More is less with solar heat?

yerkel · Jul 19, 2015

I have an Intex Easy Set 12'x30" AGP and 1x Intex Solar Heater Mat (model no. 28685E). I have the 1,000 GPH Intex pump.

Right now, it appears to give some improvement to the temperature of the water, but would two of these mats in a series essentially double the results I'm currently getting? For the most part, I get in the low to mid eighties on a very sunny, warm day, and my pool temp usually starts its day around 830, 9am at 77 degrees F.

Thanks!

DarrelB · Jul 20, 2015

You would notice a difference, but not double the results.

pooldv · Jul 20, 2015

Yes, more panels/mats will give you more heat.

yerkel · Jul 20, 2015

DarrelB said:
You would notice a difference, but not double the results.

Do I need a superior pump (currently 1,000 GPH cartridge filter pump) to see better results?

Mickelin · Jul 20, 2015

The rule of thumb is that you should have solar panels equivalent to at least 50% of the surface area of the pool. Parallel is better than serial, more flow and less strain on the pump.

yerkel · Jul 20, 2015

Mickelin said:
The rule of thumb is that you should have solar panels equivalent to at least 50% of the surface area of the pool. Parallel is better than serial, more flow and less strain on the pump.

The pool filters will be side by side, connected by a short length of hose and appropriate clamps. Is my pump sufficient?

Mickelin · Jul 20, 2015

Hard to tell, depends on a lot of factors like height above ground, lenght/size of pipes etc. Give it a try and see what kind of flow you get! The Intex solar mats have a built in bypass valve so you can regulate flow/reduce pump strain, but of course, the less water you send through the mats, the less heat picked up from the sun.

yerkel · Jul 20, 2015

Mickelin said:
Hard to tell, depends on a lot of factors like height above ground, lenght/size of pipes etc. Give it a try and see what kind of flow you get! The Intex solar mats have a built in bypass valve so you can regulate flow/reduce pump strain, but of course, the less water you send through the mats, the less heat picked up from the sun.

Based purely on feel, when the water passes through the mat, it's brutal weak.