Help with Old As Heck Skimmer

[DiamondDaveAZ]

Hello,

I have an older skimmer, unknown date of origin. It came with the house It is plumbed like nothing anyone has ever seen. See attached photo. There is a lip, and in this first "level" of the skimmer, you can see the main drain inlet on the right side (plumbed into the SIDE of the skimmer??)

There is another lip, and on this next, lowest "level" is the suction outlet to the pump, plumbed into the left side of the skimmer

Currently, water flows into the top of the skimmer and out the suction at the bottom. the main drain port on the side is basically worthless.

The way the first lip is cut out, it is apparent to me that a circular plate can be locked into this, closing off the top, blocking the skimmer water from entering, and creating a closed chamber whereby the suction outlet would then draw exclusively from the main drain inlet on the other side of bucket. See my attached crude drawing..

However, i can't find anything anywhere about a skimmer with this design. My guess is it is from the Roosevelt administration, and NOT the Roosevelt you're thinking of! Has anyone see anything like this ever and could you point me to where i might be able to get the part i need to block off the skim function so i can actually get some main drain action (if such a thing even exists)

Thank you kindly,

-dave

 

[Richard320]

Measure that lip where the plate should go and see if a diverter will fit.

If not, maybe you could make one with some plexiglass. Bore a 1½" hole in it and then attach a blockoff plate with a stainless steel screw that will allow you to open or close the hole to get a little suction to the main drain.

Unless the skimmer basket is too deep and it hits. Then I'm out of ideas.

 

[racket]

That is a Baker Hydro skimmer. Believe it or not, they still make them. Here is a breakdown http://www.poolcenter.com/p/skimmer ..