Closing and Opening a Pool with a Motorized Reel

By the Lux Pool Team · Published 2026-05-27 · ~10 min read

Pool opening and closing routines were designed in an era before motorized reels existed. Most of the standard checklists still tell you to "remove the solar cover" or "store the reel for winter" without much detail. If you have a motorized retrofit, a few of the standard steps change. This guide walks through the seasonal checklists with the motorized-reel adjustments built in.

Pool closing checklist (fall / winterization)

The standard sequence for closing an inground pool in cold and freezing climates:

1. Lower the water level below the skimmer and return jets (typical: 4-6 inches below)
2. Balance the water — bring pH to 7.4-7.6, alkalinity to 80-120 ppm, calcium hardness in range
3. Shock the pool with chlorine to oxidize organics before close
4. Add winterizing chemicals — algaecide, stain/scale, sometimes a closing kit
5. Drain and blow out the lines with a shop vac or blower; plug or freeze-protect each return
6. Drain pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, salt cell; remove and store indoors
7. Remove and clean the solar blanket; store the blanket indoors if possible
8. Install the winter cover — mesh safety cover or solid winter cover, anchored to deck
9. Disconnect electrical to the equipment pad if your region freezes hard

Most of this is unchanged by adding a motorized reel. The two steps that change are #7 (the blanket) and a new addition (the SBU).

What changes with a motorized reel: closing

Roll the blanket off the pool first

Use the remote to roll the solar blanket onto the reel one last time before close. This is the easiest way to get the blanket off the water without a fight. Once it's wound on the tube, you can:

• Unroll it back onto the deck for cleaning
• Wash, let it dry, fold it loosely (avoid hard creases that crack the bubbles)
• Store indoors — basement, shed, attic

Don't store the blanket wound tightly on the reel over winter. UV, freeze-thaw, and the tension cycle damage the bubbles.

Bring the solar-battery-unit indoors

This is the critical addition. Lithium-ion batteries don't tolerate freeze-thaw cycles — the cells get damaged and capacity drops permanently. Before the first hard freeze:

1. Turn the white switch OFF (eliminates parasitic drain during storage)
2. Disconnect the SBU from the motor (it lifts off the T-leg clamps)
3. Charge to green LED with the DC wall charger
4. Store indoors — heated garage, basement, mudroom. Anywhere above freezing.
5. Also bring the solar panel indoors if it detaches separately. (Panels are tougher than batteries but glass can crack under ice loading.)

Leave the rest of the reel outside

The aluminum tubes, stainless T-legs, wheels, and motor stub-shaft can all stay outside through winter. They're designed for it. You can drape a tarp over the reel if you want to keep leaves and debris off, but it's not required.

Pool opening checklist (spring)

Standard spring opening sequence:

1. Remove the winter cover, drain accumulated water off the top, clean and store
2. Top off the water level to mid-skimmer or above
3. Reinstall equipment — pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, salt cell. Connect lines and remove freeze plugs.
4. Prime and start the pump, check for leaks
5. Test and balance water chemistry — pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, CYA, free chlorine
6. Shock the pool to oxidize the winter algae and organics
7. Run the filter 24/7 for the first week until the water clears
8. Reinstall the solar blanket and reel
9. Resume normal operating routine

Step 8 is where the motorized reel comes back into the picture.

What changes with a motorized reel: opening

Bring the SBU back outside and charge first

Before remounting:

1. Bring the SBU and panel back outside on a sunny day above 50°F
2. Plug in the DC wall charger for 24 hours — this wakes the battery from winter dormancy faster than solar alone
3. Confirm green LED at the end of 24 hours. If you don't see green: try another 24 hours; if still no green, the battery is likely EOL ($67.98 battery-only replacement)

Remount the SBU on the reel

Same clamps, same T-leg position you used last summer. Reconnect the short cable from SBU to motor.

Reinstall the panel (if separate)

If the panel came indoors separately over winter, mount it back in its summer position with south-facing or maximum-sun orientation.

Power on and test

Flip the white switch to ON. Test the remote with a short up-and-down cycle (no blanket on the reel yet — easier to confirm the motor and remote are talking). If everything works, install the blanket and roll it on.

The blanket goes back on the reel

Pull the cleaned, dried blanket from indoor storage. Attach the leading-edge clips to the reel tube. Manually roll the first 12-18 inches onto the tube (this gets the blanket grabbing properly). Then use the remote to roll the rest.

The first roll-up of the season is the moment to check for uneven rolling — if the blanket walks crooked, see our uneven rolling troubleshooting guide.

Mid-season maintenance with the motor in place

Monthly during the swim season:

• Wipe debris off the solar panel. Pollen, dust, and bird droppings reduce charging efficiency.
• Check the SBU mounting clamps are still snug. Vibration from daily use can loosen them.
• Confirm the green LED on the SBU. If the battery starts trending low mid-season, plug in the DC charger for 24 hours as a top-up.
• Inspect the motor shaft area for chlorine deposits or corrosion. Wipe down with a damp cloth.
• Check the remote battery (CR2032) once per season. Replace if the range starts to drop.

Otherwise the motor is set-and-forget. The 4-5 year battery lifespan and the 5+ year motor lifespan mean most owners go a full half-decade without service.

Climate-specific notes

Northern US / Canada

Strict winterization — bring SBU and panel indoors by mid-October at the latest. Spring opening usually requires the 24-hour DC charge to wake the battery. Use a fresh CR2032 in the remote each spring.

Pacific Northwest / Upper Midwest (cloudy winters)

Even if you don't have hard freezes, dim winter sun won't keep the battery charged. Bring the SBU indoors during off-season to prevent deep discharge damage. Plan a 24-hour DC charge in spring.

Southeast US / California (mild winters)

If you don't close the pool fully, you can leave the SBU outside year-round. Mild rain and 40°F overnights don't damage lithium-ion. Just expect 3-4 year battery lifespan instead of 5 because the year-round duty cycle ages the cells faster.

Desert Southwest (extreme heat)

Mount the SBU in shade during the hottest months. Direct 110°F+ sun on the battery housing for hours per day accelerates aging. The panel itself can stay in full sun — only the battery needs the thermal break.

The summary checklist