Posted: 3/3/2004 10:57:39 AM EDT
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I got a pool between 20 and 25,000 gallon. I don't want to use a $$heater$$ to warm it up. What is a good solar pool cover that will keep the damn thing warm? It seems like by the time May comes around it is still cold. The winters, up here in the high desert are similar to Las Vegas if that helps. |
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I have a 12 mill bubblewrap cover with reel. I got it at the local Pool Supply chain here in Fl. This link has one that is the same specs: [url]http://www.aqua-pool-warehouse.com/Catalogs/catSolarCovers/inground_solar_blankets_bv.asp[/url] It works for me, but our cold season isn't very long. My biggest problem is cooling the pool in the summer - I run my pump and roof solar system only at night to radiate the heat that accumulates during the day. |
| Solar covers do work at getting the pool warmer than it would be without it. The pool will be much dirtier than without one though so you trade heatr for dirt. When the cover is on the skimmer can't do it's job and if you have a suction side sweep it wont be able to pull its hose around with the cover on top of it. I also recommend hosing the cover off before you put it on and a day before you pull it off of the pool, yes I mean hose it off while it is on top of the pool, at least the dirt will settle and not be floating around the top or in the middle of the pool. |
| I'll also say, I've been in the business for about 15 years and own All Seasons Pools here in Las Vegas for the past 5 years. If your in Cali I can also order you anything you may need at wholesale cost and have it shipped right to your front door. This is good for expensive things like sweeps, heaters and other large items. Let me know. Bob |
| I had a hard time keeping my pool clean with the solar cover. I have solar panels on my roof but they dont work well enough to keep the pool warm during the winter. Another downside with them is condensation at night even if pump is off, I have water running down the roof. During the summer it works too well. My pool is around 35,000 gallons and the solar heater has the potential to bring the water up to around 90+ degrees. |
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We had the same problem when I was a kid. It was almost impossible to keep the pool warm because the evaporation in the dry desert cooled the water too much. Swamp coolers sure worked well though. BTW, what part of the high desert are you in? I grew in Ridgecrest/China Lake. |
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Quoted: We had the same problem when I was a kid. It was almost impossible to keep the pool warm because the evaporation in the dry desert cooled the water too much. Swamp coolers sure worked well though. BTW, what part of the high desert are you in? I grew in Ridgecrest/China Lake. Apple Valley. China lake is about 90 miles west of me. |
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Quoted: [b]Atencio[/b], you should have a valve that you can cut off the amount of water going up to the roof if it gets too hot. Yeah, it has a temperature control knob, not sure how precise it is. I was just pointing out how hot it could get. Question. If i have pump off I get condensation at night. If I manually turn off solar panels I don't. Looking at the valve that opens and closes to panels it does the same thing for both actions. Any ideas why? |
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Quoted: Yeah, it has a temperature control knob, not sure how precise it is. I was just pointing out how hot it could get. Question. If i have pump off I get condensation at night. If I manually turn off solar panels I don't. Looking at the valve that opens and closes to panels it does the same thing for both actions. Any ideas why? I really don't know, since moving to Vegas 10 years ago I have forgotten what consensation/dew looks like. It is really dry here. I tried to IM you back but your box is full, empty some IM's and let me know so I can reply to your IM. Bob |
| Do those things really work? I used to take a 7:00 AM summer swimming course back in college, and even in July, the water was still friggin' freezing when they took the cover off. I don't think the pool retained any heat from the previous day. And it would get into the 100's the previous day. |
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TJ, you will DEFINITELY notice improvement using a cover as you lose as much heat through evaporation as conduction due to the high altitude and low relative humidity. Don't worry about the skimmer. With a good cover, you will have a lot less stuff blowing in and as long as you keep the Cl level correct, all will be fine. |
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Quoted: TJ, you will DEFINITELY notice improvement using a cover as you lose as much heat through evaporation as conduction due to the high altitude and low relative humidity. Don't worry about the skimmer. With a good cover, you will have a lot less stuff blowing in and as long as you keep the Cl level correct, all will be fine. The problem with dirt is it all collects around the edges of the cover and when it is pulled off it falls in, same when the cover is pushed back on. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Yeah, it has a temperature control knob, not sure how precise it is. I was just pointing out how hot it could get. Question. If i have pump off I get condensation at night. If I manually turn off solar panels I don't. Looking at the valve that opens and closes to panels it does the same thing for both actions. Any ideas why? I really don't know, since moving to Vegas 10 years ago I have forgotten what consensation/dew looks like. It is really dry here. I tried to IM you back but your box is full, empty some IM's and let me know so I can reply to your IM. Bob OK, cleaned it out Thx |