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How To Operate a Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner Through a Skimmer

WRITTEN BY: Danny Rhodehamel

3.62 out of 5 stars on 8 ratings
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This guide assumes that you have assembled your Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner and it is ready for installation. If not see our guide on How to Assemble a Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner. Your Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner can be installed into your pool three different ways: directly into your skimmer; into a skimmer vacuum plate; or into a dedicated suction line. This guide will show you have to install and operate your Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner directly through the skimmer port. In this configuration you will be bypassing the function of the skimmer when you need to use the Kreepy Krauly Cleaner. See our other how-to guides for installing with the other two options

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Click Here to Find Your New Kreepy Krauly Cleaner

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Step 1

INSPECT PARTS - This picture shows the parts you should have received to install your Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner directly into your pool's swimmer port: 1 - the Kreepy Krauly (assembled) , 3 - automatic regulator valve, 4 - threaded compression adapter, 5 - hose protector, 6- hose weights, 7 - eyeball diverter and outer ring. 40 feet of hose sections is not shown

Click Here to View Kreepy Krauly Cleaner Parts

Click Here to Find Your New Kreepy Krauly Cleaner

Step 2

TURN PUMP OFF - Always turn your pump off at the pump circuit breaker.

Step 3

CLOSE MAIN DRAIN - For best cleaner results, shut off your main drain and any dedicated suction lines other than the skimmer.

Step 4

REMOVE SKIMMER BASKET - Remove the skimmer cover and lift out the skimmer basket.

Step 5

IDENTIFY REGULATOR VALVE AND ADAPTER -This picture shows the automatic regulator valve as it will be connected to the blue adapter. The adapter will be screwed into the bottom of the skimmer well and the regulator will be pressed into the adapter. Note: when installed the end of the regulator labeled "Attach Hose This End" will be on the top.

Click Here to Find Your Skimmer's Vac Plate

Step 6

SCREW IN THREADED ADAPTER - Wrap 3-4 layers of plumber's tape onto the threads of the threaded adapter and screw it into the vacuum connection in the bottom of the skimmer. Note: If the opening in the bottom of the skimmer is not threaded, use a 2" hose cone. It is not included with your Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner and will have to be ordered separately.

Click Here to Find Your Skimmer's Vac Plate

Step 7

INSTALL THE REGULATOR VALVE - Press the automatic regulator valve into the threaded compression adapter. Ensure that the end labeled "Attach Hose This End" is up.

Click Here to Find Your Skimmer's Vac Plate

Step 8

CONNECT THE HOSE SECTIONS - Dip the ends of the hoses into the pool to wet them and twist and push them together until the hose reaches from where the Kreepy Krauly is connected to the farthest part of your pool, plus one section. One of the sections has 2 female ends. Set this section aside.

Step 9

PREPARE FEMALE/FEMALE HOSE - Attach the female/female section to connect the rest of the hose. Slip the hose protector sleeve onto the hose to protect the hose from wear around the skimmer door and opening.

Step 10

PLACE HOSE WEIGHTS ON HOSE - Weights have to be added to the hose to neutralize the nose's buoyancy in water. The number of weights to add depends on the maximum depth of your pool. For a standard pool where the maximum depth is between 4' and 7', you will need to add 2 weights. These are added one 4 to 12 inches and one 6' from the swivel head. If your pool's maximum depth is greater than 7', you may need to add an additional weight at 12' from the swivel head.

Click Here to Find Your Skimmer's Vac Plate

Step 11

ATTACH HOSE TO THE CLEANER - Check that the swivel head rotates freely and then attach the hose to the swivel head.

Step 12

PLACE CLEANER INTO POOL - Lower the Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner and hoses into pool. Push the hose straight down to purging all air out of the cleaner and hose.

Click Here to View Kreepy Krauly Cleaner Parts

Click Here to Find Your New Kreepy Krauly Cleaner

Step 13

CONNECT HOSE TO VALVE - Insert the end of the hose through the skimmer opening and connect the hose directly onto the automatic regulator valve.

Step 14

TURN THE PUMP ON - Restart the pump by flipping the circuit breaker on. The Cleaner will begin to operate as soon as the pump is fully primed.

Step 15

CHECK CLEANER ANGLE - The Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner should be operating with its seal moving flat on the pool floor and the drive tubes making a 45 degree angle with the floor. If required, adjust the hose weights one inch at a time until proper angle is achieved. Adjust weights for operation in the deep end. If the hose is too light, the drive tubes will be at an angle greater than 45 degrees from the floor - move the weights closer to the Kreepy Krauly Cleaner. If the hose drags downward pulling the drive tubes down to an angle less than 45 degrees from the floor, move the weights away from the Kreepy Krauly Cleaner.

Step 16

CHECK POSITION OF RETURN VALVES - The water flow from your return line may prevent your Kreepy Krauly Cleaner from cleaning a corner of your pool. If you have eyeball diverters already in your pool, position any that effect the Kreepy Krauly Cleaner to flow either along the side of the pool or downward.

Click Here to View Kreepy Krauly Cleaner Parts

Click Here to Find Your New Kreepy Krauly Cleaner

Step 17

ADD EYEBALL DIVERTER (OPTION) - If you do not have existing adjustable returns, Pentair has included one in your Kreepy Krauly Cleaner package. With the PUMP OFF, unscrew the lock ring on your original return valve; replace the original eyeball with the Kreepy Krauly eyeball diverter; replace the locking ring; adjust the eyeball to divert flow; and tighten locking ring.

Step 18

CHECK CLEANER SPEED - Your Pentair Kreepy Krauly Cleaner should be operating at 8 - 12 feet per minute. If not, you will have to make the following adjustments

Step 19

INCREASE CLEANER SPEED - If you haven't closed off suction lines other than the skimmer, close them off now or close them to the point that the cleaner gets sufficient suction to operate at 8-12 feet / minute. Check that debris is cleared from filter and pump basket. Check that the flapper in the Kreepy Krauly Cleaner is free of debris. Check your water flow. This cleaner needs a minimum of 25 gallons per minute. Your pump may be too small.

Step 20

DECREASE CLEANER SPEED - If you have an especially powerful pump, it may be overpowering the automatic regulator valve. To slow the Kreepy Krauly Cleaner down, you may have to replace the bottom part of the regulator valve with a manual by-pass valve. This part has to be purchased separately. See PN 3240-094 for further instructions.

Step 21

Your Kreepy Krauly Cleaner should now be operating successfully. If you are having other issues, see our guide on How To Correct Pentair Kreepy Krauly Operational Problems.

Click Here to View Kreepy Krauly Cleaner Parts

Click Here to Find Your New Kreepy Krauly Cleaner

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(1 to 22 of 22)

Michael Real Posted: 4/3/2022
I have a Sta-Rite skimmer with a Vac-Plus11 skimmer plate on it. Without the Kreepy Krauly hooked up I have no air in my leaf basket and 10-12 lbs of pressure at the filter. As soon as I hook up the Kreepy Krauly the pressure drops to 5 lbs. and I get air bubbles in the leaf basket. This is with a brand new Kreepy and hoses, so there isn't a restriction. Should the automatic regulator valve be opening partially when the Kreepy is running? I feel like it's getting to much suction and it's also destroying the Kreepy parts. Any help would be highly appreciated.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/4/2022
Are you purging all the air from the hose before connecting it to the skimmer? Have you tried installing the hose without the old vac plus II part? The vac plus is not necessary for the new cleaners.
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Anonymous Posted: 8/28/2020
I have a creepy crawler that climbs the wall and sucks air. Which way should I turn the regulator valve to control the crawler?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/31/2020
You can see how to adjust your flow on the below excerpt of the owner's manual
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Anonymous Posted: 6/19/2019
L can not get the krawly to go to the shalow end
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InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 6/20/2019
The most common reason for the cleaner not going to the shallow end is not enough suction. Check for holes in the hoses. MAke sure the filter is clean. If you see air bubbles in the pump or at the return jet, locate and fix the suction side air leak.
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Robert P Posted: 10/17/2018
My issue is when the pump shuts off, timer, the hose disconnects. I have used teflon tape but it usually works it's way loose.Any suggestions? I am going to try to add pool hose weights to help them stay in place on the hose connection to skimmer.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 10/18/2018
Hello Robert - Is the adapter popping out of the hole in the skimmer or is the hose separating from the adapter?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/22/2017
Arlin - If your cleaner is sticking to the bottom of the pool, it may have too much water flow going to it. The automatic regulator valve is inserted into the bottom of the skimmer. Make sure the end of the automatic regulator valve labeled “Attach Hose This End” is positioned at the top of the valve. If you have diverter valves, try closing down the skimmer flow a bit to reduce the flow to the cleaner.
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Arlin Posted: 8/19/2017
I used the original creepy crawler 15 years well pleased. I purched the pentagram all new kreppy krawler it is a piece of junk stays stuck on the bottom of the pool.
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barb Posted: 7/13/2017
This how to description is FABULOUS. the best help for OLDER model kreepy krauleys on the internet. Thank you for the fabulous pix and easy to understand description. Now if only you carried the compression valve part that is shown in step 19, I would be happy. Can't find it anywhere that kreepy is sold!
Thanks again.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/29/2017
bmta312 - If you have the option, shut off the main drain so you have more suction going to the skimmer and you suction cleaner. Otherwise, go through this guide again to make sure the regulator valve and adapter are installed correctly. If this does not work, your pump may be too small to support this cleaner.
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bmta312 Posted: 5/27/2017
Newbie:
We have tried to use the Kreepy Krawly but there doesn't seem to be any suction on the pool floor. I am not sure what I am doing to be honest. Any advice is welcomed!
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/22/2016
Mteach44 - A vacuum plate gives you the option of filtering out debris that comes in through the cleaner. It sits above the skimmer basket to allow the basket to screen out any debris being sucked up by the cleaner. Most installations do not use a vacuum plate electing instead to connect the cleaner hose directly to the skimmer port and not using the basket. As to your other question, when you install the cleaner to a dedicated suction port, you place the regulator in the bottom of the skimmer and close off the top of the regulator with the cap. This allows you to use the regulator to reduce the normal flow of water through the skimmer to 25 GPM to help power the cleaner. The cleaner hose is attached to a suction port. When you install the cleaner through a skimmer, the regulator cap is not used. The cleaner hose is attached to the end of the regulator instead.
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Mteach44 Posted: 8/19/2016
As opposed to hooking up the Kreepy thru the base of the skimmer there is another product to use the skimmer. Why is there a plate where the regulator sets in the middle of the plate. There is a device to hold the plate in position. Could I use some sort of basket under this plate? And when do you use this system vs direct to skimmer base?

I also do not understand when you put the regulator with its cover in a skimmer but not where the Kreepy is attached. Thanks for sny clarity you can provide.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/17/2016
Kreepy Krauly Kruiser - Here's a link to the Owner's Manual for the family of Kreepy Kruly cleaners . You should find something close to your assembly instructions in the manual.
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Anonymous Posted: 6/15/2016
I don't see any instructions on how to assemble a Kreepy Krawly Kruiser.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/17/2015
pool-owner - You are right, by using this skimmer hookup, you are bypassing the skimmer basket as a filter. If you use a leaf canister you could catch most of the debris before it gets to the pump. Some will get past the basket but it would be caught in the strainer basket before the pump. I do not know of any basket arrangement that could be added to the skimmer.
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pool-owner Posted: 7/16/2015
I actually have the same question. Actually two questions.

I know the basket in the pump would catch the large debris. But it still seemed "dangerous" as we know things just got suck up to the system mysteriously. Is there a specific type of skimmer basket that we can use to catch some debris at the skimmer level.

My second question is related. I also use a leaf canister (large one). So supposedly all the large rocks, leaves, etc., should be caught there. Yet, I am seeing leaves and large objects (e.g., dead moles) in the pump basket. I think they might have gotten there through the hole on the Creepy Kauly's adapter thingie (with a spring). Or are there other ways?

thanks in advance for any input :0)
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/27/2014
newbie - The larger debris that is sucked up with the Kreepy Krauly would be collected in the pump's strainer basket before the water goes into the filter.
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newbie Posted: 5/25/2014
I am a fan of Kreepy Krauly too. I have a general question which might be a little elementary. Now, the regular pool filter system uses the skimmer baskets to filter large debris such as rocks, acorn, etc. Vaccuum systems such as Kreepy Krauly just sucks up everything to the pool filter (without going through a skimmer). Would this be a problem? You use a leaf canister and me too, but this doesn't seem to be a standard requirement/accessory for these systems. So do the manufacturers expect folks to just use them as is and let the debris all go thru the filter?
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Anonymous Posted: 7/5/2013
Thank you! Very helpful!
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