Help Attaching Solar Cover to Reel

[tenax]

i know exactly what you're talking about. i have a kidney shape with a round end and the picture for install indicates i should put the reel quite a ways in..if i put close the end, there would be way too much pressure on a small surface (rounded part) and i wouldn't be able to use all the straps and could see why they recommend putting it in at widest point.here is what i did.

-put straps about 5 ft in from one end. to your question on how to attach then cause straps obviously are not long enough, there are a few options. i installed the grommets as indicated..then i made with an xacto knife a slit about 6 inches back of each grommet so i could feed the strap back up and through. if you want to do it up really right, get a second grommet kit from supplier and put 2 sets on so straps are supported by grommets on both.

i did not do that..i just made the slash, fed the straps through and hoped it would not tear..it has not and i've been using it this way since june. next time i get a cover, i would get a 2nd grommet kit..we'll see how this works out. i figure i paid less than 90 for a cover, another kit was 30..if it lasts me at least 2 seasons the way it is, then why spend more money on a 2nd kit.

in terms of how it will pull..trust me, it will on both sides without a problem. the only issue when it's not at the end is when you go to put it back on, the shorter end will either be under the bigger part of the cover or go over top and you just have to reach out to close edge and put it out. in short, the shorter piece won't just unroll onto the water. not a biggie..just takes an extra minute to get it back on.

a little tip as well..i could have done it on both ends, but on the longer end, i attached 2 of these ez-grabbit "bars" you can find on the web that are about 5 inches long and attach without making holes..i put nylon rope on them and hold the 2 ropes together and use it to pull the long end of the cover easily onto the pool..works great. i can get a cover on even with having to pull the short end out bit by bit from under/over the longer portion, in about 3 minutes.

[Skillset]

Thanks for the reply! So, seems like you have two holes for each strap, where the holes are separated by about 6". Great idea. But, I just can't imagine that when you start cranking, the cover won't buckle, especially where you the holes are!! But, I'll take your word for it in that it does roll smoothly enough and both ends go reasonably smoothly onto the reel.

Tomorrow - I'll attempt to place the reel 7' from the edge, use the grommet supplied with each strap, but slice a second hole to feed the strap through, so it can reach the reel.

I have a good solar cover, so I'm nervous about punching holes, but I'm going to give it a shot.

Thanks again!
Marc

[tenax]

i was nervous about the holes too..and to be on the safe side, yeah..better to double grommet..but really, shouldn't they anticipate that when selling a cover? a lot of different shape pools out there. you can also i'm sure buy some plastic grommets that would still require a hole punch..i just slowly steadily (not too slow) crank up the cover onto the roller and it is fine..i go a bit slow anyway as i note the supplied suitcase latch looking type grommets with the little pegs and holes (if that's the type of attach kit you have) seem pretty lame and weak in the first place..but i've never had one come off or have torn my hole..even with my son who is a bull in a china shop, putting on the cover..once you get a few turns of cover around the roller, the stress is off them anyway before it gets to the real weight and cover resistance.