Dolphin Proteus DX4 Repair or Replace?

ATX61

Bronze Supporter
Oct 4, 2020
29
Austin, TX
I have 3 year old Dolphin Proteus DX4. It began operating erratically recently. Went thru all the recommended troubleshooting with the end result of opening the motor box and finding significant moisture. I dried it out, cleaned the seal and closed it up. It is now dead and appears to need a replacement motor box at a cost of $450. Should I spend the $450 to repair or buy a new robot?
 
What would you replace it with? Compare that to the cost of repairing it. I go with a 60% rule. If cost to repair is greater the 60% of a new unit I buy new.
Choice is really yours. Is everything else on the unit in good working order? Are you willing to repair it again next time it breaks?

My Dolphin Active 20 is held together with duct tape and bailing wire. Next time it breaks down, I'll be buying a replacement.
 
I wouldn’t spend that on the motor.
When my nautilus cc died I happened upon a used proteus on fb marketplace for less than the price of a motor.
They are cousins (mainly just different colors) and now i have 2 control boxes and xtra parts.
One note, you say its 3 yrs old, the manufacturer warranty is 2 years. If you purchased it with a credit card it may be covered by extended warranty protection as many cards extend by 1 or 2 yrs. Worth looking into.
 
I don't remember exactly how old my dx4 was, and I couldn't find the receipt, but it was acting erratically moving forward and backward a few inches and then stopping, this was maybe 2 months ago, and I put in for warranty repair. Ended up getting fixed under warranty somehow, so you might try the warranty method just in case. For me the motor was still fine, it was the wheels and some little gear thing and also the blue cord got replaced.
 
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