Which polaris is this model? AND how long do they last?
- Thread starter mrswhitsie
- Start date
This looks like a really old Polaris 360. Based on the condition of this unit, I think you will save money (and time) just buying a new cleaner. Does the cleaner work at all?
Melt In The Sun said:
I agree 100%! Just figured since you were asking about refurbishing it, maybe it wasn't working properly?
Duh, looks like I should read more carefully 
Which hose(s) look bad? I have no idea if hoses are pretty standard or if it would be difficult to find them. If you can get the hoses you need for a reasonable cost, I'd give it a shot. If it was totally broken, it probably would have been thrown out by whoever owned it before.
Which hose(s) look bad? I have no idea if hoses are pretty standard or if it would be difficult to find them. If you can get the hoses you need for a reasonable cost, I'd give it a shot. If it was totally broken, it probably would have been thrown out by whoever owned it before.
All the parts for that 380 are available on line. Shop around - prices vary widely.
That pinched feed hose near the body ought to be replaced - that pinch will never go away. If the rest of the feed hose is actually bad (dry rotted), it'll have to be replaced.
My 380 is about 10-years-old. They last a while, but periodically need some parts. The good news is that it's a DIY'ers friend - easy to work on.
If you get repair costs close 50% (maybe even 30%) of the cost of a new one, you probably want to ditch the repairs & buy new.
Good luck!
That pinched feed hose near the body ought to be replaced - that pinch will never go away. If the rest of the feed hose is actually bad (dry rotted), it'll have to be replaced.
My 380 is about 10-years-old. They last a while, but periodically need some parts. The good news is that it's a DIY'ers friend - easy to work on.
If you get repair costs close 50% (maybe even 30%) of the cost of a new one, you probably want to ditch the repairs & buy new.
Good luck!
This one is a 380 for sure. The 380 will require an additional pump (booster pump) to operate. Polaris 360 models on the other hand do not require the pump. The 380 uses the smooth hose pictured with the 360 uses a larger diameter hose.
JoshU said:
Good catch Josh (and I appreciate you explaining the difference in hoses)!
Thanks so much for all your help! I assumed it did not work but it makes complete sense to see if it works. Leslies Pool supplies actually said they would only charge for parts and no labor to refurb it. I'll get a quote on what it takes to get it back in working order. Appreciate everyones feedback!
So I took it in and got a grand total of $300 to refurb it....Seeing that I can get a Polaris 3900 this weekend at Leslies for $610, I am thinking I am going to buy a new one...BUT I see on Amazon that the Polaris 3900 gets BAD reviews and people still like the 380. Anyone have a viewpoint on this?
ALSO...while checking out other topics on this site...seems to be that the bad reviews on the 3900 stem from issues that were fixed by Polaris? Anyone have any insight into that? Otherwise, looks like I might get a 380 or 280.
The 3900 has gotten mixed reviews. It has a larger filter bag and more torque (3 jets vs 2) when compared to the 280, but the 280 consistently gets good feedback. You can also pick up a new 280 for only $80 more than the re-furb of your current unit would cost! Honestly, I think you would be happy with either cleaner though!
Think about the cost of running your pool--electricity may be your highest component. If that's so, then the 360 wins, as it does not require its own motor. However, if your pool is setup up to run a 380 (likely so, right?), then you're already into a second motor. To revert to a 360 may require some plumbing work that could outstrip savings any time soon. You'll need a professional opinion on that.
I have owned a 360 for 16+ years, put 2 or 3 refurb kits on it, and it runs like a dream. My pool store told me it was unrepairable last time. That was 2 years and one DIY refurb kit ago!
Good luck!
I have owned a 360 for 16+ years, put 2 or 3 refurb kits on it, and it runs like a dream. My pool store told me it was unrepairable last time. That was 2 years and one DIY refurb kit ago!
Good luck!
Ok I am sold on the 280! Gonna go buy the new one 
Thanks for everyone's help! Now where is the best place to buy? I want to ensure I do not get a refurbished one!
Thanks for everyone's help! Now where is the best place to buy? I want to ensure I do not get a refurbished one!