Mermade 48" x 38" Outlet on Short Side (Chester Replacement), Cover Only

The Mer-Made 48" × 38" Outlet on Short Side (Chester Replacement) — Cover Only (cataloged under Part # 775-COVER / VFC-4838-SS) is the replacement synthetic fabric filter envelope engineered to re-cover existing bare frames in commercial vacuum DE filtration systems, integral surge tanks, and municipal water features retrofitting legacy Chester Products (Chester Pool Systems) equipment.

This configuration supplies only the tailored woven filtration cloth, reinforced short-side discharge hub cutout collar, perimeter closure system, and paired replacement compression sealing gaskets. It is specified when the internal drainage matrix core and outer rigid PVC/CPVC framing remain structurally sound, but the existing fabric has blinded from chemical scale, calcification, or body oils, or has suffered physical tears from repeated backwash cycles.

Technical Specifications & Scope of Delivery

Material Properties & Chemical Tolerances

• Chlorine & Saline Resistance: Virgin woven polypropylene fibers resist degradation, rot, and hydrolysis under continuous exposure to elevated free chlorine levels, shock hyperchlorination treatments, and saline electrolytic pool water (2,500 to 5,000+ ppm NaCl).

• Acid Wash Survivability: Withstands routine chemical descaling baths in dilute muriatic (hydrochloric) or citric acid solutions to dissolve embedded calcium carbonate crust, iron staining, and organic oils without degrading the seam threads or reinforced stitching.

• Cake Retention & Release: The balanced monofilament weave structure retains standard DE powder and perlite grades without bleed-through during initial pump startup, while facilitating clean cake release during backwashing or manual hose-down.

Physical Dimensions & Weight Estimates

• Individual Cover Net Weight: Approximately 1.30 to 1.75 lbs (0.59 to 0.79 kg).

• Single Boxed Cover Shipping Weight: Approximately 2.60 to 3.80 lbs (1.18 to 1.72 kg) in a compact corrugated box.

• Master Carton / Multi-Pack (6 to 12 Covers): Approximately 12.0 to 22.0 lbs (5.4 to 10.0 kg).

• Full Vault Overhaul Pack (20 to 30 Covers): Approximately 30.0 to 48.0 lbs (13.6 to 21.8 kg).

Field Re-Covering & Tensioning Steps

1. Verify Cutout Location: Before installation, verify whether the frame's 38" short-side discharge spud is center-mounted or corner-offset, ensuring the reinforced cutout on the cover aligns directly with the hub.

2. Strip Old Jacket & Inspect Frame: Remove the spent leaf from the pit, open the closure seam, pull the spent cover off the core, and discard the compressed gasket. Pressure-wash the bare polypropylene drainage grid and inspect the frame borders for cracks, rough weld beads, or burrs that could tear the new fabric.

3. Sleeve the Frame: Slide the replacement envelope smoothly over the frame along the 48" length, guiding the reinforced opening over the protruding short-side discharge spud.

4. Seat the Spud Collar: Stretch the reinforced collar cutout snugly around the base of the outlet hub until seated flush against the molded locating shoulder without bunching or twisting.

5. Tension & Seal: Pull the fabric taut across the 48" × 38" face from both sides to eliminate sagging or wrinkles (loose fabric permits DE cakes to bridge, crack, or slough off under suction). Firmly press the Velcro closure flap closed across the edge rail to lock in tension.

6. Mount Gasket: Slide a fresh high-density felt compression collar or elastomeric ring onto the short-side outlet spud against the locating shoulder before lowering the re-covered leaf back into the Chester manifold receiver socket.