Solar blanket - 12 vs. 16 mil/color/cutting edges/steps

[PoolDoc]

Thanks Mark. I guess I was hoping that there had been some definitive testing showing that one type has a better overall net heat gain.

There has been no published definitive testing of ANY swimming products of ANY kind, at least not that I know of. The closest approach so far was the JSPSI, sponsored by Pool Chlor (more info here: poolhelp.com. There was a rather expensive plaster test project started maybe a decade ago, with much fan fare. Unfortunately, when the results started to come, they apparently were NOT pleasing to the primary sponsors, and were not published. The project still exists, sort of, but nothing much is happening and nothing at all is being published.

But, I'm working something I'm calling the Swimming Pool Research project. Right now, all I'm definitely planning is a comprehensive index of all peer-reviewed and otherwise technical literature (including MSDS and product data sheets) that relates to swimming pool products and operation. Right now, I have some domain names and about 8 Gigabytes of data, mostly in the form of PDFs.

Does your question mean I should list you as a possible sponsor, who I should hit up for support this fall, when I begin that?

[ernie1959]

Thanks Mark and Ben.

Ben, if by support you mean someone willing to take temperature readings, document weather stats, estimate "popped" bubbles, etc, YES. If you mean moolah, sorry, that goes to our church and thebabyfold.org (Sorry, shameless plug from a Board of Directors Committee Member!).

I also have an Ecosmarte pool and would be happy to post stats, chemical use (or lack thereof), etc about our pool.

[ernie1959]

Oops! I hope I didn't get censored for saying in passing that I have an Ecosmarte system. While waiting for my post to show up, I searched Ecosmarte to see if there were any topics and saw negative comments (not from users). Also, when asked for monetary donations (I think), I mentioned a specific, wonderful charity that helps kids, which I am honored to be a part of. Didn't mean to offend anyone, and hope this board doesn't function that way.

Anyway, maybe this post will show up. If so, I'm here because I have asked specific pool questions. I appreciate the responses thusfar, and reiterate my offer from the previous post to participate in studies of a variety of products, including solar blankets.

I wonder if we could set up a test of blankets using aquariums. Even 10 gallon aquariums side by side, but receiving the same amount of sun, each with a different color cover and the same thickness. They would need something to circulate the water to simulate the pool (standard filter on a low setting), and probably some sort of insulation around the sides to reduce extreme cooldown at night (at least where I live, in Zone 5). Temperature comparisons at the bottom and top of the tanks could be made morning, noon, and evening, over a period of days (hopefully a mix of sunny and cloudy ones). Does this seem valid?

Thanks!

[PoolDoc]

No problem with mentioning EcoSmarte -- we just don't let people promote products.

Yes, I meant moolah -- like subscribing to Consumers Report. The problem is, even if I have 100 people ready to do comparisons, I have to have some one to collate, verify test & comparison methods and the like. So, it's money first, volunteers (managed by paid people) later. Hardly anyone will volunteer to spend 2 hours per day, 6 days per week, collecting, checking and collating data -- you pretty much have to pay people to do stuff like that!

[ernie1959]

Thanks Ben. I feel for ya when it comes to raising money.

I'm definitely not here to promote any products, just a homeowner/pool owner. I'm surprised that there's not more interest in actually determining which style of blanket actually performs better. This topic seems to be almost a private conversation between you and I!

I have to admit that I was shocked to see the anti-ion sentiment here, as it is what our local dealer recommended when we built the pool. And this guy has been building pools here for 30+ years (and built the chlorine based pool that I maintained for about 15 years prior to building the new one). I see another topic where you posted about someone else's experience with a different ion system, and will share my experience there.

By the way, I ended up getting a 20x40 12mil blue blanket from saveonpoolsupplies.com. I found them when searching online. But here's the interesting part, when I called the phone number listed on their site, "In The Swim" answered. And when I asked a few questions and then said I'd like to go ahead and buy it, her price was about $32 higher than what I was looking at on the saveonpoolsupplies site. She said "Oh, we sell there too", and said she could match the price. I asked if it was the same exact blanket, and she said yes. I just thought that was a huge difference, $154 vs $122, for the same item.

Anyway, thanks.

[PoolDoc]

I have to admit that I was shocked to see the anti-ion sentiment here, as it is what our local dealer recommended when we built the pool.

They work out well for pool owners who

1. Don't let anyone with blond hair swim; and
2. Don't mind a few bluish green stains; and
3. Don't let people with infectious diseases swim.

Ionizers ARE good at preventing algae, which is by far the number one VISIBLE problem that pool owners have (and recognize). But, ionizers turn hair and pools green, and pools blue-green or even black. Worse, they don't kill bacteria quickly, or viruses at all. So, ionized pools are normally unsanitary, if a variety of people swim in them.

[PoolDoc]

Ernie, I moved your defense of the EcoSmarte system here:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?15491

[CarlD]

Here's my take on Solar Blankets: I have had opaque, blue on top, black underneath, blue transparent, heavy 16 mil clear, and 12 mil clear.

What I have found is:
1) Solar blankets last 3 seasons and show signs of popping bubbles at the end. Try to get a fourth season and you'll get zillions of circles in your water. Doesn't matter: it's 3 seasons and replace.
2) Solar blanket warranties absolutely never, ever, EVER cover bubbles popping, only seams de-laminating. IF you get that, then the warranty may be honored.
3) While clear seem to heat the best, the difference is marginal.
4) I haven't tried 8 mil, yet, but I no longer buy the heavy 16 mil ones--too expensive to fail after 3 years.
5) Otherwise, I simply buy the cheapest 12 mil I can find. It's good for 3 years anyway.
6) I've now just installed my fourth one on this pool.

PoolSupplies.com sells an 18x32 pre-cut cover.

Carl

[ernie1959]

Sorry Mark, just realized that you had made a significant post in this thread. Didn't mean to slight you. Thanks!