Sta-Rite SandShark 7900 Installation Manual

Suction-Side Inground Pool Cleaner

Installation and User's Guide

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Customer Service

If you have questions about ordering Pentair Water Pool and Spa ("Pentair") replacement
parts, and pool products, please use the following contact information:

Customer Service (8 A.M. to 5 P.M. — Eastern and Pacific Times)

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Technical Support

Sanford, North Carolina (8 A.M. to 5 P.M. — Eastern Time)

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Moorpark, California (8 A.M. to 5 P.M. — Pacific Time)

Phone: [phone] (Ext. 5591)

Fax: [phone]

Web site

visit

www.pentairpool.com

© 2011 Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. All rights reserved.

This document is subject to change without notice.

1620 Hawkins Ave., Sanford, NC 27330 • [phone] • [phone]
10951 West Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021 • [phone] • [phone]
293 Wright St., Delavan, WI 53115 • [phone]

or

www.staritepool.com

to find information about Pentair products

Trademarks and Disclaimers: SandShark™, Kreepy Krauly® and Pentair Water Pool and Spa® are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of
Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. and/or its affiliated companies in the United States and/or other countries. Unless noted, names and brands of others
that may be used in this document are not used to indicate an affiliation or endorsement between the proprietors of these names and brands and
Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. Those names and brands may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of those parties or others.

P/N 39503-6300 Rev. C 4/1/11

Congratulations on \RXUpurchasHRI the SandShark™ SRROcleaner<RXUFOHDQHULVGHVLJQHGWRSURYLGH\RX
with years of carefree pool enjoyment, as it efficiently vacuums your pool.

i

First, you’ll have to install SandShark

™

and after installation, perhaps make some minor adjustments
and check to make sure the cleaner is operating properly . This manual also covers the steps needed to install
and adjust WKHSandShark

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.

Contents

Important Warning and Safety Instructions......................................................................... ii

General Installation Information ...........................................................................................iii

Warranty Information ........................................................................................................... iv

Section 1: Pool Preparation .............................................................................................. 1

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SandShark

SandShark

Section 2: Installation ....................................................................................................... 3

Standard Installation ................................................................................................ 3

For Pools with one Skimmer, using the Vacuum Regulator ............................ 3-4

Optional Installation ................................................................................................. 5

Vac Port Installation with Vacuum Regulator in Skimmer ............................... 5-6

Section 3: Adjustments..................................................................................................... 7

Cleaner Assembly .............................................................................. 1

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Hose Assembly .................................................................................. 2

Hose Adjustments/Hose Balance ........................................................................... 7

Fine-tuning Valves and Connections .......................................................................8

Adjusting Flow ......................................................................................................... 8

Return Line Adjustments ......................................................................................... 9

Eyeball Diverter Positions .......................................................................................9

Installing the Eyeball Diverter .................................................................................. 9

In-Line Leaf Canisters ............................................................................................. 10

Section 4: Maintenance .....................................................................................................11

Cleaner and Hose Storage ......................................................................................11

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Disassembly/Reassembly of the SandShark

Cleaner ..........................................12

Section 5: Troubleshooting .............................................................................................. 13

Section 6: Replacement Parts ..........................................................................................14

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SandShark

Please record the serial number of your SandShark

Exploded View & Replacement Parts List ..........................................14-15

™

cleaner in the space below. This way if you need to refer to

the serial number in the future, (e.g. if you call the Customer Helpline), it will be readily available.

SandShark™ Serial Number

Activate SandShark’s Warranty

You will also need to record this serial number on the SandShark™ Warranty Registration Card. Complete and
return the card to activate the SandShark’s limited warranty. The registration card is self-addressed and postage­paid for your convenience. Please thoroughly review the warranty card and additional warranty information in
this Installation and Operation Manual so you are familiar with the terms of your warranty coverage.

SandShark™ Installation and User’s Guide

ii

IMPORTANT WARNING AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Important Notice:

Attention Installer:

this product. This information should be given to the owner and/or operator of this equipment after installation of the
pool cleaner.

Attention User:

pool cleaner. Please retain it for future reference. Consult Pentair with any questions regarding this equipment.

WARNING —

This guide contains important information about the installation, operation and safe use of

This manual contains important information that will help you in operating and maintaining this

Before installing this product, read and follow all warning notices and instructions which are
included. Failure to follow safety warnings and instructions can result in severe injury, death,
or property damage. Call [phone] for additional free copies of these instructions.

Consumer Information and Safety

The SandShark™ pool cleaners are designed and manufactured to provide many years of safe and reliable service when
installed, operated and maintained according to the information in this manual. Throughout the manual, safety warnings
and cautions are identified by the “ “ symbol. Be sure to read and comply with all of the warnings and cautions.

WARNING —

Hazardous suction. Do not play with cleaner or hose or apply to body. Can trap and tear hair
or body parts. Hose can trip or entangle swimmers which could result in drowning.

WARNING —

WARNING —

WARNING —

WARNING —

CAUTION —

Suction entrapment, injury, and drowning hazard. If your pool has a dedicated suction port
(“vac port”) for vacuuming or for an automatic pool cleaner, it must be covered when not in
use. A spring loaded safety cover (a “vac port fitting”) is included with your cleaner. Install it on
the suction port to prevent entrapment and injury. If the cover provided does not fit, purchase one
that does from your local pool store and install it instead. The cover should conform to IAPMO
SPS4-99A.

Stop pump before attempting to clean unit. Do not allow swimmers in pool while pool cleaner
is operating.

To reduce the risk of injury, do not let children use or play with pool cleaner.

Do not allow swimmers in the pool while pool cleaner is operating. Hose can trip or entangle
swimmers which could result in drowning.

Oscillator may injure hands or fingers. Stop pump before attempting to clean out pool cleaner
head.

SandShark™ Installation and User’s Guide

GENERAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION

Pre-installation check list

Before installing your cleaner, review and understand all warnings and safety information in this guide. Failure to
follow these instructions or improper installation of the cleaner can result in damage to the pool finish or the vinyl
liner, Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. disclaims any liability for repairs or replacement to any of these structures

or components of the customer’s pool.

Before installing the cleaner in a vinyl liner pool:

Check liner closely for signs of deterioration or damage from age, chemicals, pool wall damage, etc. If any
damage is found, have a qualified pool professional make all the necessary repairs. Also, if there are stones,
roots, etc., under the liner, remove them before installing the cleaner.

Before installing the cleaner in a gunite pool or a pool that is partially or completely tiled:

Repair loose tiles and tighten any loose light rings.

iii

Before installing the cleaner, clean your filter system:

Make sure you have cleaned the filter, including backwashing, rinsing, and emptying all baskets. A clean
system is necessary for proper cleaner operation and coverage.

Before installing the cleaner, fill the hose with water:

Always make sure the cleaner head is submerged and the hose is full of water before connecting the hose to
the filtration system (whether through a skimmer or dedicated wall fitting). Air in the system can damage the
pump through dry running and overheating.

Before installing the cleaner, understand cleaner coverage:

The cleaner is designed to rid your pool of debris in approximately 4-6 hours. Less time could be needed,
depending on the pool size. The cleaner was not designed to automatically clean steps or swimouts or to
work under a solar cover. It was also not designed to do initial cleanup for a new pool or when opening your
pool for the season.

AFTER installing the cleaner, make sure the cleaner is operating correctly :

The cleaner may need some minor adjustments to make sure it is operating properly so there is no damage
to the pool finish. Certain vinyl liner patterns are particularly susceptible to surface wear, pattern removal, ink
rubbing off of, or serious scratches to the pattern caused by objects coming into contact with the vinyl surface,
including automatic pool cleaners. Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. is not responsible for any pattern removal,
abrasions or markings on vinyl liners.

SandShark™ Installation and User’s Guide

iv

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Limited Warranty Terms & Conditions

Before installing your cleaner, review and understand all warnings, safety and warranty information in this guide. Failure to follow these
instructions or improper installation of the cleaner can result in damage to the pool finish or the vinyl liner, Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.

disclaims any liability for repairs or replacement to any of these structures or components of the customer’s pool.

The Cleaner manufacturer, Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. (“Manufacturer”), hereby provides the following limited warranty to the

purchaser (“Customer”): WHICH IS SUBJECT ONLY TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS:

This limited warranty does not include replacement of parts which become discolored due to exposure to sunlight or chemicals, or parts

which, even if worn, do not affect performance of the cleaner. Nicks, scratches, fading, discoloration, etc. are cosmetic conditions that
do not affect mechanical performance. Both Manufacturer and Pentair Water Pool and Spa’s dealer reserve the right to deny

any and all warranty claims made for worn parts if the wear does not negatively affect mechanical performance of the
cleaner.

The Cleaner is designed to function in a properly designed, constructed and maintained pool. This limited warranty does not extend in the

circumstances where the pool’s design, construction or maintenance is defective, substandard or inappropriate for the Cleaner’s
operation.

Deterioration, discoloration or brittleness of any pool finish can be caused over time separately by, or in combination with, age, an

imbalance in water chemistry, improper installation, and other factors. Customer hereby disclaims any and all claims, and releases
Manufacturer from any and all claims for damages to any pool plaster or vinyl liner in Customer’s pool by reason of the use and/or
operation of the Cleaner.

Under no circumstances shall Manufacturer be liable for any loss or damage, whether direct, consequential or incidental, arising out of the

use or inability to use the Cleaner or the Hose in Customer’s pool.

This limited warranty does not apply to any injury, loss, damage, defect, or malfunction of the Cleaner or failure to function resulting from

any failure to operate or maintain the Cleaner in accordance with the directions contained in the Installation and Operation Manual or
operating instructions provided by Pentair Water Pool and Spa or any injury, loss, damage, defect, or malfunction, or failure to function
resulting from any accident, acts of God, alterations in the Cleaner by anyone other than Manufacturer; or misuse, unreasonable use,
tampering, abuse, acts, omissions, failure or negligence by anyone other than Manufacturer including but not limited to such damages
or injuries to parts resulting from improper installation, or damage to pump parts resulting from running the pump dry (e.g., interruption
in or inadequate supply of water to internal pump parts due to loss of prime, or obstruction in lines or otherwise); or damage, defect or
malfunction resulting from defects in, failure or malfunction of, or negligence, abuse, or misuse with respect to equipment other than the
Cleaner; or any damage or loss of any nature whatsoever and personal injury caused due to the presence of a foreign object in or about
the pool.

Disclaimer of Liability
About Your Pool and SandShark

There are a multitude of factors that contribute to the life of your pool. The SandShark

that will have no impact on pool life.

Please be aware that over time, deterioration, discoloration and brittleness of any pool finish can be caused separately by, or in combination

with, age, an imbalance in pool water chemistry, improper installation and other factors. An automatic pool cleaner, such as SandShark™,
will not remove or cause wear on “good” pool plaster. In fact, the opposite is true–pool plaster will eventually cause wear on the cleaner.

The same situation holds true for vinyl-lined in-ground swimming pools, because vinyl liners are also affected by the environment and

factors such as pool water chemistry, sunlight and the pool’s surroundings. Therefore over time, vinyl can become brittle and weak. In
addition, vinyl-lined pools are affected by the workmanship, composition and installation of the liner and the workmanship and quality of
construction of the supporting walls and pool base. These are all factors which can contribute to liner failure. The existence of any of
these type of conditions in your pool is not caused by the use or operation of SandShark
repairs or replacement to any of these structures or components of the customer’s pool.

™

™

automatic pool cleaner is a very passive product

™

. The manufacturer disclaims any liability for

The pool owner must assume all responsibility for the condition and maintenance of the pool’s surface, water and deck.

SandShark™ Installation and User’s Guide

Section 1

Guage

s

l

educer

Cone

Pool Preparation

The following general information describes how to set-up your new SandShark™ automatic pool cleaner.

NOTE: Before setting up this product, read and follow all warning notices and instructions starting
on page ii.

Preparation of your pool

Before you assemble and install your new SandShark™ automatic pool cleaner, you should make sure that
your pool is clean and free of algae. If necessary , make the following preparations before proceeding:

Chemically balance the pool water

•

• Brush the pool and let the debris settle

• Hand vacuum the pool thoroughly

Skimmer
Basket

1

• Backwash and clean the filter and clean the pump

strainer basket, (see Figure 1)

Cleaner Assembly

Check Parts

Remove the Cleaner and all of its parts from the box and
check to make sure that all components were included,
(see Figure 2).

■ Pool Cleaner

■ Short Leader Hose

(1 Length, 12 inches)

■ Hose (10 Lengths, 40 inches)

■ Hose Weights (2)

■ Eyeball diverters (2)

■ Reducer Cone

■ Vac Port Fitting

■ Regulator

■ Regulator Cap

■ Flow Gauge

Pool Cleaner

Pump
Strainer

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Vac Port Fitting

Hose Weight

Regulator

Eyebal

Regulator

Cap

R

SandShark™ Installation and User’s Guide

2

Leader Hose

Leader Hose

marked

"Connect

to Cleaner"

Assemble the Hose

Connect the Hose Sections

For best results and to maintain proper operation, use only original
hoses, or direct replacements, (see Replacement Parts page).

1. A special “leader” hose section (12 inches long) is

designed to connect to the cleaner and is marked with a
red label, (see Figures 3 & 4). Failure to use this leader hose

section will hinder your cleaner’s performance.

2. Connect the hose sections by twisting and pushing the female
ends onto the male ends after wetting the ends in the pool,
(see Figure 5).

3. Make sure the connections are snug. The number of sections
that you will need depends on the size of your pool.

4. The overall length of hose needed will be the distance from:
the point at which you attach the hose to the suction

connection, to the furthest point in the pool, plus one
hose length, plus the leader hose, (see Figure 6).

Figure 3.

with red label marked

"Connect to Cleaner"

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Figure 6.

Hose must equal longest stretch

—

—

Add one hose weight to the third cuff from the Cleaner

plus one length

leader
hose

SandShark™ Installation and User’s Guide