Sorry to have missed this part of the thread! The Ultra Gizzmo works very well for folks in your situation!

Jennie sent me the following PM :

jenmenke jenmenke is online now
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Default I'm gonna try to build your blow-out thing, but have a question
I need some clarification on your response to my question about the adaptor for the air compressor -- asap because I want to start this today. Temps have been down to 20 and pool people aren't scheduled for another week. I'm worried:

1) When you say "a properly sized male adaptor" you mean either 1" or 2" that screws into the bottom of the skimmer, depending on the size I have, right? (ours is 2")

2) A tank (or schraeder) valve that comes out thru the top of the glued-on cap connects to the air compressor with a tire inflator compressor accessory, right?

that's it for now. Hope you are around!
What you describe is right on with what I was saying The threads would either be 1.5" or 2" - get the right male adapter, pipe and cap for your line. Oncew you've glued the pipe to the MA and the cap, drill a hole in the cap and use a tap to allow you to screw in the tank valve. (I think the tank valves are 3/8" - BUT DOUBLE CHECK THAT!!! Make sure you use terflon tape on any threaded connections!

You'll also need some expansion protection in the skimmer! You can either cut up a foam 'noodle' and pack it into the skimmer body or ~1/2 fill an empty bleach bottle with sand or gravel and insert it upside down in the skimmer (the sand/ gravel keeps the bottle 'neutral buoyant' so that if ice forms, the bottle will collapse before the skimmer walls break)

There are some other fine points in closing a pool, but the most important for right now are evacuating and plugging the lines (adding antifreeze to all the lines you can is also a VERY good idea) and draining the water out of the pump/ filter equipment. If you will tell us what you've accomplished, we'll tell you what else needs be done

LUV & LUK!
Ted

Good luck with this, I'll check in in a couple of hours to see if you have any follow up questions