Building a Solar Cover Roller

Tx Mark.

How do u like your rollers compared to the Solar Roller Stick? Since you used to use the Solar Roller, I figured it would be good to know how one performs vs. the other.

On yours, it looks like the cover would roll up easy, but how does it unroll back on the pool? Relatively easy?

When not in use, how do you store your rollers? If I go ahead with your idea, I was thinking I could put some brackets/hooks on my fence and put them on there and then cover that with a tarp or something to protect it from the sun. Or, just put them on my small grass area (actually, brown grass area since I stopped watering it to save water) and cover them with a tarp. How do you store them in the off season?

I have to return those clips/pins I got at Lowes. What are those other ones called in the pic you posted? If those are easier/cheaper to get, and I use enough of them, perhaps they would work as well as those Solar Roller clips.

In post #32, you stated "Exposed ABS pipe will get brittle over time although it is pretty cheap to replace." How many seasons/years have you had your foam core pipe in use? I am curious if the pipe or solar will fail first. The reason is b/c if the pipe fails before the cover, I will need to get clips that can be taken off. I am not sure if the ones in the photo can vs. the ones from the Solar Factory. What is your plan when the pipe fails/gets too brittle?

I was thinking about this system and thinking that an all-purpose anchor could work. Mark, what about something like this to anchor to the pipe? http://www.lowes.com/pd_261792-73628-171K___?productId=3029073&pl=1&Ntt=cobra+anchors

The only thing with this is are the metal screws. Perhaps they would corrode over time, which may or may not affect water chemistry. But, on the other hand, there are metal screws in the pool (i.e. at the main drain) that have not created any problems. So, may be the metal screws would not create any problem.

I got onto this idea b/c I was trying every search term possible, but I could not locate the clips you were talking about/from the pic at Lowes.com.

Tx Mark. I actually had to special order the ones I have and picked them up at the Livermore store. I usually like/prefer the Dublin store, but the Livermore one works too. Whatever the case, I was not even aware that Dublin had the type that I picked up. Let alone, you are saying that they should have in stock the ones you showed in the pic?

Also, what do you think of those anchors I put a link to above in post #46? You think they could work? If I don't get the Solar Roller clips, I am just a little concerned on the ones you showed me in the pic becoming loose or just simply being too loose at the head. Those Cobra anchors seemed feasible b/c they would fasten and secure it from both sides; thus, sandwiching the pipe, cover, and small qtr. piece of pipe in place.

Hey Mark,
Re: the direction to put the pipe, lengthwise vs. width-wise, should the pipe be as close to the center as possible? I mentioned it before, but my pool is free-form kidney shaped and does not have a straight edge anywhere around its perimeter. The best I can do is to try to estimate approx. the center if I go either length or width-wise. The reason I'm asking about the placing the pipe in the center of the cover is b/c if it is not and off center slightly won't that affect the rolling of the cover? If off center, when rolling the cover, wouldn't the short side/end be round up inside the other end and cause a problem when it comes time to unroll it?

Alright. I got some more sections of cellular core pipe from OSH, along with some ABS cement, and 1.5"x1.5" couplers. At the Dublin Lowes, I picked up some of those automotive clips as shown in the pic you provided Mark. I got the 1/4" clip screw in pin vs. the push-in pin. I also picked up some of those Cobra Triple Grip anchors, as shown in the link I provided, to try out.

I did a dry run on some extra ABS pipe I had. Quartered the piece of ABS pipe so I could use a quarter as my fastener on top of the cellular core pipe. With regards to the auto clips, I drilled pilot holes progressively getting bigger until I used the 13/64" drill bit. That seemed to work for my pilot hole b/c I was able to push the auto clip in, but I was not able to drive in the screw-in pin. Despite that, the auto clip did seem to give a pretty secure fit. I had to exert some good pressure to pull it apart. Thus, I think if I had enough of them spaced over the pipe that this may work. But, I think I will go back to Lowes and get the 1/4" auto clip with the push-in pin. Hopefully, that design would work and allow me to push in the pin.

I next tried the Triple Grip anchor. It worked to secure the pieces together, but it actually allowed a little play between the quarter piece and pipe when I pulled on them. Since this is meant as an anchor on a wall surface, I see it wouldn't work b/c the pipe and quarter piece together are too thin to be able to engage the wings on the anchor.

Lastly, I realized why not just drive the screw that came with the Triple Grip wall anchor in the quarter piece and pipe. It's was a #8 1.25" screw (most likely sheet metal screw). Drilled a pilot hole, which I probably did not need to do, drove it in, and it held great; the best out of the three tests.

I am thinking that the best, and easiest, would be to just use some stainless steel sheet metal screws to fasten all this. If I drive it in easy, it should be fine and won't crack the pipe. Let alone, if I am really concerned, I could buy some metal, or even nylon, washers. But, I don't think they are needed. Also, I don't see any problem with getting a stainless steel screw. It shouldn't react w/ the pool water, and it should be able to resist any corrosion good enough.

So, why not just use some stainless steel sheet metal screws, such as these http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...&catalogId=10051&productId=3811423&cId=detail or these http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...51&catalogId=10051&productId=3811425&cId=list, instead of those automotive clips (of which it seems that the only feasible one would be the push-in pin design)?

Quick Google search reveals that stainless steel 316 would hold up thes best. If I get those, I would probably have to go to a speciality store, not the big box places.

Here was a thread that discussed skimmer screws and rust. Also discussed SS 316.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/26784-Rusted-Skimmer-screws

Better yet, titanium sheet metal screws. An inert material that would work great. Cost is not bad at all from quick Google search.
https://www.alliedtitanium.com/prod...ification=&S_USecondMeasure=1&S_USubCategory=

Trick, I really like your idea. Just from what I read though, it sounds as though SS 316 grade screws are going to be the most resistant type of stainless steel against corrosion. The one concern I have if I was to implement your idea is how the screws would come out the back side and there would be a bolt. If the end of the screw is too long, I see that posing a problem with the solar cover and possibly puncturing it. But, I actually read in a post here at TFP (I think it was by jblizzle) that even if the bubbles are punctured/popped, there won't be any detrimental effect and the cover will still work.

So, now you got me thinking about your plan as a solid option. My plan in which I was going to just use SS or titanium sheet metal screws doesn't use a bolt on the back. I think my idea could work to as well since the pilot hole will be so small or I wouldn't use one at all and hence the sheet metal screw would have enough material to grip, which would prevent it from pulling out.

Here something I found about SS 304 versus 316 in pool applications. Looks like on the bottom of page 3 and page 4 it discusses 316 could be better for pools in which chlorine is not tightly controlled or at least higher chlorine levels are maintained.
http://www.nickelinstitute.org/~/me...uccessful_Stainless_Swimming_Pool_Design.ashx

These were the choices I was deciding on:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QX..._1_1?colid=2YLR2FXPFHZZA&coliid=IBMI6ZBYQ0QTC
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231344675797?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Ultimately, I decided on the SS 316. Figured they will be good enough, are cheaper than the titanium, and only cost a little more than the std SS ones at OSH or Lowes.