Can I use skimmer AND main drain if I turn the handle to the 12 o'clock position?

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m a hanson

m a hanson

Well-known member
Apr 25, 2021
71
Central New York
Pool Size
13000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Still learning about my pool. I usually have the valve setting on skimmer, ( as in the pic) but when I add chlorine I set it to main drain. I've read somewhere on this forum about having both on, but not sure if the Praher 3 way valve I have, has the option. I don't want to take a risk of turning it to 12:00 unless I have some professional feedback.

I also noticed that when it's set to Main, the pump skimmer water is much more turbulent inside then when I have it set to the pool skimmer. Comparing a wide open tap to a 1/2 open tap.
Does this mean I may have a blockage on the skimmer line?
 

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I have my main drain almost completely turned off to put more water to the skimmers. In my experience, the main drain does very little, only really helping in my twice yearly leaf armageddon when the skimmers can get blocked up completely.
 
I do believe in the picture you’ve attached the skimmer is actually off and the main drain would be fully open. If you turn the valve to the 12’oclock position as you’ve stated, then both the skimmer and main drain would be open. If the valve is turned to point at the right into the pic, it would be set to skimmer 100% open and floor drain closed. (the pointer arrow points to what is closed)
m a hanson said:
I also noticed that when it's set to Main, the pump skimmer water is much more turbulent inside then when I have it set to the pool skimmer.
Click to expand...

If the valve is pointed to the right in the pic as you described “set to main”, the water in the skimmer is more turbulent because you actually have suction in the skimmer because it’s open.

I’m not 100% familiar with these valves, so would need someone on the forum with more familiarity to confirm what I’ve said is correct.
 
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Lake Placid said:
I do believe in the picture you’ve attached the skimmer is actually off and the main drain would be fully open. If you turn the valve to the 12’oclock position as you’ve stated, then both the skimmer and main drain would be open. If the valve is turned to point at the right into the pic, it would be set to skimmer 100% open and floor drain closed.


If the valve is pointed to the right in the pic as you described “set to main”, the water in the skimmer is more turbulent because you actually have suction in the skimmer because it’s open.

I’m not 100% familiar with these valves, so would need someone on the forum with more familiarity to confirm what I’ve said is correct.
Click to expand...
Well I know for sure the right is the main , because I didn't have enough water upon my first water top off to even touch the bottom of the skimmer faceplate, so I had it on main drain for a week until I could get the water service back out. Once the pool skimmer got covered with water, I turned the pointer to the left. I can look into the pool skimmer and see a small whirlpool when I have the pump running. Since the wording is upside down, is it possible thats why it appears to be the opposite. This valve is very confusing.
 
m a hanson said:
Still learning about my pool. I usually have the valve setting on skimmer, ( as in the pic) but when I add chlorine I set it to main drain. I've read somewhere on this forum about having both on, but not sure if the Praher 3 way valve I have, has the option. I don't want to take a risk of turning it to 12:00 unless I have some professional feedback.

I also noticed that when it's set to Main, the pump skimmer water is much more turbulent inside then when I have it set to the pool skimmer. Comparing a wide open tap to a 1/2 open tap.
Does this mean I may have a blockage on the skimmer line?
Click to expand...
The picture shows that main drain is to the right (see words main floor). Therefore the skimmer is to the left.
The handle has an arrow which is pointing to the word "closed" so the line to the left (skimmer) is closed and all suction from the main drain. If you turn 180 degrees - the main drain will be closed and the skimmer will be open. If the main drain is closed off therefore all suction is coming from the skimmer. So you should see more turbulent flow in the skimmer.

if you turn the handle such that it points to open - then both the skimmer and main drain will be on suction. the turbulence in the skimmer will be reduced because the pump is being fed from 2 sources - the skimmer and the main drain.
 
HermanTX said:
The picture shows that main drain is to the right (see words main floor). Therefore the skimmer is to the left.
The handle has an arrow which is pointing to the word "closed" so the line to the left (skimmer) is closed and all suction from the main drain. If you turn 180 degrees - the main drain will be closed and the skimmer will be open. If the main drain is closed off therefore all suction is coming from the skimmer. So you should see more turbulent flow in the skimmer.

if you turn the handle such that it points to open - then both the skimmer and main drain will be on suction. the turbulence in the skimmer will be reduced because the pump is being fed from 2 sources - the skimmer and the main drain.
Click to expand...
Okay, I will do a test tomorrow. Also I wrote main on the pvc pipe as I kept guessing which side to open every season.
 
m a hanson said:
Okay, I will do a test tomorrow. Also I wrote main on the pvc pipe as I kept guessing which side to open every season.
Click to expand...
When the valve is in the 3 oclock or 9 oclock position - one line is open and the other is closed. You can tell by looking in the skimmer when that is flowing and how the valve is set. You should be able to put your hand on the pipe to feel vibration of water flow. When you turn the handle opposite from what it is in the picture - is there a word "closed" on the right side?
When in the 12 oclock position - both sides are open so flow is equally from both pipes.

You could turn to the 10 oclock or 2 oclock position which would give a 75/25 flow for the pipes. Many people run it this way to give some suction from the main drain but majority of suction from the skimmer.
 
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m a hanson said:
Okay, I will do a test tomorrow. Also I wrote main on the pvc pipe as I kept guessing which side to open every season.
Click to expand...
I looked on the Praher website but that particular valve is not shown. not sure if they make it any more and my comments are based on how most 3 way operate. So lets test tomorrow and you can confirm how does the valve look when the skimmer is full open. The handle arrow should be pointing either at 3 oclock or 9 oclock position.
 
HermanTX said:
When the valve is in the 3 oclock or 6 oclock position - one line is open and the other is closed. You can tell by looking in the skimmer when that is flowing and how the valve is set. You should be able to put your hand on the pipe to feel vibration of water flow. When you turn the handle opposite from what it is in the picture - is there a word "closed" on the right side?
When in the 12 oclock position - both sides are open so flow is equally from both pipes.

You could turn to the 10 oclock or 2 oclock position which would give a 75/25 flow for the pipes. Many people run it this way to give some suction from the main drain but majority of suction from the skimmer.
Click to expand...
I have OPEN at 12 and 6 with CLOSED being on the left side at 9. There is also a PLUS sign above the 12 o'clock position, what does that indicate? And INLET going to the pool pump.
 

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HermanTX said:
I looked on the Praher website but that particular valve is not shown. not sure if they make it any more and my comments are based on how most 3 way operate. So lets test tomorrow and you can confirm how does the valve look when the skimmer is full open. The handle arrow should be pointing either at 3 oclock or 9 oclock position.
Click to expand...
My pool was built in 1975, I would not be surprised if it was the original. Or maybe from 1996, it seems the PO did some updates around that time period.
 
m a hanson said:
I have OPEN at 12 and 6 with CLOSED being on the left side at 9. There is also a PLUS sign above the 12 o'clock position, what does that indicate? And INLET going to the pool pump.
Click to expand...
The closed and open words on the placard should rotate when the valve rotates…this indicates what is closed or open. Again as pictured the skimmer would be closed and the main drain open.
 
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m a hanson said:
I have OPEN at 12 and 6 with CLOSED being on the left side at 9. There is also a PLUS sign above the 12 o'clock position, what does that indicate? And INLET going to the pool pump.
Click to expand...
I think the plus sign means it is just opposite the main intlet. In looking at the picture again - the words open and close rotate with the handle. So if you rotate to 12 oclock position - the words OPEN will be on both the left and right pipes. So both are open. As I indicated before, the current picture shows the left pipe closed
 
Lake Placid said:
The closed and open words on the placard should rotate when the valve rotates…this indicates what is closed or open. Again as pictured the skimmer would be closed and the main drain open.
Click to expand...
I will need to investigate further, as far as I can recall, they don't rotate, perhaps thats why I am confused. Just the handle itself, I know the white knob on top unscrews, so I will inspect that and see if it's misaligned with the handle. I can observe notches in my picture in the bottom of the handle.
 
m a hanson said:
I will need to investigate further, as far as I can recall, they don't rotate, perhaps thats why I am confused. Just the handle itself, I know the white knob on top unscrews, so I will inspect that and see if it's misaligned with the handle. I can observe notches in my picture in the bottom of the handle.
Click to expand...
I think if you can take 2 additional pictures - one with handle pointer at 12 oclock and another with handle pointer at 3 oclock. The current picture is pointed at 9 oclock. This is the 3 positions of the valve. The word "inlet" is at 6 oclock. the pointer should not rotate to the 6 oclock position because that would close off all suction to the pump and you never want that to happen. Then also tell us when does the skimmer have the most turbulent flow.
 
Lake Placid said:
The closed and open words on the placard should rotate when the valve rotates…this indicates what is closed or open. Again as pictured the skimmer would be closed and the main drain open.
Click to expand...
Can do tomorrow, the mosquitos are out in force tonight. Thanks for the info. I can tell you, when the handle pointer is at the 3 o'clock position, the pump skimmer has quite a vigorous/tumultous flow. So much that I cannot see the bottom of the basket, yet when I turn it to 9 o'clock it is more calm ,yet strong and I can tell the water is flowing and can clearly see the bottom of the basket. I will try to take videos of both situations and post them here.
 
m a hanson said:
Can do tomorrow, the mosquitos are out in force tonight. Thanks for the info. I can tell you, when the handle pointer is at the 3 o'clock position, the pump skimmer has quite a vigorous/tumultous flow. So much that I cannot see the bottom of the basket, yet when I turn it to 9 o'clock it is more calm ,yet strong and I can tell the water is flowing and can clearly see the bottom of the basket. I will try to take videos of both situations and post them here.
Click to expand...
You say the PUMP skimmer basket changes flow, not the skimmer in the deck of the pool? If so this makes sense because with the pointer at the 3:00 position (opposite of what is pictured) the main drain is closed. I would suggest with the main drain closed, you’re likely introducing some air from the skimmer on deck creating a vortex in the pump strainer. When you move to the 9:00 position, the skimmer on deck cannot introduce air into the system and you’re pulling pure water from the main drain, smoothing out the vortex In the pump strainer.
 
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m a hanson said:
Can do tomorrow, the mosquitos are out in force tonight. Thanks for the info. I can tell you, when the handle pointer is at the 3 o'clock position, the pump skimmer has quite a vigorous/tumultous flow. So much that I cannot see the bottom of the basket, yet when I turn it to 9 o'clock it is more calm ,yet strong and I can tell the water is flowing and can clearly see the bottom of the basket. I will try to take videos of both situations and post them here.
Click to expand...
@Lake Placid make a great observation. So, let's get our terminology aligned.
The basket in the pump which you can see easily when you turn the valve handle is called the pump strainer basket or just pump basket. This catches debris that is sucked up by the main drain.

There should be a basket in the skimmer which is by the pool edge (some pools have 2 skimmers) - this is the skimmer basket. This catches debris floating in your pool.
When you turn the handle to 3 oclock position - you should see flow (or suction action) in the skimmer basket

Hope this helps.
 
Lake Placid said:
You say the PUMP skimmer basket changes flow, not the skimmer in the deck of the pool? If so this makes sense because with the pointer at the 3:00 position (opposite of what is pictured) the main drain is closed. I would suggest with the main drain closed, you’re likely introducing some air from the skimmer on deck creating a vortex in the pump strainer. When you move to the 9:00 position, the skimmer on deck cannot introduce air into the system and you’re pulling pure water from the main drain, smoothing out the vortex In the pump strainer.
Click to expand...
 

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I've played around with the Praher valve handle, and decided to place it at 2 o'clock. I can feel vibration from both lines coming from the ground into the 3 way valve. The water in the pump skimmer basket seems to flow much better.

Thank you all for the input. Like I commented earlier, I'm still learning and this was one item that just befuddled me and I didn't want to cause undue stress on my new pool pump by having it a wrong position.
 

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