Optimal skimmer / return placement

[garykli]

Hi,

How do you figure out optimal skimmer / return placement for a specific pool shape? Are there any calculators / simulation tools that will do that?

Thanks!

 

[Patrick_B]

I don't think so. It seems up to builders and their experience. Our builder has quoted us two, but I am not sure it will be enough. It's pretty accepted that two will work on lots of free form shapes if the returns are ample in number and properly adjusted. I am skeptical as we will have lots, and lots of leaves to deal with.

 

[woodyp]

I suggest you place one on the opposite side of the pool from whichever way you get the most wind from.

 

[garykli]

I'm having 2 skimmers installed, and I've read and agree with most of the general concepts, like placing down wind, etc... I was just hoping that perhaps this is something that's been solved a little bit more definitively... its been a while since I've looked at a fluid dynamics textbook, but from what I remember laminar flows aren't extremely complex to calculate. Granted there are many factors like wind velocity and surface friction of various plasters and salt vs no salt in the water, but all those should be relatively negligible, or can simply be a factor of a simulation... maybe a side project after the pool is actually done? :-D

 

[Patrick_B]

Well, sure, but it's way more thinking than I would have the ambition to follow up on. I'm more with woody type thinking on this. Down wind as much as possible.

 

[MiaOKC]

I'd wondered about placing a kiddie pool with some leaves or lightweight toys in the yard to determine prevailing winds. Our existing 1975 pool has skimmers in all the wrong locations for the wind in our backyard - I don't know if they were installed according to builder's knowledge or what, but we're looking at an after-market venturi action leaf skimmer.

 

[Patrick_B]

Usually, we have prevailing wind from the SW. But all this summer long.......SE. First year in about 8 that my BBQ pit was in the wrong spot.

 

[Design Groupie]

Thanks for the heads up.