Is the Polaris 280 STILL the standard for Booster Pump system?

[cody21]

We have a Polaris 280 - it's about 9 years old this summer. It's driving us nuts ... it just gets stuck in the deep end thus not doing a great job in cleaning 1/2 the pool. I don't want the daily hassle of inserting a robot cleaner. Are there any better recommended pool sweeps that people have been using other than 280 ? Or just expect to replace it every so often? (I mean, we DID get 9 years out of this.)

TIA

 

[PoolStored]

Polaris Pool Cleaners - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

Polaris rebuild kits are discussed in the Wiki and can restore cleaners to almost new behavior.

If you want a pressure side cleaner the Polaris 280/380 is the gold standard.

 

[1poolman1]

We have a Polaris 280 - it's about 9 years old this summer. It's driving us nuts ... it just gets stuck in the deep end thus not doing a great job in cleaning 1/2 the pool. I don't want the daily hassle of inserting a robot cleaner. Are there any better recommended pool sweeps that people have been using other than 280 ? Or just expect to replace it every so often? (I mean, we DID get 9 years out of this.)

TIA

Nine years is a good life. If run the way the instructions say, that's nearly 22,000 miles in the pool. Its just some stainless steel and a lot of plastic.
Getting stuck is virtually always the result of a non-working back-up valve. That valve can pull the cleaner out of almost every situation.
My 280 has been in my pool for well over 20 years. Yes, it has had parts replaced and I do know how to work on them. Being in the industry, I have tried various others as loaners, and had the original 180 until the 280 was made. I'll stick with the 280. It just works for me.

 

[HermanTX]

We have a Polaris 280 - it's about 9 years old this summer. It's driving us nuts ... it just gets stuck in the deep end thus not doing a great job in cleaning 1/2 the pool. I don't want the daily hassle of inserting a robot cleaner. Are there any better recommended pool sweeps that people have been using other than 280 ? Or just expect to replace it every so often? (I mean, we DID get 9 years out of this.)

TIA

I had my 280 for nearly 15 years but I have done the rebuild kit on it and also changed the hoses. The hoses can become very inflexible which may hold the cleaner in a certain area. Also, I have changed the backup valve a number of times as that gets lots of wear and tear. Also the tires can get gummy so that affects how easy it can roll. So having a little TLC for the cleaner can really extend its life.

Having said that - I have retired it to try a battery operated bot for the pool. So I save money by not running the booster pump nor having to run my VSP at a higher speed to operate the Polaris 280. I am pleased thus far but I still have the 280 as my back up plan.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I have a Polaris Quattro and it cleans much better than any of their 3-wheeled cleaners including the 280. It climbs walls much better, but the big deal is that it has rubber scrubbers on its front and bottom.

 

[cody21]

Thank you ALL for your comments/suggestions.

 

[cody21]

Update: We took (all of) your advice. After closer inspection, we found that 1 of the Large wheels had the teeth stripped, and the Positrax wheels had nubs worn down or missing. A $55 solution to get this working again in lieu of replacing the whole thing. Thanks again everyone.