Has your skimmer equalizer flap ever broken?

[Surf Hawk]

I've had this float assembly for my Pentair U3 skimmer for less than a year, and the little flap that you move to adjust flow from skimmer or drain already broke.

I could get a new one for $10, but it might just break in the next year anyway. I thought I'd just design and make a better one myself. Would a 316 stainless steel or aluminum part be a problem with pool chemicals?

Also, if you have had a broken one, chime in because knowing it is a widespread problem would motivate me to take this on.

 

[OldPoolMan]

Lots of broken ones. I just replace the flap. I suppose SS would work.

 

[Richard320]

Yep. Broke. Cut a piece of 1/8" plexiglass and drilled a screw hole.

 

[Surf Hawk]

Yep. Broke. Cut a piece of 1/8" plexiglass and drilled a screw hole.

You are a genius. Always over-thinking things, me.

 

[Richard320]

You are a genius. Always over-thinking things, me.

You don't even have to radius the corners.

 

[Surf Hawk]

This is 6061 Aluminum with a round on one side to get as much flow as possible when open. Perhaps I'd like to notch out a half moon on the other side to improve flow when open. Should last.

 

[mas985]

I took mine off. I think you would want as much flow as possible through the skimmers.

 

[Surf Hawk]

I actually leave mine mostly fully closed most of the time. It was probably anecdotal but my pool seemed to recover faster from an algae incident when I left it that way. I have a solar cover most of the time anyway, so skimming action isn't really happening.

Not one to leave a good thing alone, I'm now making a CNC'ed version, I'll post a pic when it's all done.

 

[duraleigh]

When skimmers are hooked in series, that equalizer is used to balance the flow between the skimmers......leaving it wide open (or closed) would effectively negate it's purpose.

 

[mas985]

In that case I would agree but plumbing skimmers in series is not wise thing to do and hopefully not many PBs would do such a foolish thing.