We have a 21x41 oval pool. We're going to have a deck on one end but don't want to mount the reel in front of the stairs. Planning on putting in some 4x4s on the deep end and mounting it on those but I'd love to see some more pictures before I do. I've done some searching but haven't turned up many great results.
Please share your pictures of your solar cover reels on oval pools
- Thread starter nobueno
- Start date
-
- Tags
- diy reel reel solar cover
- May 20, 2020
- 1,001
- Pool Size
- 13600
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Solaxx (Saltron) Reliant / Purechlor R5
I have a GLI Whirlwind reel that I just mounted on 4x6 posts behind my pool. Mine is round but I don’t see any reason why the same idea wouldn’t work on an oval- probably better, actually.
I’ll try and grab some pics tomorrow. It’s not perfect, but I can both cover and uncover the pool in about 5 minutes or less, without getting in the pool, and don’t have to worry about where to put the cover.
I’ll try and grab some pics tomorrow. It’s not perfect, but I can both cover and uncover the pool in about 5 minutes or less, without getting in the pool, and don’t have to worry about where to put the cover.
Thanks! I ordered the hurricane because we might put in a small deck on that end but I'd love a mount like the one you have. I wasn't able to find a direct mount like that for the bigger reels.
- May 20, 2020
- 1,001
- Pool Size
- 13600
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Solaxx (Saltron) Reliant / Purechlor R5
Pics as promised. It’s a GLI Whirlwind Reel, the 4inch model made for pools up to 28 ft. My pool is 24 feet, and I spaced the posts 25 feet apart.
The posts are 4x6 ground contact pressure treated wood. I used 4x6 instead of 4x4 because the base for the reel “arms” is rectangular and a little longer than 4 inches. The actual GLI base for each side is backordered and I’m still waiting on them - so in the interim I cored a 2 inch hole in some pieces of 4x6 lumber to use as a makeshift base. It’s not pretty but it works.
Overall the reel works well. But, because the pool is round, the cover wants to bunch up toward the middle when rolling it up. So I have to periodically pull each side of the cover toward the edge so it roll up more evenly. It takes about 5 minutes to roll it up, less time to put it back on the pool.
The straps that came with the reel were too short for my setup. I bought this on Amazon and it worked perfectly as a replacement.
Strapworks Lightweight Polypropylene Webbing - Poly Strapping for Outdoor DIY Gear Repair, Pet Collars, Crafts – 3/4 Inch by 10, 25, or 50 Yards, Over 20 Colors Amazon.com : Strapworks Lightweight Polypropylene Webbing - Poly Strapping for Outdoor DIY Gear Repair, Pet Collars, Crafts – 3/4 Inch by 10, 25, or 50 Yards, Over 20 Colors : Sports & Outdoors
Let me know what questions you have!
The posts are 4x6 ground contact pressure treated wood. I used 4x6 instead of 4x4 because the base for the reel “arms” is rectangular and a little longer than 4 inches. The actual GLI base for each side is backordered and I’m still waiting on them - so in the interim I cored a 2 inch hole in some pieces of 4x6 lumber to use as a makeshift base. It’s not pretty but it works.
Overall the reel works well. But, because the pool is round, the cover wants to bunch up toward the middle when rolling it up. So I have to periodically pull each side of the cover toward the edge so it roll up more evenly. It takes about 5 minutes to roll it up, less time to put it back on the pool.
The straps that came with the reel were too short for my setup. I bought this on Amazon and it worked perfectly as a replacement.
Strapworks Lightweight Polypropylene Webbing - Poly Strapping for Outdoor DIY Gear Repair, Pet Collars, Crafts – 3/4 Inch by 10, 25, or 50 Yards, Over 20 Colors Amazon.com : Strapworks Lightweight Polypropylene Webbing - Poly Strapping for Outdoor DIY Gear Repair, Pet Collars, Crafts – 3/4 Inch by 10, 25, or 50 Yards, Over 20 Colors : Sports & Outdoors
Let me know what questions you have!
