Solar Reels.

[matt4x4]

Tracey,
To clear up some things about solar covers:
1. They are more useful than you think, they also keep your water in the pool rather than allowing it to evaporate - VERY important for those that have a limited water supply. I'd spend 100 on a solar cover any day since I'd save over 200 on trucking in water over the course of one summer.
2. They help against heat loss over night, also important if you like to go for an AM swim.
3. They don't heat the pool as much as you think, but in some parts, they are required just to get the pool to a comfy temperature.

[traceyb]

SO sorry MATT,
don't know where you live, but here, most people don't use them
to each their own dependant on where in the states they live
SORRY

[Aranon]

I live in Texas but my pool is under a huge oak tree with shade cloth over it to keep the oak leaves and acorns out of the pool, so I have almost 90 percent shade. Even though it gets hot here in Texas its at the end of June and we are having 60-70 degree nights. I have 9 solar panels to heat the pool but we have found that we lose about 6 to eight degrees if we leave the solar cover off at night. We don't use it to heat the pool in the day, but to keep the heat in during the night. Also it sure helps to keep the water from evaporating which is actually keeping the heat in the pool since evaporation is a form of cooling.

My solar bubble blanket is very heavy and add a little water on it and you can barely even move it until you get it all in the pool. It is such a hassle and hard work to get the cover into the pool to cover it. I want to get a good reel that will last. I assumed a lot of people would use covers, but I guess I assumed wrong. It is a must for us. And I did go for a swim this morning with the water at 89 degrees and man did it feel good at AM this morning. The good thing about our solar panels is that when it gets hotter this summer I can turn them on at night and cool the pool. But until then I need the blanket. Thanks for any info on a good reel from anyone that knows about them.

Aranon

[matt4x4]

In Texas, you'll probably want one, not to gain any heat, but to keep your water in the pool, the heat in Texas is notorious for stealing your water, so unless you have an endless cheap or free supply of water, a solar cover is a good investment.

[Aranon]

I got a cover. I want a reel!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aranon]

My post was not weather I should get a solar cover or what it does. The post was suggestions for a solar reel. It is so hard to put it on because it is so heavy and somewhat a hassle to take it off. I was asking for advise on a good reel to purchase. I have the cover and have to use it every night or my pool gets cold.

Because of all the post by others on how bad their reels were and how hard they were to turn after a year or so I wanted to get a good one. I am suspecting the bearings were cheap or were plastic or no bearings at all which caused them to go bad. I was asking other pool owners if they had purchased a good heavy duty one that they liked or would recommend.

Thank you
Aranon

[hoffmans]

Aranon

I feel your pain. Well really i don't, but I can hear it in your voice.
I can offer no help but did you check out these kick butt solar reels?
http://www.covers4pools.co.uk/acatal...l_rollers.html

Yeah, I know they are not in the US but wow.... cool stuff. Probably impossible to get one of those to the states- the shipping wouldn't be worth it.

What about your local public pools, hotel chains ect, do they have solar reels? Can you ask them for leads on a comercial supplier?

Hope you find something soon.
~Hoffmans

[crazimom]

Hey Aranon ! I sent you a private message about the reel I have....
crazimom

[Aranon]

Thanks for the info. So it is pretty easy to un-roll and roll up by yourself.

I thought about attaching mine to my fence and thought about adding some type of water sprayer to spray toward the bottom of the roll when rolling it up to clean it. I seem to get a lot of dirt and leaves on it.

Maybe use PVC or one of those water hoses that spray the length of the hose mounted underneath so when I roll it up it cleans the cover and the dirt and water come off the bottom of the reel as I roll it up and drop down thru the deck to the ground and that way it would clean the cover as I roll it up.

Anyone ever rig up anything like that before?

Aranon