Large solar cover help

[srbaker]

My pool is 28’x52’ and about 44k gals. with a 3hp Hayward pump, Hayward Pro Grid DE7220 DE filter, Pool Pilot Digital 220 with the SC60 cell, 4 returns, 3 skimmers and 2 bottom drains, Aquabot Turbo. This year I am adding a Raypak Rheem PMHP 8300TI 137k btu heat pump (the largest heat pump available.) Those are the details. My question is, does anyone have experience with a very large solar cover and reel. I have found a 30’ commercial reel, (expensive) and 30’x60’ cover. I am wondering how hard this cover will be to handle. I assume that I will trim it down to 28’ wide, and maybe add a PVC pipe and a long rope along the front of the cover to pull it down the pool. My other option is using the liquid solar blanket; I am going to do this anyway since I already have it, just not yet installed. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Rich

[waste]

Rich, welcome to the forum!!:) One person solar cover rolling can be a PITA - often the cover tries to 'slide' to one side - having 2 people definately helps, so one or the other can pull the cover back straight on the reel, as it tries to slide from one side to the other. I usually don't cut the back edge, so that there is a nice straight start on the roller. Cutting the cover to remain in the pool is a good idea, wind can reposition the cover (in unwanted ways;) ) if it's up on the deck.
If you'd care for more info on this, simply ask me --
Good luck with it & again, welcome to the forum! - Waste:)

[srbaker]

Waste; Thank you for your input. It does not sound like my wife or kids are going to be able to roll a cover that large without help. I suppose I can just start with the liquid solar blanket and see how well that holds the temperature. At over $1,600 for a commercial reel and cover, this could turn into an expensive experiment, if the cover does not get used because it is too hard to handle or the pool does not get used for the same reason.

Rich

[leejp]

Waste; Thank you for your input. It does not sound like my wife or kids are going to be able to roll a cover that large without help. I suppose I can just start with the liquid solar blanket and see how well that holds the temperature. At over $1,600 for a commercial reel and cover, this could turn into an expensive experiment, if the cover does not get used because it is too hard to handle or the pool does not get used for the same reason.

Rich


Gaak!!! at $1600 aren't you approaching the cost of an automated cover?

[srbaker]

Leejp: Not even close. I have another issue I am dealing with. My insurance company did not like my pool fence arrangement. So have to put up a new fence. I looked into getting a automatic power cover, unfortunately that will not meet code, but the quotes i got were over $10k, and that is what the new fence is going to cost. I have new neighbors with little kids so while the fence is very expensive I want it done to code.

[leejp]

Leejp: Not even close. I have another issue I am dealing with. My insurance company did not like my pool fence arrangement. So have to put up a new fence. I looked into getting a automatic power cover, unfortunately that will not meet code, but the quotes i got were over $10k, and that is what the new fence is going to cost. I have new neighbors with little kids so while the fence is very expensive I want it done to code.

My whole backyard is fenced in but I installed a removable fence last year from these guys...

http://diypoolfence.webdirectbrands.com/

Just wanted an additional level of safety. Now that I've got a solar cover it's even more critical (you can't see the kid under the cover... even accomplished swimmers can get tangled up in the cover...). But as with all safety devices, it's as good as the user.

[srbaker]

I looked into that type of fence, the problem is it does not meet our code requirements, so I am going with a Jerith fence. Considering the length I need and since I want something that looks good, the $10k is really not that bad.

[tphaggerty]

I have a 20x40 IG. We got a large commercial reel because we wanted it to clear the diving board easily. It stands about 40" high and is ugly as sin. But it works very well. Although the cover does try to squirm when rolling, getting it OFF the pool is relatively easy. I can put it back on the pool by myself, but no one else can.

We paid about 1200 for our reel. Its expensive, but we can move the entire thing completely out of the way when swimming. Plus, we can store the cover on the reel over winter, something that is not recommended with the less stout reels.

[tenax]

while my pool is half the length, it's the same width..30 ft..in terms of putting it on, an easy and cheap solution i've used for 2 years now is a holeless grommit. basically a 2 piece tube that i locate about 2 inches into the end of the cover and then you slide one piece into the other to secure it. then i attach a thin nylon rope to it. i have 2 of these in place on my cover and it's easy for one person to pull the cover on by grabbing the 2 of these. 2 is quite sufficient to pull the cover on evenly. the ez grabbit is what i use (most hardware and camping stores should have. they are widely available...bought mine at the canadian tire store in canada) here's what they look like. they are cheap and work great and standup well to sun, etc. tough plastic:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/tenax66/ezgrabbit.jpg

[tenax]

here's a few pictures of them in use. sorry, mine are blue against a blue cover so not the best to see maybe..they come with a good nylon string and then i just added longer 1/4 inch or so strings to those..my strings are about 30 ft long each. i just throw them on the side deck of pool before i move my cover reel then walk them to the end and once i have the reel in place, just pull it out.3 minute operation to put the cover back on. for your pool size you may want to consider 3 or 4 of them. they come in 4 packs.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/tenax66/Resizeofez2.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/tenax66/Resizeofez1.jpg

[RavenNS]

I have a 42.5' inground "lazy L" shape
so although it's 10' less then yours, I can certainly understand the "bulkyness" ( + heavy) factor, as I practically have to fold the blanket in half in order to make the turn.

just an FYI though, I'm a short woman and I'm able to roll and unroll the reel by myself.
not only that, but I can swim the blanket onto the pool. I have never needed straps ( although now that I see those, I might consider it :D )

I do like the suggestion of just getting two blankets. if I were in your shoes, thats what I'd do, get two blankets & two reels. That way you could get around the need for a commerical reel and I think even having the two, would be much less then the $1600 quoted.


Good Luck :-)

[tenax]

yeah, i swim it on occasionally, but there's times where' i'm not swimming myself and my kids are and leave the cover off and disappear..or i want to take it off for some reason and it's too bloody cold to get in, hence the ropes and grabbits:)

[CarlD]

That's a big cover!

I have a 16x40 and, with a good reel it's not too hard to roll up. I CAN cover it myself but it's far, far easier with two.

[srbaker]

Thank you all for your help. I sounds like the easier part is getting the cover off the reel and on the pool. The harder part sounds like getting the cover back on the reel straight. One of the covers I saw has 5 or 6 nylon straps that attach to the end of the cover the then the reel, naybe that helps getting the cover to start straight when starting to reel.

Rich

[tenax]

i think that's true, rich..and that's how mine is..a bunch of straps..it's not tough or a big deal though if it doesn't go on even..when i roll mine up, it can wrinkle a bit..but i just move the reel aside and give a quick tug if it needs it on the end and it's fine.