What kind of jet is this?!

[vandal968]

My pool has some strange looking eyeball jets. They are black and don't have the usual external ring. They are old and worn, so the eyeballs automagically rotate to an orientation that blocks flow which means that more water has to return through the fountains, chilling the pool. Good in summer, bad now. Has anyone seen these before? Do you know who makes them, what they're called and how to get replacements? The thread is larger than the normal 1.5", they measure 1.840" so they're probably considered 1-7/8".

cheers,
c

 

[jblizzle]

Those look like a standard in-wall or flush eyeball. Tightening down the threaded ring should hold the eyeball in place.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

They look like old pac-fab. Any threaded 1.5" directional will fit. If you like their profile - Pentair has them available.

 

[vandal968]

They look like old pac-fab. Any threaded 1.5" directional will fit. If you like their profile - Pentair has them available.

Poolguy, so are the 1.5" standard fittings actually 1.84" in diameter at the threads? I would have expected 1.5", but *plumbing*, so who knows.

cheers,
c

 

[vandal968]

jblizzle,
When I search "in-wall eyeball pool jet" at amazon, INYOPOOLS, Leslies, etc I don't see anything that looks like what I've got. I just see this style: Custom Molded 30220 3/4 inch Inlet Eyeball Fitting

I've been unable to tighten them by hand enough to make them stay put, and I've got a few broken ones that I can't remove. I need a tool or something to engage the tangs. A link to the tool or a replacement would be great.

cheers,
c

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Yes - I presume you are measuring the OD.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jblizzle]

Well, I have basically the same thing in my pool. Here is one example of the entire fitting:
http://www.poolfittings.com/flush-mount-return-fittings/

I have seen a link to a tool, but I do not not recall where. I think I used some channel locks to spin the ring. I recall someone used like a couple nails though a board or something to spin the ring.

Contact INYO, they are really good about finding parts.

 

[xyz]

Is this what you are looking for?

Amazon.com: Hayward SP1419T Hydrosweep and Hydrostream Directional Flow Inlet Fitting Seat Removal Tool: Patio, Lawn Garden

 

[jblizzle]

I think that works for some, but if the eyeball is turned at all and stuck, there is no way to make that engage both tabs to loosen the ring.

 

[vandal968]

Poolguy was right, the regular 1.5" replacements do fit. I swapped 3 of the 4 yesterday and now I've actually got some decent flow and can push surface leaves toward the skimmer. Progress! There is just one of the old style eyeball fittings still stuck, the others eventually came out by-hand with a lot of wiggling. The last one is tight-enough that I definitely need some kind of tool. I post here when it's out, or I've broken something. Thanks everyone for the help.

cheers,
c

 

[jblizzle]

Well, I knew the regular ones would fit, but I thought you wanted to keep the flush look. Glad you are almost all set

 

[vandal968]

If I can find the flush ones, I wouldn't mind swapping them out again. The replacements I got are cheapo's from Amazon, 5 for $6, so I don't have a lot invested in them. I don't have a full set of the flush ones, one of the eyeballs was missing, two of the collars were damaged. I've only got 2 that could be reinstalled (need 4).

I made a tool from a piece of PVC, I had a length of 1.655" OD PVC tube in my garage, I cut off a 6" section, then used the bandsaw to make notches to fit the tabs on the recessed eyeballs. Worked great and the last one is out/replaced. Pool is much happier.

Now the next problem. Yesterday, the hose for my pool vacuum split. Do you glue on a new end and shorten, or just replace the whole hose?

cheers,
c

 

[kimkats]

I would just replace the whole thing. Chances are other places are just waiting to give way as well

Kim

 

[pabeader]