I'd love to send a photo but I'm not digital and since I just started a roll of film yesterday it could be this time next year before it gets developed.

I understand what you're saying about the connector though. After I read your posts I sat and stared at it for awhile and then dug out the instructions. I'm pretty certain though that I will never be able to get it off as I couldn't even get the hose off last fall. My dad looked at it and gave me the same type of explanation but his advice was to just let it leak until next fall and then worry about fixing it. I'm never sure about his technical advice. Although he's been a sheet metal craftsman for years and had to be precise in his work, in his home life projects it's more of a laissez-faire attitude. Example: gardening. His motto is "grow d@$# you, grow" so I don't want to ignore something small now that will become a major pain and expenditure in the future.

What would I plug to keep from draining the pool dry through the filter? Or would I just put the handle on "closed"?

I had something else happen today that's never happened before either. I looked out the window and noticed the pump wasn't running so went down to check. The GFI outlet had tripped and shut the power off. It's never done that before. Makes me a little leery about letting it run overnight and when I'm away from home.

CoffeeBean