Please help me identify this old Skimmer!

[GuilliHo]

Hi! The reason why I am trying to identify this skimmer is because currently, water is only being sucked from the skimmer. This is a very old pool and it came with the house and it has been driving me crazy since nothing I've tried has worked. I already tried a float valve but it didn't work because this skimmer doesn't have the groove for the o-ring and the float valve doesn't fit pretty well. I also tried the Hayward SP1082GV Skimmer Main Drain Valve and it doesn't fit either. Studying the skimmer closer, it seems that it has its own mechanism to do this, the skimmer has the marks for "Main Drain", "Both" or "Skim", there is also a small hole between the main drain's hole and the pump's suction hole. Also there are 2 little columns (I am sorry I don't know how to call those) that seem to be there to restrict the movement of something (maybe the basket?).
It's obvious that there is something missing here, but I just can't find anything online. I already went to leslie's pool with these pictures and showed them but they don't know anything about it.

I was hoping that maybe somebody in this forum would know about this type of skimmer and could should me what's missing.

Thank you very much for your help. I've attached some pictures and I added some notes to one of them.

[Teapot]

Can't help with the make but can explain how it works.
There is no O ring, hence no O ring groove.
The pegs are there to support the weight of a full skimmer basket, not seen in your photos, do you have one?
The writing at the bottom is for a plastic cover that can be used to obscure one or other or partially to balance the flow between two skimmers if fitted. The small hole between the two ports is for the screw that attaches it. You should be able to pick one up from a pool shop they are pretty universal. Obscuring the main drain port will give you a better surface skimming action as the dirt enters from the surface. Main drains do very little but I wouldn't completely block the main drain as bacteria could grow in the pipeline, better to have a little flow.

[MonkeyMan]

I know this post is a little old but this information is usually slow coming.

I have the same skimmer and have been trying to figure out what it is. Frankly, it baffles me that large pool supply chains like Pinch-A-Penny and Leslie's don't put a little effort in and do the research then post the images and results on thier website. Too much trouble I guess. Let the customer do all the leg-work and then sell them over-priced "Made In China" crap. Oh well... Yet I digress...

Anyway, I have attached pics of my skimmer. I think that I have found it to be a PacFab (now Pentair) SKIMCLEAN.

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GET PENTAIR CATALOG FROM PENTAIR WEBSITE INSTRUCTIONS:

Go to the Pentair website (http://www.pentair.com). Under the "Products" drop-down menu, select "Pool White Goods", go to the bottom of the page and click on "Pool Parts", then download a copy of the Full 2020 Catalog.

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CATALOG PAGE\DESCRIPTION:

Go to page 598 of the catalog or search for SKIMCLEAN. There are a couple of tell-tale details in the graphic that has me pretty sure that my skimmer, which matches your skimmer, is a SKIMCLEAN model.

1) There is a line where the upper part of the rectangular port to the pool is made from a seperate piece and then assembled (with screws?). So there is a line of separation there.

2) There is tongue or spike that faces down to stop the Weir Door from opening too far.

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OTHER LINKS:

Unfortunately, there is not a picture of the inside (anywhere on the web so far, yours and mine may be firsts!).

Also, here is another link that shows the skimmer (hopefully this forum allows links):
http://www.inyopools.com/Products/07501 ... tm#details

More link references:
https://www.intheswim.com/p/skim-clean
https://www.poolzoom.com/skim-clean-ski ... embly.html

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SKIMMER LID (the clue)

Also, I have what I think is the original cover for my skimmer although it is broken. There is a part number on it of 51-3030 which matches the part number for the lid in the Pentair Full Catalog 2020. This part number is really what got me on the trail because I found replacement lids on Amazon using that part number. Some parts mentioned Pentair.

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PORT SELECTION "EAR"

Also, you will see in the catalog that there is an "ear" that can cover any one of the ports. It is not available as a separate part number from the skimmer assembly from Pentair.

However, it is available here.
https://www.poolsinc.com/516228.html

Actually, the "ear" in the above link is for the Bermuda skimmer but it might work. Give Pentair customer service a call or just blow $14 and try it. My skimmer only uses one port the other is "capped' so no issue for me.

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CAN'T ATTACH PHOTOS - USING DROPBOX

I don't see how to attach images to this forum. Some forums require a certain number of posts to turn that on. Maybe I just missed it. Anyway, I have too many photos to attach in one shot. So, I have provided a Dropbox link with the photos in it as well as the Pentair catalog.

At some point, I would like to attach the photos to follow-on posts so they stay with the forum as an atomic record. Otherwise, they will be lost from this post when I remove them from Dropbox at some point.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yjg2vcl08qgp ... Brswa?dl=0

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CLOSING SIGN-OFF:

Look this info over. Hopefully it identifies your skimmer.

That's all for now,
Regards,
MM

[MonkeyMan]

I found a parts diagram of a PacFab specifially stating "before 1990". It shows that the Hayward Automatic Skimmer Vacuum Plate - W490R is compatable with the skimmer. However, this is for attaching a vacuum. I do not know if it serves the additional purpose of port selection. It seems that it might.

The site that shows the pre-1990 parts diagram:
http://www.inyopools.com/pool_parts_pac_fab_skim_clean.aspx

The page that shows the Hayward Automatic Skimmer Vacuum Plate - W490R
http://www.inyopools.com/Products/02231193029262.htm

I just added a folder to my Dropbox link in the previous post that contains screen-shots of the website from top to bottom.

Regards,
MM


keywords: PacFab Pac-Fab Pac Fab ???

[MonkeyMan]

You know it occurred to me that some years ago, I figured this out. Actually, I half figured it out because I didn't connect it to the text embossed inside the skimmer.

It happened like this:
1) My drain does not connect to my skimmer. The skimmer and drain lines run right to the pump each with it's own valve.
2) I had the drain valve completely shut off to run the pool cleaner from the skimmer.
3) Not thinking about that, I removed the skimmer and put the basket back.
4) The water quit flowing and the pump started moaning.
5) I figured out that the basket had blocked the skimmer intake and that the raised side had to be over the port so water could flow.

Now, that happened with the "ORIGINAL OEM BASKET." I had a pivoting handle not the "straigh across stick" type handle that all of the aftermarket crap has. Go my Dropbox link in the previous post and look at the folder named "Pentair Skimclean sold on OfferUp 1997 (or so)". There you will see the picture of an ORIGINAL BASKET with the "swinging\pivoting" handle.

Fast-forward to the original question in this post. The bottom of the skimmer basket acts as a diverter valve! Depending on its rotation, it block one port or the other. In the middle, both ports are open. That is why the bottom of the thing is shaped so funky and NOT flat. Further, I think the two nibs\bumps\bosses in the bottom of the skimmer are either to center the basket and keep it tracking OR they fall inside the basket half-moon perimeter to act as rotation stops. I will have to take some measurements to verfiy.

Now, here is the kicker. I have an aftermarket basket now. It fits like crap. I cannot make it block the port like the ORIGINAL. It seems a little to short. Also, it wobbles arond on the ledge because it should be slightly larger in diameter. Just a cheap copy. No real engineering went into this clone copy-cat junk.

This is just my guess on all this. But, I think it is correct. I would really like to get a real OEM basket again to check it out. I don't think Pentair makes it anymore. If so, it is probably just one of the crappy clones and they resell it with their name on it. I called Pentair and spoke with Tech Support. They did NOT know anything about how the embossed text was used.

See the images here in my Dropbox folder:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ryzpdzuwd8wcboe/AAB95T2gR-JPHXoyBkzKSx8ta?dl=0
and here
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yjg2vcl08qgphw6/AACMSaZdI3tjm1NM9bppBrswa?dl=0

Regards,
MM

[ptm39]

MonkeyMan, do you have a vacuum plate that is compatible with your SKIMCLEAN model? Curious if you have information on vacuum plate parts other than the Hayward Automatic Skimmer Vacuum Plate that is compatible?

[MonkeyMan]

Hi ptm39,

I have scoured the web pretty hard and have not found any mention of a vacuum plate made for this skimmer. That said, the skimmer is old (and pre-Internet) so the information just may not be out there.

Re-read my post from Friday, April 24th. The post with the list in it numbered 1 through 5. I will summarize it here.

I am starting to believe that there NEVER was a vacuum plate for this skimmer. Could be wrong, but it seems that the basket itself acts as the vacuum plate. That is why the bottom of the basket has such a weird half-moon shape and stem on it. Rotate the basket, it covers a port, depending on the direction of rotation.

My skimmer is only plumbed for skimmer. I accidentally put my "original OEM PacFab basket" in incorrectly one time and it blocked that port. I had the drain shut-off so the pump started moaning.

Unfortunately, the Chinese knock-off baskets are not dimensionally accurate so this doesn't work correctly. Also, unfortunately for me, tossed my old "original" PacFab basket because, at the time, I didn't put 2-and-2 together. I wish I still had it just to compare dimensions.

The guy at our local Leslie's Pool Supply did look up a $40 basket (in the Admiral catalog?). This "might" be made from the original PacFab molds, not sure. The reason I say that, is that parts catalog from Pentair, who acquired PacFab years ago, shows a $40 basket.

Regards,
MM

P.S. If you click on the pictures that are embedded in the post, it will zoom them to actual size.

[salesinmd]

So, I see your weird and raise you a weirder!

I was helping a cousin with a pool that came with their house. They seem to have a similar unit with 2 holes in the bottom. But in one of the holes is a pole that extends up to water level. Very Strange. No idea how to get a skimmer bucket for it.

However, your pentair basket is on amazon now. https://smile.amazon.com/Pentair-513036 ... 493&sr=8-3

I don't have a pic, but I will post it later.

Thanks,
MD

[the_absolute_truth]

Sorry to necro this thread but this is the only thread I can find that relates to my issue. I just bought a house that has this exact type of skimmer. I purchased a basket for it of the same type in this thread. What confuses me is that when I have the basket handle oriented to the "skim" label, it opens the drain the closest to the pool. My understanding is that is the main drain. Why would the "skim" setting have the main drain open and the filter/pump hole closed?

[akenis]

Just bought house with this old guy!

Can't believe previous owners spent all the money to redo pebble tech and VS pump with Jandy SWG.... but left old skimmer!

Doesn't work well. Weir door is missing. Main drain port is plugged. Basket is Chinese 27180-043 with a hole in it, and doesn't fit snug.

Basket: since my main drain is blocked, want to get good fitting basket that won't accidentally block the good skimmer port. Wonder if there is a generic for Pentair 513036 that would fit snug, and disable the port blocking mechanism?

Door: Pentair 513027, but looks like it requires 2 nuts and 2 studs. The bottom part of the old door is still attached, but only one stud remains. Not sure if I should try and fix what's there, or go with a universal spring loaded door.... Something like this:

https://sunplay.com/collections/pool-sk ... 41-320-000

[MonkeyMan]

I don't know how you would secure the CMP Weir door to the Pac-Fab\Pentair skimmer.

It would be difficult to extract the broken off studs. It can be done with by using a right-angle drill and drill bit guides of some sort so as not do drift off and drill into the plastic. Then use a screw extractor. I didn't do this because I will probably have to fabricate the drill guides. I am capable of the fabrication. It is just not worth my time.

I replaced my Weir door on the Pac-Fab skimmer with the Pentair 513027. What I did is used two short stainless steel screws. I can't recall if I pre-drilled small pilot holes first with a right-angle drill, used self-drilling screws, or just a got a non-self-drilling screw to force its way through the plastic. It was probably a self-drilling, stainless steel, sheet metal screw the first time. I have replaced the Weir door twice.

As I found out, even with a short screw, there is no boss under the plastic except where the original studs are which makes sense. So, it does put a hole in your pool. That is, if you remove the sheet metal screws, the pool will slowly lose water. Once I figured this out, I put some silicone sealer on the screw threads before I screwed them in.

I should have realized that the plastic was that thin except for bosses under the old studs. That is just normal plastic mold design. If I had realized that first, I would have created the drill guide from a rectangular block of steel, drilled and removed the old studs. I had already gone the route of the short stainless steel screws so it's done. It's not worth my time to extract the studs now.

Another method would be to get crafty and make some sort of cam-lock or slider from PVC or plastic that could be glued to walls of the skimmer to bind the Weir door mounting plate down. However, that means figuring what kind of glue would stick to Pac-Fab skimmer plastic and then what kind of plastic to use for the cam or slide lock mechanism. It would be crafty but time-consuming as well.

[akenis]

The port to my main drain was full of concrete. Took cover off main drain and it was a mess.... full of silt and sand. Put a drain king in to see where it ended up. Could feel a little bit of water coming through the blocked port in skimmer. Not sure if it was blocked off intentionally or left over from the remodel. Guy at my pool store says it happens all the time... and to get the concrete out. So I chunked it all away and it went back down the pipe. Put the new stock basket in, rotated to the full left and it started sucking out all the concrete. Then put a leaf over by the main drain and watched it get sucked up. So happy to have the drain back. Better flow and old set up was dangerous...if water level dropped below skimmer inlet everything would run dry.

I thought the aftermarket spring loaded doors were kind of universal.... kind of like a shower curtain rod.... tension keeps it in place? My hardware guy said it probably wouldn't stay in place. So will get stock door and figure out how to replace old studs. Maybe it will stay put with the one stud that is still there and securely holding the old hinge in place. My pool guy also suggested your idea of moving the plate fore/aft and using screws. Then he said use marine adhesive....it would be permanent.

After the door, only thing missing will be the trim plate. Seems kind of redundant with the basket?