Identify purpose of these pool components

[JamesW]

Bermuda Skimmers - Gunite

Our bermuda gunite skimmers are engineered and manufactured to the highest standards of precision and quality to minimize installation time and maximize satisfaction.

www.pentair.com

Bermuda Skimmer and White Goods Kits

Our bermuda skimmers and white goods kits are engineered and manufactured to the highest standards of precision and quality to minimize installation time and maximize satisfaction.

www.pentair.com

 

[JamesW]

perhaps is is a incorrect replacement? Numbers on float valve: 8650-39

506160
Float valve assembly for Bermuda Skimmer.

Pentair Bermuda Skimmer Float Valve Assembly - 506160 - INYOPools.com

Float Valve Assembly (506160)

www.inyopools.com

 

[spaHabit]

youtube]A1o3GZ7gSeU

youtube]Em1EgqdxiHg

Again, Thank You!!
This did the trick, I was able to open it with a screwdriver. And now I know it didn't screw out because of the set screw. So this must be a vacuum port.

Can I expect that this must be be the the far right suction line in the following photo (middle is the skimmer - left is still unknown)?
[taken from my other post: determine-purpose-of-extra-suction-lines] ... I'd be surprised the 2" suction line would only go to such a small vacuum port.

 

[JamesW]

Maybe unscrew the part and see if suction happens when the valve is on.

Be careful if the suction is strong.

Do not leave it uncovered.

 

[spaHabit]

506160
Float valve assembly for Bermuda Skimmer.

Since the number is different, it suggests the prior owner did buy a different after market item. The closest I found was this:
CMP Float Valve Assembly with O-Ring, Fits Pentair & Sta-Rite Skimmers - 08650-0079


I wonder if the CMP float valve is smaller than the Pentair 506160?

Just confirmed that they are different:

Pentair Bermuda Skimmer Float Valve Assembly - 506160​

Part # 4035-16

Manufacturer Code 506160

Dimensions 7.5" L x 7.5" W x 2.25" D

CMP Float Valve Assembly with O-Ring, Fits Pentair & Sta-Rite Skimmers - 08650-0079​

Part # 4020-08


Manufacturer Code 08650-0079


Dimensions 6.25" Bottom Width x 2" Tall

 

[spaHabit]

Maybe unscrew the part and see if suction happens when the valve is on.

Be careful if the suction is strong.

Do not leave it uncovered.

Will try that tomorow

 

[JamesW]

Float Assembly w/O-Ring 08650-0079 is for a Pentair U3 Skimmer.

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/pool-manuals/u-3-skimmers/395010028C.pdf

 

[JamesW]

Float Valve Assembly 8650-39 O-rings

Does Pentair sell just the two o-rings that are part of the float valve assembly 8650-39 without having to buy the entire assembly? I am assuming that 8650-79 is the main part for assembly 8650-39? If not please correct my understanding. Thanks

forum.inyopools.com

Yes this 08650-0079 Float Valve Assembly 28 will replace the older 08650-0039

 

[spaHabit]

Sorry, I'm confused.

Do you think I have the Pentair U3 Skimmer or the Pentair Bermuda skimmer?
I was thinking Bermuda since the photo I posted of the installed float valve (post #16 last photo) shows what the prior owners left me appears to be too small (it doesn't cover both holes (or perhaps one has to be sure it is installed perfectly centered)...

How do I confirm?

 

[JamesW]

I think that you have a Pentair Bermuda skimmer.

The float valve is for the U3, which is why it does not fit.

 

[JamesW]

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[spaHabit]

Maybe unscrew the part and see if suction happens when the valve is on.

Be careful if the suction is strong.

Do not leave it uncovered.

Will try that tomorrow

OK, so I ran the test. Mystery solved on right suction line Confirmed that the right suction line is indeed from the vacuum line. Makes sense that this is a manual valve now. It's only opened after one attaches a vacuum line.

Still don't know what the left suction line is (post #23). I thought the main drain but when I rotate the valve I get no water (the spa-waterfall stops). Since I did determine the main drain functions with the Equalizer (post #8) this is a mystery. How common is it to have a main drain blockage?

Any guesses on other sources for the far left suction line?

 

[JamesW]

How common is it to have a main drain blockage?

The dye test would indicate that the main drain is not blocked; at least not completely.

Also, the main drain ties into the front hole of the skimmer.

 

[JamesW]

Any guesses on other sources for the far left suction line?

What does the label say?

Probably the spa main drain.

 

[JamesW]

What Automation do you have?

Does the valve turn in Spa Mode?

Show the whole pool and System.

 

[spaHabit]

What Automation do you have?

Does the valve turn in Spa Mode?

Show the whole pool and System.

There is no label (the partial tag in the side view above was my jumping to the conclusion it was main drain before I did the test).

System photos below. I did confirm the Jandy actuator on the far left diverts to either Pool or Spa. Also it moves automatically from Spa only to pool and spa (50% / 90 deg) when pool button is pressed. System runs about 5 hrs each day. Determined the left pump is for the spa jets and the right pump is for waterfalls along back wall. As you can see, middle pump is for filter/heater.

No sure about automation... Pentar Easy-Touch panel and Aqua Rite SWG (see photos below). As noted above it is on some sort of schedule... longer term I intend to read up on the Easy-Touch to find out more.

BTW, another mystery. What is the pvc pipe (above the waterline & to left) in the last photo below for? I thought it was to prevent overfilling pool but when I put a water hose against it to see where that went I was surprised to find it shot the water right back out. It and the two big white ports against the pool side below the waterline are in the shallow end (haven't figured the purpose those either)

 

[JamesW]

the two big white ports against the pool side below the waterline are in the shallow end (haven't figured the purpose those either)

Waterfall Pump Suction.

 

[JamesW]

What is the pvc pipe (above the waterline & to left) in the last photo below for?

Maybe a fill line.

 

[JamesW]

Any guesses on other sources for the far left suction line?

Spa Suction.

The Spa should have Two Main Drains (Or a skimmer) for the Circulation Pump Suction.

The Spa also needs two Main Drains for the Jet Pump Suction.

 

[spaHabit]

Thank you so much...

Brilliant deduction ... guess I should have provided before but photo below shows spa indeed has two drains. I hadn't noticed before but I just tried rotating the middle jandy valve again and sure enough watching the spa I see it drains with only the far left suction line switched in. Now my first test makes sense.. the waterfall from the spa stopped because the spa was being drained! From the pump location I can't see the spa water level so I missed that in the first test.

So, in conclusion one of the spa drains is connected to the left pump for jets and the other drain is connected to the middle pump. Is there some logic for doing the latter? I certainly understand the jets being a closed system in the spa but why have the middle pump circulate just the spa. Particularly since it bypasses the SWG. One would think that drawing from the pool would be used exclusively since that path would ensure balanced chemistry between pool and spa while keeping the SWG in operation. Again, forgive the ignorance, I'm new to all this... but learning fast with your help

Very appreciative to be able to talk to someone who knows.

If the PVC line is for fill do you think it would be routed to the location where all the equipment is? There is one PVC water line connected to a hose not too far from the right pump but that is a simple on/off.. I'm guessing for a handy water source when cleaning.

Next test is to use dye to confirm the two intakes in the shallow end are for the two waterfalls coming from the back wall.