Elite REEL SYSTEMS
SIGNATURE

INGROUND REEL SYSTEM
for Solar Covers up to 20'x40'

PLACEMENT OF DIFFERENT SHAPE POOLS:

Before assembling the reel, determine its best location on the pool. The end of the pool is most often the preferred location. On some pools, a mid-point location may be required to avoid diving boards and ladders. Solar Blanket may be folded in to avoid using a larger reel.

HELPFUL HINTS:

  1. Always place white protective cover over blanket and secure.
  2. Make sure cover is properly trimmed away from pool’s edge.
  3. If tubing is sagging, refer to “Assembly of Tubing”
  4. If your pool is kidney shaped, you may only need 3 straps to attach to tubing. Refer to “Preferred Reel Placement”.
  5. You may cut down the smaller tubes to custom fit the reel to your pool width. This does not void the warranty. Overall tube length should be 18” longer than your pool’s width.

SIGNATURE PARTS LIST
Part #DescriptionQtyPart #DescriptionQty
3017Frame23061Bearing4
50069" Shaft13060Collar4
5005Handcrank13063Shaft Bolt4
7010Ingd. Cover Kit13067Shaft Bolt Nut4
30305" Drive Webb23066Tek Fasteners4
3056Neoprene Fasteners82017Frame Cap (Black)4

ALUMINUM TUBING UNIQUE TO EACH REEL SIZE
Pool Width 14' - 18'
30257’0 Alum Tube (inner)2
30267’0 Alum Tube (outer)1
Pool Width 20'
30028’0 Alum Tube (inner)1
30018’0 Alum Tube (outer)2

TOOLS REQUIRED
1) Power Drill w/ Phillips Bit 2) Hex Socket Wrench 3) Allen Wrench 4) Rubber Mallet

I. ASSEMBLY OF FRAME:

  1. Press each bearing into the round tube at the top of the frame. Use rubber mallet to seat the bearing into place.
  2. There are (2) bearings per frame. One for each side of frame. Put bearings into both frames.
  3. If you purchased the optional Signature casters (Pt #7041), place 2” caster through pre-drilled hole in bottom of frame. Attach locking nut and tighten down. Attach (2) Casters to each frame.

II. DETERMINING TUBE LENGTHS:
Refer to Table #1 and Diagram #1
Place sections #1 and #3 into section #2.
Slide sections #1 & #3 out to the desired
TOTAL tube length.
USUALLY THE TOTAL TUBE LENGTH IS THE POOL WIDTH PLUS 2’

III. ASSEMBLY OF FRAME:
Refer to Diagram #2

  1. To fasten tubing, you must always use Section #2 for measurements. Measure 3” from the left end of Section #2 and mark on tube. Use power drill and a sharp 1/2” metal drill bit. Using the groove in the center of the tube for reference, drill a hole through Section #2 and Section #1. Place tube neoprene fastener into the hole. Use a hex socket wrench with 7/16” socket and tighten hex head bolt down completely.
    Refer to STEP 1 / Diagram #2
  2. Rotate tubes 90 °, measure 10” from left end of Section #2. Drill hole through Section #2 and Section #1, place tube neoprene fastener into hole and tighten completely.
    Refer to STEP 2 / Diagram #2
  3. Rotate tubes another 90°, measure 3” from left end of Section #2. Drill hole through Section #2 and Section #1 place tube neoprene fastener into hole and tighten completely.
    Refer to STEP 3.
  4. Rotate tubes another 90 ° measure 10” from left end of Section #2. Repeat directions of STEP 2.
  5. Now go back to all the tube fasteners and re-tighten.
  6. To fasten Section #2 and Section #3 together, take measurements from right end of Section #2, then follow STEPS 1-5.

IV. ASSEMBLY OF SHAFT / HANDCRANK TO 5” DRIVE WEBB
Refer to Diagram #3A & 3B

  1. Take the 9” Shaft (#5006) with 5” Drive Webb (already assembled). Make sure bolt & nut are tight. Align the drilled holes in each piece and connect with the shaft bolt and locking nut. Tighten down firmly.
  2. Now slide the shaft (with Drive Webb) through the bearings in the frame. Push the shaft so that it is extended 1” out of the frame. (see Diagram #3A)
  3. Attach zinc plated collar (#3060) to the 1” extended shaft. Place the collar next to the frame and tighten set screw on collar.
  4. Now take the Handcrank and slide it through the collar. (DO NOT TIGHTEN COLLAR).
  5. Take the Handcrank and slide it through the bearings in the frame. (see Diagram #3B)
  6. Slide 5” Drive Webb onto Handcrank and align the drilled holes in each piece. Take shaft bolt and slide through holes and attach locking nut. Tighten down firmly.
  7. Place the collar next to frame end & tighten set screw on collar.
  8. You should now have the Shaft /5” Drive Webb attached to one frame & the Handcrank / 5” Drive Webb attached to the other frame.

V. ASSEMBLY OF FRAMES TO ALUMINUM TUBING

  1. Take the frame with the shaft / 5” Drive Webb and align it with the groove on the upper part of the tube. Slide the 5” Drive Webb into tube until it is flush with the tube end. Make sure the Drive Webb cannot turn inside the tube. It must be a tight fit. (see Diagram 3A)
  2. Now take the frame with Handcrank / 5” Drive Webb. Align the 5” Drive Webb with the other end of aluminum tubing. Slide the 5” Drive Webb into the tube until it is flush with the tube end. Make sure the Drive Webb cannot turn inside the tube.
  3. Take (4) Tek tube fasteners and attach tubing to 5” Drive Webb with shaft. (Attach per Diagram #4) Measure 1” in from end of tubing and attach (2) Tek Fasteners through tube and into leg of 5” Drive Webb. Make sure the Tek Screws are 180º apart on tube. Now measure 4” in from end of tubing and attach (2) more Tek Screws. Attach Tek Screw through tube into leg of 5” Drive Webb. Make sure the Tek Screws are 180º apart on tube.
  4. Repeat Step #3 to attach 5” Drive Webb with Handcrank to aluminum tube (see Diagram #5)
  5. You should now have the reel assembled and ready to attach to the cover.

VI. CONNECTING THE COVER TO THE REEL
Refer to Diagram #6

  1. Select a location suitable for pool cover removal, usually on the pool end without steps. Refer to preferred reel placement at beginning of instructions. Make sure the cover is trimmed properly. The tube should be positioned perpendicular to the centerline of the pool as in Diagram #5. PROPER ALIGNMENT BETWEEN POOL COVER AND THE TUBE IS CRITICAL ! Whether your pool is rectangular or irregular in shape, the straps must be placed and installed so that there is equal pull on all straps at the same time to help prevent misalignment of the cover.

VII. ATTACH COVER PLATES TO BLANKET
Refer to Diagram #7

  1. Starting at the one side of the pool cover, position a set of plates (male and female) with the large center slot at the location of the first strap and at least 2” from any edge of the pool cover.
  2. With a sharp instrument, using the female plate as a guide and with the raised edges facing DOWNWARD, punch 3 holes through the plate and cover. The holes must be as wide as the holes in the plate.
  3. Place a male plate under the cover, directly beneath the female plate.
  4. Insert the 2 snaps through the cover and snap together. If the plates do not snap into position with normal force, remove excess cover material.

VIII. ATTACH STRAP / STRAP BUCKLE
Refer to Diagrams #8A, 8B & 8C

  1. With the ridged crossbar on the strap buckle up, slide the buckle onto the strap from the end opposite the Velcro.
  2. Position the buckle at least 25” up from the strap end. Bring the strap underneath the pool cover and up through the center opening in the plate.
  3. Thread the strap end back through the buckle.
  4. Repeat process for each strap.

IX. ATTACH VELCRO HOOK TO ALUMINUM TUBE
Refer to Diagram #9
Tube must be dry and free from grease or dirt.

  1. Place the Velcro end of the strap over the tube.
  2. Standing behind the tube, pull the strap taut and align as straight as possible between the cover plate and the tube.
  3. Remove adhesive backing from the velcro tab and place it firmly into position on top of the tube.
  4. Repeat procedure for each strap, keeping the Velcro adhesive tabs in a line along the top of the tube.
  5. Use the buckles to adjust each strap so all provide equal tension on the tube. This is necessary for proper alignment.

X. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Refer to Diagram #10 & #11

  1. Place reel in a straddling position 2’ from the end of the pool.
  2. Turn Handcrank slowly. The straps will move the cover away from the back edge of the pool and fold over itself toward the tubing.
  3. The cover will continue to fold over itself, eventually going underneath the tube, then up and over - onto the tube.
  4. You may have to straighten/unwrinkle the cover as it wraps onto the tube. The smoother the cover the easier the unrolling will be when putting cover back onto pool.
  5. Suggestion: If you move your reel away from the pool after cover roll up, mark the original position of the basses on your pool deck.
  6. Thank you for purchasing your ELITE reel System. We hope you will enjoy it for many years.

Download