Mermade 51" x 38" Outlet on Short Side (Chester Replacement), Cover Only

The Mer-Made 51" × 38" Outlet on Short Side (Chester Replacement) — Cover Only (cataloged under Part # 775-COVER / VFC-5138-SS) is the replacement synthetic fabric filter jacket envelope designed to re-cover existing large-format bare leaf frames in deep commercial vacuum DE vaults, municipal lap pools, and integral surge tanks retrofitting legacy Chester Products (Chester Pool Systems) filtration systems.

This configuration is tailored for extended-length Chester rectangular leaves where effluent discharges through a hub positioned along the 38" short boundary rail rather than the 51" span. It supplies only the woven synthetic filtration cloth, factory-reinforced short-side discharge opening collar, perimeter tension closure system, and paired replacement compression sealing gaskets. It is specified when the internal drainage matrix grid and rigid PVC/CPVC border framing remain structurally sound, but the fabric has blinded from mineral scaling, calcified DE, or body oils, or has torn from extended service.

Technical Specifications & Scope of Delivery

Material Properties & Chemical Tolerances

• Chlorine & Saline Resistance: Formulated from virgin woven polypropylene fibers that do not hydrolyze, rot, or embrittle under continuous exposure to elevated free chlorine, sodium hypochlorite shock dosing, or 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.

• Pre-Coat Retention & Cake 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 1.45 to 1.95 lbs (0.66 to 0.88 kg).

• Single Boxed Cover Shipping Weight: Approximately 2.90 to 4.20 lbs (1.32 to 1.91 kg) in a compact corrugated box.

• Master Carton / Multi-Pack (6 to 12 Covers): Approximately 14.0 to 25.0 lbs (6.4 to 11.3 kg).

• Full Vault Overhaul Pack (20 to 30 Covers): Approximately 35.0 to 54.0 lbs (15.9 to 24.5 kg).

Field Re-Covering & Tensioning Steps

1. Verify Cutout Centerline: Check whether the frame’s 38" 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 tear 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" × 38" face from both sides to eliminate wrinkles or bagging (loose fabric allows DE cakes to bridge, sag, and slough off under vacuum). 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.