Balancing Suction Lines to Keep the Pool Cleaner Working

With any suction pool cleaner it's important to find the proper balance between the different suction lines of the pool. Typically a pool with a suction side pool cleaner such as a Hayward Navigator or a Kreepy Krauly also has a suction line for the main drain and the skimmer. The flow from these different suction lines are usually controlled by one or two diverter valves, on the suction side of the pool pump, that can be adjusted to change the amount of water pulled from each of the lines.

When testing the pool cleaner, adjust these valves until the pool cleaner is working at the proper speed. When doing this, you'll want to make sure not only that the pool cleaner is moving at the right speed but also that there is plenty of water filling the pump pot and that the water flow through the pool is sufficient. The best approach is to divert the water slowly adding suction to the pool cleaner until it reaches the proper speed. The more section you can keep at the main drain and/or the skimmer the better. Finding the right balance will keep the pool filtration at its maximum.

Keep in mind that as the main pool filter becomes dirtier you may have to adjust these valves a little to keep the pool cleaner working. When it becomes difficult to get the pool cleaner to work and at the same time keep the pool pump pot filled and keep good flow to the pool, it may be time to clean the pool filter.

 

 

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