I have a question about my two valves. The one on the left is for my two skimmers. Right now I believe it’s set for equal suction between the two. The valve on the right is my main drain. I’m not sure where this needs to be. For the past couple of summers I haven’t noticed any issues. I had a pool company come out a few weeks ago to install a vsp. Since then it seems my skimmers aren’t working as good as they used to. What would be the optimum setting? In the picture do I have the main drain completely turned off giving 100% to the skimmers? Should I adjust it to where the off is pointing down or somewhere in the middle? I’ve messed around with it but still can’t tell. Thanks!
Skimmer and main drain valve positions.
- Thread starter brettatk
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,999
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
If you would like to open the main drain valve slightly just to allow a little water pull from the bottom that's fine. But it appears your new problem is unrelated. Once installed, was the O-ring to your new VSP clear cover lubed?
Thanks for the info. I meant that I think they might have adjusted the main drain valve position, not that something else is wrong. Although it could be my filters. I’m set to clean them within the next week or two. I just want to make sure I understand what that valve does. Right now I have it to where it’s in between where it is in the picture and the bottom. It appears to be working better. I think they moved it where “off”was pointing down and the skimmers weren’t getting as much pull.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,999
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
No worries. You have the right understanding of the valves and their positions in the pic. You do have the option to adjust the drain and skimmer valves however you wish. In most cases, the majority of suction is best at the skimmers to help encourage water debris to the skimmers. But techs don't always lube that lid O-ring, so I would still check that to be sure. If you have any other questions let us know.
Brett,
While your skimmer valve may be in the middle position, the suction at the skimmers will not be equal. The near skimmer will have much more suction than the far skimmer. It is not huge deal, but you can adjust the valve so that the suction at both skimmers match if you want. It is kind of subjective, but you can "feel" the suction right at the pipe under the skimmer baskets. Just adjust the valve so that the suction at both skimmers feels about the same.
I agree with Pat, either shut off the main drain or just crack it open.
The key to good skimming is operating weir doors on each skimmer and patience.
When running a VSP at a low RPM, it will take a little longer than with a single speed pump, but it will work fine. I guarantee, if you watch a floating leaf it will never go near a skimmer. Just go in the house and have lunch and come back out the leaf will be in one of your skimmers.
Thanks,
Jim R.
While your skimmer valve may be in the middle position, the suction at the skimmers will not be equal. The near skimmer will have much more suction than the far skimmer. It is not huge deal, but you can adjust the valve so that the suction at both skimmers match if you want. It is kind of subjective, but you can "feel" the suction right at the pipe under the skimmer baskets. Just adjust the valve so that the suction at both skimmers feels about the same.
I agree with Pat, either shut off the main drain or just crack it open.
The key to good skimming is operating weir doors on each skimmer and patience.
When running a VSP at a low RPM, it will take a little longer than with a single speed pump, but it will work fine. I guarantee, if you watch a floating leaf it will never go near a skimmer. Just go in the house and have lunch and come back out the leaf will be in one of your skimmers.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thanks again. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t get the lid off. I had to get a rubber mallet to get it to turn. I will definitely check.
That makes sense a little the skimmers. I’ll mess around to try and get equal suction. I didn’t know if shutting the main drain completely would be a good idea or not. Sounds like it wouldn’t be. Thanks again.Brett,
While your skimmer valve may be in the middle position, the suction at the skimmers will not be equal. The near skimmer will have much more suction than the far skimmer. It is not huge deal, but you can adjust the valve so that the suction at both skimmers match if you want. It is kind of subjective, but you can "feel" the suction right at the pipe under the skimmer baskets. Just adjust the valve so that the suction at both skimmers feels about the same.
I agree with Pat, either shut off the main drain or just crack it open.
The key to good skimming is operating weir doors on each skimmer and patience.
When running a VSP at a low RPM, it will take a little longer than with a single speed pump, but it will work fine. I guarantee, if you watch a floating leaf it will never go near a skimmer. Just go in the house and have lunch and come back out the leaf will be in one of your skimmers.
Thanks,
Jim R.