Help identifying what each valve is for?

[treimche]

Been meaning to ask this and finally posting the question with pics. I’d like to learn which valve is for what function. How do I figure this out without wrecking anything? All equipment is new as of earlier this year.

Something seems weird because I’m trying to use our Dorado pool vacuum and it’s not doing much. It used to work great in the past, and I’m wondering if one of the valves got turned somehow.

 

[Texas Splash]

In front of the pump are your 3 suction lines controlled by the actuator valve. One line is from the spa, the other two perhaps skimmer and drain. In that grouping, right now, one line (the one on the right) is closed. It's also possible one of those lines could be skimmer & drain (shared) and the other for a suction cleaner.

Then the water comes out of that heater or chiller to the pressure side (return) actuator valve where one side returns to the pool the other the spa.

 

[Jimrahbe]

T,

I assume your plug your Dorado pool vacuum into the skimmer.. Is that correct?

Most likely the problem is your filter is dirty and not a valve issue.

When was the last time it was cleaned?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[treimche]

In front of the pump are your 3 suction lines controlled by the actuator valve. One line is from the spa, the other two perhaps skimmer and drain. In that grouping, right now, one line (the one on the right) is closed. It's also possible one of those lines could be skimmer & drain (shared) and the other for a suction cleaner.

Then the water comes out of that heater or chiller to the pressure side (return) actuator valve where one side returns to the pool the other the spa.

This is very helpful. Thank you for explaining.

 

[treimche]

T,

I assume your plug your Dorado pool vacuum into the skimmer.. Is that correct?

Most likely the problem is your filter is dirty and not a valve issue.

When was the last time it was cleaned?

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim, I cleaned the filter a couple weeks ago and even then it wasn’t very dirty at all.

Yes I plug the Dorado into the bottom of the skimmer in the one port that has suction.

 

[JamesW]

You need to close down the main drain some.

 

[treimche]

I think I now know which valve is for drains vs skimmer.

When I close the valve on the right, the skimmer sucks like crazy, but then the water returning to the pool is pretty weak.

I opened the valve on the right about half way, and the Dorado is working slowly. Think I need to close that valve a little more. Do I dare move the valve while the pump is running?

 

[treimche]

I can now confirm this valve orientation is for main drains on and skimmer off. So, the skimmer is on the left, main drains on the right.

 

[Texas Splash]

Do I dare move the valve while the pump is running?

You can, sure. Just be sure to never cut-off water flow to the pump completely or you could lose prime in the pump pot.