Operation - Pentair STA-RITE U-3 Skimmer Installation Manual

Keep the skimmer lid properly secured at
all times. Failure to keep the lid secured
can cause the lid to become dislodged
when stepped on, resulting in risk of
serious injury.
Replace the skimmer lid if it is worn or
damaged. Failure to replace a worn or
damaged skimmer lid can cause the lid to
break when stepped on, resulting in risk of
serious injury.
Hazardous Suction: Risk of hair or body
entrapment, drowning or disembowelment.
Wall fitting on equalizer line must be
non-entrapping of hair or body and must
conform to ANSI/ASME A112.19.8.
Note: Skimmer is not equivalent to a main
drain. All pools, spas, and hot tubs must have
at least two main drains besides skimmer(s).
CAUTION! Blocking pump suction can cause pressure
surges and water hammer, which can damage pump or
piping and may cause flooding.

OPERATION

Pump suction pulls water through skimmer. Water flow into
skimmer carries floating leaves, bugs, etc., into skimmer where they
are trapped in skimmer basket. (Dust, body oils, etc., go on through
to be removed by pool filter.) Floating weir in skimmer opening
enhances surface flow and skimming action.
Typical Public Pool Skimmer Installation with Equalizer Line Installed
Flow
Through
Skimmer
Check
Valve
Shut
Equalizer
Line
Figure 1: Normal operation: float
valve open, check valve shut.
Float
Valve
Open
No Flow
Over
Weir
To Pump
Suction
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Figure 2: Equalizer operation; float
valve shut, check valve open.
Water level: Keep pool, spa, or hot tub water level at least 1½ inch
to 2 inch above bottom of skimmer opening for proper operation.
Float Valve: Float valve protects pump from loss of prime if skimmer
clogs or flow through skimmer is restricted. Trimmer valve plate on
bottom of float valve balances flow between skimmer and main
drains.
Flow adjustment: Balance flow between skimmer and main drain.
a.Skimmers without float: Adjust shut-off valves in pump
suction line from skimmer and pool main drain line.
(See Figure 1, below.)
b.Skimmers with float: If skimmer is equipped with float
valve, adjust trimmer plate on bottom of float. To reach
trimmer plate, remove cover, basket, and float valve
(See Figure 2, below). Swing trimmer plate to one side
to increase trimmer port size (more flow through
skimmer, less flow through main drains); reduce port
size for less flow through skimmer and more flow
through main drains.
Sweeping pool: For installation without equalizer line, hold weir up
to starve skimmer of water and close float valve. This directs all flow
through main drains. To return to normal skimming operation, turn
pump off 10-15 seconds, allowing skimmer to fill and float valve to
return to open position. Skimmer will now operate normally as long
as pool water level is high enough to allow normal flow over weir.
Float
Valve
Shut
Check
Valve
Open
To Pump
Suction
From
Equalizer
Outlet
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Operation
Pool Vacuum
Hose
Remove Check
Valve; Plug
Equalizer (or
Main Drain)
Port
Equalizer
Line
Figure 3: Vacuuming pool; float
and check valves removed,
equalizer (check valve) port
plugged.
U-3 Skimmer Installation Guide
1
Vacuum
Plate
To Pump
Suction
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