DIY solar pool cover reel-HELP!

[MossRoad]

I've got mine on what looks like 3-5" aluminum tubing that has about 16 sides bent into it. It is not round. The bends add strength to keep the tube rigid all the way across the pool. It never sags.

There are two post holders bolted to the pool side top caps across from each other in the center of the pool. There are posts that hang down from the reel. So the posts fit in the holders.

A neat thing I have done is put a 2.5" galvanized fence post up against my garage about the same height as the post holders on the pool sides. I wind up my cover and take one side off and walk it over to that fence post and set it in there. Then I take the other side of the reel, lift it out of its holder and walk it over to a 2nd fence post and put it in.

Very nice and easy to put the cover on and off that way. I just had to make sure I installed the 1st fence post in the proper swing of the arc that the reel takes when pivoting it off the pool. Then the 2nd post went in where it was under the other end. Piece of cakes and handy, too. :thumbsup:

 

[dodge man]

Our pool guy said the algae growing in the blisters isn't really a problem. I thought the same thing, it grows on the cover and that keeps it going in the pool. He said the minute that cover hits the sunlight out of the pool, that will kill any algae in the cover.

 

[MossRoad]

Our pool guy said the algae growing in the blisters isn't really a problem. I thought the same thing, it grows on the cover and that keeps it going in the pool. He said the minute that cover hits the sunlight out of the pool, that will kill any algae in the cover.

You roll up the cover. It seals the bubbles inside itself. The cover is stored in the shade because the cover manufacturer says to not store it in the sun or it will cook itself.

I have found slimy algae in my cover blisters before.

I'm just sayin'... :laughing:

 

[arrabil]

Coachgrd, I've been gagging at the price of these things myself. And none of them really fit our pool deck properly. How big is your pool? Ours is 18' round and what I really want it just somewhere to store the thing easily.

Anyone make, or seen made, a 6' long, swing-away roll? I can fold the cover over three times, attach one end to the roller, roll it up, and swing it away. That would be just perfect. Maybe use an umbrella cover to protect it from the sun.

 

[MossRoad]

Coachgrd, I've been gagging at the price of these things myself. And none of them really fit our pool deck properly. How big is your pool? Ours is 18' round and what I really want it just somewhere to store the thing easily.

Anyone make, or seen made, a 6' long, swing-away roll? I can fold the cover over three times, attach one end to the roller, roll it up, and swing it away. That would be just perfect. Maybe use an umbrella cover to protect it from the sun.

Re-read my previous post. After I roll up our cover, I swing one end over to a fence post and drop it there. Then I swing the other end off the pool and over to another fence post and drop it there. There's no reason you couldn't do that with any size or length pool cover. Heck, you could even use multiple posts and "walk" it well away from the pool.

 

[arrabil]

Nope, I got no room for that with the way the deck and privacy fence is built around it. Six feet is pushing it, I just don't see how it could be smaller.

 

[MossRoad]

Mine's a 24' and I can carry the whole thing by myself, reel and all. The only reason I put the posts in to swing it to were for storage and so my wife can do it if she is alone. I would think an 18' would be about 1/3 less weight.

 

[coachgrd]

Coachgrd, I've been gagging at the price of these things myself. And none of them really fit our pool deck properly. How big is your pool? Ours is 18' round and what I really want it just somewhere to store the thing easily.

Anyone make, or seen made, a 6' long, swing-away roll? I can fold the cover over three times, attach one end to the roller, roll it up, and swing it away. That would be just perfect. Maybe use an umbrella cover to protect it from the sun.

arrabil...We have a 15 X 30 oval.

BTW, I got the new reel the other day and am surprised at the quality. The only issue I have at this point is the very "general" directions...there really are none. I'd prefer to do the assembly once and have it work. These directions are nothing more than a diagram of the parts. It's almost like "here are the parts, figure it out yourself." I know it's not rocket science but some hints would be nice.