Auto pool cleaners, recommendations and personal opinions on various models
Automatic Cleaners
The automatic pool cleaner is a device that leapt right into the hearts of pool owners and service technicians alike. In a genesis similar to that of human air flight, engineers and inventors have produced gadgets of fancy in the hopes of finding one that will fly. Several have achieved wide-spread use and acceptance by consumers and the service industry. These are described below and are broken into three categories; suction side cleaners, pressure side cleaners and robots.
Suction Side Cleaners: All Pool Types
These are cleaners that attach to the suction side of your plumbing. The suction side refers to the pipes and fittings that bring water out of the pool to be filtered; that water which is being “sucked” out of the pool by the filter pump. These cleaners include the Hayward PoolVac Ultra, Navigator, Aquabug, Kreepy Krauly E-Z Vac, Kreepy Krauly, Baracuda Ranger, Zippy, Pacer, G3, Polaris 150, and ATV. Please visit our Swimming pool cleaners page for a complete list of suction side cleaners.
These cleaners attach to one of the suction ports at the pool. Usually, this port is the skimmer, or your pool may have a separate vacuum port where the cleaner’s hose can attach. With the hose attached and the filter pump running, suction is created on the underside of the cleaner. The cleaner moves randomly, or automatically around the pool with motion created by a device that gives a stop/start pulsing of water. As the unit travels, debris is sucked up through the neck and then the hose, past the suction port, through the pipe, and stops at the filter pump strainer basket, while smaller debris passes through to the filter. Adjustments on the hose, the unit itself, and flow volume will create different cleaning patterns, so as to maximize pool coverage.
Cleaner moving slow?
Start by checking the pump basket for debris and making sure the filter is clean and water is flowing properly. Then I would check out the throat of the cleaner for any obstructions. Obstructions can also be found where the hose attaches to the suction line. Check hose for splits, obstructions or holes. If your pool has lots of leaves (trees), you’ll want to have an in-line leaf trap to use with your suction cleaner.
Cleaner not cleaning the entire pool?
This can be caused by any number of reasons. The hoses could be too short. Another real common cause is the cleaner could be following the flow pattern of the water in the pool, in other words, strong flow from wall return jets will push the cleaner into a pattern. To fix this; adjust the return port wall fittings, or add wall fittings to the return ports. It helps to point the fittings down or at a downward angle. If you pool doesn’t have wall fittings at the return ports there are alternative wall fittings made by the manufactures to divert the flow.
Always rotate the wearable parts on the cleaners and replace those wearable parts when needed. These parts will prevent the need to replace more expensive components.
Personally, I don’t care much for the suction side cleaners. If you have only one skimmer, most skimming action is lost while your cleaner is hooked up. Secondly, unless the cleaner has an in-line strainer basket somewhere on its hose, the filter pump basket can get clogged up rather quickly. That, or if the strainer basket becomes full, reduces filtration and puts more front pressure on the system by restricting the flow into the filter. My opinion is that having a suction side cleaner would be much better than having none at all, but less than what is possible. On the bright side, suction side cleaners are available for half the cost of pressure side cleaners.
Pressure Side Cleaners: Inground Pools
These cleaners are those that attach to the pressure side (return) of your circulation system. The water that is being pumped or “pushed” back to the pool powers these units which have their own hydraulic power plant inside. Being on the pressure side, these units have distinct advantages. They are helpful in distributing clean, filtered water around the pool and having their own debris bag means that they don’t compromise the filter system. Even with the bag full, a pressure cleaner still operates, stirring debris up. It just won’t suck up any more debris until the bag is emptied.
These cleaners attach to one of the existing return ports and are powered by the pool pump (Polaris 360, Letro Legend II, Jandy Ray-Vac, etc.), or to a dedicated cleaner line and an additional Booster Pump (Polaris 180, 280, 380 and Letro Legend). For a complete list of swimming pool pressure cleaners, please visit our cleaners page. The water that flows into the unit splits into three directions; the sweeper tail, the thrust jet and the venturi.
The sweeper tail is a little stirrer-upper as I call it, which helps to get fine debris off the walls and floor and into the suspension where it can then head towards the filter. The thrust jet is a series of ports and gears which motor the unit around the pool in a random pattern. The venturi is the port where leaves are sucked up into a bag (that you empty when full) as the unit rolls over debris. An in-line back-up valve reverses the flow every few minutes to change its pattern and removes it from possible obstacles. And this is how it works.
The Polaris 180, 280, and 380 and the Letro Legend require a booster pump to power the unit. These cleaners need about 30 PSI to operate effectively, and most filter systems just don’t run that high of pressure. The return pipe is cut after the filter and feed water is directed to the booster pump which then pumps water through a dedicated line midway down the pool wall. This line can be run under the deck and through the pool wall, or over the deck for a cheaper installation. Without the booster pump, these units would crawl along slowly, picking up very little debris.
Polaris 360 model operates at only 15 – 17 PSI, and thus is not intended for use with a booster pump. Letro followed suit and introduced the LEGEND II. These two cleaners I call “low pressure side cleaners.” This has given these manufacturers a whole new market share by reducing the cost of installing one of their cleaners. The 360 & Letro operate in a very similar fashion to the booster pump cleaners and connects to one of the existing return ports. A test is made at that return port to determine if the circulation system can deliver the proper amount of pressure to operate the unit.
The 360 will not work well for pools with floor returns or “slit” returns of crushed copper pipe, or pools with small, slow circulation systems. The 360 and Legend II can be as effective in cleaning the pool as the booster pump driven models. The big advantage to the booster pump models is that they are usually run with a time clock, and can thusly turn itself on and off fully AUTOMATICALLY!
Robot Cleaners: All Pool Types
These are self contained electric cleaners which are put into the pool when there is a need for cleaning. Common brand names include Aquabot, Dolphin, and AquaVac. Please visit our swimming pool cleaners page for a complete list of robot cleaners. A transformer is plugged into a wall outlet and a long (around {cord length varies by cleaners} 50 ft ) cord from the unit plugs into the transformer receiving low voltage power to operate the cleaner. This power operates two motors; a pump motor which draws debris into the unit’s filter, and a drive motor which moves the unit around the pool.
The advantages to owning a robot cleaner include their self contained filter, which is easily cleaned. They also do quite well with their coverage. Some units are computer chip controlled, and some even have remote controls so you can steer the unit from a lounge chair! Being that they are the only cleaners not attached in any way to the pool’s circulation system, they produce no resistance or back pressure on the filtering. Their cost can be more than suction or pressure side cleaners.
Unit does not move?
Is the indicator light glowing on the transformer? If not, be sure that transformer is turned on and that the 3 volt fuse is not blown (the indicator light can be glowing even though the fuse is blown). Check the electrical outlet with another electrical appliance to be sure that power is available. If the power is available, and the fuse is good, try wiggling the power cord plug from the unit to the transformer. Older units may begin to short out at the plug; a new plastic female plug is available.
Inspect the unit itself while it’s partially underwater. Is the pump motor receiving power? Is there water gushing out of the top of the unit? This would indicate that power is reaching the unit.
Is the pulley on the drive belt side turning? If the pulley is not moving, this could indicate a shorted motor, or a corroded drive T, which would also require motor replacement.
Are the drive belts tight and in good repair? Drive belts become stretched and weaken over time. If your belts are “skipping” and are not locked into the grooves of either the drive pulley or the wheel tubes, they may need to be replaced. Check that the wheel tubes are in proper position with bushings in place on either end. If the tubes are not straight, the drive belts will not be tight.
Do not pull the unit towards the side of the pool, or lift the unit out of the pool by the power cord. Try to reach into the pool and lift the unit only by the handle.
Unit does not pump?
If the unit moves, but does not pick up any debris, lift the unit up near the surface of the water. Does water gush out of the top? If not, the pump motor may be shorted. Unplug the unit and pull it out of the water. Remove the vent cap on top of the unit and check that the impeller does not have string wound around the base. Turn the impeller by hand to check spin. Plug in unit and check spin. If there is no spin, the pump is probably shorted.
Another indication that the pump motor is not working properly is if the unit won’t climb the walls very far before falling off. The pump motor provides the suction it needs for climbing.