Cover lifter

[Busch]

What’s the best performing and looking cover lifter?

I have a new new hot tub with a cover Butler(from spa store). But it’s hideous! It looks like I am getting ready to put up a canvas tent.

are there better solutions?

 

[ajw22]

Is this what you have and dont like? http://coverbutler.com/

Some pics may help us understand your situation and give folks ideas to suggest.

 

[Busch]

Yes that is exactly what I have, straight out of 1984

 

[tim5055]

While it may be out of 1984 it worked well for me. I have had it and several others thru the years and it’s just as good as more expensive ones in my opinion.

 

[BMK]

Sounds like it's the aesthetics that bother you more so than the functionality. If so, you may want to check out a side mounted lift, for a little more streamlined look. Because they're hydraulic-assisted, they dont need the long bar going all the way to the ground for leverage, like your present one does. The less metal, the neater the look, imho. An added benefit is that the hydraulic lifters are much easier to open and close...easy one hand operation in most cases.
I personally have a Covermate III lifter which works great, but there are plenty of others.

 

[Busch]

Thanks for the info, I will check it out.

 

[santacruzpool]

I just purchased a Cover Valet CV250 - I will be installing it this weekend if things go as planned. It should work out great for our smaller 3 person spa. They also have a more robust version for larger spa covers...

I will post up some pictures once I get it installed. One of the reasons I got the Cover Valet brand is it takes up a very small amount of space when open. I have our spa right up against a window and a wall of the house on our patio so I needed one that wouldn't bump into that window or the wall when I open it. The clearance is listed as around 6" for the model I have. I probably have the spa sitting around 10" from the wall.

 

[Mindrasect]

I also using Cover Valet CV250 and it's great

 

[santacruzpool]

Well I am only a month late getting this thing installed - but we finally did the install today, so I thought I would update this thread since I mentioned I would. To the original poster, sorry it took so long!

So far it works well - and the install was pretty easy. My wife thinks it is hideous, but it allows any single person including our son to open and close it as needed. This is the Cover Valet CV250 installed on a small 82"x62" or so spa.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

In looking at your picture I'm confused if the install was finished when the pic was taken? On our cover lifter the short bars in the middle go into the cover (cover has slots for them on each side). Does yours have those also?

Maddie

 

[santacruzpool]

There are 2 longer bars that are under the hinge of the cover, one on each side - if you look there is a plastic knuckle at the very end of the arm that holds the 2 round bars. You are seeing the outer bar which is shorter but kind of holds things together...

edit: Below is a closeup of that area.