Odyssey Freedom EM-2 Operation Instruction

FREEDOM SERIES

EM-2 REEL SYSTEM

Assembly and Operation Instructions

For Solar Covers up to 20’ x 45’ (Max 12 Mil Thickness)

EM-2 INST. 3/03

(2.) 4 PLACES

(1.) 2 PLACES

(3.) 4 PLACES

(4.) 2 PLACES

(13.) 2 PLACES

(5.) 2 PLACES

(7.)

(9.)

(6.) 8 PLACES

(8.)

SEE BLANKET

ATTACHMENT KIT

INSTALLATION

INSTRUCTIONS

(10.)

(14.) 1 PLACE

(11.) CORD SET

(12.) 5 FT. CORD

TIE A DOUBLE KNOT

AT BOTH ENDS

(11.) CORD SET

TOOLS REQUIRED

Power Drill Hex Socket Wrench w/ 7/16” hex socket
Drill bits for cutting metal – 1/2” & 13/64” sizes Phillips Screwdriver

PARTS LIST

PARTS DESCRIPTION PART# QTY PARTS DESCRIPTION PART# QTY

1. Handwheel w/handle 523 2

2. 3/4” Nylon Washers 450 4

8. 6’ Blue Strap 890 8

9. Strap Buckle 800 8

10. Quick Clip Cover Plate 600 8

3. 1-1/4” Phillips Shoulder Bolt 415 4

11. Cord plate Set 610 2

4. Bearing Race Assembly 615 2

5. Main Frame 538 2

6. Neoprene Insert 475 8

7. Velcro Hook Piece 880 8

12. 5’ Return Cord 840 1

13. 8’6” Aluminium Tube (Inner) 216 2

14. 8’6” Aluminium Tube (Outer) 217 1

15. Optional Casters 468 4

PHILLIPS
SHOULDER
BOLT

BEARING RACE

WASHER

HEX HEAD BOLT

OUTER TUBE

INNER

TUBE

NEOPRENE INSERT BODY

HEX HEAD BOLT

NEOPRENE WILL

MUSHROOM AS TIGHTENED

PERFECT

TIGHTNESS

TOO TIGHT

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

OUTER TUBE

SECTION 2

INNER TUBE

SECTION 1 OR 3

STEP 5

NEOPRENE

INSERT

3”

14”

STEP 4

STEP 2

STEP 3STEP 5

END
VIEW

90°

90°

90°

90°

3”

14”

SECTION-1

LENGTH-A

SECTION-3

SECTION-2

LENGTH-A

POOL WIDTH + 2 FT.

OVAL WITH EXTENSION

LAZY “L”

RETANGULAR

INITIAL PREPARATIONS

1. Prior to assembly, select the most suitable location for
the reel, normally 2 ft. from either end of the pool.
However, on irregular pools, a location closer to the
center of the pool may be preferred and at the pools
maximum width. Other considerations are obstructions
(diving boards, hand rails, etc). When in doubt, consult
your dealer or call Odyssey for an evaluation of your
reel placement.

2. BLANKET PREPARATION: In order for your solar blanket to roll
up neatly on the solor reel, allow the blanket to relax on the pool
for a day or two and let the heat of the sun iron out the folds and
creases of the blanket.

EM-2 INST. 3/03

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Remove all Tube Sections and place on a flat ground as in (FIG. 1).
SECTION 1 IS STORED INSIDE OF SECTION 2. Slide sections 1
and 3 out to the desired total tube length. (Usually pool width plus
two feet). Refer to Table #1 and (FIG. 1).

(FIG. 1)

NOTE: Step 2-9 must be followed

or tube sagging will occur

2. To attach the LEFT SIDE of section 1 & 2 tubes.

Using (FIG. 2), with a power drill and a sharp 1/2” bit, Drill a
hole 3” from the left end
of the groove cut in the tube. Drill through both section 1 and

section 2.

(Refer to Step 2)

3. Place neoprene tube insert into the hole. Using a hex

socket wrench and a 7/16” socket, rotate hex head

two (2) complete turns and stop

4. Rotate tube sections 90° and drill a hole 14” from

the left end of the tube section 2

Repeat all instructions in #3 above.

5. Rotate tube sections 90° and drill a hole 3” from

the

left end

of the tube section 2.

Repeat all instructions in #3 above.

6. Rotate tube sections 90° and drill a hole 14” from

the left end

of the tube section 2.

Repeat all instructions in #3 above.

7. Rotate tube sections 90°. Using a hex socket

wrench and a 7/16” socket, to tighten each hex
head an additional

8. Continue to rotate tubes and tighten hex heads until all are tight

and neoprene insert body mushrooms.

Do not overtighten. (SEE FIG. 3)

9. To attach the RIGHT SIDE of section 2 & 3 tubes.

Repeat instructions #2 thru #8
measurements from the RIGHT END of tube section 2

10. ATTACH RACE AND HANDLE TO TUBE–,Place the main

11. Slide bearing race assembly onto each handwheel and seat in

frames in contact with the pool deck, insert tube through the
center openin. Refer to (FIG. 4)

main frame bushing – center opening. Refer to (Step 7).

of the section 2 tube and in the center

.

(Refer to Step 2)

.

(Refer to Step 3)

(Refer to Step 4)

(Refer to Step 5)

two (2) complete turns.

above, but taking all hole

.

TABLE #1

POOL WIDTH TOTAL TUBE LENGTH A

FEET LENGTH FEET

FEET
14 16’ 4
16 18’ 5
18 20’ 6
20 22’ 7

NOTE: Under no circumstances should the system

be operated if Length A exceeds 9 ft.
Tubes may be cut in size in order to accomadate
smallerpool widths. It is recommended to cut an
equal amount off sections 1 & 3.

(FIG. 2)

(FIG. 3)

STEP 6

(FIG. 4)

STEP 7

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS (CONT

POOL WIDTH

POOL LENGTH

(FIG. 1)

(FIG. 2)

PUNCH SMALL HOLE

WITH SHARP OBJECT

PUSH SHARP POST

AND SNAP INTO RECEIVER HOLE

3”

POSITION COVER

ON LAST RAISED BAR

ON INSIDE OF CLIP

(FIG. 3)

FOLD AND DISTRIBUTE

8 CLIPS

3”

3”

BUCKLE

CLIP

TO VELCRO

12”

VELRO

24”

INSERT

BUCKLE FROM

THIS END

CLIP POSITION

AND FOLD LINE

12”

(FIG.4)

(FIG. 5)

VELCRO

ON STRAP

VELCRO
ON POLE

IN A STRAIGHT LINE

DOWN THE POLE

(FIG. 6)

VELCRO

ON POLE

2. Rotate each handwheel until the tab for the screw is at the top
position as shown in (SEE FIG. 5 - STEP 8). Align the keys in
the hand wheel collar with the corresponding key ways in the
handle and rotate them to make certain that the aluminum tube
is making contact with the back wall of each handle. Using the
pre-drilled holes in the hand wheel collar as a guide, drill a
13/64” hole thru each side of the tube. Insert 1-1/4” long
Phillips shoulder bolt thru the nylon washer and into the drilled
holes in the aluminum tube and screw until tight. Repeat these
instructions to install hand wheel to main frame at other end.

ATTACHING THE COVER FOR
IN-GROUND POOLS

13. The reel system should be positioned at the end of the

pool, perpendicular to the center line of the pool
(SEE FIG. 1). The cover should be on the pool and
properly trimmed.

(FIG. 5)

STEP 8

PHILLIPS
SHOULDER BOLT
(2 PLACES)

EM-2 INST. 3/03

14. Starting at a point approximately 3” from one edge of

the end of the cover to which the reel will be connected,
attach a plastic cover clip (SEE FIG. 2) to the cover.
The sharp pointed post on the clip will pierce the cover
(or use a knife or other sharp tool for ease of installa­tion). Continue across the edge of the cover attaching
the remaining seven clips, evenly spaced. The last clip
should be positioned approximately 3” from the opposite
edge of the blanket (SEE FIG. 3).

15. Assembly of strap and buckle: With the ridged crossbar

of the buckle facing up, slide the buckle onto the strap
from the end opposite the Velcro end. Move the buckle
at least 24” up from the end of the strap (FIG. 4).
Feed the end of the strap through the slot on the
plastic clip then thread the strap end back through the
buckle as indicated by the dotted lines in the diagram.
Repeat the process at each clip position (SEE FIG. 5).

16. Position the Velcro end of the strap as straight as

possible over the tube of the reel system. Place a Velcro
tab on the tube at the Velcro strap end by removing the
protective backing. The tube must be dry and clean
where the Velcro tab is being placed (SEE FIG. 6).
Attach the Velcro end of the strap to the Velcro tab.
Repeat this process in a straight line along the tube for
each of the seven remaining straps. Using the buckles,
adjust each strap so that each has equal tension on the
cover. This is necessary for proper roll-up alignment.The
extra length should wrap around the tube to facilitate
pulling the blanket off the pool and on to the tube. The
Velcro tabs alone are not strong enough to pull the
blanket up off the pool.

17. For ease of re-covering your pool after use, install the return

POOL COVER

STRAP

TUBE

CLIP

TURN REEL

THIS WAY

VELCRO

T ABS

cord provided at the opposite end of the pool cover using the
white cord and two sets of male/female cord plates. Locate
the plates about 3” apart and at least 6” from the edge of the
cover (SEE FIG. 7). To install plates, use the plate with three
holes as a guide to punch three holes through the cover. Snap
the posts on the male plate through the two holes on the female
plate with the cover sandwiched between the two plates.
(FIG. 8) Thread the return cord through the top center hole of
plate #1 and plate #2 as shown in the diagram and then tie a
double knot at both ends (FIG. 7).

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

18. Place the reel system so that it straddles the pool, and is 2 ft. from
end of pool as in (FIG. 10). More distance may be required for
irregular pools. If your pool IS NOT rectangular shape, merely
fold the cover in the irregular areas back on itself so that the
entire pool cover can pass between the two end main frames of
the system.

19. Rotate handwheel slowly. The straps will move the cover away
from possible damage on the coping and fold back into itself.
Continued rotation of the handwheel will transport the cover
underneath the tube and then up, over and onto the tube. In the
unlikely event that the Main frame “creeps” during this operation,
use free hand to hold main Frame until the entire cover is
removed from pool. Attempt to keep seams straight and avoid
misalignment.

20. If system has retrieved the cover with ease, you are operating the
system correctly. It is suggested that you mark the position of the
Main frames during operation on the pool decking for future use
of the system.

21. AVAILABLE OPTION: For portability, this system is designed for
the optional Magnetic Caster Assembly Part No. 468
(4 required). See your Odyssey Dealer for details.
MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE OR
ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM IMPROPER OR
UNSAFE STORAGE OR MOVEMENT

PLACING THE COVER ON THE POOL

22. Roll the reel system to a straddling position 2’ from the
end of the pool, onto the deck marking suggested in (FIG. 8),
lock casters up (if installed) prior to unrolling cover.

23. Hold white return cord and walk down the
length of the pool, allowing the system to “free wheel”
(FIG. 8) the cover back onto the pool surface. Replace
folded-back cover into irregularly shaped areas.

24. Your cover is now installed and operational. If you wish
to remove the reel system from the pool while the
cover is on the pool, detach the straps using the lift-off
velcro tabs, and roll empty system to storage area.

SOME HELPFUL HINTS

1. Make sure the cover is not dragging against the side of the pool
coping.

2. If tube is sagging: refer to assembly instruction on drilling tubing
and tighten neoprene inserts.

3. If tubes discolors, they can be restored using Flitz metal polish
available at hardware/marine stores.

4. Place a white protective cover over blanket and secure to protect
blanket from the sun when rolled up.

5. Do not use lubricants on any plastic parts.

6. Remove handwheels at the beginning of each season, or every 12

7. Always store the reel with an eye for safety.

months. Clean yoke bushing, bearing race, and end cap with
warm soapy water. Rinse, dry and reassemble.

EM-2 INST. 3/03

(FIG. 7)

PLATE #1

TIE DOUBLE KNOT

AT BOTH ENDS OF CORD

3”

PLATE #2

6”

(FIG. 8)

PUNCH 3 HOLES WITH

SHARP INSTRUMENT

(FIG. 9)

POOL

COVER

STRAPS

SNAP TOGETHER

2 FT

POOL END

(FIG. 10)

LIMITED WARRANTY

ODYSSEY warrants the reel system to be free of
workmanship/material defects for a period of
three (3) years from the date of purchase. Any
claims must be supported by invoice/proof of
purchase.
EXCLUDED FROM THIS WARRANTYARE ALL
CONSUMABLES: straps, cord, velcro, plastic
plates and clips.
ODYSSEY WILL not be liable for any incidental
or consequential damages resulting from any
defects in workmanship or material, nor for per­sonal injury resulting from improper placement of
reel system when not in use.

ODYSSEY SYSTEMS

220 South Ola Vista, Suite C, San Clemente, CA 92672

[phone] • Fax [phone]

www.odysseysystems.com

© ODYSSEY SYSTEMS 2003