Converting 15' Round Intex to Hard Plumbing

[ATC_NH]

Pool Doc,

Can you elaborate on not hard plumbing an Intex? I have seen several posts on here that appear to have sucess...

My biggest concern is the point, where the plunger needs to be adapted to fit the pool..... it is a compresssion type adapter and is very loose..... I can take a picture when I get home and post.....

[PoolDoc]

I think you could do it, without problems . . . at first.

But an Intex pool moves easily, and hard pipe doesn't. That is going to create a stress point that will either tear the pool or break the pipe. I think fixing whatever is wrong with your existing Intex connection point might be a better plan. If you can get through on their phone lines, Intex has apparently been pretty good about replacing components that have a problem, often not even asking that you return the old component. I'd try that, first.

Consumer Service: 1-800-234-6839
Special Summer Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00am-5:00pm PST; Saturday 7:00am-3:00pm PST
Online Store: http://www.intexstore.com
Main site: http://www.intexcorp.com

By the way, thanks for the subscription!

[ATC_NH]

You are welcome. For all the free advice, its the least I can do!

You bring up a very good point...... Maybe I will abandon the hard plumbing....

Here is another idea...

The pump came with intex ports, that fit the include hoses and plunger valves.... just not the pool... I am thinking about just cutting the liner (it is reinforced where the cuts will be)... and using the following ports (not sure if that is the right word).... They have gaskets and all...


connector 1 by atc_nh, on Flickr


connector2 by atc_nh, on Flickr

[ATC_NH]

Here is what I am trying to eliminate.... basically, its a rubber sleeve with a plastic pipe inside.... The plunger requires an adapter which uses a nut to compress around the rubber sleeve.... It is not tight at all and the slightest movement cause it to slip.... Only a matter of time before it falls off and I loose my pump
I am going to cut all that out and replace with the fitting from my above post.....


Untitled by atc_nh, on Flickr


Thanks again for all the help!

[BigDave]

Are you planning to dump your water or wait 'til the end of the season?
I think your plan should work so long as all your cutting is in the reinforced section of the wall and you snug those new ports up tight. I'd use teflon tape just to make it eaisier to turn the nut.

Measure twice, cut once.

[SafetyBob]

Ryan, I modified my "little" Intex pool with the big intake and returns since they came with the big Intex pump/filter. At this point in time, unless you are willing to live with the leak you will have to drain at least some water out of your pool.

You will have to cut around 1/4 of an inch of material off to allow the installation of the bigger return in the hole. You will be OK by just following the installation diagram of the parts installation guide. THEN you can hook up your big hoses with the valves and all will be well. I have hard plumbed after my first 6 foot of hose from the pool (the pool bends and flexes so you have to allow for movement....period).

However, all conections to Intex equipment are connected with intex hoses first (for the length of the hose) then to the hard plumbing. You will find that if you use a 1 1/2 rubber PVC pipe connector cut into 1/8 inch washers (similar to your garden hose washers), you will have no leaks when connecting 1 1/2 inch Intex hoses to a 1 1/2 inch PVC threaded connector. You WILL have to make or buy a washer. Cutting is very easy if you put a 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe into the connector, then using your cutoff saw you will be able to make repeatable cuts and similar washers.

Bob E.

[ATC_NH]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I went ahead and cut out the small intex connections and replaced with the larger.

Everything is working well, and flowing better.

Safetybob,

Do you still use the intex plungers??


Thanks

Ryan