Portable Pump For Pool Vacuum?

[stickyb]

My pool does not have anywhere to plug in the hose for a vacuum. Is it possible to buy a portable pump that will drive a vacuum?

Can anyone recommend anywhere in pattaya?

Thanks

[Chang_paarp]

Almost every pool has a place to plug the vacuum into, as they use the suction from the pump to vacuum the pool.

Ensure you have the following;

1. Pool vacuum hose.
   
2. A "vac head". The device that goes on the end of the hose and is pussed across the bottom of the pool to collect leaves and dirt.
   
3. Telescopic pole, long enough to push the "vac head" accroos the bottom of the pool.
   
4. (optional) Vac plate to put in the skimmer box so leaves are collected in the basket. See below.
   

The hose from the vacuum plugs in to the skimmer box. You should have been given a plate that goes above the leaf basket in the skimmer box, they have a hole for the vac hose. Used correctly the larger particles and leafves are collected in the basket before they go to the pump and filter.

If you do not have a vac plate, you can get away with removing the leaf basket and plugging directly into the hole in the bottom of the skimmer, this is the pipe that goes correctly to the pump, so you will need to check the basket at the front of the pump regularly (every couple of minutes).

This assumes you have a half way decent pool not a kids paddle pool, their systems are different. Ask me for the work around there, I will need photos to work from.

[stickyb]

Almost every pool has a place to plug the vacuum into, as they use the suction from the pump to vacuum the pool.

As i said, my pool does not. The only outlet from the pool to the pump is on the bottom of the pool 2.5mtrs underwater. That is why i am after a portable puimp, if such a thing exists.

[Chang_paarp]

That is an unfortunate set-up. A skimmer box helps catch leaves and dirt before it settles to the bottom of the pool.

If you have a series of return jets around the side of the pool, it may have been set up for the Dega Flip Hoses. A series of hoses attached to the jets and pushed the debris toward the main drain in the centre of the pool.

If you have to set up a separate pump for vacuuming the pool, try this.

Get a pool pump about 500W (3/4 Hp)

Hard plumb some 40mm PVC pipe to the suction of the pump( You can use flexible couplings but they can leak air). I used to use about 1-2metres to keep the pump a safe distance from the pool.

Put an elbow on the end and enough pipe to go 200-300mm below the water level. It is best if you glue this part to prevent air leaking.

You now have a vacuum set-up if you want to get very sophisticated you can put a cartridge filter on the return side of the pump, this will give the best results as it will remove the dust and smaller particles. Now plumb the return to the pool, use PVC and flexible couplings again for cost and ease of construction.

If you get a lot of debris it may worth your while to get an inline leaf cathcher as they have a larger capacity than the pump basket and you do not lose pump prime when you empty them.

Depending on where you are, a local pool shop may have one for their service department.

[chownah]

Just incase the op wants a truly portable vacuum....Robyn makes a light weight 2 stroke powered pump that costs around 5000 baht. I bought one so my wife can go out and irrigate in some out of the way places so the unit is light enough for her to carry around. Just get a filter unit to put in-line with the suction side of the pump I guess and attach it to your wand....that should do it I think. The pumps Robyn makes come in two sizes....the motor is the same unit but one pump has 1 inch inlet and outlet and the other has 1-1/2 inch inlet and outlet and a larger capacity as well.

Chownah

P.S. Robyn also makes a brush cutter that is very popular around here so you might be able to find a pumping unit like this at the same place where they sell Robyn brush cutters...that's where I found mine....the motor is the same on both.

Chownah

Edited November 23, 2006 by chownah