Odyssey Freedom EMX Operation Instruction

FREEDOM SERIES

(14.) 1 PLACE

(4.) 2 PLACES

(5.) 2 PLACES

(1.) 2 PLACES

SEE BLANKET

ATTACHMENT KIT

INSTALLATION

INSTRUCTIONS

(3.) 4 PLACES

(2.) 4 PLACES

(6.) 8 PLACES

(13.) 2 PLACES

(11.) CORD SET

(12.) 5 FT. CORD

(11.) CORD SET

TIE A DOUBLE KNOT

AT BOTH ENDS

(7.)

(8.)

(9.)

(10.)

EMX REEL SYSTEM

Assembly and Operation Instructions

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

EMX INST. 3/03

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

PARTS DESCRIPTION PART# QTY PARTS DESCRIPTION PART# QTY

1. Handwheel w/Handle 523 2

2. 3/4” Nylon Washers 450 4

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

4. Bearing Race Assembly 615 2

5. Main Frame 536 2

6. Neoprene Tube Insert 475 8

7. Velcro Hook Piece 880 8

8. 6’ Blue Strap 890 8

TOOLS REQUIRED

PARTS LIST

9. Strap Buckle 800 8

10. Quick Clip Cover Plate 600 8

11. Cord plate Set 610 2

12. 5’ Return Cord 840 1

13. 8’6” Aluminium Tube (Inner) 216 2

14. 8’6” Aluminium Tube (Outer) 217 1

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”

INITIAL PREPARATIONS

SECTION-1

LENGTH-A

SECTION-3

SECTION-2

LENGTH-A

POOL WIDTH + 2 FT.

LAZY “L”

RETANGULAR

OVAL WITH EXTENSION

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.

EMX 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.

of the section 2 tube and in the center

.

(Refer to Step 2)

.

(Refer to Step 3)

(Refer to Step 4)

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)

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

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

of the tube section 2.

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

11. Slide bearing race assembly onto each handwheel and seat in
main frame bushing – center opening. Refer to (Step 6).

(Refer to Step 5)

two (2) complete turns.

above, but taking all hole

(FIG. 3)

(FIG. 4)

.

STEP 6

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

EMX INST. 3/03

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS (CONT

12. Rotate each handwheel until the tab for the screw is at the top
position as shown in (SEE FIG. 5 - STEP 7). 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.

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).

(FIG. 5)

STEP 7

PHILLIPS
SHOULDER BOLT
(2 PLACES)

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 (SEE
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.

POOL COVER

STRAP

TUBE

CLIP

TURN REEL

THIS WAY

VELCRO

T ABS

EMX INST. 3/03

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

(FIG. 7)

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.
(SEE 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 (SEE 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. 9). 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
(SEE FIG. 10). 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.
MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE OR
ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM IMPROPER OR UNSAFE
STORAGE OR MOVEMENT

AT BOTH ENDS OF CORD

3”

PLATE #1

(FIG. 9)

(FIG. 10)

TIE DOUBLE KNOT

PLATE #2

SNAP TOGETHER

POOL

COVER

STRAPS

6”

2 FT

POOL END

(FIG. 8)

PUNCH 3 HOLES WITH

SHARP INSTRUMENT

PLACING THE COVER ON THE POOL

21. Roll the reel system to a straddling position 2’ from the
end of the pool, onto the deck marking suggested
in (FIG.9), lock casters up (if installed) prior to
unrolling cover.

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

23. 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

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.

blanket from the sun when rolled up.

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

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