How To Set Up A Hayward Suction Pool Cleaner

Pick Your Source for Suction - You may choose either the skimmer or a dedicated suction line to which to connect your hose. We'll be focusing on the more common (and preferred) method of the dedicated suction line.


Click he To Find your Skimmer’s Vac Plate. 

Skimmer Installation - Connecting a suction cleaner to your skimmer will require extra hardware like the Hayward Hose Cone Adapter, Hayward Regulator Valve, or a Skimmer Vacuum Plate. The type of dependent on your skimmer model. View the link below to view out skimmer parts section, or click here to view our vacuum plates page.

Click Here to Find Your Skimmer Parts

Determine Required Hose Length - To ensure your cleaner runs as efficiently as possible, we’ll only be the necessary amount of hose sections. To determine hose length, you’ll want to measure how many hoses it takes to reach from your suction point to the furthest corner of your pool. To account for depth, you will add two hoses to that length.

For example, it takes 6 hoses lengths to reach from your suction line port to the furthest corner of the pool. Add two hoses to that length for a total of 8, to find your total hose length.

Assemble Your Hose - Begin assembling your hose sections. Please note, the lead hose marked with an orange tag on its reinforced cuff should be the last hose before the cleaner. 

For our example, our hose with 8 sections will be comprised of seven standard sections, and the lead hose connecting to the cleaner.

**While assembling the hose, purge each section of air, by submerging it while attaching the subsequent section.**

Attach Flow Gauge - Install flow gauge to the end of the lead hose.

**Note the Min and Max meter on its side. We’ll be using this scale to set up our suction line strength**

Clip Flow Gauge To First Hose Section - Use the C-Clip on the back of flow gauge to attach a hose to the first hose section. Clipping the flow gauge this way allows for easier inspection while we are measuring suction strength.

Adjust Plumbing Valve (If Necessary) - Shut off your main drain suction line, using the corresponding diverter valve. 

For dedicated suction line users, you may leave your skimmer line open initially. If your cleaner requires more suction you can then partially or completely close it to reach the desired suction strength.

Turn On Pump - Turn on your main filter pump, allow it time to prime, and wait for any air to be expelled from the system.

Check Flow Gauge - With the pump running, check that the flow gauge disk is reading steadily between the Min and Max lines on the scale. If the gauge is within this range you can proceed to the next step. 

If the black disk exceeds the MAX line:

Dedicated Suction Line -  it will be necessary to adjust the vacuum/water flow using the 3-way valve at the filter system. 

Skimmer - valve or valves in the filter system, or the Hayward V094 Regulator Valve or an optional Hayward Automatic Skimmer Vacuum Plate 

If the black disk does not exceed the MIN line, the issue is likely to do with your filter system. You will need to adjust the speed of your pump, or complete troubleshooting for low flow. 

Related Articles: How To Determine the Cause of Low Water Flow, How to Correct Low Water Pressure in Your Pool System

Turn off Pump - Turn off your pump once the current flow and valve setting combination is found. Mark or note the necessary position of your valves for correct suction levels

Install Cleaner Head - Submerge the cleaner head completely underwater to purge any trapped air. Wait until you no longer see air bubbles escaping from the cleaner, before installing the lead hose. 

orange Tag should be removed before installing cleaner head

Remove Flow Gauge - Remove gauge from end of hose.

Leaf Canister - To prevent plumbing blockages, and general easier maintenance add a leaf canister to your hose assembly. This leaf canister will stop and clog causing debris before it reaches your plumbing or equipment.

Congratulations, you have installed your Hayward suction cleaner. if you have any questions about setup, please leave a question down below.