I just park mine under my cabana, it gets wet sometimes when a big storm goes through, no problems. I mostly park it under there to keep it out of the sun.
How much better are robots vs suction cleaners?
- Thread starter keatz85
- Start date
Mark,
The power supply is water resistant, but not water proof... I have been using robots for over 10 years and have never had a problem.. I try to keep them under the eve of the house or some where that they don't get drenched, but a little rain will not be an issue.
I have one pool that has no shelter by the equipment pad, so I just built a simple "dog house" for the power supply and mounted it to a fence..
Jim R.
The power supply is water resistant, but not water proof... I have been using robots for over 10 years and have never had a problem.. I try to keep them under the eve of the house or some where that they don't get drenched, but a little rain will not be an issue.
I have one pool that has no shelter by the equipment pad, so I just built a simple "dog house" for the power supply and mounted it to a fence..
Jim R.
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,250
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
The 'robot getting stuck on the main drain' issue is one to solve at the building stage, by using an A&A Chanel Drain instead of regular round drains. I try to recommend them as often as I remember. It's the only way to ensure that no robot will get stuck on the main drain. Otherwise an M400/M500 is the only sure-fire way. Many S-series get slowed down on drains, but many seem to separate in a short period of time. It's not a suction issue, just a drain geometry issue.
EmilyOTR
Bronze Supporter
- Feb 15, 2017
- 714
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I'm struggling with my polaris 380. I feel like I take it in yearly to get serviced and end up spending $100-200 to replace parts or whatever. we haven't taken it in this year yet and it takes forever to clean the pool and it's not particularly dirty but for whatever reason it hates my deep end. if a robot can clean it in 2 hours, it seems like it's worthwhile to me. I've always been told for my small pool my suction cleaner is fine. For the guy that said the the dirt in robots contaminates the pool, how doesn't my dirt in my suction side cleaner bag?? I don't empty it daily.
Oly
Gold Supporter
Suction side pool cleaners can accumulate larger debris with an inline filter but fine materials like dirt, pollen or dust will be trapped in the pool filter. A robot with fine filters will trap both large and fine debris. You are correct that unless removed from the pool trapped material remains in the pool water. Removing the robot and cleaning the filters is a much simpler process than cleaning my pool filter. I can backwash my pool filter and that helps but requires adding DE and is not a full cleaning.
- Nov 30, 2008
- 338
Tena
Bronze Supporter
- Jun 26, 2019
- 182
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Following also...
That Kreepy Krauly still in the box can be sold online and I can get something that works?
That Kreepy Krauly still in the box can be sold online and I can get something that works?
spoonman
Well-known member
Same here. Happy I don’t have to clean robot filters (or pool filters).
I have a suction side cleaner, a Pentair Great White. I have demo'ed two different Maytronics robotic cleaners, and I can say neither one of them worked as well as my Great White. I have an "L" shaped pool, and both of the robots would not go into the short side of the "L".
Tena
Bronze Supporter
- Jun 26, 2019
- 182
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
From what I read the "Pentair" Kreepy Krauly 820 has those Maytronics parts/build (aka Dolphin)
I'm still not sure I like the idea and wish I had been given an option at least.
Rain/weather resistant but not proof. It's pretty durable and you where the cord connects to the machine is even screwed on/sealed. You definitely wouldn't want it directly in the rain or in the pool but I'm definitely comfortable outside in covered area like under an awning where it won't get a lot of direct rain/sun. You can even put in inside a tupperware container but would want to have it int eh shade.
Regarding the cleaner getting stuck on the main drain issue:
The main drain clip ons (Main Drain Clip-On - Pool Maintenance Simplified) definitely help. I have 2 drains and decided to just try 1 per drain (your supposed to 2 per drain) since they're pretty pricey for a small piece of plastic. Robot would get stuck a lot less and when it did get stuck it worked it's way off pretty quick. Robot is definitely cleaning close t as it should but I still don't like it getting stuck. I have it programmed every other day but could probably do every 3 days.
I tried 2 clips on 1 drain (like your supposed to) and that was actually worse than 1. It seemed the robot could better get on top of the 2 clips and would get stuck so went back to 1 per drain. The problem I'm having now the clips are consantly coming off (I'm betting the robot is doing this). I called Maytrnics about that part that is supposed to prevent it from getting stuck and they said they don't have that for the Active20 (it is designed not to get stuck). Maytronics reommmended a Polaris Unicover or Zodiac Unibridge which appear to be $60 a pop
I'll think I'll call main drain clip on and go from there.
The main drain clip ons (Main Drain Clip-On - Pool Maintenance Simplified) definitely help. I have 2 drains and decided to just try 1 per drain (your supposed to 2 per drain) since they're pretty pricey for a small piece of plastic. Robot would get stuck a lot less and when it did get stuck it worked it's way off pretty quick. Robot is definitely cleaning close t as it should but I still don't like it getting stuck. I have it programmed every other day but could probably do every 3 days.
I tried 2 clips on 1 drain (like your supposed to) and that was actually worse than 1. It seemed the robot could better get on top of the 2 clips and would get stuck so went back to 1 per drain. The problem I'm having now the clips are consantly coming off (I'm betting the robot is doing this). I called Maytrnics about that part that is supposed to prevent it from getting stuck and they said they don't have that for the Active20 (it is designed not to get stuck). Maytronics reommmended a Polaris Unicover or Zodiac Unibridge which appear to be $60 a pop
I'll think I'll call main drain clip on and go from there.
I would do things SO differently if buiding. Location of pool, main drains, etc. but the pool came w/ my house. What's the conseuss on the auto in-floor cleaning sytems? They seem incredible but I could see them working not as well as advertised and I'm betting you'd still have to brush and skim? What's the consensus on (I'm not sure of the temr) but I've seen above grounds pools that are basically buried deep w/ only a foot or so sticking out, then you build a footish tall deck around them. Seems like the best of pool worlds, close to an IG, a nice deck, but access to the lines for closing/repairs and maybe cheaper?
I swear the robot cleans the water better than my circulation system. I agree backwashing isn't hard but cleaning the robot's basket and skimmer baskets is ridiculously easy.
And I can't fathom why anyone would leave a vac in the pool all the time. They're an eyesore, and surely you dont actually swim with it in? But, we all have our opinions and since there our own, they cant be wrong.?
- Nov 30, 2008
- 338
How much swimming do you do in the winter where you live?
I dont swim much during the week but do on weekends.
Sometimes I won't swim for weeks.
Other times Ill use it every day.
I dont swim much during the week but do on weekends.
Sometimes I won't swim for weeks.
Other times Ill use it every day.
"Eyesore" is in the eye of the beholder. I find pressure-side vacs and hoses to be more of an eyesore than my robot. As for swimming with a robot, they're low-voltage devices.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
Last year my booster pump went out and I just blindly replaced like with like... I wish I had taken that opportunity to change tech and put the money toward a Robot instead... That's happens when I don't keep up with the happenings on TFP
Agree geebot, I was referring to a pressure side vac, not a robot, which I have and love. I only need to use mine twice a week, so see no need to leave it in the pool when it's not actively cleaning. I dont find it a chore to put in or remove.