explanation occuring at the watersurface/atmosphere interface.As we're getting off-topic for this thread, you might review Ben's sticky topic on the subject of reducing alkalinity: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191

[gerri]

How does this attach to the pool? I'm in SC and our pool feels like bath water!

[duraleigh]

Remove the return "eyeball" and then unscrew the eyeball base. (you'll need a "key" to unscrew the base....there are two opposing slots in the base) Then, simply screw your "device" into the standard 1.5" threads that the base screwed into.

[jnorris]

And it works like a champ to lower alkalinity. Which raises the question: Will pools with 'water features' have chronic low alkalinity? Aside from the cool temps...:cool:

I think that's exactly what happens with my pool! My PH keeps wanting to climb towards 8.0, so I add acid, which brings down TA, and then add baking soda to bring TA back up. It's like a see-saw. Right now, my TA is 100 (up from 70), but my PH is climbing back towards 8.0, so now I have to add acid. I am going to cut off the little bubbler returns in the steps and swim out to see if that helps. But I am going to run my deck jets to see if that cools the water!

[waterbear]

Not if you maintain a proper pH. The reduction in alkalinity is a result of lower your pH to 6.8 or so which converts the carbonates into carbonic acid. Carbon dioxide is then released into the atmosphere by aerating.
Have to differ from my own experiences. I have 2 deck jets, a spillover spa, and 2 waterfalls and when they are all running daily I do see a drop in the TA. It is not much....but it does occur. My pH is usually 7.4 or above (swg)

[ScottS]

very nice, I like it.

I have a fountain that I've messed with in attempts to lower the temp of the water but I have found it doesn't make a noticeable difference. This is probably because it's been sooo humid (90% or so) that there isn't much evaporation occuring.

[gerri]

Sorry to be ignorant but what do you use as a "key" to remove the base? I had no idea you could actually remove the eyeball!

[waterbear]

Sorry to be ignorant but what do you use as a "key" to remove the base? I had no idea you could actually remove the eyeball!
Most well stocked pool stores sell the removal tool for about 5 dollars. It fits into the two notches in the part of the eyeball that is screwed into the pool. You remove the ring and the ball and you can see the notches.

[duraleigh]

ScottS,
I have a fountain that I've messed with in attempts to lower the temp of the water but I have found it doesn't make a noticeable difference.You're right about the humidity minimizing it's effectiveness. I imagine you could still get satisfactory results if your volume is high enough. In other words, if you could divert ALL of your return water into an evaporator and get it high enough so it has some "air time", I think you would see a difference. Run time is important, too. I have to run 8-10 hours daily for the effect I want......of course, I'm running the pump anyway so it's no big deal.

[TfromNC]

Hey duraleigh,
I hate to be a pain in the rear, but do you think you could possibly post some instructions and maybe some pics on the construction of your masterpiece.
Thanks

[duraleigh]

The cost/benefit ratio of this $6.00 device is the best money I've spent on my pool (other than Ben's kit):)

Temp @ 4:00pm today...96 degrees -dewpoint 68 (that's pretty humid)

water temp is a refreshing 84 degrees. Last year, I couldn't stay much below 90 during these temps

[mbar]

and I put solar panels in to keep my pool above 80! It's a crazy world!!! Great invention!

[tclemmer]

I would be interested in a part list for your invention. Most importantly, the parts needed to connect to the output jet.

Tom

[duraleigh]

Tom,

Once you remove the eyeball base with the key (see above), what you have in the wall is 1.5" pvc female threads. (Not on all pools but most IG's)

Simply screw in a 1.5" male thread connected to a 90 and bring the 1.5" pipe up about 6" under the surface. "T" that pipe and reduce down to 3/4" on both sides of the "T".

Then, with T's and a 90 on each end, put however many vertical 3/4" sprayers you want, along that 3/4" pipe. drill a hole in some end caps (I used 1/4") and glue them on the top of the verticals. You can make out the outline of it in one of the pics

Whole thing took me a couple of hours of thinking about it and probably an hour or so glueing it together. You can get as creative as you want with the number of sprayers, angles of the sprayer, hole sizes, etc. The idea is to get a lot of water high into the air and let the evaporative process work.

While in the pool, I caught the falling water in an insulated cup with the pool temp guage in the cup. Temp in the cup was 78 degrees on a 93 degree day. Not bad for 6 bucks.

[hulla]

Where do you get the threaded fittings? From a home improvement center (Home Depot) or a pool store (Leslies)?

[tclemmer]

Tom,

Once you remove the eyeball base with the key (see above), what you have in the wall is 1.5" pvc female threads. (Not on all pools but most IG's)

Simply screw in a 1.5" male thread connected to a 90 and bring the 1.5" pipe up about 6" under the surface. "T" that pipe and reduce down to 3/4" on both sides of the "T".

Then, with T's and a 90 on each end, put however many vertical 3/4" sprayers you want, along that 3/4" pipe. drill a hole in some end caps (I used 1/4") and glue them on the top of the verticals. You can make out the outline of it in one of the pics

Whole thing took me a couple of hours of thinking about it and probably an hour or so glueing it together. You can get as creative as you want with the number of sprayers, angles of the sprayer, hole sizes, etc. The idea is to get a lot of water high into the air and let the evaporative process work.

While in the pool, I caught the falling water in an insulated cup with the pool temp guage in the cup. Temp in the cup was 78 degrees on a 93 degree day. Not bad for 6 bucks.

Thanks Dave, I think I will give this a try this weekend. I am in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and we are seeing temps in the 104 range. My pool is sitting at 92 right now, would love to get it back to 86 or so.

Tom

[aquarium]

Where do you get the threaded fittings? From a home improvement center (Home Depot) or a pool store (Leslies)?

Home Depot, in the plumbing section. Most pool returns are 1.5" but you might want to remove the eyeball fitting first to be sure.

[duraleigh]

Hulla,

They are standard pvc fittings readily available at any HD/Lowes....there's nothing extraordinary about any of the parts. The bushings that reduce the 1.5 inch pipe down to 3/4" might be a little tough but I picked them up at Lowes....the first place I stopped.

[handy1]

This is a great idea, but my inground pool is old and has no eyeball fitting. The returns appear to be simple non-threaded openings in the side of the pool. Can I remove the existing non-threaded pipe that seems to be in the returns, or do I need to do something to get a threaded pipe in place? Any ideas would be helpful.

[duraleigh]

Handy,

If it's pvc pipe, try a reducer bushing. It will fit snugly into the return pipe probably from friction alone.

You'll have to glue/screw your assembly together with the bushing on the end and then tap the bushing into the existing return pipe. Although that's a "made up" solution, I'll bet it will work.

[sevver]

If it is a bit small you could wrap duct tape around it to get it to fit a bit better too.


I love duct tape.:cool:

[Poolsean]

"This is a great idea, but my inground pool is old and has no eyeball fitting. The returns appear to be simple non-threaded openings in the side of the pool. Can I remove the existing non-threaded pipe that seems to be in the returns, or do I need to do something to get a threaded pipe in place? Any ideas would be helpful."
Years ago and still done today, a slip fitting was used. This was not threaded, but rather, just a compression fit into the 1.5" pipe. You may not be able to do this aeration cooler with those types of returns...

[noworries]

I got inspired by your post as well. Any ideas if it's possible to get something to attach to a copper return?

Edit -- I found I can wedge 1/2" PVC in one of my returns. It's kinda odd--it enters the pool at a 45 in the middle of the pool. Gotta go get some more 1/2" PVC and some elbows and T's and have some fun!

[MarkC]

http://www.reedsconstructionspecialties.com/wwpoolfit.htm has the inside the pipe eyeball fittings. They are a tight friction fit in the pipe I take mine out at the end of the season to winterize.

[Rangeball]

Dave (or anyone :) ), I want to give this a try.

Potential problem is, my pool only has one return, so I would need to aerate my entire flow. What would you suggest for this approach so I don't constrict my pump?

I was thinking of calculating how many 1/8" holes would fit into a 1 1/2" pipe, taking a straight seciton of pvc about 8' out of the return (half the width of my pool), then a 90* elbow turning it towards the deep end (32' length), a 2' section of pvc with a capped bushing taking it to 3" (if possible) and drilling the required number of small holes into the cap, in effect making a big shower head. This I would angle up to the sky to get the best affect, and only operate it at night when it's not windy :)

What do you think?

[duraleigh]

Don't worry too much about restricting the flow a little. Your filter pressure will rise and your gpm will drop some (you'll also use a little less electricity) but what you get in return is "hang time". You need to get the water up as high as possible so the evaporative process will have the most effect. (mine goes up about 20-25 feet). I have 4 1/4" holes and am probably running about 65-70% of my water thru the evaporator. The shower head idea will work probably as well....what you'll trade off in vertical height you may well make up for in droplet size.

I'm not sure you get the most "bang for your buck" running at night. The relative humidity is VERY much higher at night so less evaporation is possible. I run mine daytime only. Yesterday was about 93 degrees and the pool got up to around 83. Today and tomorrow will be 100......I'll be happy if I can stay below 86.

You may do somewhat better in Illinois and the folks in the desert could probably cool down into the 70's if they chose.

[VOLDADDY]

Dave,

I ordered 2 of the coolers from the other thread on water temps and I received them a few days ago. I had to go buy a "key" yesterday. My question is if I have these on my returns, won't this greatly reduce the effectiveness of my skimmer? The water won't be circulating around the pool, instead it will be going in the air. My skimmer doesn't work too well to begin with, so I guess I will be skimming my pool a lot more often. Do you leave yours in all the time, or remove and replace as needed? TIA.

[duraleigh]

VOL,

Your thinking is exactly what I have observed also. My circulation and subsequent effectiveness of the skimmers, is reduced by redirecting the return flow up into the spray.

My "device" unscrews pretty easy, so I take the sprayer off around 6:00pm and circulate the water normally for a couple of hours. The cooler ends up not quite being "free" to operate because I run my pump a little longer. For me, it's a small price.......water has yet to exceed 84 degrees.

[Rangeball]

Thanks. Hopefully I'll get a chance to play with this soon.

I had assumed the cooler night temps would offset the higher humidity.

[LindaE]

FYI--- I ordered a fairly inexpensive pool fountain from Target.com that fits into the 1 1/2" pvc return of my inground vinyl pool. It has no hose and doesn't interfere with my Kreepy. :) It works great and for those of you who are not handy men- go to Target.com and check it out.

[VOLDADDY]

I installed my pool coolers on my returns tonight and I must say so far so good. As soon as I installed them I turned the pump on and jumped back in. The water spraying back into the pool is about 10 degrees cooler. You can put your hand in the water and then stick it in the spray and it is day and night difference. It was very refreshing as I was swimming my laps to swim past the spraying water. Unfortunately, I have algae starting to develop in my pool so I shocked it and put my Aquabot in. I am leaving the pump running all night with the coolers attached. My water was a yucky 91 degrees tonight, and we have nothing but 95+ days ahead with heat indexes of over 100. I am hoping to get it under 85 degrees. Now I have to kill the algae!

[VOLDADDY]

Wow. My water temp was a miserable 91 Thursday night around 10 PM. Today, my water temp was a wonderful 82. Now, we did get a storm yesterday, but my water never cools this fast with just rain. I say if your water is too hot you definitely need to buy these, or be creative like Dave and fabricate them yourself. Now that I see them and see what they are in person, they don't look like they would be that hard to make yourself. It does work!

[VOLDADDY]

Hey Dave,

Quick ? for you. I have left the pool coolers on my pool since I have had them, about a week and 1/2 now. My water has stayed a delightful 81-82 degrees, and we set a record for consecutive 95+ days here. I know my water would have gotten back to 91+ uncomfirtable degrees like it was prior to me adding the coolers if I didn't have them. Do you leave yours on all the time as well? We are supposed to finally get some rain and highs in the 80's for a couple of days, so I am thinking of removing them, as I don't want my water to get to 75! TIA.

[duraleigh]

Hi, Vol,

I do not leave mine on. Since a circulate the water approx 8-10 hours daily, I point the evaporator into the air on days I feel I need to cool the pool. On days I don't feel the need, mine simply pivots downward into the water and I'm back to normal operation. Pretty convenient.

As an update, Raleigh had two consecutive 96+ days last week and my pool's highest temp was 84....running daytime only for 10 hours. I know you can't get something for nothing but this comes pretty darn close for me. Ran it pointed up all day yesterday 'til dark and water this AM was 79 degrees! It'll be pointed down all day today.

[VOLDADDY]

BRRRRR! I went out to do my weekly testing this morning, and my water is at 75 degrees! I am going to remove them and screw the eyeballs back in. Once my water gets back above 85, I'll put them back on. The kids love them as they play in the spray.

One interesting thing Dave, my skimmer seemed to work better with these on both of my returns. I was afraid it would be rendered useless since the water wasn't circulating as normal. I think I will adjust the eyeballs so the water kind of dies in front of the skimmer. Before, I would watch the debris float by the skimmer. Going to have to put the fur panties on underneath the bathing suit to swim today, but it beats the 91+ I had prior to adding the coolers, as my water would probably be 100 now, and you feel like you are marinating in a crock pot instead of swimming.

[duraleigh]

Going to have to put the fur panties on underneath the bathing suit to swim today

Vol,

More info than we needed! :D :D :D

[lmnharris]

I just finished plumbing in my new pump, I think I have almost everything needed already. I'm gonna get on it right now. We've had daytime highs of 92-106 for 23 days straight.

[duraleigh]

The T is threaded so I can slightly unscrew it 'til the "jets" point downward.

You could certainly use the line from the booster. Wont hurt the pump. Probably shoot the water VERY high making up for the low volume you would expose to the evaporative process. I'm not sure of the results but mine was/is an experiment, also.

[Poolsean]

I would suggest that rather than a cap on one end, glue a ball valve so that you can control the amount of spray out of the "jets". This way, if you didn't want a high spray (especially on a windy day where you will lose water), you can open the ball valve to adjust the spray your desired height. This will also allow you to adjust the heat loss so you're not swimming in cold water in the middle of summer.

[VOLDADDY]

I took my pool coolers off last week when my water hit 75, and this morning it is back to about 84. I'm sure it will get to 86 or so this afternoon. Time to break them out again!