thegrog
Active Member
OK, gotten a bunch of requests on how to do this. Prior to 2 weeks ago, I had no idea either, but it is really easy to learn.
I did not take any pics durring mod, sorry. It is really easy to do and describe without pics. Here is the step-by-step.
I tried it with two different materials.
First was with plastic gutterguard available at any hardware or home improvement store. I used 5 layers instead of 3. It performed better than the stock pin needlewheel, but not great. See first pic.
Second was with a plastic mesh called Enkamat PF4. Google it and you will find plenty of places to get it. That works GREAT!! You can really see and hear the difference in performance. see second pic. You can see the finer mesh and more random pattern.
So, here is the step-by-step on the mesh mod:
1. Unplug pump and remove from skimmer (would be tough to do when running)!
sorry, coffee not kicked in yet.
2. Remove intake housing and impeller assembly.
3. Carefully cut pins off of needlewheel. I used a pair of fine wirecutters but a dremmel with a cutting wheel would work even better (don't have one). Try getting them to about 1/16 - 1/8 inch in height. I don't cut them flush as I feel they help hold the mesh in place.
4. Cut 3 squares of mesh slightly larger than impeller wheel.
5. Layer the mesh 3 layers thick. Using a fine pair of scissors, cut a 1/4" hole in center so it can fit over center shaft. Does not have to be size of shaft as it will squeeze over it and help hold in place.
6. Secure with two zipties using the holes already in the impeller. Have the secure portion facing out (see below pic) to prevent scraping back of impeller housing. Do NOT overtighten!!! This can cause mesh to bow outward. Just tight enough to secure mesh to wheel and keep it flat.
7. Using a pair of scissors, trim mesh around wheel edge so it is nice and round.
8. Place back in pump and reassembel housing. Do a "dry test" where you plug it in and see if it spins. If not, you may have a corner of mesh catching on something.
9. Place back into skimmer assembly and connect everything.
10. Plug back in. You may have to blow some air into venturi hose as I found there is some sort of fluid lock when first starting up.
11. Re-tune skimmer as your skimmate will be WAY more!!
That is it. Easy to do and takes about 20 minutes. My mistake was overtightening the zipties and that caused the mesh to bow outward and catch on the housing. If that happens, cut the ties and put 2 new ones on.
A second mod to do durring this is to increase the size of the air venturi intake. Takes a few minutes and the return is great! This allows even more air to enter the skimmer and increases the performance even more!
For the venturi intake sizing, just find what drillbit size fits in there (can't remember offhand) and go up by 1/32" (1/64 even better) and bore it out SLOWLY. You can even do it by hand if you have a hand tap that can grip the drillbit. Go up a total of 1/16" in diameter (2-1/32 bits or 4-1/64 bit sizes) This allows even more air into intake and furthur increases performance.
Hope this helps!!
Any questions class???
I did not take any pics durring mod, sorry. It is really easy to do and describe without pics. Here is the step-by-step.
I tried it with two different materials.
First was with plastic gutterguard available at any hardware or home improvement store. I used 5 layers instead of 3. It performed better than the stock pin needlewheel, but not great. See first pic.
Second was with a plastic mesh called Enkamat PF4. Google it and you will find plenty of places to get it. That works GREAT!! You can really see and hear the difference in performance. see second pic. You can see the finer mesh and more random pattern.
So, here is the step-by-step on the mesh mod:
1. Unplug pump and remove from skimmer (would be tough to do when running)!
2. Remove intake housing and impeller assembly.
3. Carefully cut pins off of needlewheel. I used a pair of fine wirecutters but a dremmel with a cutting wheel would work even better (don't have one). Try getting them to about 1/16 - 1/8 inch in height. I don't cut them flush as I feel they help hold the mesh in place.
4. Cut 3 squares of mesh slightly larger than impeller wheel.
5. Layer the mesh 3 layers thick. Using a fine pair of scissors, cut a 1/4" hole in center so it can fit over center shaft. Does not have to be size of shaft as it will squeeze over it and help hold in place.
6. Secure with two zipties using the holes already in the impeller. Have the secure portion facing out (see below pic) to prevent scraping back of impeller housing. Do NOT overtighten!!! This can cause mesh to bow outward. Just tight enough to secure mesh to wheel and keep it flat.
7. Using a pair of scissors, trim mesh around wheel edge so it is nice and round.
8. Place back in pump and reassembel housing. Do a "dry test" where you plug it in and see if it spins. If not, you may have a corner of mesh catching on something.
9. Place back into skimmer assembly and connect everything.
10. Plug back in. You may have to blow some air into venturi hose as I found there is some sort of fluid lock when first starting up.
11. Re-tune skimmer as your skimmate will be WAY more!!
That is it. Easy to do and takes about 20 minutes. My mistake was overtightening the zipties and that caused the mesh to bow outward and catch on the housing. If that happens, cut the ties and put 2 new ones on.
A second mod to do durring this is to increase the size of the air venturi intake. Takes a few minutes and the return is great! This allows even more air to enter the skimmer and increases the performance even more!
For the venturi intake sizing, just find what drillbit size fits in there (can't remember offhand) and go up by 1/32" (1/64 even better) and bore it out SLOWLY. You can even do it by hand if you have a hand tap that can grip the drillbit. Go up a total of 1/16" in diameter (2-1/32 bits or 4-1/64 bit sizes) This allows even more air into intake and furthur increases performance.
Hope this helps!!
Any questions class???
