Pool Solar Collector Issue

[PoolBoy1957]

We have had a nice above-ground pool -- Doughboy Tuscany 24' -- for about 10 years. Since 2005 we have had a SunHeater solar heating system and really, really like it because it works! Unfortunately, it is leaking and needs to be replaced probably this summer.

Also unfortunately for us, about the time we bought our 4-foot by 20-foot panels, SmartPools, which markets the SunHeater systems, changed the specs for their solar collectors. They moved to their current pair of 2-foot by 20-foot collectors to form a 4 x 20.

But the screws to mount the new 2x20 collectors are not in the same position as the single 4x20 from years past. And, sadly, even the customer reps at SmartPools are no longer even aware that they ever marketed such a panel -- let alone have spare parts for such systems. The bottom line is if we were to convert to SunHeater's new 2x20 standard, we would have to drill about 20 new holes into our garage roof -- and ah so needlessly. We were lucky to have no leaks in our garage roof from the 20 holes we already drilled to mount the existing panels.

So we are thinking about going with Fafco's 4x20 panels and adapting our mounting brackets.

Has anyone encountered a conversion from the old SunHeater 4x20s to the Fafco panels or know anything about this issue?

We want to get more solar heating because it works! We're still running our old system even though it seeps like crazy and we're losing a fair bit of pool water because of it.

[PoolDoc]

Wow. That's a very specific question. There are very, very few people out there who might know the answer.

I've moved your post into the correct section, but it may take awhile to get a useful answer. What I'd recommend is checking back every 2 weeks, and bumping it back up, so people will see it.

[PoolBoy1957]

Thanks PoolDoc / Ben! We're glad to be on the forum because we feel sure we'll learn about a number of other issues. If we don't hear any answers to our solar panel question here, we'll be sure to report how we made our way through it.

[PoolDoc]

Thanks. Do you know what I mean by "bumping" a thread?

It just refers to tacking a small post onto your thread, to move it back into the current list of topics, so "Bumping my thread".

[PoolBoy1957]

Sure do. No problems. I'll definitely be back. This forum looks great for all kinds of info.

[PoolDoc]

Good deal!

[Watermom]

Sure do. No problems. I'll definitely be back. This forum looks great for all kinds of info.

It is! Plus, it is just a fun place to hang out!