I asked the community and took your advice found out the hard way The top is threaded that would be water intake and the center port is a slip in
1473236
The center has four bolts that screw in to the trap/basket. You need an o-ring and the bolts seal the housing together. The top is indeed threaded it is easier to put the housing on first if your replacing it. I hope this helps.
1473237
The top port is threaded on the inside for a PVC male adapter, threaded on the outside for a pump union. The top port is the pump discharge, you plumb that end to your filter's intake. The front hole in the part pictured is where the strainer pot connects. I don't believe this is threaded, as the pot connects with 4 bolts to the front housing. You do not connect a pipe to the front housing itself.
1473238
there are two housings available the center port is threaded on one and slip on the other; both of these housings have a threaded top water outlet (not intake). The one you need will depend on your challenger pump model....the literature is not clear on this. I bought both and used the Pentair housing # 35-5468 which is often referred to as #355468 which has the center port slip fitting.
1473239
I replaced my housing about one year ago. The top that is threaded is actually the discharge. The part that slips in with the O-ring on the center of the housing is the suction.
1306388
Agree, filling from the bottom is a pain. I just tried drilling a hole in the top and the water just runs out. Based on other responses it looks like I ruined it.
2068227
I think there's a plug at the bottom to let the internal water out. You'll have to look and see if it's there. I remember looking for the same thing. The manual is not at all clear on this.
1807343
Unfortunately screw the top where you put the water in at and dump it . One of my main fitting broke the first time I used it :(.And the company won't back it up.
1587883
It has threads on both the sides. I faced this dilemma too.The valve or face of the valve needs to be removed and turned the other way to have it fit into other valves.It is slightly tight to loosen it but it should not be an issue.
114283
Richard: Yes, the knob on the front top is the overflow drain. It would be possible to hook up a garden hose to it if you have the right diameter fitting to muscle it in from the outside and w/o actually blocking it. It may be possible to get a male fitting from the inside (through the top rectangular vent) but I suspect it would be hard because of the small area to work with within the knob cavity itself. I have mine hooked up to the gutter with the Oatey 14209 Mystic Rainwater Collection System. I actually punched a hole on the top of the barrel with a paddle drill bit to get a perfect fitting with the hose. Good luck. Richard: Yes, the knob on the front top is the overflow drain. It would be possible to hook up a garden hose to it if you have the right diameter fitting to muscle it in from the outside and w/o actually blocking it. It may be possible to get a male fitting from the inside (through the top rectangular vent) but I suspect it would be hard because of the small area to work with within the knob cavity itself. I have mine hooked up to the gutter with the Oatey 14209 Mystic Rainwater Collection System. I actually punched a hole on the top of the barrel with a paddle drill bit to get a perfect... » Read More Richard: Yes, the knob on the front top is the overflow drain. It would be possible to hook up a garden hose to it if you have the right diameter fitting to muscle it in from the outside and w/o actually blocking it. It may be possible to get a male fitting from the inside (through the top rectangular vent) but I suspect it would be hard because of the small area to work with within the knob cavity itself. I have mine hooked up to the gutter with the Oatey 14209 Mystic Rainwater Collection System. I actually punched a hole on the top of the barrel with a paddle drill bit to get a perfect fitting with the hose. Good luck. « Show Less
740733
What I would do is take the drain plug to the hardware store and ask them. I have had trouble with leakage on some of my rain barrels at the spigot sight. I will never put in another spigot again, because of the leakage. I dip into the top or use a water pump.
2184150
My top, the end with the little funnel, comes off as an assembly with a quarter turn to the left (lefty loosey - righthy tighty). As Lionel says, the assembly is glued, although my funnel slips off (not glued). There is a rubber seal that may be the reason yours is sticking so tightly because I've had a similar problem with whole house water filter that wouldn't unscrew due to a tight rubber seal.
2067209
Yo have to turn the know in the middle with the water open until it comes up. In mine is facing straight up.
74406
Sorry but I can't help because the new one I purchased to replace the plastic one has been installed. I would have to remove it to check inside. However the plastic model does route the water through plastic to the discharge. It was still functional, so I kept it as a spare. It was replaced only for cosmetic reasons because the chrome plating was coming off of the plastic.
1906751
Don't worry, the internal design diverts water to the outlet for the barrel. I wondered the same thing, but my barrel is always full
2009231
As it appears the top holes are alligned to do so. You may need to alter for the bottom holes.
1961417
Take the cover off the intake side of the pump. That is where the water flows into the pump and then gets pushed out through the outlet connector.
148675
No I have the same problem! It appears to be a flaw that they did not attempt to fix. I did take a pair of plyers (water pumps) and snuged it up and that does hold some what better.
2219645
Hmm I think that's odd and it makes me think your unit is leaking. I personally would replace it. I don't think you can add water...
422521
Update not standard pipe thread on the male side of the adapter. This means a new light assembly or ditch the light and put in a regular inlet
1175631
It was an issue for me too. I tried putting the outside washer on the inside, but it still leaked....so I siliconed it to the top seems to be a fix