I'm thinking of buying a solar pool cover for our swimming pool. I
understand that these work by cutting the evaporation (there's some
useful info at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/...mytopic=13140).
But our pool is kidney-shaped, and it's not clear to me whether it
would be better to

(1) cut the cover to the shape of the pool, or

(2) keep the cover rectangular, but don't cover all the water.

Are there durability issues if I do (1)? From what I've read, it
should buy a reel to make it easier to put on and take off. I'm
concerned that using the cover every day during the cooler season would
mean that the wider parts of the cover would rub on the narrower parts
of the pool as I reel it back and forth, and wear it out (more!)
quickly.

It's also unclear to me how well I can fit it when I do the cutting,
and whether a little excess cover or a little open water is better (or
maybe this doesn't make much difference).

Mike

I dunno on this one but I would say cut the cover.

As far as a reel or no reel depends on how much cover/pool we are
talking about. If is small enough you could probably just fold it a
few times and lift it out (we used to do this at my parents before they
got a reel.)

I dont see how much harm it would do if you did reel it though.. Those
are pretty flexible...

I would cut it as close as you can get it..it is a pain if it is cut
big but if it is a hair small you wont lose that much heat.

Hope this helps

Josh

wrote:
I'm thinking of buying a solar pool cover for our swimming pool. I
understand that these work by cutting the evaporation (there's some
useful info at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/...mytopic=13140).
But our pool is kidney-shaped, and it's not clear to me whether it
would be better to

(1) cut the cover to the shape of the pool, or

(2) keep the cover rectangular, but don't cover all the water.

Are there durability issues if I do (1)? From what I've read, it
should buy a reel to make it easier to put on and take off. I'm
concerned that using the cover every day during the cooler season would
mean that the wider parts of the cover would rub on the narrower parts
of the pool as I reel it back and forth, and wear it out (more!)
quickly.

It's also unclear to me how well I can fit it when I do the cutting,
and whether a little excess cover or a little open water is better (or
maybe this doesn't make much difference).

Mike

wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a solar pool cover for our swimming pool. I
understand that these work by cutting the evaporation...

They also gain solar heat, esp clear vs blue covers like the $75
No. 441428 14'x28' version from solarcovers.com (800) 433-4701.

But our pool is kidney-shaped, and it's not clear to me whether it
would be better to

(1) cut the cover to the shape of the pool, or

(2) keep the cover rectangular, but don't cover all the water.

How about

(3) keep the cover rectangular, but cover all the water?

The extra solar collecting area will help by keeping the ground warmer.
You might buy 2 covers and cut the bottom one to fit the pool and pump
water up over that part and let it drain back into the pool during the day.

Nick

wrote in message
oups.com...

I'm thinking of buying a solar pool cover for our swimming pool. I
understand that these work by cutting the evaporation (there's some
useful info at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/...mytopic=13140).

Thermal insulation is the main function of a "solar blanket."
Evaporation occurs mainly in direct sunlight.

But our pool is kidney-shaped, and it's not clear to me whether it
would be better to

(1) cut the cover to the shape of the pool, or

(2) keep the cover rectangular, but don't cover all the water.

Are there durability issues if I do (1)? From what I've read, it
should buy a reel to make it easier to put on and take off. I'm
concerned that using the cover every day during the cooler season would
mean that the wider parts of the cover would rub on the narrower parts
of the pool as I reel it back and forth, and wear it out (more!)
quickly.

1. The cheaper solar blankets do not last long, 4 to 7
years, before the plastic developes holes.
2. Friction damage is reduced by (a) storing the blanket
on a roller, (b) elevating the roller a foot higher than
the rim of the pool.

It's also unclear to me how well I can fit it when I do the cutting,
and whether a little excess cover or a little open water is better (or
maybe this doesn't make much difference).

1. Float the blanket on the water.
2. Decide how to fasten the blanket to the roller,
i.e. position the roller conveniently and measure
how long the various straps should be. There
should be a strap or connector every three feet or so.
3. Secure the blanket to the roller and confirm that
it the roller spools up freely. The lumpier it is, the
more height you will need; but the blanket will roll
up smoothly when excess material is removed and
the lengths of the straps are exact.
4. Float the blanket on the water and cut off the
excess, to fit the pool.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

wrote in
:

wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a solar pool cover for our swimming pool. I
understand that these work by cutting the evaporation...

They also gain solar heat, esp clear vs blue covers like the $75
No. 441428 14'x28' version from solarcovers.com (800) 433-4701.

But our pool is kidney-shaped, and it's not clear to me whether it
would be better to

(1) cut the cover to the shape of the pool, or

(2) keep the cover rectangular, but don't cover all the water.

How about

(3) keep the cover rectangular, but cover all the water?

Bad idea(3). The part of the cover overlapping the sides of the pool will
catch the wind and it will get blown off or out of position.

Don Phillipson wrote:
Thermal insulation is the main function of a "solar blanket."
Evaporation occurs mainly in direct sunlight.

FWIW, from my observation it occurs when the water is warmer than the
air, including at night. It's obvious in the early morning, when the
sun's rays are nearly horizontal, and I can see the mist rising up.
The humidity of the air is probably a factor, too--I suppose the
evaporation is more obvious when the air is humid, but occurs at least
as much (maybe more) when the air is dry.

1. Float the blanket on the water.
2. Decide how to fasten the blanket to the roller,
i.e. position the roller conveniently and measure
how long the various straps should be. There
should be a strap or connector every three feet or so.
3. Secure the blanket to the roller and confirm that
it the roller spools up freely. The lumpier it is, the
more height you will need; but the blanket will roll
up smoothly when excess material is removed and
the lengths of the straps are exact.

The lumpier what is? I guess you mean that if the blanket isn't
rectangular, the rolled up blanket will have "troughs" where parts have
been cut away?

4. Float the blanket on the water and cut off the
excess, to fit the pool.

Thanks for the tips!

GoHabsGo wrote:

wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a solar pool cover for our swimming pool. I
understand that these work by cutting the evaporation...

They also gain solar heat, esp clear vs blue covers like the $75
No. 441428 14'x28' version from solarcovers.com (800) 433-4701.

But our pool is kidney-shaped, and it's not clear to me whether it
would be better to

(1) cut the cover to the shape of the pool, or

(2) keep the cover rectangular, but don't cover all the water.

How about

(3) keep the cover rectangular, but cover all the water?

Bad idea(3). The part of the cover overlapping the sides of the pool will
catch the wind and it will get blown off or out of position.

An owner/tinkerer might find a way to prevent that. Another option is
be no cutting, except for a hole in the center of the bottom cover.

Nick

In alt.solar.thermal wrote:
wrote:

They also gain solar heat, esp clear vs blue covers like the $75
No. 441428 14'x28' version from solarcovers.com (800) 433-4701.

Clear is better? Why are most of them blue then, just appearance?

But our pool is kidney-shaped, and it's not clear to me whether it
would be better to

(1) cut the cover to the shape of the pool, or

Cut it to fit the kidney. When you get ready to roll it up, flip the
excess part onto the main part, and roll. Don't drag it around the bulge,
and don't leave a big area of uncovered water.

I would definitely get a reel, if the cover is too large to handle easily
by yourself. Our 12x32 cover was a chore to take off and put on. It's no
big deal with the reel. We have one area that sticks out, and I just fold
that in before I reel it up.

(3) keep the cover rectangular, but cover all the water?

The extra solar collecting area will help by keeping the ground warmer.
You might buy 2 covers and cut the bottom one to fit the pool and pump
water up over that part and let it drain back into the pool during the day.

The portion of the cover that is not in contact with water would overheat
and ruin the bubbles.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

In alt.solar.thermal Don Phillipson wrote:

2. Friction damage is reduced by (a) storing the blanket
on a roller, (b) elevating the roller a foot higher than
the rim of the pool.

My roller is about 3 feet from the end of the pool, out over the water, so
the cover doesn't drag at all. Then the reel rolls out of the way.
http://www.feherguard.com/_newpages_...eyhandplusanch

2. Decide how to fasten the blanket to the roller,
i.e. position the roller conveniently and measure
how long the various straps should be. There
should be a strap or connector every three feet or so.

The stupid straps rot out every year. I would expect that a product
designed to be used on a pool would withstand sun and chlorine better than
this strapping does. And it's an odd size which weaves through the
attachment plates, so I can't readily substitute some other material.

4. Float the blanket on the water and cut off the
excess, to fit the pool.

Leave the cover cut a little large for a few days. It will expand some,
and it's easier to cut it again that to glue it back together. ;-)

The loss by having it too small is one factor, but you also don't want to
have enough open water for wind to get under the edge of the blanket.
Keeping it close to the wall, maybe under the lip of the pool edge, keeps
the wind out.


I have purchased some products from http://www.aqua-pool-warehouse.com/
That's not where I got the solar reel with the rotting straps.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

wrote:

wrote:

wrote:

They also gain solar heat, esp clear vs blue covers like the $75
No. 441428 14'x28' version from solarcovers.com (800) 433-4701.

Clear is better? Why are most of them blue then, just appearance?

Yeah. Dumb.

(3) keep the cover rectangular, but cover all the water?

The extra solar collecting area will help by keeping the ground warmer.
You might buy 2 covers and cut the bottom one to fit the pool and pump
water up over that part and let it drain back into the pool during the day.

The portion of the cover that is not in contact with water would overheat
and ruin the bubbles.

Maybe you missed the part about pumping water over the bottom cover,
or you don't know that polyethylene film is transparent to UV,
which limits the max temp.

Nick

wrote:
I'm thinking of buying a solar pool cover for our swimming pool. I
understand that these work by cutting the evaporation (there's some
useful info at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/...mytopic=13140).
But our pool is kidney-shaped, and it's not clear to me whether it
would be better to

(1) cut the cover to the shape of the pool, or

(2) keep the cover rectangular, but don't cover all the water.

I had a Kidney shaped pool for twenty years and used a solar blanket
most every day.
By all means cut it. It's pretty easy and will loo better. Also it will
cover the surface better.

Are there durability issues if I do (1)? From what I've read, it
should buy a reel to make it easier to put on and take off. I'm
concerned that using the cover every day during the cooler season would
mean that the wider parts of the cover would rub on the narrower parts
of the pool as I reel it back and forth, and wear it out (more!)
quickly.

I'd buy a reaal, but don't worry about it wearing out from rubbing.
Mine
rubbed everytime I realed it in. They always wore out due to UV light
and chlorine
eventually destroying the plastic. I found that a 5 year blanket lasted
5 years.
I'd buy the thickest they make. I always mail ordered mine. A lot
cheaper than the local pool place.


It's also unclear to me how well I can fit it when I do the cutting,
and whether a little excess cover or a little open water is better (or
maybe this doesn't make much difference).


I've cut it too short more than once. Unless its really bad, i really
doubt you'd see any difference. When I cut mine it cut it too big then
when back later and trimmed it up.

I found the greatest benefit of these things is preventing heat loss at
night. It helps
durring the day too, but I found that it kept in more heat during the
night than it generated during the day, but that was in Oregon were the
nights get cool even if it gets in the 80's during the day.

Tom

In alt.solar.thermal wrote:
wrote:
wrote:

The extra solar collecting area will help by keeping the ground
warmer. You might buy 2 covers and cut the bottom one to fit the pool
and pump water up over that part and let it drain back into the pool
during the day.

The portion of the cover that is not in contact with water would
overheat and ruin the bubbles.

Maybe you missed the part about pumping water over the bottom cover,

I did miss the construction of this two cover arrangement. Describe that
in a little more detail, if you don't mind.

or you don't know that polyethylene film is transparent to UV,
which limits the max temp.

The cover seems to be damaged by exposure to the sun in a short period of
time. The covers come with opaque white sheets that are supposed to be put
over the cover when it is off the pool. The little bubbles seem to
overheat and distort.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5