The slatted (lamellar) swimming pool cover from VR Production does not work

The automatic pool cover produced by VR Production (A.P.F Annonay Productions France) and sold by the Norwegian dealer Basseng AS has had major problems from the very beginning; it has stopped, broken down, failed to start, jammed — basically, it does not work. Basseng AS's slatted (lamellar) pool cover is now defective and cannot be used at all. 

Five years ago, I invested in a slatted swimming pool cover from VR Production (dealer in Norway: Basseng AS). It was a stupid idea. Their brochures are gorgeous, and because my old automatic cover, which had served me well for more than twenty years, began to show wear and tear, I invested nearly fifty thousand Norwegian kroner (EUR 6 000) in this slatted cover. The first problem arose when it was discovered that the installation instructions were in French. After a little pestering on my part, the supplier sent me an edition partially in Norwegian — I got the rest translated by an acquaintance who knows French.

We enjoyed the safety cover over our pool for one entire summer, but the following year it stopped working. I measured the voltage and concluded that the motor was not getting any power from the control box, and after negotiating with the supplier, I returned the box, which was forwarded to the manufacturer in France. Eventually the box was returned to me, and I reinstalled it. We then enjoyed the safety cover over our pool for another entire summer, but the following year it stopped working. Once again, the problem was an error in the power supply, and I stopped using the control box altogether and went over to running the motor from a battery (in consultation with the supplier).

This worked somewhat satisfactorily; I would charge the battery in the garage at night and operate the pool cover during the daytime—until the motor stopped working. The Norwegian company Basseng AS does not have the needed technical competence, so all questions had to be translated into French and sent to the manufacturer, and then the replies had to be translated back into Norwegian. All parts have to be sent to France for repair or replacement. All this takes a very long time. After opening the motor casing, I found traces of corrosion; it is obvious that the French manufacturer has used the cheapest possible components.

The conclusion is that in the course of five summer seasons, the pool cover has functioned properly only two out of five years. This product cannot actually be called a safety cover. First of all, the pool is without a cover during major portions of the season; secondly, it is absolutely incredible how much extra work and frustration this slatted pool cover has caused me in comparison with the cover I owned previously. So, attractive brochures are of no help.

 The picture clearly shows corrosion on the electrical contacts.

I have learned something from this adventure. The next time I buy equipment for my swimming pool, I intend to ensure that:

• The dealer has the basic technical expertise pertaining to the product he sells.
• It is possible to get the necessary service if something should go wrong.

In retrospect, I can't remember ever buying a technical product from a dealer who had so little knowledge about the product he sells.
 
Norsk utgave - Norwegian version

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A couple of months ago, I travelled out of New Dehli, India. My wife and I had checked in, received our boarding cards and were on our way through the gate to passport check. There we saw a desperate American. He had not been able to find his passport when it was to be shown. This was Sunday afternoon, and he had been in passport check since Saturday evening. Without a passport, he was naturally not permitted to board the plane, and without a passport, they would not allow him to re-enter India.

We notified the American Embassy so that when it opened on Monday morning, they would see to it that he got a new passport; in the meantime, he simply had to remain in his tiny no man's land. (When he needed to go to the toilet, he was accompanied by an armed security guard.)

After witnessing this event, I always double check that I have my passport on me.

Sanity

I'm an atheist, thank God

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Lately we have been warned, not to use recycled paper in the kitchen, and not let it come in contact with meat. In this case, use only 100% pure fiber.

Then what about paper napkins and toilet paper made of recycled paper? What are the risks in skin contact from these products?

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Actually it is the Danes who should celebrate the time we finally gave them their freedom. Next will be June 7, when the Swedes can celebrate that they got away from our sovereignty.

Kids

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Insanity

I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.