Solar reel position and use

[retrowave]

Hello all,

I've been considering a solar cover but due to the pool's irregular shape and obstructions at both ends I'm having a hard time envisioning how exactly a reel would be positioned/used/stored. I know that for me, realistically, a solar cover is only going to get used if there's a solution that allows me to:
- Retract and deploy it by myself
- Move the reel, if necessary, by myself
- Not require removing/reinstalling the stair railing every time (but if I can be certain there's no code/insurance/etc. requirement for it I'm willing to just leave it out and install when there's company)

I'm seeing that for oval pools in general the manufacturers seem to recommend placing the reel roughly where the shallow end stops; it would roll up the shallow and deep end areas of the cover simultaneously. Then to get the reel out of the way I'm assuming you just swing one end around the shallow end and push to the side? Is anyone doing this without accidentally dumping the reel in the water or going back and forth a dozen times to maneuver it?

I was also thinking of cutting the cover in half and using two smaller reels along the long sides of the pool, but I'm reluctant to make that investment without some confidence it will work.

Looking for any ideas and advice.
Thanks,
Ryan

 

[PoolStored]

Might check out this... @mas985 came up with for odd shaped pool...

Featured - DIY Solar Cover Roller

Someone in another thread had asked about how I built my own solar cover roller. So here it is. Initially, I had purchased a SolarRoller and it worked pretty well for about three years after which the aluminum pipe corroded through. So I looked at several alternatives and came up with the...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[retrowave]

Might check out this... @mas985 came up with for odd shaped pool...

Featured - DIY Solar Cover Roller

Someone in another thread had asked about how I built my own solar cover roller. So here it is. Initially, I had purchased a SolarRoller and it worked pretty well for about three years after which the aluminum pipe corroded through. So I looked at several alternatives and came up with the...

www.troublefreepool.com

Interesting, I posted some questions about that solution over there. I initially figured a manufactured reel would have to be the easiest solution - with many things in life, if an expensive solution to a problem exists it's because it's the least effort way to deal with it, and surely someone who sells reels would have something figured out for almost any situation? Seems like if a reel wasn't considered in the design stage there's just no good way to make it happen.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Your pool is actually pretty ideal for a reel. My last pool was very similar in design and I was able to deploy it and retract it by myself. The toughest challenge is pulling the long end out. I would use my pole with brush attachment to pull it towards the opposite end of the pool. My pool didn't have a ladder but I don't see why you couldn't just trim around it.

For retracting the cover, as long as you take your time and tug and pull as needed to adjust, you should be able to handle it by yourself. Once completely rolled, you simply grab one end of the reel and walk it around to the opposite side of the pool. My reel and solar cover was light enough that I was able to pick it up from the middle and walk it to the side of the house. Yours may be a bit heavy for that based on the size of your pool.

If that was my pool, I would set it up directly over the shallow end skimmer. The fold created by the strap clips creates a fold upward. Before removing the cover, I would use a hose to rinse off the cover and direct debris into the skimmer. This would keep most of the junk from falling in the pool when removing the cover.

Take a look at the video below. I'm not endorsing the product, but it's a good demonstration of how to set it up on your pool.