How to really-really tell if pool's got a separate dedicated suction port or not?

[arielpool]

Hi all,

I've got this old pool (prb 1985) and not sure if it's got a separate dedicated suction port to connect my Baracuda G3. Thought you might know of mysterious ways in which I can know for sure whether the pool got one or not.

Main issue is that when the Baracuda is connected -I connect it now using a skimmer plate- then the skimmer naturally isn't working.

Thanks!

 

[scdaren]

Look at all the ports in your pool, and determine if there are any that are not sending water back into the pool when your pump is running. Make sure all your valves are open when you do that.

With all valves open, if you see one that is not blowing water, check to see if it is sucking water -- be careful though not to hurt yourself with the suction. Modernly, those ports are installed with a spring loaded flap cover it for when it's not in use. If you find one, then start turning off valves until you find one that turns off that suction port.

My guess is you probably don't have one.

 

[jblizzle]

Provide pictures of your pool equipment pad and valves and it may be pretty obvious to us whether you have a vacuum suction line.

 

[arielpool]

Provide pictures of your pool equipment pad and valves and it may be pretty obvious to us whether you have a vacuum suction line.

Ok, pool equipment pics here: Amazon Drive.

 

[scdaren]

Looks to me, on the right side of the first picture, you have 3 incoming pipes. So skimmer, main drain, and do you have any idea what the third one is? Could be a suction port. Only 1 of the 3 is open, I'm guessing the skimmer. My guess, if you do have a suction port, it's the pipe farthest to the bottom right in the first picture, to which the valve is currently off.

 

[mknauss]

Your pictures show an in floor cleaner. Is it operational? You would most likely NOT have a suction port for a cleaner as the pool was built with an in floor system.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have 1 skimmer or 2?

Do you have pictures of the pool?

I would guess that the three suction lines were pool skimmer, pool main drain and spa suction.

 

[arielpool]

Your pictures show an in floor cleaner. Is it operational? You would most likely NOT have a suction port for a cleaner as the pool was built with an in floor system.

It does seem working. The heads come out of the floor and bubble. I've not yet been able to establish what each position on the in-ground cleaner valve is for.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a spa?

 

[MyAZPool]

This is my guess.

 

[arielpool]

whoa! thanks a lot for taking the time to mark these! I cannot read most of the texts, though, seems low-res.

I've discovered the floor cleaners work but the gauge doesn't seem to be reporting PSI. I might have to change that one.

Haven't tried yet the theory of the rightmost pipe being a "suction side cleaner", however, mknauss states that if I've got a floor-cleaner then I don't have one suction side cleaner.

 

[MyAZPool]

whoa! thanks a lot for taking the time to mark these! I cannot read most of the texts, though, seems low-res.

I've discovered the floor cleaners work but the gauge doesn't seem to be reporting PSI. I might have to change that one.

Haven't tried yet the theory of the rightmost pipe being a "suction side cleaner", however, mknauss states that if I've got a floor-cleaner then I don't have one suction side cleaner.

Arielpool,
Sorry, the captions on the photo didn't come out that clear.
I'll decipher. This should help, from top left down and moving to the right and down in order.....

In-floor cleaning returns

Pool Return Jets

Spa Return

Pool Return - This line extends to other side of heater (Jandy Valve Inlet)

Spa Suction

One of these are the Pool Skimmer. The other is either the Pool Main Drain or most likely the suction side (in wall) cleaner.

Hope this helps. That is probably the best I can do without having to ask you to open and close particular valves and report back what occurred.
r....

 

[arielpool]

Hey! Thanks for the info.

I've been lately figuring the different parts in the pad. There's times when I prefer to run the pool with the returns going to the Spa so that all that water does what it seems to me as re-circulating and pushing it outside toward the pool skimmer and been playing with the different settings.

The cleaners work nicely, albeit the Baracuda G3 seem to do a better job cleaning the bottom of the pool in the same amount of time. The main problem with the Baracuda is that I cannot get enough suction when using the vacuum plate, so I'm using it directly connected to the skimmer, without the strain basket, but this is kind of minor issue.