Suction Pool Cleaner Skimmer Fix
Do you need a suction pool cleaner skimmer fix? Do you have a suction type pool cleaner? Have you noticed a loss in skimmer performance since installing your pool cleaner? Well, I have found a device that improves skimmer performance and allows your suction type pool sweep to achieve it’s best effort at cleaning the pool at the same time.
Kreepy Krauly-Amazon.com
All Suction Side Pool Cleaners-Amazon.com
The pool sweep I have is a name brand suction type pool cleaner. I set it up as per the instructions provided with the pool sweep. I immediately noticed a deterioration of the skimming action. The valve that balanced the sweep suction with the skimmer action was below the level of the water. So instead of pulling water from the surface of the pool it was pulling water from below the water surface impacting the skimming action.
Weirs
One of the modifications, in order to use a suction type pool cleaner, is that the pool’s weir has to be removed. The weir is the device that “floats” at water level and allows the skimmer to pull surface floating debris into the skimmer for removal. Without a weir, water is pulled at below the surface level. Where ever the balance valve is located determines this spot. This allows floating debris to float past the skimmer and circulate until it gets waterlogged enough to drop to the bottom of the pool.
VacMate-Amazon.com
My search for a solution led me to several devices none of which addressed the missing weir type action. Finally, I happened upon the VacMate® by Pentair Pool Products™. Here is a device that allows the use of a suction type pool cleaner and provides a weir to allow skimming the floating debris from the pool and has its own skimmer basket.
I am on my third suction type pool cleaner and on my third VacMate®. This product performs flawlessly with my pool cleaner. I simply followed the instructions provided with the VacMate®.
Setup was very simple, block the main drain in the deep end of the pool and setup of the safety bypass. It takes a gauge to set up the bypass which is provided with the VacMate®. Adjust the level of skim versus pool cleaner with a lever. That’s all it takes to setup.
Maintaining the unit is straightforward.
- Empty out the skimmer basket from time to time.
- Clean out the safety bypass screen.
- Unclogging the control plate orifice when needed(the only thing that ever clogged this was some snail shells and a dead gopher)
Replacement parts needed
VacMate R36009 replacement Basket-Amazon.com
Pentair R36002 Large Gasket replacement-Amazon.com
Since I have had three of these units I can tell you that the only replacement parts you will need over the life of the unit are the gasket that goes on the skimmer basket and the skimmer basket. Every part of the VacMate® lasts as long as the unit.
The gasket on the skimmer basket gets distorted over time and stiff. Eventually allowing water to bypass the VacMate®. Get some extra gaskets. The skimmer basket needs replacement when it cracks and allows debris material to go to the pump. That’s it. If you try one out leave a comment and let me know how it is working for you.
Replacement parts exploded view drawing and part numbers from Pentair(need parts #13 and #7 from above)
Exploded View Parts 7 and 13
For more on the failure mode of this unit…
Related Article: Rebuilding a Vac Mate
(Mybusyretiredlife.com All Rights Reserved)
(Mybusyretiredlife.com All Rights Reserved)
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