Friday, January 10, 2014

Swimming Pool Skimmer Equalizer/Float Assembly

Swimming Pool Skimmer Equalizer/Float Assembly
This article will explain what a Swimming Pool Skimmer Equalizer/Float Assembly is, how it works and what happens when one is missing.

Inside of swimming pool skimmers are either one or two open ports at the bottom.


Most modern pools have two with one connected to the system pump and the other utilized as an equalizer port. The equalizer port is connected to the main drain (at the bottom of the pool) or an open port on the side of the pool a few feet down from the skimmer opening. There is usually a float assembly unit covering both ports in the skimmer.

A float assembly is a saucer shaped device with a float inside and an adjusting flap on the bottom.

The flap is normally pushed to the side, leaving the center opening uncovered.

When everything is working properly and the water level of the swimming pool is at the correct level, water flows in from the upper opening down into the skimmer, through the float assembly and down into the back open port to the pool pump. See figure 1
(Figure 1)

If the water level drops below the skimmer opening, the float inside the float assembly drops which connects the equalizer and the pump ports. Water is pulled from the equalizer under the now closed float assembly and down into the pump port. See figure 2.
This ensures that the pool pump still circulates water, keeping the water filtering while cooling the pump motor (since it is water cooled).
(Figure 2)

The back port is used when connecting a vacuum hose to manually vacuum the pool. Not knowing what a float assembly does, it is common for swimming pool owners to remove these from skimmers and not replace them. Once removed, the system works as shown in figure 1. However, if the water level of the pool drops below the skimmer without a float assembly, the pump will pull air into the lines causing the system to lose prime (internal pressure pulling water from the pool and through the equipment). Most pool pumps cannot detect the loss of water flow and will continue to run dry. Since the pumps are water cooled, they can overheat, thus melting the connecting pipes and eventually burning out the motor.

If a swimming pool skimmer is missing a float assembly, these are not universally compatible and the makers name is needed to find the correct unit. To find the manufacturer’s name, check the skimmer lid to see which float assembly is needed. Some of the most common manufactures are Anthony Pools, American Products, StaRite, Pentair and Hayward Pool Products.



24 comments:

  1. How hard is it to get a new wier gate for my boxed in skimmer? My son pulled on it too hard, it ripped right out. The skimmer still works fine, but some of the leaves can escape if they don't get sucked down into the skimmer basket. Thanks for the help, http://www.kriscoaquatechpools.com/services.htm

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  6. i have an aqua genie skimmer.
    it seems there is an equalizer line connected, but there is no float assembly in the skimmer box.
    does this type of skimmer need one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No that skimmer doesnt come with a equalizer and because the bottom of the skimmer is flat you can not add a generic equalizer to this model.

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  7. Skimmer basket needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. After months of using it you may need to replace it.

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  8. Next to one of the skimmers in my in-ground pool is another 8"-10" round opening in the pool deck that extends down maybe 30-36," lined with hard plastic. I'm told this is part of the equalizer system. At the bottom of this "equalizer" is an opening into the main pool. The first 5" of the top of the "equalizer" opening has a collar, which the pool man said was too short. Gaps between the collar and the rest of the equalizer lining allows water to leak out of the system. There are signs plaster was used in an attempt to repair these gaps, but they have re-opened. One pool repair company said the "proper" way to repair this leak is to jack-hammer the pool deck in order to remove the current equalizer, and replace it with one with a properly-sized collar. This sounds expensive. Are there other ways to eliminate the leaks? Should I just re-plaster? Is there another way to seal the gap?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a pool putty or a pool patch (both will set dry or underwater, these are available from local pool stores or online) that you can try if you can see the cracks. That could hold for months maybe years.
      The pool company was correct in that to fix it permanently it will need to be broken out. Only a licensed pool builder should attempt this as it is a very involved project and you only want to do this once.

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  9. I have a two hole skimmer. One of the lines went into the pool shell and to the pump, but it has been clogged for years (it was clogged when we bought the house). Instead of ripping out the skimmer ($$$) I want to run a new line from the "dummy" equalizer line that is currently capped to the valve at the equipment and just close the first, clogged line with a plug at the bottom of the skimmer. Will this work?

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