Solar Reel with SS steel bearings low cost?

[hrsdennis]

Hi, I have seen a bunch but never paid much attention to them. I have never owned one so really have clue what's good or bad.

Hope you get some more response here.

Dennis

[Aranon]

As heavy as the covers are and knowing first hand how hard they are to get on and off, I would think almost everyone had one. What a struggle to get off and on. I loose almost all my heat at night with out it and have to start over with the solar heaters. ( They are not on the roof yet for full sun)

Surely someone knows about the different kinds and which one to get. I have seen some really cheap ones.

Aranon

[CarlD]

I'm on my second. The first was a plastic Horizon with plastic roller bearings. By the 2nd season it was difficult to use. By the 3rd season it was SO hard to turn that one handle broke off.

This year I replaced it with an all-metal one--but it turned out to be another Horizon. Still, so far, it's been really easy to use--better than the other one EVER was, but with the cover rolled up it bends in the middle--I have a 40' long 16mil cover--very heavy. I believe it was just over $200.

[Aranon]

Do you have the model number? Does it have Stainless steel bearings. Do you have pictures. Sorry for all the questions but I need to order one now and I don't want to go through what you did. I just want a good one. Can't believe hardly any one is replying to this post. I would have thought every one had one. Thanks. Awaiting your reply.
Aranon

[Aranon]

Does anyone have any pictures of a heavy duty reel, or model number and brand?

[bbb]

I'm on my second. The first was a plastic Horizon with plastic roller bearings. By the 2nd season it was difficult to use. By the 3rd season it was SO hard to turn that one handle broke off.

This year I replaced it with an all-metal one--but it turned out to be another Horizon. Still, so far, it's been really easy to use--better than the other one EVER was, but with the cover rolled up it bends in the middle--I have a 40' long 16mil cover--very heavy. I believe it was just over $200.

Yeah, I bought that one this year too - I believe it is the Horizon HV-2000. It is a bear to install, but my experience so far has been good - just like CarlD's. Mine bends in the middle when fully rolled up too. The big feature of that model for my purposes is that it is one of the only models that fit OVER my diving board It is all metal and appears to be high quality, and the steel bearings are high quality. I need to use it for more time before giving it a full recommendation, though.

[Aranon]

Thanks for the info. Do the bearings look like you can replace them or do they seem heavy duty enough that they probably won't wear out.

Bearings are not that expensive. Seems like someone would make one with double SS non lubricating bearings on each end. Is the reel about 3 inches in dia?
Aranon