STA-RITE
U-3 SKIMMER
INSTALLATION, OPERATION & PARTS
Sta-Rite Pool/Spa Group
293 Wright Street, Delavan, WI 53115
International:
262-728-5551, FAX: 262-728-7550
www.starite.com
Union City, TN • Delavan, WI • Mississauga, ON
© 2005, Sta-Rite Industries
39501-0028
(Rev. 12/19/05)
Blocking pump suction can cause pressure
surges and water hammer, which can damage pump or piping
and may cause flooding.
OPERATION
All Models:
Pump suction pulls water through skimmer. Water flow into
skimmer carries floating leaves, bugs, etc., into skimmer where
they are trapped in skimmer basket. (Dust, body oils, etc., go on
through to be removed by pool filter.) Floating weir in skimmer
opening enhances surface flow and skimming action. Model
Series 1403, 2403, 1404 and 2404 are NSF listed.
Water level:
Keep pool, spa, or hot tub water level at least 1-1/2
to 2" above bottom of skimmer opening for proper operation.
Float Valve:
Float valve protects pump from loss of prime if
skimmer clogs or flow through skimmer is restricted. Trimmer
valve plate on bottom of float valve balances flow between
skimmer and main drains.
Flow adjustment:
Balance flow between skimmer and main drain.
A. Skimmers
without
float
:
Adjust shut-off valves in pump suc-
tion line from skimmer and pool main drain line. (See
Figure 1, below.)
B. Skimmers
with
float
:
If skimmer is equipped with float
valve, adjust trimmer plate on bottom of float. To reach
trimmer plate, remove cover, basket, and float valve (See
Figure 2, below). Swing trimmer plate to one side to
increase trimmer port size (more flow through skimmer, less
flow through main drains); reduce port size for less flow
through skimmer and more flow through main drains.
Sweeping pool:
For installation without equalizer line, hold
weir up to starve skimmer of water and close float valve. This
directs all flow through main drains. To return to normal skim-
ming operation, turn pump off 10-15 seconds, allowing skim-
mer to fill and float valve to return to open position. Skimmer
will now operate normally as long as pool water level is high
enough to allow normal flow over weir.
Hazardous Suction.
Risk of hair or body
entrapment, drowning or
disembowelment.
Wall fitting on equalizer line must
be non-entrapping of hair or body
at flow rates upto 55 GPM.
NOTE:
Skimmer is not equivalent
to a main drain. All pools, spas, and hot tubs must have at
least two main drains besides skimmer(s).
Save these instructions. Carefully read and follow all safety instructions in this manual.
Flow
Through
Skimmer
To Pump
Suction
Float
Valve
Open
Check
Valve
Shut
Equalizer
Line
1023 0694
55
G
P
M
LIS
T
ED
SUC
TIONF
ITT
IN
G
S
T
A
-R
IT
E
080
10-0
010
55
G
P
M
LIS
T
ED
SUC
TIONF
ITT
IN
G
S
T
A
-R
IT
E
080
10-0
010
From
Equalizer
Outlet
To Pump
Suction
Float
Valve
Shut
Check
Valve
Open
1022 0694
No Flow
Over
Weir
55
G
P
M
LIS
T
ED
SUC
TIONF
ITT
IN
G
S
T
A
-R
IT
E
080
10-0
010
55
G
P
M
LIS
T
ED
SUC
TIONF
ITT
IN
G
S
T
A
-R
IT
E
080
10-0
010
To Pump
Suction
Remove Check
Valve; Plug
Equalizer (or
Main Drain)
Port
Equalizer
Line
1021 0694
Vacuum
Plate
Pool Vacuum
Hose
55
G
P
M
LIS
TE
D
SUC
TIONF
ITT
IN
G
S
T
A
-R
IT
E
080
10-0
010
55
G
P
M
LIS
TE
D
SUC
TIONF
ITT
IN
G
S
T
A
-R
IT
E
080
10-0
010
Figure 1: Normal operation: float
valve open, check valve shut.
Figure 2: Equalizer operation; float
valve shut, check valve open.
Figure 3: Vacuuming pool; float and
check valves removed, equalizer (check
valve) port plugged.
Typical Public Pool Skimmer Installation with Equalizer Line Installed
