Hi everyone! Just searched for these specific symptoms together but could not find. Newish Polaris 380. We have lived in the home for about a year. Previous owner says the unit was purchased July 19 and installed sometime after. As the thread title suggests, our Polaris 380 is doing circles, shooting water out of the backup valve pretty hard and it doesn't really pick up much. Additionally all three wheels don't ever seem to be on the ground. I am constantly putting new tires on it, as the sides get too rounded off. New booster pump as of last summer. Is my backup valve the problem with all these symptoms? Thanks in advance!
Polaris 380 Doing Circles, Tips on side, Doesn't really pick up much and Back Up Valve Shooting Water out hard
- Thread starter Poolman4mywife
- Start date
There could be several issues.
Water should only exit the backup valve every 4-5 mins (not exactly sure on the time between cycles). Is this happening with yours or is it constant? If constant then the problem is with backup valve not cycling properly.
With regard to buoyancy, all 3 wheels should be on the ground when it is moving. If not there are a couple of things to check. One is the float that is directly on the unit. It screws in and out to different settings. If if is full of water then it is no good - need a new one. This creates some balance directly on the unit.
Then working up from there, you have a hose length that leads to the backup valve. I have a float directly above my backup valve. Also, the length of the hose is dependent on the max depth of your pool. Have you looked on youtube as there are several good videos to guide you on how to have the correct hose length for your pool.
Another item is the thrust jet adjustment. This is the nozzle on the very back lower end of the unit. You can adjust this to have the unit push one way or another.
Do you have the instruction book for the cleaner or have you downloaded it? There are some guidance in it for the thrust adjustment and also for hose length.
Maybe if possible. pull your unit and hose out of the pool and lay it on the deck then take photos of the current set up and post. This will help to see what you are working with.
Water should only exit the backup valve every 4-5 mins (not exactly sure on the time between cycles). Is this happening with yours or is it constant? If constant then the problem is with backup valve not cycling properly.
With regard to buoyancy, all 3 wheels should be on the ground when it is moving. If not there are a couple of things to check. One is the float that is directly on the unit. It screws in and out to different settings. If if is full of water then it is no good - need a new one. This creates some balance directly on the unit.
Then working up from there, you have a hose length that leads to the backup valve. I have a float directly above my backup valve. Also, the length of the hose is dependent on the max depth of your pool. Have you looked on youtube as there are several good videos to guide you on how to have the correct hose length for your pool.
Another item is the thrust jet adjustment. This is the nozzle on the very back lower end of the unit. You can adjust this to have the unit push one way or another.
Do you have the instruction book for the cleaner or have you downloaded it? There are some guidance in it for the thrust adjustment and also for hose length.
Maybe if possible. pull your unit and hose out of the pool and lay it on the deck then take photos of the current set up and post. This will help to see what you are working with.
Hi-thanks for your response. The water is constant on the backup valve. Based on those searches, I have ordered a new one, figuring this one is either damaged/broken or needs rebuilt. Either way I will rebuilt the old one then. Two years life expectancy normal for those?
I think the float may be cracked, but not sure. I have also ordered another one of those.
I will also adjust the jet thrust or look into it at least and report back. Thanks again!
I think the float may be cracked, but not sure. I have also ordered another one of those.
I will also adjust the jet thrust or look into it at least and report back. Thanks again!
There is also a small possibility that the base weight inside the cleaner is out of place.
I have not been active on this forum very long, but I inferred that 5-7 years is about the life expectancy of this type of cleaner. I have a Polaris 280 that is more than 7 years old, and IMO has reached the end of the road. I have replaced wheels, tires, and a few internal parts. Now, it needs a new hose. The parts deteriorate, break, loosen, and cause malfunctions primarily because of UV rays, chlorine, and most of them are plastic. I could keep throwing parts and money at it but I hope to purchase a new 280 or Dolphin very soon. There is a lot of excellent info on this forum to help you troubleshoot issues with your Polaris. Also, consider getting a robot cleaner when looking for alternatives. Good luck!
Last edited:
Hal3
LifeTime Supporter
- Jul 29, 2008
- 315
- Pool Size
- 9000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Universal40
Polaris 380 backup pod issue.
Mine was stuck in reverse squirting water out the reverse valve continuously.
I removed the pod from the hose and squirted water in both ends with a jet garden hose attachment. It spins the internal gears both ways.
Problem solved. I expect that a piece of debris was jamming the gears and was flushed out. (I am just making this up.)
Mine was stuck in reverse squirting water out the reverse valve continuously.
I removed the pod from the hose and squirted water in both ends with a jet garden hose attachment. It spins the internal gears both ways.
Problem solved. I expect that a piece of debris was jamming the gears and was flushed out. (I am just making this up.)
It’s actually a good guess. Mine would get a little piece of grit stuck in the jets which would slow the turbine down and also not provide enough force to keep the wheels on the ground.
Hal3
LifeTime Supporter
- Jul 29, 2008
- 315
- Pool Size
- 9000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Universal40
Polaris 380 won't roll!
I have a Polaris 380 that was working great and now won't roll. I took the unit to Leslie's and they said there was nothing wrong with it and gave it back. No roll. I took it to another Leslie's and they said nothing wrong with it - bring in the hose. I brought in the hose and they replaced the...
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