Question: Why are the tubes sagging?

Answer: When assembling your reel, make certain that when the tubes are inserted into each other, they are twisted and “locked” into place BEFORE the holes are drilled for the bolts. This will eliminate the excess slack at the joints and reduce the sag in the reel. Also, make sure that the tubes have at least 9 inches of overlap at each joint.
Additionally, solar blankets begin to retain water as they age. This water retention can cause the tubes to sag more when the cover is wound than when it was initially installed. Also, GLI recommends that solar blankets greater than 12mil not be used to assist the reel in operating properly. Covers over 12 mil can cause the aluminum tubes to sag more than the reel is intended.

Question: My reel came with extra parts, why?

Answer: Our 4 inch and 5 inch GLI tube kits are packaged with all of the necessary parts to assemble both our aluminum AND resin Solar Reels. Each tube kit includes (2) Aluminum Tube Inserts AND (2) Resin Tube Inserts. These inserts are installed where the tube kit attaches to the Reel base. If you have our Whirlwind, Hurricane, Storm, or Monsoon Reel System, you will be using the Aluminum Inserts. You may discard the white Resin inserts that come in the tube kit. If you have our Cyclone or Typhoon, you will be using the white Resin Tube Inserts and discarding the Aluminum Inserts.

Question: How are the straps attached to the tube and solar blanket?

Answer: The strap kit included with the base kit comes with double amount of black plastic strap plates as green straps. One of the black plastic plates is attached to the solar blanket using a large black plastic screw included in the strap kit. Punch a hole in the solar blanket using a small Phillip’s screwdriver.

Question: All of the screws that hold the straps to the aluminum tube are falling out, why?

Answer: The screws were over tightened and the holes were stripped. Either the customer must go to the hardware store and buy replacement screws with thicker thread and replace or drill all new holes in different locations.

Question: How far into the Solar Blanket should the black plates be installed?

Answer: 4”-6” minimum.

Question: Handle or Axle is missing holes.

Answer: Only one hole is used on both the axle and handle. The axle bolt goes through this one hole, the tube insert, and the aluminum tube. The hole for the set screw on the axle is not used. Also, the set screw in the locking collar does not go into a hole

Question: What material are the bearings made out of?

Answer: Nylon Only!

Question: What size is the Drill Bit?

Answer: 1/4”

Question: Where is the Locking Collar is installed (Whirlwind, Hurricane, and Storm)?

Answer: The Locking Collar goes on the outside of the base, opposite of the tubes.

Question: Can the Whirlwind be mounted on a deck?

Answer: No. The handle will bottom out on the deck. If the customer mounts the Whirlwind aluminum base on a 4x4, the handle will clear the deck.