Pool cover closes but won't open

[ravra]

I'm looking for suggestions about likely causes for this. The cover engages to close (though it's already closed - hmm) but there is no sound at all when I try to open. The key-switch is fine - I confirmed continuity down both legs - and obviously the system has power since it will try to close. It wouldn't make sense for it to be the magnetic switch since the cover is fully closed so it should be able to open. Unless, the switch is stuck somehow...

The brand is Pool Cover Specialists. It is an electric motor.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Rav,

I know nothing about your specific pool cover, but assume you turn the key one way to open, and the other way to close.

My first thought is that the open contacts of the switch are bad.

The next thing I'd check is right at the drive motor for the cover. I "assume" it has two inputs; one to close the cover and another to open the cover. I'd want to check right at the motor and see what voltage I had.

I looked at the manual and did not see any safety devices except for the manual switch, so I am not sure what magnetic switch you are talking about.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ravra]

Thanks. I got it working by moving around the wires adjacent to the motor so it's clearly an intermittant connection. The installer just used regular (not waterproof) wire nuts for the connection from the key-switch so it might be corrosion. When I get time, I'll replace these connections with something more robust.

Just FYI, the magnetic sensor/switch is mounted to the cover track. Magnets are sewn into the edge of the cover fabric and when the magnet passes over the sensor, the controller can stop the motor. I believe there is a magnet at the leading edge of the cover and at the end but they are oriented differently so the sensor can tell if the cover is fully open or fully closed. A different issue I had involved a separate but similar sensor (other side of the cover) which was used to detect the cover being open for fountains (wouldn't want your fountain to run on the cover). That sensor died and I replaced it. I now think the sensor attached to the motor is also dead so I'll replace that when I redo the wire nuts.