solar pool cover reels

Hello people- I am interested in installing a solar pool cover reel -- But I must tell you that i have 2 left hands-- not really- BUT I would rather not destroy MY pool by drilling holes in it- without an expert doing it-- So what i would like some advice on is- this-- is there an EASY way to make this reel type solar cover apparatus that I can make easily and efficiently that will do the same job- I would need some detailed instructions as well--- So please give this some thought for us- we thank you.. Also I read something about 2 different ways to keep a pool warm--
1)One is a SOLAR pool heater-- what is that and how costly would that be - and is that an easy install??? ( My pool is above ground- 15' x 24" Oval)
2)last is a LIQUID solar pool cover-- and the article I read says you can swim in it and it last for about 30 days??? What exactly is that and is it really OK to swim in for eyes etc and skin?? what do you guys think of this idea?---
I am trying to do a few different ways to make my pool warmer- and if I do a few of these things- maybe I can make my pool into a spa???? Ha ha--
Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you people soon. Thanks

 

If your considering the solar covers that look like bubble wrap, forget it, they dont work!

 

With or without solar heating help...... you need sun. You need sun all day long on the pool.

Solar pools covers are a nuisance. I've had two of them on my inground 20x40 pool. They were of the bubble wrap style and they do work but they are a pain to roll up out of the way. I had a fixed reel at one end that was always in the way and I had one on wheels that kept rolling into the pool. Other than heating..... they are good to cover the pool with if your are in an area with a lot of trees. A major plus with a solar cover is keeping the heat in the water at night.

The stuff you pour on the water is marginal at best. I've never used it as I wouldn't want to swim with that stuff floating on the water. I know others that have used it and didn't achieve much results.

The reels are the inexpensive part of the system if you already have a cover.

 

I had a smaller pool than Pjmax and my solar cover did work. I would only use it in early spring and late fall to extend the season and minimize the hassle factor by only using it when needed. While it did work it's a marginal improvement. You're not going to warm the water from 50 to 80f but it can give you a few degrees. They also have the side benefit of slowing evaporation.

But, solar covers are a pain to deal with. there is no such thing as a quick dip in the pool when you have to go out before hand and remove the cover. Then take your swim. Then put the cover back in place. It's OK if you're going to use the pool for a while but it's too much hassle for a quick dip to cool off after mowing the lawn.

 

I gess what iam asking- is i did have a bubble wrap solar cover and it did OK for a bit- BUT it ripped and was a hassle to take off an put on as you say-- that is why I am asking about a reel? Someone also told me something weird-- to put two posts inn the ground behind the pool where the filter is and make a flat platform style resting place to lay the rolled cover on it and put some strings on the cover and then pull the strings to unroll it and vice versa-- sort of a home made reel as you might call it-- slounds crazy?? Not sure-

 

I made a stand and reel for my cover. I recessed it so the reel was below the deck level of the pool and didn't block the view while you were in the pool. I also had several pieces of rope under the cover to use when pulling out (extending) the cover. The rope provided a handle and I had a long single piece of rope in the center so I could walk to the other end of the pool and pull on the rope to extend the cover. The rope remained in place and got rolled up with the cover when retracting it.

 

You're describing more of a resting place than a reel. If it's close enough to the pool it would work. Dragging the cover isn't too healthy for it and you found out how easy they rip.

My biggest problem is that I have the diving board at the deep end and the patio at the shallow end. The deep end is the out of the way area but the diving board was in the way. I had a reel under the diving board on wheels that worked ok but tried to roll as the cover was rolled on it.

 

what if i buy a little bigger than needed cover and use something like a broomstick thats longer than the width of the pool and sort of roll a little portion of the solar cover around the broomstick( and secure it to the broomstick- and when needed just roll the stick across the edge of the pool(you know the metal rim of the pool above ground until it covers the pool at night then do the opposite before using and just lay it on the ground when not in use- that sort of sounds like something that may be the easiest and most doable.???

 

The "stick" will not roll at the same speed the cover rolls up.
You didn't previously mention it was above ground or the size but it will take two people to pick up the rolled cover and put it on the ground.