Suction-Side Pool Cleaners

[Dirk]

Sorry, just realized, Pentair's model number is likely for the entire kit (head, hose, gauge, etc). Amazon's number might be different because it is only the head.

 

[Dirk]

According to two different online vendors, the picture of the Rebel that Pentair shows on their website is first gen (I emailed both of them this morning, and they both answered quickly). Pentair now sells a newer model, version 2, which is what the online vendors are advertising, and showing pictures of. I have no idea if this v2 is actually improved, or in some way is of lower quality/enhanced profit, which is so prevalent in our society these days.

Typically, it's been my experience that Pentair improves their products, later models fixing things wrong with older models. And this site has some anecdotal evidence of that as well. So I'm not slamming Pentair in this regard, just cautioning, 'cause ya never really know with a new product.

As near as I can make out: model # 360473 is the entire kit: head, hose, adapters, etc. Model # 360486 is just the head unit.

Model # 360486 is version 2.
Model # 360275 is version 1. (Though I'm not clear on if 360275 is the entire kit number, or just the head unit number.)

Anywho, I think this is the latest model (but not the one I am vouching for. I've only used the older v1 model).


I'd still recommend the Rebel, but I'd advise only buying from a vendor with a good return policy. AZPools seems to have the best price on the head, maybe check them out for their whole kit price. I can't yet vouch for AZPools, nor their return policy. I'll be looking into that next...

 

[Dirk]

Hmm, AZPools sells just the head and 12 hose sections for $363.99, which is half of what I've seen the entire Rebel kit sell for. You'd need at least one other part: the leader hose, which is about $15, and possibly some other parts (the safety port, the flow gauge, etc) depending on your existing plumbing. But that still isn't even close to the $600-700 I've seen the entire kit sell for. Not sure what that would do for the warranty, but with that kind of savings you could buy a second head unit and still save money!

Something to consider.

Pentair 360473 V2 Rebel Suction Side Pool Cleaner Head With 12 Hoses

Buy Pentair 360473 V2 Rebel Suction Side Pool Cleaner Head With 12 Hoses for the best price.

azpoolshop.com

Here's the full kit (showing the v1 head) on Amazon, as an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Pentair-Rebel-Automatic-Suction-Cleaner/dp/B01508RNPG

 

[Dirk]

Here is a great read, and since everything you see on the innerwab is 100% true, it would seem the v2 is much improved:

See the NEW 2020 Pentair Rebel 2 Suction Side Automatic Pool Cleaner!

Need a pool cleaner that will make your life a breeze? The newly released Pentair Rebel 2 suction side automatic pool cleaner makes pool maintenance easy!

www.mrpoolman.com.au

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I think when my Sandshark goes I may buy a Rebel to test it out. But my SS is brand new last season so I’ve got many more years before it goes. That SS doesn’t do well with modern drain covers.

 

[Dirk]

I think when my Sandshark goes I may buy a Rebel to test it out. But my SS is brand new last season so I’ve got many more years before it goes. That SS doesn’t do well with modern drain covers.

My Rebel didn't either, but then I had my drains removed. New Rebel is supposed to be a bit better over drains.

 

[Poolbreh]

The rebel large hump tires are for lifted drains. Poolvernuegen has them as well.

 

[Dirk]

The rebel large hump tires are for lifted drains. Poolvernuegen has them as well.

Those "large hump" tires have been around awhile, and didn't help with my drains (though I expect they would help with certain drain covers, for sure). I think the new Rebel does more than that. From that review link I posted earlier:

4. Increased ground clearance and dual-action roller skirt manoeuvres up and over obstacles for uninterrupted cleaning

 

[surfaceofthesun]

We went with the pentair rebel (new model #360473) suction side and it is working "swimmingly" !!! Waiting for the hayward leaf canister to be delivered. Just about $650 but a steal compared to the robots! Thanks for all your help... hopefully we get many years from it.

 

[CFlaPool]

Any opinions on the Pentair Dorado? It seems to be similar to Rebel in function.

 

[Dirk]

Any opinions on the Pentair Dorado? It seems to be similar to Rebel in function.

Sorry, no experience with that one. But I wouldn't characterize it as "similar to Rebel in function." The Dorado rides around on a brush skirt, where the Rebel rides on large wheels. They couldn't be more different in that regard. I would expect how the Dorado compares would depend on the type of debris you get the most of.

Check the reviews and try to buy it with a good return policy in case it doesn't work well in your pool.

And do report back. Your thoughts on it would be appreciated by others.

 

[CFlaPool]

Sorry, no experience with that one. But I wouldn't characterize it as "similar to Rebel in function." The Dorado rides around on a brush skirt, where the Rebel rides on large wheels. They couldn't be more different in that regard. I would expect how the Dorado compares would depend on the type of debris you get the most of.

Check the reviews and try to buy it with a good return policy in case it doesn't work well in your pool.

And do report back. Your thoughts on it would be appreciated by others.

Thanks, Dirk. I see the differences now. My MIL has the Dorado.

I just put in an order for the rebel V2 head only. I have plenty of good hoses, and a dedicated cleaner suction intake so I can tune the pressure with the valve. I found it interesting that ePoolSupply sells it for $299 on Amazon, but on eBay, ePoolSupply sells it for only $249 (and I verified it is the V2 model number). Coming from a Barracuda G3 (which I've maintained for 6 years), I am looking forward to the Rebel.

 

[Dirk]

I just put in an order for the rebel V2 head only. I have plenty of good hoses,

There is also a weight involved, and a leader hose (important). I have both (came with) and can't speak to operating the Rebel without either. The leader is on Amazon. You'll have to hunt down the weight if you don't already have one. You can catch glimpses of them in this video.

 

[Dirk]

I just replaced my old Rebel with a V2 (head only). Seems to work just fine, maybe a little better.

 

[CFlaPool]

There is also a weight involved, and a leader hose (important). I have both (came with) and can't speak to operating the Rebel without either. The leader is on Amazon. You'll have to hunt down the weight if you don't already have one. You can catch glimpses of them in this video.

I have the weight on the hose from the G3. I will verify it's the same weight as the Rebel. I'll check into whether my hose will attach or if I need the leader hose. Thanks! Our pool has a shallow end of 3 feet depth and a deep end at 7 feet, so I am hoping the wheels make it easier to climb from deep to shallow end. Update: ordered the leader hose from Amazon. Thanks again!

 

[Dirk]

ordered the leader hose from Amazon

Good. The regular hose will fit just fine into the Rebel. That's not the purpose of the leader hose. The leader is of a different material, so it is much more flexible than the regular hose. This [somehow] improves the performance of the Rebel, allowing it to move around better. That's its purpose.

 

[CFlaPool]

Good. The regular hose will fit just fine into the Rebel. That's not the purpose of the leader hose. The leader is of a different material, so it is much more flexible than the regular hose. This [somehow] improves the performance of the Rebel, allowing it to move around better. That's its purpose.

I received the leader hose. I am assuming it attaches to the rebel. Please confirm. It has this red warning label on it that I’d rather not have at the cleaner suction port, which has a latch that closes when the hose is removed.

 

[Dirk]

Yes.

Rebel --> Leader hose --> Main hose --> Suction port --> Pump

 

[Dirk]

Do you have this guy:

Amazon.com

It allows you to adjust the flow through the Rebel to dial in its optimal performance. If not, it's pretty pricey on Amazon.

I see it half as much elsewhere. You just need to make sure you have the right one for the right Rebel.

Pentair Lil Rebel Flow Gauge

Pool, Pool Parts, Pool Repair, Pool Maintenance, Pool Repair Parts, Pool Equipment, Suction Cleaner, Vacuum, Pool Cleaners, Cleaner Parts, Pentair, Suction Side

www.epoolsupply.com

If you don't want to go that route, you can count the Rebel wheel rotations per minute. We'll have to do some digging to get the correct rate for your Rebel.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Yes.

Rebel --> Leader hose --> Main hose --> IN-LINE LEAF TRAP —-> Suction port --> Pump

Fixed it for ya