Why Automatic Covers are made with Slack

From time to time the question arises about the need for slack in Coverstar automatic safety covers and how much slack is enough. Regardless of manufacturer, all automatic safety pool cover fabrics are made wider than the width of the track. There are several reasons for this:

1. A cover that is too tight will pull against the tracks and will not operate properly. A cover that is made too small reduces the life of the cover and mechanism, causing premature failure of both the fabric and the mechanism due to the added stress.

2. Fabric shrinks over a period of time. The amount of the shrinkage varies widely according to the weather conditions, particularly the amount of time the cover is exposed to the sun. Slack is always added to the fabric to compensate for potential fabric shrinkage.

3. In order to meet the ASTM safety standards, the cover must lie on the water as most of the supporting strength of the cover comes from the support of the water directly under it.

Each automatic cover that Coverstar manufactures is made with the slack calculated based on the type of track that was used, how far the track is located above the level of the water and the overall size of the cover. Any other variables that may be brought to our attention are also included. Initially, a properly sized cover will drop almost directly down from the track or deck to the water, with some folds & wrinkles as it crosses the pool. Our slack formula is designed to give the cover and mechanism maximum life, as well as making the cover look as attractive as possible.

In some cases, a portion of the slack may be taken up by lowering the water level. However, you should consult with your pool builder or pool service company before doing so. They can advise you exactly where the water level should be to keep the pool equipment operating properly. For more information on Coverstar Automatic Safety Covers, please go to www.coverstar.com. 



 

Coverstar Touch Pad with Wifi

A Coverstar automatic safety cover is the best way to protect your family, your pool and your time. A backyard swimming pool is the ultimate source of family fun! But when it comes to children and pets, it is also the source of safety concerns. No parent can be watching over the pool every minute. No fence or alarm can prevent a child from getting access to an unsupervised pool. A Coverstar automatic safety cover can!

Simply flip a switch, and your Coverstar automatic safety cover will create a barrier over your pool that no child or pet can penetrate. Coverstar is the best protection available for your family and your pool investment.

Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, is proud to offer a new touch pad control switch, which has been given a voice of its own.

What if your pool cover controller could contact you, when you are away from home, to let you know who is using the pool?

Or notify you when your pool cover is closed, letting you know your pool is safe and secure?

What if your pool cover controller could alert you when your pool has been left uncovered?

Now it can with Coverstar!

The Coverstar touchpad with wifi connects to your existing home network. It is easy to set up and will allow you to choose which text or email notifications you want to receive such as:

• When the cover is closed
• When a user code is entered
• When an unauthorized user attempts to log in
• When the cover is left open for longer than a preset amount of time

The Coverstar touchpad allows you to program up to 4 unique user codes, so different members of the family can have their own code. The touchpad can be installed on any new or existing Coverstar automatic cover system.

Let your pool cover connect to you.

To view a video about the touch pad with Wifi, click here

New Solid & Mesh Safety Cover Products

Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, released several new products for solid and mesh safety covers for the 2014 season.  Please see the flyer below for details on the Stainless Steel Flush Wall Anchor, Anchor Extractor Tool and Snap on Perimeter Padding.  

 

 

For more information on these ond other innovative automatic or solid & mesh safety cover products, visit www.coverstar.com

Coverstar Featured Product - 1 inch Flat Leading Edge Tube

Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, has several leading edge tube options available to match the specific pool / spa application that it is being installed on.   One of these leading edge tubes is the 1 inch Flat Leading Edge tube.  It was designed to be used in applications that had previously used a 2 inch round leading edge tube.

The 1 inch flat leading edge tube reduces the amount of horizontal flex by over 8 times. In addition to the increased strength, the new lower 1 inch profile will aid in hidden leading edge applications.




The flat leading bar also includes covered end caps to help provide an improved finished look. This leading edge bar can be used when the automatic cover system will have a guide space that is 12 ft or less, making it a great choice for spas or narrower pools.

When ordering a cover system that will include this leading edge bar, there are two different options that it is compatible with.

The first option is called a loop leading edge. In this application, the front of the cover is made with the cover fabric forming a sleeve or a loop.  The leading edge tube slides into this loop, concealing it so it blends in with the rest of the cover.

The second option is called a rope leading edge. In this application, a rope bead is installed along the front of the cover.  This bead is the locking mechanism that the leading bar can slide onto. When using the rope leading edge option, the aluminum leading edge bar remains exposed as it travels across the pool during the operation of the cover.

For more information on this or other innovative Coverstar Automatic Safety Cover products, please visit us at www.coverstar.com.

New Automatic Cover Products Review

In Apri 2014, Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, announced the release of several new products for the 2014 season.  Since that time, we have installed many of eachof these new products and have received positive feedback about their design, their use and their installation. 

As a reminder, the following new products were released for the 2014 season: 


Wireless Touch Pad Control Switch

• The wireless touch pad control switch can be installed in conjunction with a hard wired receiver touch pad unit.
• This allows a homeowner to install a second touch pad, which is in full view of the pool, in a second location without the need of running conduit.
• The wireless touch pad must be mounted in a secure location.

With this new wireless touch pad, we now have three touch pads available to fit different applications.  (Standard Touch Pad, Touch Pad with Wifi, and Wireless Touch Pad)



CS300HD Spa Mechanism Package

• The CS300HD spa mechanism includes a stronger motor.
• Great solution for spas or small pools up to 12 x 24.
• It features a tuck under gear driven motor which allows the system to be installed with a much smaller motor offset.

Slim Flush Guide

• Slim Flush Guide is a low profile track that positioned outside the shape of the pool.
• It is poured in the deck so it is flush with the top of the finished deck.
• It features a pulley that is mounted to the guide feed and a two inch end pulley to provide smooth cover operation.

2 1/2 Inch Leading Edge Tube

• 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Leading edge tube
• Provides stronger deflection in both the horizontal and vertical directions
• Can be used with either rope or loop cover application.
• Maximum length is 24 ft.

Coverstar is committed to having the highest quality and most durable products on the market.  To see more information on these or other Coverstar automatic cover products, please visit www.coverstar.com.