Aiper has upped the ante in the pool skimmer battle with their new Surfer S2. In a previous post, I mentioned some attributes that the Aiper Surfer S1/M1 features. The S2 retains most of these qualities and adds several improvements.

Compared to the S1, the S2:

• Adds pool-edge cleaning. Aiper is vague on how this works, other than showing the skimmer will run along the pool edge. Still, a welcome intent.
• Has a larger battery: 5.2K mAh vs. the S1’s 4K mAh: Claimed battery life is now 35 hours.
• Faster charging time for both solar and DC charging.
• Improved solar panel for faster solar-reactivation from a low-battery state
• Self-Rescue algorithm to free itself when stuck. This is a consideration for us since I have a Negative-Edge pool.
• Finer mesh 150um vs 200um
• Optical sensors replace the S1 Ultrasonic. Not sure if this is an actual improvement or just a wash.
• The Aiper App now includes Scheduled Cleaning: Seems this might extend the units lifetime since the skimmer would be operating only when desired rather than 24/7.
• Salt Chlorine Tolerant (SCT) Motors. (Gotta keep up with Betta)
• Standard 2-year warranty vs 1-year for the S1.

Downsides: The basket size has dropped from 5 liters to 4 liters. This is not an issue for most of the year, but in the fall when leaves start dropping, even 5 liters is woefully inadequate for me. This is an unfortunate backslide.

Quirky: Aiper added a pocket in the skimmer basket which is intended for a chlorine puck. Even speaking as a pool owner who chlorinates with Trichlor, this is silly. If my robotic skimmer is sitting motionless in the pool for any length of time, I would not want to soak it in an acidic chlorine bath.

Then there’s the price: $339.99 at the Aiper store. In addition, they currently have a “one-hour-only” 5% discount offer.

I put my money where my mouth is. I placed an order for a Surfer S2 this morning for $323.00/ No tax, no shipping charge. We’ll see if it lives up to the hype.

Just noticed that This Evo line is similar to Some Polaris designs.
Some of the filter parts are even a match to some Polaris models like Epic and a few others.
I wonder how different this EVO model is from other Polaris ones...

tethys said:

Just to be clear: this is a two step process? Disconnect the current omni control wire (step 1), and then connect the local panel wire (step 2)?

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Yup

and you may need to change the pump dip switch. Check the pump manual.

Show the system.

Welcome!

Let's also try @InyoRich

Resurrecting an old thread just in case anyone stumbles on this and wonders what happened. Turned out to be ASR in the pool shell, causing cracking and movement which then moved the skimmer lugs and cracked the decking. Entire pool and decking had to be demo'd and rebuilt. Lucky me.

We have the Aiper Surfer S2 on order being delivered next week. I think the battery is 5200mAh, but I don't know what else might be different from the M1 mentioned. The Surfer S2 comes with a 2 year warranty and my credit card has an extended warranty benefit for another 2 years. So hopefully this will work great because we had so much stuff in the pool that came down from the trees (of course right after we cleaned the pool), I need something good.

I forgot to mention that before I did anything it said comm error in the diagnostic setting for the easytouch if that helps at all

Jimrahbe said:

99,

Step 1.. Disconnect the cell at the plug at the bottom of the EasyTouch.
Step 2.. Turn on the power and see if the breaker pops or not..
Step 3.. If the breaker pops, replace the surge card.
Step 4.. If the breaker does not pop... Test the output of the Surge card.. Test between the larger Red and Black wires that go to the cell... Should be about 35 to 40 Volts DC.
Step 5.. If the Surge card output is not 35 to 40 Volts DC, replace the surge card.
Step 6.. If you have 35 to 40 VDC out of the Surge card, shut off power and connect the cell, turn on the power.
Step 7. If the breaker pops now, replace the cell.

Thanks,

Jim R.

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But because of the fire the breaker is stuck on on, so I have ordered a replacement breaker so I will have to replace the breaker and surge card (given the fire on the red wire)

gvc said:

Curious about how long it will run ( battery capacity). the Betta SE runs 24/7 this time of year no extra charging required.

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24/7. No charging needed.

ajw22 said:

Hayward works differently then Pentair.

Hayward VSP can only be connected to one controller at a time. When the RS-485 control wire to Omni is connected, the local control panel wires are physically disconnected at the pump.

You can open up the back of the pump and switch the wiring as you want.

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Just to be clear: this is a two step process? Disconnect the current omni control wire (step 1), and then connect the local panel wire (step 2)?

ahreno said:

No attitude needed, after all this IS a discussion forum.

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I thought this was a discussion.

We all enjoy discussing spending your money.

ajw22 said:

As I said, a sand based floor can wash out.

Vermiculite & Portland cement can and should be used anytime you're concerned about ground water issues. This could be anything from having a high water table to water seepage.

It is your money to decide what chances you want to take.

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Well you said sand, not sand based in your original reply. Considering "sand", "sand with cement" and "vermiculite with cement" are the choices, I wanted to clarify.

You also made it sound like I was saying sand and cement is for everyone, which I'm not, and is precisely why I'm asking which to use.

It does seem to be an option for a significant portion of people though and considering the difference is thousands of dollars (significant savings short term, but not worth it if it's a bad idea long term) I'm here trying to get smarter people's opinions. No attitude needed, after all this IS a discussion forum.

Just got my new EVO....excited to put it in the pool. However it came with his piece....any idea what is is. I can't find any mention of it in the manual


EDIT....nevermind, just called Marina and they said it was for the caddy, if I ever buy one.

Your pump, running 12 hours per day costs about $45/month, at $.15/KWh.
If you bought and installed a Calimar 1.5hp VSP, and ran it 24/7 at 1400, it would cost you about $10/month.
Payback would be the cost of the pump, about $500 / $35 per month of use or about 14 months, with a 5 month season, payback would be about 3 years.