Protecting/Covering a Pump/Filter during use

[NWMNMom]

The instructions on our new pump/filer recommend that it be in a "protected" area from weather and elements. We live where it would have to be removed and stored for the winter. It is now sitting on 2x2 pavers 3-4' from the pool. What has everyone else done with theirs in this kind of situation? Built something around it? Put some kind of removable cover on it? Maybe one of those fiberglass/plastic doghouse units with hose cutouts and ventilation on the sides or ???? We want something that doesn't look too obtrusive yet will be easy to access and remove when the system needs to be brought in for winter storage. Thanks for any input

[cleancloths]

Many plastics will degrade if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. I have not worried about this for my equipment and it has been in the sun for 8 years with very minor degredation. If you are concerned you could either cover the area or apply a good car wax with a uv protector. I don't think it the best thing to enclose the area as chlorine fumes will collect around the ground and be trapped over time and eat away metal.

As for taking equipment in for the winter I would not think you really need to do that. Blow all the water out and if you are concerned fill it with the pink RV antifreeze. That stuff is good for either -20 or -40 degrees. I do that with my pumps and skimmers each winter and have never had a problem.

[NWMNMom]

I am not much concerned about the filter itself being in the sun, however the pump instructions state that it must be protected from rain and pool splash - well it is only a few feet from the pool and will certainly get splash there as well as wet from rain. Does everyone just leave these out in the open and should I just ignore what it says in the manual? How can they not expect a pump motor that close to all those fittings and pipe connections to not occassionally drip, splash or leak some water onto the pump motor if it is within an inch or so of the drip/water source? Do I need to worry about splash and rain on the pump motor? I'm guessing there is some reason it directs that the unit be protected/sheltered......What does everyone else do with their sand filters?

[prh129]

I can't imagine a pool pump being bothered by rain or splash - it seems that pump company wouldn't be in the pool business for very long if that were true. I wonder if that company makes other motors and they just lifted that text from another pump's documentation? I have my pump and filter sitting on a concrete pad exposed to the elements. I would think that more AG pools than not have their pump and filter just sitting next to the pool uncovered.

What type of piping to you have to the pool? If you are using flex hose (as I am) it's probably just as easy to disconnect the hoses, drain the filter and store it in the basement (or storage shed) rather than winterize. (I have a cartridge filter though so I don't know how much sand you will have in there and how heavy that would be to move.)

Peter

[NWMNMom]

Flex hose - 150# of sand in 22" filter. Heavy stuff but could be moved. Its also sitting on a 4'x4' concrete block pad. Maybe that's what happened with the motor text? It's a Pentair system but the motor is a Dynamo?