First, this forum is truly a godsend. I just re-opened my inground after not opening it last year, and this board has already helped me find a hugely stupid mistake on my part. Thanks to everyone for their posts - just reading over the last several days has given me a tremendous education.
My story (and very dumb question) quickly - the pool was put in a number of years ago (probably 20+) by the original owner of the house, and I've opened it every year (except last year) for the nine years I've lived here. The valve that feeds the pump is, I assume, the original one which is an old white plastic job. It has a line that's coming in at the 9 o'clock position - which has an old sticker that says 'Port A' - and a line that's coming in at the 3 o'clock position, that has a worn-away sticker that I assume was 'Port B'. There used to be markings on the valve in permanent marker that I think said 'full' and '1/2', meaning - again I assume - full skimmer and half skimmer/half drain. The markings have faded away over the years and I've actually forgotten which is the skimmer line and which is the split line. When I switch the valve to either of the two sides I can see draw in the skimmer. My hugely naive question: is there a convention or installation standard that says Port A is usually 100% skimmer? I know I should have this committed to memory, but amazingly enough I've forgotten which side is which. Any help greatly appreciated - and scolding expected...
JM
My story (and very dumb question) quickly - the pool was put in a number of years ago (probably 20+) by the original owner of the house, and I've opened it every year (except last year) for the nine years I've lived here. The valve that feeds the pump is, I assume, the original one which is an old white plastic job. It has a line that's coming in at the 9 o'clock position - which has an old sticker that says 'Port A' - and a line that's coming in at the 3 o'clock position, that has a worn-away sticker that I assume was 'Port B'. There used to be markings on the valve in permanent marker that I think said 'full' and '1/2', meaning - again I assume - full skimmer and half skimmer/half drain. The markings have faded away over the years and I've actually forgotten which is the skimmer line and which is the split line. When I switch the valve to either of the two sides I can see draw in the skimmer. My hugely naive question: is there a convention or installation standard that says Port A is usually 100% skimmer? I know I should have this committed to memory, but amazingly enough I've forgotten which side is which. Any help greatly appreciated - and scolding expected...

JM