Poolparts2u Blog

Okay, so I really know and understand the Ray-vac. I have always appreciated the way it works. There is  a three way Jandy valve to allow some of pump water to flow back to the cleaner, an energy filter with a gauge located on top, a hose assembly which also contains the hydro tymer (back-up mechanism) and the Ray-vac head which does the cleaning. Unlike suction-side cleaners that suck up the debris and pull it through the pump and collects in the filter. All the debris picked up by the Ray-vac is collect inside the Ray-vac 's head.

This pool vacuum is simple. At the equipment pad, in the piping from the pump to the large filter, there is the small energy filter. The gauge sits on top of this small filter and should be set around 20-22 lbs. You can ajust the pressure at that gauge by ajusting a three port valve. Allowing more water to the energy filter will increase the pressure at the gauge. This Energy filter does need to be maintained. You can see through the clear plastic case. Make sure it is clean.

Let's start where the hose plugs into the wall. The first few hoses have connections that swivel. This keeps the hose from twisting into a giant knot. The next item is the Hydro-Tymer. Its job is to back the vac out of corners or wherever it gets stuck. Inside the Hydro-Tymer is an old fashion paddle wheel. Water enters into the Hydro-Tymer and turns the paddle wheel. It starts to spin, turning gears. It shuts off the flow of water to the vac head and allows water to flow out the front of the Hydro-Tymer, causing it to move backwards for a short time. From the Hydro Tymer, water moves to the head, passing a few line jets that helps move it foward.

You may ask, "How does it vacuum when water is pressurized going to the vac head?" That is a good question, I'm glad you asked. At the Ray vac where the hose connects into the head, there is a venturi. This is how the vac creates suction. The transporter jet has eight small jets that point out the back of the vacuum. When under pressure it forces water to flow thru the venturi creating a vacuum affect. This causes the mouth at the bottom of vacuum head to open sucking up and collecting the debris on the screen head. Click here if you need to replace your Hydro-timer