I understand the differences but is there an advantage of one over the other???
Hydraulic versus Electric Pool cover??
Hydraulic versus Electric Pool cover??
Auto Pool Cover -- Hydraulic or Electric
- Thread starter nikojo
- Start date
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,279
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
A flooded electric pump is likely toast. A flooded hydraulic pump will still function (after water goes down). From what I understand.
I have electric but also have a good setup with a 4" drain that drains easily to lower ground. It gets regularly doused with water overflowing the dam wall so it stays flushed out from leaves, debris or animal nests. Sometimes I drain the autocover into the pit to really get water flowing to give it a good wash.
I wouldn't have an issue either way, unless it was a situation prone to flooding. I'd take the best option for you at the cheaper price over choosing electric vs. hydraulic (unless flooding is a concern).
I have electric but also have a good setup with a 4" drain that drains easily to lower ground. It gets regularly doused with water overflowing the dam wall so it stays flushed out from leaves, debris or animal nests. Sometimes I drain the autocover into the pit to really get water flowing to give it a good wash.
I wouldn't have an issue either way, unless it was a situation prone to flooding. I'd take the best option for you at the cheaper price over choosing electric vs. hydraulic (unless flooding is a concern).
I have an electric that has been care free for 10 years. Mine is a bit unorthodox though. I have mine mounted on the deck about 10 ft before the shallow end and I have storage boxes above it. So ,I essentially have an above ground "vault" as opposed to "vault" below ground level so it cannot flood as is suggested by another poster. I am not familiar with the hydraulic units but there must be an electric motor to run the pump for the hydraulics right? If that is the case, then that motor would also be susceptible unless it is located elsewhere? I also saw in another post that someone had mentioned the hydraulic was potential better because it was "locked". Have to disagree on the insinuation because there is no way to push my electric cover back. No way - no how. Also saw yet another post about broken shear pins on an electric unit because of hitting a ladder that was left down. I am not aware of any shear pins in my system, but I do know mine has current control, meaning, if there is something in the way motor current goes up and the system tells the cover to stop or not move in the first place. I have had mine "over current" numerous times for various reasons and never had to do anything other than to find out what is in the way. Hydraulics sounds like a very robust way to get the job done, but I have been very happy with my electric. No idea which one is more affordably these days though. I am guessing the electric?
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,279
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Yes, it’s typically located at the equipment pad. Then just the hydraulic lines to and from the cover hydraulic motor which is at the cover.
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,279
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Agree it’s a beefy system. Seems to be billed as a premium product (and maybe price). But if the regular one works...
I now see that Coverstar recommends hydraulic motors for large pools. See the attached link for a pdf that mention that and other tidbits.
https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/482...Safety_Covers_Decision_Matrix_White_Paper.pdf
I now see that Coverstar recommends hydraulic motors for large pools. See the attached link for a pdf that mention that and other tidbits.
https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/482...Safety_Covers_Decision_Matrix_White_Paper.pdf