Hey Newdude, thanks for that description - sounds like it can get violent, though prolly a cover would calm things down somewhat.
Northeast - Freeze Protection for Niche-less Lights?
- Thread starter KJohn
- Start date
Before I moved I never knew what happened under the cover. Going without at the new place gave me quite the show. The looplock cover let plenty of wind under it as it billowed on stormy days, but I’m sure overall it helped cut some of the wind too
Good point though, about the cover letting wind through.
So it seems like leaving the lights in and keeping the water level significantly higher than the lights is a decent strategy, and the super-safe idea would be to pull out the lights and cords, and blow out and plug the conduits.
So it seems like leaving the lights in and keeping the water level significantly higher than the lights is a decent strategy, and the super-safe idea would be to pull out the lights and cords, and blow out and plug the conduits.
I would not call pulling the lights out "supper safe" as the wiring isn't made for that and besides there's not enough cable left at the other end which would mean tying it off to something else. Not my cup of tea.
Safe from ice, anyway.
I pulled one cord through the conduit, and the cord seems very tough and durable. I also pulled it back out, but that's another story (the shaft on the lights does not fit in a 1.5" schedule 40 PVC male thread adapter (!) I have to drill out the adapter, or re-plumb using DWV adapters which have a wider throat).
And there's extra length of cord for each light, so that's not a concern.
It is one more chore though...
I pulled one cord through the conduit, and the cord seems very tough and durable. I also pulled it back out, but that's another story (the shaft on the lights does not fit in a 1.5" schedule 40 PVC male thread adapter (!) I have to drill out the adapter, or re-plumb using DWV adapters which have a wider throat).
And there's extra length of cord for each light, so that's not a concern.
It is one more chore though...
Amen to that. Have you bought a cover yet ? If you went with a solid one (either safety cover or tarp) you could leave the water level high and only have to pump the water from the top of the cover.
I had a mesh safety cover and had to keep tabs on the water level and drain the pool when it was full again. We get about 3 ft of off season precipitation in the northeast so I'd start 18 inches low and only have to drain another 18 inches right before the freeze. You'll be looking to keep it as high as possible.
I haven't yet bought a winter cover, or installed the auto cover. For this winter it will either be the auto cover or a tarp, as the pavers won't be installed until next year.
So that's a good thought, that a solid cover would allow the water level to stay higher. Does the cover pump work well during winter, or have a problem with freezing?
Thanks for helping me think this through!
John
So that's a good thought, that a solid cover would allow the water level to stay higher. Does the cover pump work well during winter, or have a problem with freezing?
Thanks for helping me think this through!
John
Well it will work great until the big freeze. Then it's prolly not going to be needed until it all thaws. One of the Farmers Almanacs (I can never remember which one is which) was saying cold and snowy for us this year.
Makes sense, thanks.
I keep waiting for a cold snowy winter, but lately they seem to be warm and rainy!
I keep waiting for a cold snowy winter, but lately they seem to be warm and rainy!
Last year was my fault. I got a new snowblower with heated handgrips and lots of other bells/whistles. So our snow went to TX where they had ZERO new snowblowers.
