Coverstar Automatic Cover Considerations

Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, would like to share the following items to consider when building a pool that will include an automatic cover.

• • Switch location- Having the switch correctly located can prevent many problems and costly repairs. When selecting a location for the switch, keep in mind that you must be able to see the entire pool at all times.
  
  
  
  
  
  It is best if you can be closer to the Leading Edge Bar when the cover is in the open position so you can see that the cover is running straight. We recommend that the switch be located along the length of the pool halfway between the middle of the pool and the mechanism end, not more than twelve feet from water’s edge. Poorly located switches are one of the largest contributors to cover failure because of visibility challenges when operating the cover.

• Drop to water - Drop to water refers to the distance from the cover track to the water level in the pool. For the best possible results, it is important to keep the track as close to the water level as possible. Strive to keep your cover tracks within 4 inches of the water’s surface. The drop to water will be a little more than this in cases where the track is mounted on top of the pool deck. 

• Drag (or resistance) - It takes almost no effort to push or pull a cover across water. Pulling a cover across a dry surface can create a lot of drag or resistance. This drag commonly occurs on freeform pools where the cover guides are mounted outside the shape of the pool.

One way to combat drag is to limit these drag areas to 10% of the total cover size. This is done by keeping the cover tracks as close to edge of the pool as possible. Another way to handle drag is by using blowers. Lifting a cover with blowers requires a significant amount of air flow (more than you might think) and must be done properly. Blowers will create a cushion of air that the cover will ride on rather than riding on the dry surface, significantly reducing the amount of drag.  

 

• Drains- Lack of sufficient drainage is the most frequent cause of cover failure. When a cover housing is flooded, it is not just the motor that might be damaged. The roll-up tube often fills with water, which can weigh several hundred pounds causing the tube to fail and the cover to rip. The best way to protect your automatic cover is to have proper drainage. We recommend at least one three inch (3”) drain. Increasing the size of your drain to four inches (4”) can offer additional protection.  Additional drains can be added to further prevent the possibility of flooding. Drain pipe smaller than three inches is not recommended.

By following the above guidelines, we are confident that your automatic safety cover project will be a pleasant and trouble free experience.

For more information on Coverstar Automatic Covers, please visit www.coverstar.com.

AutoDrain - Automatic Cover Pump

A few months ago, Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, announced the release of AutoDrain.  AutoDrain is a unique cover pump that rides on the cover fabric and positions itself on the automatic safety cover.

The AutoDrain will help keep the closed pool safe as because it turns on automatically when water is detected and will continue to operate until the water has been removed from the top of the cover, eliminating the safety hazard of standing water on the cover. 

Because the AutoDrain positions itself on the cover automatically, it eliminates the need for the homeowner to manually place and remove the cover pump every time the cover is operated, making Coverstar the only truly automatic cover system.

The AutoDrain can be installed on an existing Coverstar automatic covers.  In these cases, a  2-1/2" clearance is required between the pool wall and the bottom of the cover housing lid. 

AutoDrain can be ordered using part number A0060.

For more information on this and other Coverstar Automatic Cover products, please go to www.coverstar.com. 

Preparing your Automatic Cover for Spring

As the swimming season is quickly approaching, swimming pools will soon be uncovered, cleaned, chemicals balanced and prepared for family fun, relaxation and entertaining friends. We would like to remind you that in addition to preparing your pool for spring, it is also important to prepare your Coverstar Automatic Safety Cover for the swimming season. Like anything that is exposed to harsh chemicals and wide variations in environmental conditions, a pool cover also needs regular maintenance.

We recommend that the following items be checked each spring to insure that you’re Coverstar automatic safety cover will operate smoothly and perform reliably.

· Lubricate all pulleys

·Adjust the torque limiter

· Adjust the ropes for smooth cover operation

· Flush dirt from the cover track

· Tighten loose bolts and screws

· Clean leaves and debris out of the cover box and make sure there is adequate drainage from the cover box

· Clean the cover

· Replace sliders and pulleys as needed

In addition to servicing your cover system, spring is a great time to inspect your automatic cover fabric to determine if it needs to be replaced. 

When inspecting your cover, it is important to look for the following:



Look for wear and tear.
Pool chemicals, temperature variations and ultra violet light can break down the pool cover fabric over time. Look for cracks, peeling and week spots on the cover where water may be seeping through the surface.







Feel the cover fabric.
Pool cover fabric should be pliable and supple. When a cover becomes too stiff and brittle, there's a good chance the fabric may need to be repaired or replaced.






Inspect sewn webbing stitching.
Traditional sewn webbing is a likely source of cover problems. On standard pool covers, sewn threads can become frayed, cut or disintegrate over time, leading to cover failure. A cover with sewn webbing is only as safe as the stitching that holds it together. Coverstar is the only automatic cover manufacturer that produces covers with Heat Sealed Webbing, thus eliminating the stitching.





Watch for sewn webbing bunching.
Covers with sewn webbing can bunch up around the rope, which may cause the fabric to catch and tear as it passes through the cover guide feeds.

By properly maintaining your Coverstar Automatic Safety Cover, it will continue to provide the best protection available for your family and your pool investment.  For more information, go to www.coverstar.com.