Aquamatic Solar Hydramatic Pool Cover: The Ultimate Retrofit

Aquamatic Cover Systems has been a pioneer in the pool cover industry for over four decades. Founded in the late ’70s in Vancouver, British Columbia, and later establishing a California corporation in 1980, Aquamatic has consistently led the market in innovation. “We have more patent technology than all the other cover manufacturers combined,” boasts Tom Dankel, Vice President of Aquamatic. The company’s reputation for pushing the envelope in design and integration has made it a leader in the automatic pool cover market, continually raising the bar over the last 40 years.

The latest innovation from Aquamatic is the Solar Hydramatic pool cover, a product that is set to revolutionize the way pool owners think about solar energy and pool covers. Solar energy is a rapidly growing market, and Aquamatic is at the forefront of integrating this technology into their products. According to Dankel, “Solar is definitely the rage right now. Pool owners want to know how they can have solar heat in their pool and save money on equipment operations with solar. The Solar Hydramatic pool cover is our answer to that demand.”

The Solar Hydramatic Cover: A Revolutionary Product For The Retrofit Market

One of the primary motivations for developing the Solar Hydramatic cover was to address the needs of retrofit applications. “This product is ideal on retrofit applications,” explains Dankel. “There are over ten and a half million pools out there, and only a fraction of them have automatic covers. The market for retrofit covers is huge and largely untapped by the pool industry.” The Solar Hydramatic cover allows for easier and more cost-effective installations on existing pools, which previously could be prohibitively expensive due to the need for extensive underground electrical work.

Dankel elaborates on the challenges of traditional installations: “If you have a pool with 20 feet of deck in every direction, and the pool equipment is 100 feet around the other side of the house, the costs associated with doing a saw cut in the deck can be very high. Some decks, especially those made of materials like travertine, just can’t be cut without leaving visible marks.” The Solar Hydramatic cover eliminates these issues by utilizing solar panels to power the hydraulic system, thus reducing the need for disruptive and costly electrical work.

Solar Hydramatic Cover: Under The Hood

The Solar Hydramatic cover is built on Aquamatic’s tried and true all-fluid drive hydraulic system, first developed in the late ’80s. “Instead of using alternating currents and having a power unit plugged in at the equipment pad, we now have a solar panel feeding a battery, which then powers the Hydramatic cover via a direct current hydraulic power pack,” says Dankel. This innovation not only makes the system more accessible and affordable but also reduces the environmental impact of operating an automatic pool cover.

Aquamatic has also focused on improving the components of their system. “We started with four solar panels, but we’ve since found a better panel that can do the work of four. We’ve also learned which battery technologies are best, and now use a lithium battery with Bluetooth capabilities to monitor power levels,” Dankel explains. These advancements ensure that the Solar Hydramatic cover is not only efficient but also reliable and easy to maintain.

The hydraulic power pack system offers several advantages over traditional motorized systems. Dankel explains, “What makes our system unique is the use of two hydraulic torque motors—one to open the cover and one to close it. This eliminates the need for mechanical linkage and lubrication, making our system incredibly robust and simple to maintain.” The durability of this system is backed by a 20-year warranty, a testament to Aquamatic’s confidence in their product.

In terms of energy efficiency and environmental impact, the Solar Hydramatic cover excels. “Evaporative loss is a huge issue for pools, especially in hot climates with wind. By reducing water loss, our cover also reduces the need for chemical treatments and reheating, saving energy and costs for the pool owner,” says Dankel. Independent studies by Cal Poly and the US Department of Energy confirm the effectiveness of pool covers in reducing evaporative loss, and Dankel notes that the savings can result in a full return on investment over time.

Easy Installation Process

One of the key advantages of the Solar Hydramatic is its ease of installation, making it an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts. “In fact, all of our covers are designed not only for builders but also for homeowners,” says Dankel. “We’re the only cover manufacturer that lets people DIY it. I know other cover manufacturers have said, ‘No, you have to have an authorized installer.’ But frankly, I’ve seen end users who have done their installations, and they’re doing it themselves. They’re not rushed to go off to the next job and these things look absolutely perfect.”

The installation process itself is straightforward, especially for retrofit applications. “The most difficult part of doing, let’s say, a retrofit to do the Solar Hydramatic is just making sure your tracks are equidistant and the correct dimension,” Dankel explains. For rectangular pools, this process is relatively simple. For freeform pools, it’s about establishing a rectangle over the maximum width and length. “You just have to do your diagonals, do your space width, and make sure those numbers are right. And then you start drilling the tracks down. The mechanism itself assembles with only four bolts. That’s it. Just four bolts and the entire system is assembled.”

Dankel emphasizes the simplicity and reliability of the system, noting that it “lines itself up with the back of the track, so you can’t misalign that. So assuming your tracks are straight, this thing locks into the back of the track. So your positioning is absolutely spot on. Two people can easily do an install in four or five hours.”

Primary Market: Builders & DIYers

The primary customers for the Solar Hydramatic cover are those looking for retrofit solutions for existing pools. “Most of our business comes from builders on new construction, but we’re seeing more end-users finding us online and opting for our products,” says Dankel. The retrofit market presents a significant opportunity for growth, as more pool owners look to enhance their pools with automatic covers.

For those considering a retrofit pool cover, the Solar Hydramatic is an ideal solution. Its ease of installation, energy efficiency, and safety features make it a perfect choice for DIY enthusiasts and professional builders alike. Aquamatic’s commitment to innovation and quality ensures that the Solar Hydramatic cover will continue to set the standard in the industry for years to come.

Ready to Take a Deeper Dive?

Listen to our entire conversation with Tom Dankel of Aquamatic and learn more about the Solar Hydramatic pool cover on the Pool Magazine podcast.