Non-standard return eyeballs causing headaches...

[PnutKar]

Greetings Pool People!
At wits end, I have joined the TFP to seek help. I had my in-ground plaster pool refinished a few months ago - I made a mistake in agreeing to something called "flush mount eyeballs". Little did I know what this truly meant.

It seems these items are retrofit parts that are glued into the existing return fitting. By installing this part the eyeball diameter, and the size of the overall return, are reduced. Standard return eyeballs, in particular those one finds in a new crawler accessory pack, will not fit. High and low I have sought out a set of eyeballs that I can modify to create either 45 or 90 degree returns to help move my water around. I have attached images with this posting. My trusty calipers tell me that the standard eyeball is about 1.57", the offending eyeball is about 1.4". The pool company I used has not been helpful in providing either a spare set of eyeballs, or a supplier name and part number. Even something that threaded into the existing (now reduced) fitting in place of the collar/ring works for me.

In closing - yes, I did manipulate the eyeball to the extremes of position. This does not help. I need some diversion of the flow to get my water moving like it used to.

Thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

Good morning! Not sure if you are still looking for a fix to those returns, but if so, I'll tag @Poolbreh to see if he has any tips on those sizes.

 

[PnutKar]

Howdy. Yes, I'm still looking for information or a solution. I need a source for these smaller eyeballs.

 

[Jimrahbe]

P,

Please show us a side view of what you have, so that we can see how it all goes together.

There are many different pool returns, but they generally all screw into the same threaded adapter in the pool wall.

When they replaster a pool they don't remove the original threaded fitting and glue something else in there.

Something is just not right.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Poolbreh]

They look like they could be aqua star.

 

[PnutKar]

P,

Please show us a side view of what you have, so that we can see how it all goes together.

There are many different pool returns, but they generally all screw into the same threaded adapter in the pool wall.

When they replaster a pool they don't remove the original threaded fitting and glue something else in there.

Something is just not right.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Howdy. Yeah, the pool replaster people didn't remove the fittings, they glued another fitting within the existing return. The return is now smaller than standard - the eyeballs are 1.4" across. Enough to cause a headache.

 

[PnutKar]

They look like they could be aqua star.

I dug through the Aqua Star catalog and found a Flush Retrofit Eyeball kit. I'm thinking this is what I have. Unfortunately no dimensions for the eyeball itself is given, and I doubt I'm able to purchase the eyeball alone.

Thanks for the lead - it's a start.

 

[Toxophilite]

I dug through the Aqua Star catalog and found a Flush Retrofit Eyeball kit. I'm thinking this is what I have. Unfortunately no dimensions for the eyeball itself is given, and I doubt I'm able to purchase the eyeball alone.

Thanks for the lead - it's a start.

I have the Aqua Star returns, but not sure the issue you have.

 

[PnutKar]

They are indeed Aqua Star JO010 retrofits. I was able to convince the pool remodel outfit to giver me a set of 3. I will now make my modifications to improve the flow pattern. I suggest that it is best to stay away from these fittings since they are smaller than the standard eyeball, precluding the use of any diverters or off-the-shelf 90 such as those that come in the accessory kit for a suction-side impulse pool sweep.

Thank you for your leads.

 

[Jimrahbe]

P,

These Aqua Star fittings are made to screw right into the normal 1.5" threaded adapter that almost all pools have.

I find it hard to believe that your pool company glued them in place as there is just no need to do that.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PnutKar]

P,

These Aqua Star fittings are made to screw right into the normal 1.5" threaded adapter that almost all pools have.

I find it hard to believe that your pool company glued them in place as there is just no need to do that.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yes, I too was in disbelief. There was no need for adhesive. I have created a prototype diverter eyeball using a 45° PVC fitting that slips right in to the 1" ball.

 

[PoolTexPro]

P,

These Aqua Star fittings are made to screw right into the normal 1.5" threaded adapter that almost all pools have.

I find it hard to believe that your pool company glued them in place as there is just no need to do that.

Thanks,

Jim R.

I’m thinking this is the issue I’m having In the post I made. The inlet is sticking out of the pool wall and has been plastered around the threads. Normal eyeballs don’t fit.