A Cheap Pool Cooler

[duraleigh]

Not applicable to many of you, but those of us here in the sweltering South frequently get tepid pool water. Water temps above 85 are just not comfortable to me.

I cobbled together a few pieces of pvc and screwed them into one of my returns to create a poor man's evaporator. Cost me about 6-7 bucks and an hour or so. 100_0188.jpg

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The results have been significant. Normally, on a 95 degree day, I'm lucky to keep pool temp below 88. With this evaporator running about 8-10 hours daily, my water has not risen above 83. The big test comes tomorrow and the next day when air temps approach 100. I'm expecting, because the relative humidity will be lower, to maintain the pool less than 85.

To this point, no drop in Alk......probably because my pH is up around 7.6 most of the time. Water loss has been minimal.

Those of you in the dry air of the West and Southwest could probably see even better results.

[mkelley]

That's fairly neat, Dave, and something I could use.

Too bad I have an in-floor cleaning system (no returns except in the spa, and not much pressure there). Sigh.

[drumr]

duraleigh, I really like your idea, I have one of those floating fountains that hook into the return, but the fountain and hose get dragged all over the place when the kids are in the pool. One time, the floating fountain made its way over to the pool wall (24' above ground pool and the hose had the weight on it) and proceeded to empty the pool to the bottom of the skimmer, luckily it didn't do any damage to the pump so I am wary of it. When I use it I have added a heavier weight and it stays put, but I may try your idea out too. I am in Middle TN. and we are experiencing the high heat that you are and can't enjoy the pool when the water is so hot!!

[us7sail]

Dave, nice job and I bet the kids love it too. I might have to try that. Looks like a lot of fun not to mention the drop in temps. chris

[us7sail]

Dave, Are those ends just pvc ends with holes drilled in them. What size holes did you find work best? Chris

[duraleigh]

Hi, Chris,

Yeah, 3/4" pvc end caps.....drilled 1/4" hole.

I'm considering trying new caps with a saw cut across the top. That would give me about a 1/16" x 1/2" opening that I think will give me smaller droplets for better evaporation. Downside is that I'll lose some altitude (goes up about 20-22 feet right now) so the droplets won't be exposed to the air as long....might end up being less effective...I dunno.

The cooler water is a remarkable improvement.

[jnorris]

I'm in SC, and our pool temp was 90 degrees yesterday! I expect it to go higher next week too. I have 5 deck jets, so I'm going to try running those, to see if I can bring the temp below 90. Thanks for the great idea!

You know, back in May, when we swam for the first time, we cranked up the heater and got the water to 90 degrees. It felt heavenly then; what a difference a couple of months makes!

[VOLDADDY]

Hey Dave,

Quick ? for you. I have left the pool coolers on my pool since I have had them, about a week and 1/2 now. My water has stayed a delightful 81-82 degrees, and we set a record for consecutive 95+ days here. I know my water would have gotten back to 91+ uncomfirtable degrees like it was prior to me adding the coolers if I didn't have them. Do you leave yours on all the time as well? We are supposed to finally get some rain and highs in the 80's for a couple of days, so I am thinking of removing them, as I don't want my water to get to 75! TIA.

[duraleigh]

Hi, Vol,

I do not leave mine on. Since a circulate the water approx 8-10 hours daily, I point the evaporator into the air on days I feel I need to cool the pool. On days I don't feel the need, mine simply pivots downward into the water and I'm back to normal operation. Pretty convenient.

As an update, Raleigh had two consecutive 96+ days last week and my pool's highest temp was 84....running daytime only for 10 hours. I know you can't get something for nothing but this comes pretty darn close for me. Ran it pointed up all day yesterday 'til dark and water this AM was 79 degrees! It'll be pointed down all day today.

[VOLDADDY]

BRRRRR! I went out to do my weekly testing this morning, and my water is at 75 degrees! I am going to remove them and screw the eyeballs back in. Once my water gets back above 85, I'll put them back on. The kids love them as they play in the spray.

One interesting thing Dave, my skimmer seemed to work better with these on both of my returns. I was afraid it would be rendered useless since the water wasn't circulating as normal. I think I will adjust the eyeballs so the water kind of dies in front of the skimmer. Before, I would watch the debris float by the skimmer. Going to have to put the fur panties on underneath the bathing suit to swim today, but it beats the 91+ I had prior to adding the coolers, as my water would probably be 100 now, and you feel like you are marinating in a crock pot instead of swimming.