I have a free form pool and never thought of using a solar cover because of the shape. But I’m also annoyed during the spring and fall when I can see the heat evaporating each morning. I’ve been reading a bit and know most people have used a large cover that they cut to shape but what about two separate large circles that won’t cover every inch of water but would cover most of it. I assume that’s better than nothing but has anyone tried this (partial solar cover) with success?
Solar cover question
- Thread starter mrm1682
- Start date
Tcadwall0
Gold Supporter
- May 19, 2021
- 207
- Pool Size
- 12900
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
mm - I looked at your previous posts before asking for a picture.... 
I use a solar blanket but since it is 'blue' it does not really 'heat' but does work great as an overnight blanket. Which I just recently wheeled it back out for....
My thought is that you would be best served by cutting one to shape. What I didnt see in your pics is if you have room to store a reel somewhere.
I would think that if you 'clamped' onto the cover in the middle area, you would be able to use a reel on the deep side of your water feature, to reel it up in the 'middle' and then walk the non-wheeled end around the deep end. Just a thought. It definitely is better to cover the whole pool. A reel definitely makes the difference between a one-person job and a two-person job. My pool is simpler, but it literally takes seconds to cover or uncover for me.
When the sun is high enough during the summer, I roll the reel into a hidden area and I pull it back out around this time of year when the amount of direct sun is low, and the overnight temps start dropping.
I use a solar blanket but since it is 'blue' it does not really 'heat' but does work great as an overnight blanket. Which I just recently wheeled it back out for....
My thought is that you would be best served by cutting one to shape. What I didnt see in your pics is if you have room to store a reel somewhere.
I would think that if you 'clamped' onto the cover in the middle area, you would be able to use a reel on the deep side of your water feature, to reel it up in the 'middle' and then walk the non-wheeled end around the deep end. Just a thought. It definitely is better to cover the whole pool. A reel definitely makes the difference between a one-person job and a two-person job. My pool is simpler, but it literally takes seconds to cover or uncover for me.
When the sun is high enough during the summer, I roll the reel into a hidden area and I pull it back out around this time of year when the amount of direct sun is low, and the overnight temps start dropping.
A partial cover will help to the % that it covers the pool. 85% coverage is still a big difference.
Two small covers may cost more than one that's big enough to trim. So price out both ways. You can always cut the bigger/trimmed cover in half to make it more manageable, while still having fill coverage.
Two small covers may cost more than one that's big enough to trim. So price out both ways. You can always cut the bigger/trimmed cover in half to make it more manageable, while still having fill coverage.
Thanks for the advice. I’ll see if there’s an area where I can store a reel but I hate having more clutter than I need. Once school starts the kids hardly use the pool but I figured it could be worth keeping the temp stable so the heater doesn’t have to work as long to get the temp up when they do. Last year without it we were still swimming into October before it got too cold outside to enjoy it.
Hoster
Silver Supporter
Better than nothing so I would continue to use it - removing may be painful though . Even if you get a "new" cover, it should pay back within a season or two: 1) I used less chlorine (SWG or store liquid chlorine), 2) I only used my heater once this season so less electricity, 3) less water / evaporation
. Even if you get a "new" cover, it should pay back within a season or two: 1) I used less chlorine (SWG or store liquid chlorine), 2) I only used my heater once this season so less electricity, 3) less water / evaporation