Drive technology Products / Drives

Your pool opens
at the touch of a button.

Two types of motor for your pool cover — from a fully integrated tubular motor to a classic clip-on drive. Here you’ll find a direct comparison.

Basics

Purpose and difference
the drives

The motorised drive opens and closes your pool cover — at the touch of a button or using a key switch. Without the drive, you would have to roll the pool cover up and down by hand every day.

The difference lies in the Installation situation: The Tubular motor is integrated directly into the winding shaft and is located in the pool. The Push-fit drive It is located in a service shaft outside the pool and is connected to the shaft via a wall-mounted feed-through.

Tubular motor

Recommended

The motor is fully integrated into the roller shaft — concealed within the pool water. No shaft, no external mechanisms.

Push-fit drive

The motor is located outside the pool and is connected to the roller shaft via a wall feed-through. For systems with a technical shaft.

Direct comparison

Two options

Both drive systems are reliable. The difference lies in the installation situation — and in how much space you have available.

Recommended
Tubular motor

Tubular motor

In-house development · Exclusive to Rollo Solar

Tubular motor product page
Push-fit drive

Push-fit drive

Traditional solution · Tried and tested & reliable

Product page: Plug-in drive
Installation location
Tubular motor
Fully integrated into the winding shaft
Push-fit drive
External, with wall feed-through
Engine shaft required
Tubular motor
No — not applicable at all
Push-fit drive
Yes — dry service shaft
Installation effort
Tubular motor
Low — Motor is fitted onto the shaft
Push-fit drive
Higher — service shaft and wall penetration required
Cost of replacement
Tubular motor
Höher — The wave needs to be dismantled
Push-fit drive
Minor — The motor is accessible at all times and easy to replace
Suitable for
Tubular motor
New and retrofit systems
Push-fit drive
Systems with a technical shaft and Oberflur systems
Space requirements
Tubular motor
None
Push-fit drive
Utility shaft next to the pool
Power / Torque
Tubular motor
200 – 1,000 Nm
Push-fit drive
150 – 1,500 Nm
Brine version available
Tubular motor
Yes — optional
Push-fit drive
Not required — the motor is mounted externally
Most popular solution
Tubular motor in the roller shaft
In-house development · Exclusive

The tubular motor

The motor is housed entirely within the rewind shaft — it is not visible from the outside. As no separate motor shaft is required, there is no need for extensive earthworks or wall penetrations. This keeps your pool area tidy and makes installation noticeably easier.

An in-house development by Rollo Solar — available exclusively from us, and in use for decades.

TechnologyIntegrated tubular motor
Installation positionIn the winding shaft
OperationKey switch or wall switch
Engine shaftNot required
Power / Torque200 – 1,000 Nm
OriginIn-house development Rollo Solar
Traditional solution

The push-fit drive

The solution for systems with an existing or planned equipment shaft — and fitted as standard in our Oberflur systems. The motor is housed in a dry equipment shaft next to the pool: out of sight, but requiring more work to install, as an equipment shaft and a wall penetration for the roller shaft are necessary.

Reliable, robust and cheaper to buy.

For existing installations Dry service shaft Accessible and replaceable at any time Suitable for Oberflur systems Up to 1,500 Nm
About the plug-in drive
Push-fit drive
Why motorise?

More than just comfort

Fully automatic

The pool cover opens and closes at the touch of a button — conveniently and effortlessly, every day, whatever the season.

Various control systems

From a simple key switch with a deadman’s switch function to the PS1 control unit, which displays all operating statuses directly — available with optional wireless operation or integrated into your existing bus system.

Tailored to the system

The choice of drive system depends on the winding mechanism and the profile. To this end, our design team calculates the required torque and coordinates the motor, mechanism and pool cover to form a complete system.

Consultancy

Which drive system is right for your pool cover?

Our team will be happy to explain the solutions available for your system — quickly, with no obligation and free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about our drives

The difference lies in the installation configuration. The tubular motor is fully integrated into the roller shaft and is located inside the pool — without the need for a separate motor shaft or any groundworks. The surface-mounted drive is housed externally in a dry technical shaft next to the pool and is connected to the shaft via a wall-mounted feed-through.

A range of control systems: from a simple key switch with a deadman’s switch function to the PS1 control unit, which displays all operating statuses. Optionally, it can be operated via radio or integrated into an existing bus system.

Generally speaking, yes — our design team will be happy to advise you on this and find the right solution for your system. The quickest way to put together your drive is to use our configurator directly.

Go to the configurator

Pool Cover Motors and Drives

The drive turns a cover into a fully automatic solution: at the push of a button the pool opens and closes – comfortable, safe and effortless. Rollo Solar offers the right motors for every reel system.

Tube motor and add-on drive

The tube motor sits invisibly inside the winding shaft for a particularly tidy appearance. The add-on drive is mounted at the side and is well suited to retrofitting existing systems. Both are operated comfortably by switch or key.

Comfort and safety

An electric drive increases comfort and safety: the cover is reliably closed completely and protects against falling in. The control can be secured against unauthorised operation.

Matched to your system

The right drive depends on the reel system and the chosen profile. We match motor, reel and cover into one coordinated system.

Frequently asked questions about drives

What is the difference between a tube motor and an add-on drive?

The tube motor sits hidden in the shaft and looks discreet. The add-on drive is mounted externally and is ideal for retrofitting.

How is the cover operated?

By switch or key, and on request secured against unauthorised access.