I've googled my problem into oblivion...without satisfaction. That's how I found this forum though...so all was not in vain.
Here's my problem.
I've got a 24" above-ground pool that I installed last year. I live in Michigan and wanted to give the pool a slight temperature boost...as well as extend the swim season. I installed two sunheater (2x20) solar heaters in series and was pleased with the outcome. A timer runs the pump automatically from about 9 am till 6pm, and we pickup plenty of heat during the day. A solar cover keeps the heat in at night...but we'll keep it off during extremely warm periods to maintain a preferred 82-86 temperature range. This spring, I was given a third 2x20 solar heater by a co-worker which I installed in series with the previous two.
Here comes the problem.
We were given a used Kreepy Krauley by a neighbor. Earlier this year...and before I hooked up the solar heaters, I ran the Kreepy multiple times and was amazed by the speed at which the device scampered around the pool. My pool bottom was spotless in about 2 hours time.
With the addition of the 3 solar heaters, my GPM flow has dropped considerably. I still get plenty of heat, but GPM decrease has slowed the Kreepy "scamper" to a much slower "crawl" (pun intended).
I've considered a couple of solutions which I'll lay out, but would appreaciate any other suggestions that you might have.
One solution would be to install a bypass to the solar heater system. This should allow me to regain my original GPM flow, and run the Kreepy whenever I choose (even at night when solar heat collection can't be done).
Another soluation which came to mind was to re-plumb the 3 2x20 mats in parallel. My assumption here though, is that running the solar heaters in parallel would increase my GPM flow back to "near-heaterless". I'm also wondering whether the effectiveness of the heaters would increase given an increase in flow-rate.
I suppose the best of both worlds would be to do both. Given that I'm currently satisfied with solar heating performance though...I'm really most concerned about solving what I perceive to by a GPM flow issue...which is degrading my Kreepy Krauley performance.
Anyone else run into a similar dilemma? If so...I'd appreciate any other perspectives...
Thanks, Chris
Here's my problem.
I've got a 24" above-ground pool that I installed last year. I live in Michigan and wanted to give the pool a slight temperature boost...as well as extend the swim season. I installed two sunheater (2x20) solar heaters in series and was pleased with the outcome. A timer runs the pump automatically from about 9 am till 6pm, and we pickup plenty of heat during the day. A solar cover keeps the heat in at night...but we'll keep it off during extremely warm periods to maintain a preferred 82-86 temperature range. This spring, I was given a third 2x20 solar heater by a co-worker which I installed in series with the previous two.
Here comes the problem.
We were given a used Kreepy Krauley by a neighbor. Earlier this year...and before I hooked up the solar heaters, I ran the Kreepy multiple times and was amazed by the speed at which the device scampered around the pool. My pool bottom was spotless in about 2 hours time.
With the addition of the 3 solar heaters, my GPM flow has dropped considerably. I still get plenty of heat, but GPM decrease has slowed the Kreepy "scamper" to a much slower "crawl" (pun intended).
I've considered a couple of solutions which I'll lay out, but would appreaciate any other suggestions that you might have.
One solution would be to install a bypass to the solar heater system. This should allow me to regain my original GPM flow, and run the Kreepy whenever I choose (even at night when solar heat collection can't be done).
Another soluation which came to mind was to re-plumb the 3 2x20 mats in parallel. My assumption here though, is that running the solar heaters in parallel would increase my GPM flow back to "near-heaterless". I'm also wondering whether the effectiveness of the heaters would increase given an increase in flow-rate.
I suppose the best of both worlds would be to do both. Given that I'm currently satisfied with solar heating performance though...I'm really most concerned about solving what I perceive to by a GPM flow issue...which is degrading my Kreepy Krauley performance.
Anyone else run into a similar dilemma? If so...I'd appreciate any other perspectives...
Thanks, Chris