Automatic pool vacuum climbing pool sides

[Flutterbyecry]

I bought automatic pool vacuum for $15 off Craigslist for my intex 20'x48 pool, with de filter with 1 horsepower pump. It's great I love it, BUT I have to be outside to make sure it(zoomer my son named it) doesn't come up above the water line and starve my pump. I think I am missing the flow control thing? Any ideas?

 

[NoTime]

Does that hookup with just a skimmer topper?

On my Kontiki, I have 1 of these: (a spring loaded valve that lets in enough water so the cleaner doesn't have 100% suction. (But at $75 it's like 50-75% the cost of the entire thing)
http://www.inyopools.com/Products/07501352017572.

You might try some form of a shim under the strainer?
But basically, the hose needs a controlled "leak" in the water.

 

[JoeSelf]

that looks like mine. the valve fluctuates and that is what moves the cleaner along the bottom. You need to get a replacement for it for it to work properly.
I don't use my cleaner after the wedding cake steps go in. Always find it in the same spot stuck.

 

[phonedave]

that looks like mine. the valve fluctuates and that is what moves the cleaner along the bottom. You need to get a replacement for it for it to work properly.
I don't use my cleaner after the wedding cake steps go in. Always find it in the same spot stuck.

Its that action of the diaphramg in the vaccum that makes it move. The valve just regulates teh amount of suction so that the cleaner does not climb the walls too high. When my filter was plumbed with hoses, I never used used valve, as "full suction" made it work perfectly. After hard plumbing the filter, I now need to use the valve, and it now climbs right out of the pool without it.

Those flowkeeper vlaves are not cheap - $70+ You can find off brand ones on eBay for $10 too - don't know how well they work. You could also try making one out of a short section of pipe with a small hole drilled below the waterline. Keep testing and increasing the hole size until it works.