Old Pump Power Vac Bad Idea?

[ereilley]

Hi All,

Basically I want to use an old pump to vac out the pool when I have to vac to waste. Is that a bad idea?

Long story short when we redid the plumbing/liner/etc they forgot to add things like a vac port for us to connect to and it was “too late to add” when we asked where it was. After a few other problems we have a new company that opens and closes the pool. They come after opening to do a “Power Vac” but it can be a pain. If the pool is not 100% clear they will not do it. I am talking we had a small cloud in the middle of the deep end but could see the bottom. Came home to a dirty pool and a $45 service fee for showing up but not doing the vac because the pool was cloudy. They also charge over $300 to vac out all the dead stuff a week or two after opening.

Basically I just want to take my old single speed Hayward pump, connect a vac hose, and blow it all down the front lawn. The investment would be small; new hoses, vac head, couple of fittings, and a new power chord for the pump (old pool company stools pump from garage and returned without cord after we asked why they took things from garage). Right now I just us a robot weekly and brush 2-3 time a week. The reason I don’t want to use the system is that both skimmers are going to be going to waste when I use the vac and it drains quickly. Even over filling and doing it I will be below the skimmers in no time, have to stop, refill, and start again.

So is it a bad idea to make an old pump a power vac when I need to vac to waste?

Thanks,

Ed

 

[PoolStored]

If you have a cloudy pool, likely need to SLAM the pool to clear it. Link-->SLAM Process

To be sure, you should do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tonight. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

As to your pump idea, they sell them commercially, and mount them to dollies...so why not? Have at it...love to see the results!

Advantage Portable Pool Cleaner Vacuum System w/ 100 Sq. Ft. Filter ADM_MINI_VAC_II

Product Description Vacuum is IN STOCK and will leave the warehouse in 2-3 business days There's no job too big or too dirty for this made in USA powerful portable vacuum system! When it comes to cleaning commercial pools, home pools, ponds, spas or fountains this powerful and efficient 1 HP...

outdoorshopventure.com

 

[Newdude]

Basically I just want to take my old single speed Hayward pump, connect a vac hose, and blow it all down the front lawn.

This implies the new pump is a VS ? If so, dial it down to have less discharge to allow a little more time to vac to waste. Having 2 skimmers pulling water to it doesn't matter and I have to shut one of mine off to get any kind of suction on the one with the vac hose.

When I want to vac to waste in the spring, I take several attempts brushing gently and get the bulk of the crud to one general area. Then it's a quick vac out. With a little practice you can control the dust/debris cloud pretty well if you go easy. Give it some time to settle then hit it again. A couple of tries later, it's mostly all in one area and the rest can be vac'd to the filter.

That said, we love toys so if you want a Frankenvacpump setup, we'd love to see it #2.

 

[ereilley]

This implies the new pump is a VS ? If so, dial it down to have less discharge to allow a little more time to vac to waste. Having 2 skimmers pulling water to it doesn't matter and I have to shut one of mine off to get any kind of suction on the one with the vac hose.

When I want to vac to waste in the spring, I take several attempts brushing gently and get the bulk of the crud to one general area. Then it's a quick vac out. With a little practice you can control the dust/debris cloud pretty well if you go easy. Give it some time to settle then hit it again. A couple of tries later, it's mostly all in one area and the rest can be vac'd to the filter.

That said, we love toys so if you want a Frankenvacpump setup, we'd love to see it #2.

Looking at the skimmers one has a slider plate to cover the hole. I may try that and cover the hole and connect the hose to the other skimmer and see how it does. I never had good luck with the vac plates that go over the baskets. They always dislodge and I never get enough suction. Both lines for the skimmers connect underground. It is annoying, I wanted to be able to turn skimmers on/off with valves and have a dedicated vac port.

Making a frankenvacpump was the idea. Boredom and wanting to see if it was possible. Also not wanting to get rid of a working pump.

Yes the new system has a VS pump so I am thinking I can cover the hole, connect to the other skimmer, and play around with speeds to get the right amount of suction with minimal water loss.

Thanks for the advice!

Ed

 

[Newdude]

I never had good luck with the vac plates that go over the baskets.

My new pool doesn't like the vac plate even with one skimmer plugged. With 2 open it never works for anyone. I have next to no heavy debris so I started shoving the vac hose into the skimmer pipe instead. (With the other one closed) Then I just empty the pump basket to get whatever beetles or pebbles i sucked up out.

If I had heavier debris, I'd scoop it then go about with the brush and vac.

. It is annoying, I wanted to be able to turn skimmers on/off with valves and have a dedicated vac port.

My first pool didn't have a valve and that little flapper thingie worked great for 8+ years. It's half a dozen or six if you walk to the pad to turn a valve, or walk to the other skimmer for the flapper thingie.

Making a frankenvacpump was the idea. Boredom and wanting to see if it was possible. Also not wanting to get rid of a working pump.

You are amongst your kinda people here. Trust me. We get it.

Yes the new system has a VS pump so I am thinking I can cover the hole, connect to the other skimmer, and play around with speeds to get the right amount of suction with minimal water loss.

My vac prefers 1800 to 2100 RPM for enough suction, without too much suction that the vac head sticks. I use the Hayward triangle brush vac head to kill 2 birds with one stone.

With a SS pump, I found the wheeled rectangle one worked better.