Ask The Pros Swimming Pool and Spa Help and Information

Turbo Clean Head with Plastic balls

Q:  My Turbo Clean has 6 balls on the bottom.  I can't find a picture of it so I can get new parts and put it together. Have you seen one like that?

A:  You probably have one of the A % A Valves. They used to have large plastic balls in the bottom. At the two links below there are upgrade kits to replace the ball style internals with the new flapper style internals.

Low Profile - 6 Port Tsunami Valve

Top Feed - 5 & 6 Port Valve

Problem With Great White 9500 Cleaner

Q: I am missing (1) bumper insert (part GW9520) on my Sta-Rite Model 9500. Can you tell me what this does. My cleaner seems to be working fine.

A: They are a float adjustment, from the manual:

"Bumper Inserts help to make the
cleaner more buoyant to allow better access to the
shallow end of the pool. Do not install inserts from the
top; they will become jammed and not work properly.
Only install inserts from the bottom.
If the bumper on the cleaner appears to lift the cleaner
to the surface of the pool, check for trapped air in the
cleaner and hose. If no air is found, remove one
bumper insert block and watch and see if the cleaner
remains submerged and on the pool floor while working.
If not, remove individual insert blocks as needed
until the cleaner rests on the pool floor and operates
properly."

Dave

Pool Vac Stuck on Main Drain

Q: My Pool Vac gets hung up on the drain so I wonder if a drain bumper will eliminate it.  I reduced the vacuum but it still gets hung up.  With new feet it climbs over the dome OK but begins to get hung up as the feet wear in about 4 mos.  Interested to learn price, availability, tech specs, any alternative ideas.  Pool built in 1980's.  Pool Vac is 5 yrs old.  Thanks.

A: Well, my first instinct is to get a different cleaner, Pool Vacs are notorious for getting stuck here and there. We love "The Pool Cleaner" they are by far the best cleaners we have ever installed, and are the only cleaners we install locally:

"The Pool Cleaner 2 Wheel" Models

"The Pool Cleaner 4 Wheel" Models

You will want either the 2 wheel or 4 wheel version. The only other solution I know of is the Unicover which will make your drain easier to cross:

Unicover Main Drain Ramp

Dave