Is it OK to let Zodiac G3 Automatic Pool Cleaner run all day?

[fndngserenity]

Hi!

We finally got an automatic vacuum! Yay! With all of this pollen and our neighbors pine tree, I am really enjoying watching this vacuum do all the work.

I leave my pool pump on 24/7. I know that I don't have to but I prefer to. With that being said, is it OK to let the cleaner roam around when the pool is not in use? This might mean days at a time so I was not sure. We literally could vacuum our pool every day between dust, pollen, pine needles, flower petals, etc.

 

[kadavis]

It will just wear faster, so you may need to replace parts more often

 

[fndngserenity]

Ok, thank you!

 

[Davegvg]

Yes, its fine to leave in - it will still last for years.
I would recommend a slide over hose protector for your door weir more than the hose for full time use.

after about 4-5 years of continuous use the diaphragm goes- a 20 dollar part.

At about 5 you'll lose a link or two in the hose - they will start sucking air.

Then after about 7 the housings get UV damaged and start to crack. Its replacement time. Salvalge the sail, diaphragm, flow keeper, hoses and start over.

Ive never had a sail rip but that can happen as well.

Remember- you are trading off skimming effectiveness for bottom cleaning and you are always better off if you can skim the debris off the top before it sinks. Once debris sinks you are using free chlorine.


UD

 

[paulnx]

I've had mine for 7 years (davegvg schedule for replacement is about right), I have a new one on order. I leave in for the entire summer, pull it out when the kids or guest swim or during a evening party. Then pull out the pool toys, and put back the baracuda g3. During other months I may drop it in a week a time. I thought about a robot route, decided to stay with this routine... seems easier.

 

[SkinnyGuinea]

I have the same cleaner. I find that when I leave it in too long, then I have to run the filter for an extra 4 or 5 hours to keep the water clean. It works fine e for about 2 weeks, but then the water will start to cloud, but clears right up if I take the cleaner out for a day and run my normal 6 hours.
I just replaced the foot and diaphragm after 6 years, so I'm happy with mine. ��

 

[Davegvg]

I have the same cleaner. I find that when I leave it in too long, then I have to run the filter for an extra 4 or 5 hours to keep the water clean. It works fine e for about 2 weeks, but then the water will start to cloud, but clears right up if I take the cleaner out for a day and run my normal 6 hours.
I just replaced the foot and diaphragm after 6 years, so I'm happy with mine. ��

This typically happens because your pool isn't really skimming well, if at all when the Suction side cleaner is plugged in unless you have a separate suction port then there would be no reason at all for this to happen.

With enough power one can get decent cleaning and skimming through the flow keeper valve, but then running the system full time like that would use considerably more energy than my low slow 23x7 regimen where I throw it in as necessary and bump the wattage to 350 or more.

The summer version is to just throw it in while pumping solar and that provides loads of power and gives me acceptable skimming

When I ran a fixed 1HP pump I could get indefinite runs with the flow keeper in the middle setting, and I cut a hole in a spare basket and fished the line through it to catch the debris coming through it.

UD