What's the function of this port in the pool deck?

[Earthman Bob]

I'm starting the renovation of our pool, and I'm looking at an opening on the deck of the pool that I think I remember one of the pool guys saying had to do with vacuuming or the main drain. It has a cover, like a skimmer port, and then inside there's another clear cover with a handle and the ability to lock down with a latch.

Below that, it's basically a hole with a pvc pipe coming in on one side from the filter area, and another piece of PVC directly across from the first pipe, toward the pool, a couple of feet below the pool tile. Here are some pictures of the pool, the view with the clear cover on, and one with that cover removed.

The pool was built in 1994, FYI.

Thanks for the input!

 

[B_A_T]

I have something very similar on my pool, mine is a magnetic suction release valve. If the main drains get clogged (I have 2), it trips the insert that goes down the pipe and it releases the vacuum on the clogged drain. 1 side is intake from the pool, opposite side is for an aux air vent (mine is capped) and the bottom is pipped to suction side of the pump. Here is a link to mine: MVfuse

Not sure that's what you have, just sharing my experience.

 

[proavia]

Can you clean all the sand/dirt off the lid and canister - wash or vacuum it - and then post new pics of the lid and canister?

Can you see any manufacturer name or any numbers on the parts?

Was there ever a basket or mesh bag inside? Could possibly be an in deck debris containment canister.

 

[Earthman Bob]

I have something very similar on my pool, mine is a magnetic suction release valve. If the main drains get clogged (I have 2), it trips the insert that goes down the pipe and it releases the vacuum on the clogged drain. 1 side is intake from the pool, opposite side is for an aux air vent (mine is capped) and the bottom is pipped to suction side of the pump. Here is a link to mine: MVfuse

Not sure that's what you have, just sharing my experience.

Interesting. I'll have to clear the water out and stick my hand down to the bottom to see if it's a solid as I thought it was, or if there's actually an opening.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Earthman Bob]

Can you clean all the sand/dirt off the lid and canister - wash or vacuum it - and then post new pics of the lid and canister?

Can you see any manufacturer name or any numbers on the parts?

Was there ever a basket or mesh bag inside? Could possibly be an in deck debris containment canister.

I don't know if there was ever a basket inside, however, I did just take a closer look and got some more info. There is no manufacturer info that I can see.

First, the clear lid that's inside the pool deck lid, actually has a rubber gasket on it. That, together with the latch that pivots to hold it in place show that it's meant to seal. Additionally, there is another ring around the cannister, below the one that the clear, sealing cover sits on. Perhaps that's to hold a basket?

Finally, the bottom is solid. However, there is a third incoming threaded port that I hadn't noticed, below that top cover that seals.



.

 

[proavia]

Is that upper threaded port facing the pool, facing exactly opposite the pool or pointing another direction?

In the bottom, there appears to be a shorter pipe and a longer pipe - what directions do those two pipes face?

Whatever that thing is, if you want it to function, it needs to be squeaky clean. The lid with with the seal on it won't seal with all that dirt/muck in there.

 

[jblizzle]

Could be an old auto fill ?

 

[proavia]

Maybe it's one of these..... Polaris Leaf Trapper - also known as a Jandy Leaf-B-Gone
Venturi powered debris canister - actually part of a venturi powered main drain system.

Apparently some parts (venturi, filter bag) are missing.
Does the pool have a single main drain on the pool bottom?

 

[Phil C]

It resembles a "Debris Deck Canister" that is used in Paramount's in-floor cleaning systems... with that system, there is a net with a collar that fits into the white ring below the threaded opening toward the top. The main center drain sucks in the leaves and they are caught in that net before going to the pump's basket.

Do you have floor jets for your returns?

 

[Earthman Bob]

Maybe it's one of these..... Polaris Leaf Trapper - also known as a Jandy Leaf-B-Gone
Venturi powered debris canister - actually part of a venturi powered main drain system.

Apparently some parts (venturi, filter bag) are missing.
Does the pool have a single main drain on the pool bottom?

That's it!!!!! And yes, it is missing the filter bag.

The pool does have a single main drain on the pool bottom.

I'm in the process of testing all the lines going to/from the pool filter area, and I did find that the return line from one of the pumps goes to the leaf trapper. If I'm not mistaken, this leaf trapper has its own pump. Tomorrow I'll test all my lines and confirm that the line from that pump comes out of that bottom inlet in the diagram.

Looks like this item is no longer sold, and the parts are not so available and somewhat expensive. Since it's used for vacuuming and requires its own pump, would you keep it if you had it on your pool? I think we're going the way of the robot...

Thanks so much for your insight here!

 

[Earthman Bob]

It resembles a "Debris Deck Canister" that is used in Paramount's in-floor cleaning systems... with that system, there is a net with a collar that fits into the white ring below the threaded opening toward the top. The main center drain sucks in the leaves and they are caught in that net before going to the pump's basket.

Do you have floor jets for your returns?

Dang, you guys are good. YES, I do have flor jets and a Caretaker system. However, after speaking to a number of pool guys, they mostly recommend getting rid of that whole system. I'll have to read some about how this cannister works with the floor jets.

Thanks!

 

[Earthman Bob]

Is that upper threaded port facing the pool, facing exactly opposite the pool or pointing another direction?

In the bottom, there appears to be a shorter pipe and a longer pipe - what directions do those two pipes face?

Whatever that thing is, if you want it to function, it needs to be squeaky clean. The lid with with the seal on it won't seal with all that dirt/muck in there.

Sorry... was so busy with work here that I missed a lot of replies!

Looks like it's a polaris LeafTrapper. https://www.jandy.com/-/media/zodiac/global/downloads/tl/tl-1303.pdf

And yes, it'll all be cleaned up soon and I'm going to find out exactly where the supplies and returns go. The question is, will I keep using this function, as it apparently requires its own pump...

 

[proavia]

I would look at the cost to refurbish the infloor system, including the leaf trap thing. I'm betting the cost to fix it all will surprise you - if you can even find all the parts. Since you are refinishing the pool anyway, you may want to consider abandoning the entire system. Have the main drain and pop_ups plugged, the leaf trap removed, etc. A main drain is not needed and you can add a few returns in the pool shell now to increase circulation. Then get a robot - not a suction or pressure side cleaner.

A robot will save on electric costs, as it converts 120v to 12v (or maybe 24v) and doesn't require a pump to be running to use it.

Do you have automation or are you considering adding it? If adding, look at the Pentair Intellicenter - lots of posts here about it, with great info.

 

[Earthman Bob]

I would look at the cost to refurbish the infloor system, including the leaf trap thing. I'm betting the cost to fix it all will surprise you - if you can even find all the parts. Since you are refinishing the pool anyway, you may want to consider abandoning the entire system. Have the main drain and pop_ups plugged, the leaf trap removed, etc. A main drain is not needed and you can add a few returns in the pool shell now to increase circulation. Then get a robot - not a suction or pressure side cleaner.

A robot will save on electric costs, as it converts 120v to 12v (or maybe 24v) and doesn't require a pump to be running to use it.

Do you have automation or are you considering adding it? If adding, look at the Pentair Intellicenter - lots of posts here about it, with great info.

What you say concurs with what many pool people have told me--ditch the floor sweeping system. As you said, with the advent of the robots, the floor system doesn't make sense. You're right about the cost. The heads are expensive, and a pool guy told me a couple of days ago that the systems are always breaking down, and a real headache.

I haven't yet researched how the infloor system ties into that main drain leaf catcher. If that's not needed, then I could do away with one of the pumps too-- which if I'm correct, is specifically for the leaf system. That would be a bonus.

Is there anything else you think I should know about removing that entire LeafTrapper?

I have thought about the Intellicenter. With all the work we're doing this year, that will have to be next year's project.

Thanks for the help!

 

[proavia]

Sounds like you're on the right path.

I believe they seal off the in pool pop-ups and main drain (which connects to the leaf trap and then on to the equipment pad). The plumbing that is not within the pool shell for the infloor and leaf trap system can be capped off below ground level.

Does the pool presently have returns that are separate from the infloor pop-ups? If there are no returns of this type, they will have to be installed.

 

[Earthman Bob]

I discovered today that the pump that sends water to what I now know is the Polaris Leafcatcher, draws water from these other ports on the pool wall that I was also clueless about. (See the pics below.) Interestingly, a pool guy that was doing other work for me said he had no clue what they were for either.

There are 4 ports, but only two of them (top right and bottom left) apparently feed that pump.

Any idea what the other two might be??? I'll see if I can test them tomorrow...

 

[Earthman Bob]

Sounds like you're on the right path.

I believe they seal off the in pool pop-ups and main drain (which connects to the leaf trap and then on to the equipment pad). The plumbing that is not within the pool shell for the infloor and leaf trap system can be capped off below ground level.

Does the pool presently have returns that are separate from the infloor pop-ups? If there are no returns of this type, they will have to be installed.

The pool does have other returns.

I need clarification on what you said above:

"I believe they seal off the in pool pop-ups and main drain..."

What is the "they" that you're talking about?

Thanks--

 

[proavia]

Whoever is doing your remodel - the pool builder

 

[Earthman Bob]

Whoever is doing your remodel - the pool builder

Got it!