Large solar cover help

[srbaker]

My pool is 28’x52’ and about 44k gals. with a 3hp Hayward pump, Hayward Pro Grid DE7220 DE filter, Pool Pilot Digital 220 with the SC60 cell, 4 returns, 3 skimmers and 2 bottom drains, Aquabot Turbo. This year I am adding a Raypak Rheem PMHP 8300TI 137k btu heat pump (the largest heat pump available.) Those are the details. My question is, does anyone have experience with a very large solar cover and reel. I have found a 30’ commercial reel, (expensive) and 30’x60’ cover. I am wondering how hard this cover will be to handle. I assume that I will trim it down to 28’ wide, and maybe add a PVC pipe and a long rope along the front of the cover to pull it down the pool. My other option is using the liquid solar blanket; I am going to do this anyway since I already have it, just not yet installed. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Rich

[waste]

Rich, welcome to the forum!! One person solar cover rolling can be a PITA - often the cover tries to 'slide' to one side - having 2 people definately helps, so one or the other can pull the cover back straight on the reel, as it tries to slide from one side to the other. I usually don't cut the back edge, so that there is a nice straight start on the roller. Cutting the cover to remain in the pool is a good idea, wind can reposition the cover (in unwanted ways ) if it's up on the deck.
If you'd care for more info on this, simply ask me --
Good luck with it & again, welcome to the forum! - Waste

[srbaker]

Waste; Thank you for your input. It does not sound like my wife or kids are going to be able to roll a cover that large without help. I suppose I can just start with the liquid solar blanket and see how well that holds the temperature. At over $1,600 for a commercial reel and cover, this could turn into an expensive experiment, if the cover does not get used because it is too hard to handle or the pool does not get used for the same reason.

Rich

[leejp]

Waste; Thank you for your input. It does not sound like my wife or kids are going to be able to roll a cover that large without help. I suppose I can just start with the liquid solar blanket and see how well that holds the temperature. At over $1,600 for a commercial reel and cover, this could turn into an expensive experiment, if the cover does not get used because it is too hard to handle or the pool does not get used for the same reason.

Rich

Gaak!!! at $1600 aren't you approaching the cost of an automated cover?

[srbaker]

Leejp: Not even close. I have another issue I am dealing with. My insurance company did not like my pool fence arrangement. So have to put up a new fence. I looked into getting a automatic power cover, unfortunately that will not meet code, but the quotes i got were over $10k, and that is what the new fence is going to cost. I have new neighbors with little kids so while the fence is very expensive I want it done to code.

[leejp]

Leejp: Not even close. I have another issue I am dealing with. My insurance company did not like my pool fence arrangement. So have to put up a new fence. I looked into getting a automatic power cover, unfortunately that will not meet code, but the quotes i got were over $10k, and that is what the new fence is going to cost. I have new neighbors with little kids so while the fence is very expensive I want it done to code.

My whole backyard is fenced in but I installed a removable fence last year from these guys...

http://diypoolfence.webdirectbrands.com/

Just wanted an additional level of safety. Now that I've got a solar cover it's even more critical (you can't see the kid under the cover... even accomplished swimmers can get tangled up in the cover...). But as with all safety devices, it's as good as the user.