Mermade 51" x 32" Outlet on Short Side (Chester Replacement), Cover Only

The Mer-Made 51" × 32" Outlet on Short Side (Chester Replacement) — Cover Only (cataloged under Part # 775-COVER / VFC-5132-SS) is the replacement synthetic fabric filter jacket envelope designed to re-cover existing bare leaf frames in commercial vacuum DE vaults, municipal lap pools, and integral surge tanks retrofitting legacy Chester Products (Chester Pool Systems) filtration systems.

This model is engineered for Chester low-headroom or narrow-profile rectangular frames where the collection manifold runs along the narrow 32" short boundary rail across a 51" horizontal or vertical run. It supplies only the tailored woven synthetic filtration cloth, factory-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 fabric has blinded from mineral scaling, calcified DE, or body oils, or has suffered tears from backwash cycles.

Technical Specifications & Scope of Delivery

Material Properties & Chemical Tolerances

• Chlorine & Saline Compatibility: Virgin polypropylene fibers resist chemical 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 seasonal chemical descaling baths in dilute muriatic (hydrochloric) or citric acid solutions to dissolve calcified DE crust, calcium carbonate, and iron scale without degrading structural seam threads or collar reinforcement 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 1.25 to 1.65 lbs (0.57 to 0.75 kg).

• Single Boxed Cover Shipping Weight: Approximately 2.50 to 3.50 lbs (1.13 to 1.59 kg) in a compact corrugated box.

• Master Carton / Multi-Pack (6 to 12 Covers): Approximately 11.0 to 21.0 lbs (5.0 to 9.5 kg).

• Full Vault Overhaul Pack (20 to 30 Covers): Approximately 28.0 to 44.0 lbs (12.7 to 20.0 kg).

Field Re-Covering & Tensioning Steps

1. Verify Spud Location & Handing: Confirm whether the frame’s 32" short-side discharge hub is center-mounted or corner-offset along the edge rail to ensure the reinforced cutout on the cover lines up directly over the spud.

2. Core Wash-Down & Inspection: Remove the spent leaf from the pit, open the closure seam, and peel off the degraded cloth. Pressure-wash the bare polypropylene drainage grid and inspect the PVC borders for rough weld beads, flash, or cracks that could snag or cut the new fabric during sleeving.

3. Sleeve the Frame: Slide the replacement envelope smoothly down over the frame along the 51" span, guiding the reinforced opening over the protruding short-side discharge spud.

4. Seat the Spud Collar: Stretch the reinforced 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 51" × 32" face from both sides to eliminate wrinkles or bagging (loose fabric allows DE cakes to bridge, sag, and slough off under suction). Firmly press the Velcro closure flap closed across the edge rail to lock in uniform 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.