Strapless Solar Blanket Wind-up Method 

Glad you like it. We’ll likely open the pool this weekend, new solar cover and I broke down and bought a new stainless steel windup spool. But still using the same blue rope. Last summer I started pulling more solar cover out to drape over the spool (about 3’-4’ flap) before running the rope across it. If the cover is aligned evenly and square to the pool when the rope bites, it seems to help with tracking.

JenuineAirbrushTan I probably have photos on building my roller, the 24’ center pole is from our original roller. Unfortunately it sags a little from heavy use and slightly run over by a car in the driveway. I rebuilt the pivot using commercial quality plastic cutting boards and a 1” brass pipe for the bearing. Cut and stacked the cutting board pieces. It was a bit of process making the inside core for the pole and getting a tight fit with a true center hole for the brass pipe.

@@ralphgardner6284 Sorry Ralph, I just now saw your replay to this query. No need to reply. Take Care.

heyRalph THANKS!

My bar is made up of about 4” hollow aluminum extrusions. It’s 3 pieces where the center piece telescopes over the 2 end pieces. Each piece is around 9’. Total length on mine is 23’-8” and I’ve bolted it together with a piece of pressure treated wood inside. It’s not the best because over the years of misuse the bar isn’t straight. I bought the spool system from an online pool supply place in the late 1990’s. Over the years I’ve had to rebuild it to the point the only original part left is the actual aluminum bar. I made the triangle base cranks and the bearings several years ago. The key to a good windup system is a stiff bar, a sturdy base that won’t move around, and smooth rolling bearings. If it didn’t weigh a ton that would be a bonus.

A quick check online and they sell the spools or individual spool/bar parts. Check www.doheny.com/pool-supplies/covers/solar-reels or in-the-swim.com. Otherwise you might be able to strengthen a homemade spool with 1/2” or 3/4” galvanized steel conduit readily available at building supply stores, it comes in 10’ lengths but 20’ might be available through electrical supply or fabricators, also fence top rail is also strong, schedule 80 1.5” steel pipe. I might try adding 1 or more pieces of conduit to the bar inside or outside to stiffen it up. Anyway, good luck with your spool

PearlofGreatPrice Octagon pool (above ground?) It sounds challenging. I believe it could work. Ideally you might try rolling from the center and then wheeling the apparatus over to the edge. My roll is 40’ long, so a 24’ package might hold its shape ok if you wind it up from one side. I would begin with a much larger first flap over the center winding pole - see how that works...

Ralph Gardner thanks for taking the time to try to figure it out. I went with the Solar Roller and got a round 24' solar cover.

I've used straps in the past - But I like the spool to be detachable and free from the blanket. Sometimes I walk the edge with the cover on and find stepping over straps annoying. Also, my old straps eventually tore out of the blanket. So, strapless is what I like. This blanket was very thick (14-16 mil) and it was holding several gallons of water making it quite heavy. You can see the pole flexing as I was winding the blanket up. Now, my new solar blanket is lighter and it floats high. My new blanket winds up fast and easy using this method.

Thanks for the reply. I can see other advantages - my straps, though thin, get blown by especially windy days and can lead to the cover getting stripped off. I might try this next cover. I don't envy you having to deal with a pool that looks like a quarter of a football field.

Pool is concrete 20' x 40' - 3ft to 8ft deep- built in the 1960's. It holds about 30,000 gallons of water. I bought a new solar blanket this year and it is much easier to roll up. Side note- I made those spool winders to fit my 20 year old aluminum pole because the original ones fell apart. If the pole wasn't so warped like it is, the blanket would be easier to keep on track. But for 2 people, it is easy to open - if opening the pool alone, you just need to get a good straight start, and keep it coming in slow.

The pool is 20 feet wide by 40 feet long.