Hey all, I recently did some refurb work on my Dolphin robot and thought I would share the info. I learned a few things talking with the Dealer Tech as well. I did this because I noticed some lack of performance on a couple of things that got my attention. As I have said many times, I have never bought a product I was more impressed with for a pool or otherwise, but there were clearly some issues.
First I noticed he was missing some areas, always in the shallow end. This never happened quite like this before, but I had some clues late last summer. for the sake of brevity, I'll just say I couldn't dig into it at the time, and winter came around. This spring, I knew something was wrong so I started watching it during some runs and it was clear he wasn't getting done in the shallow end for some reason. But I finally noticed why, and it was simply because he wasn't getting there. On most angled approaches from deep to shallow, he was sliding sideways to varying degrees and turning back down to the deep. Strange, but I kept watching. Before long it was apparently due to lack of traction. So upon close inspection, it was evident that the tracks were worn way down, but was this why he wasn't climbing as well too? I also noticed they seemed much harder than I remember, so I started looking for parts where I had bought a new set of filters and discovered something else. The foam rings were listed in the parts page and they were called climbing rings. Bingo! Never knew that, but decided to call before ordering everything and see what the dealer had to say. Of course the tech was off already, but they assured me he would call first thing Monday and sure enough he did. He confirmed I was on the right trail, so I ordered tracks and rings. Once installed, it was evidently long overdue. The tech said probably about a year late based on all my facts from usage to water chemistry. He did say it would make big difference, but I think he was being conservative. It runs like it did when new, so I couldn't be happier. I'll post the pics, and maybe share some other facts and tips on another post, but check on yours, and see if it might need this too. It's about $80 or so in parts, but super easy to do. Well worth the time and money to be sure.
Here we are with side panel, and one roller removed, and maybe I need to make another post about getting it apart. Anyway...
Some parts. I got new dust flaps as well, also a big difference and obviously needed but one had a mouse hole chewed in it. Thanks mouse.
Belts compared side by side clearly worn, and a lot on the outside edges.
Finally, one more parts view, mostly comparing new and old foam climbing rings. Three hard seasons did them in no question. Interestingly, these were shipped wet. The technician said they get them dry, but ship them wet them for their customers so they don't think something is wrong when they get them.
The Technician was very gracious with his time, and answered a few questions for me, and encouraged me to call back anytime for help or questions. When they said he would call me back on Monday I was skeptical, but pleasantly surprised that Morning. So, a couple of things he told me, I thought worth a mention.
1. The motors are rated at a 1000 hour lifespan, but he said in all but a few rare cases they are seeing this surpassed regularly, and by a nice margin. If by chance you go this route with yours, it has to be replaced in house now, but it sounds risky doing it yourself and risking a motor flood from something simple you didn't know about doing or not. Sometimes it can be worth a motor versus all new though he said.
2. Although made to stay submerged, the units will last longer if not left that way for it's lifespan, so occasional removal when not used for periods can only help. Provided you don't keep them out in the sun. That's a killer.
If you have questions or decide to do this, or need help, simply let me know, and I'll be happy too if I can in any way.
See post 27 & 28 for disassembly instructions.
First I noticed he was missing some areas, always in the shallow end. This never happened quite like this before, but I had some clues late last summer. for the sake of brevity, I'll just say I couldn't dig into it at the time, and winter came around. This spring, I knew something was wrong so I started watching it during some runs and it was clear he wasn't getting done in the shallow end for some reason. But I finally noticed why, and it was simply because he wasn't getting there. On most angled approaches from deep to shallow, he was sliding sideways to varying degrees and turning back down to the deep. Strange, but I kept watching. Before long it was apparently due to lack of traction. So upon close inspection, it was evident that the tracks were worn way down, but was this why he wasn't climbing as well too? I also noticed they seemed much harder than I remember, so I started looking for parts where I had bought a new set of filters and discovered something else. The foam rings were listed in the parts page and they were called climbing rings. Bingo! Never knew that, but decided to call before ordering everything and see what the dealer had to say. Of course the tech was off already, but they assured me he would call first thing Monday and sure enough he did. He confirmed I was on the right trail, so I ordered tracks and rings. Once installed, it was evidently long overdue. The tech said probably about a year late based on all my facts from usage to water chemistry. He did say it would make big difference, but I think he was being conservative. It runs like it did when new, so I couldn't be happier. I'll post the pics, and maybe share some other facts and tips on another post, but check on yours, and see if it might need this too. It's about $80 or so in parts, but super easy to do. Well worth the time and money to be sure.
Here we are with side panel, and one roller removed, and maybe I need to make another post about getting it apart. Anyway...
Some parts. I got new dust flaps as well, also a big difference and obviously needed but one had a mouse hole chewed in it. Thanks mouse.
Belts compared side by side clearly worn, and a lot on the outside edges.
Finally, one more parts view, mostly comparing new and old foam climbing rings. Three hard seasons did them in no question. Interestingly, these were shipped wet. The technician said they get them dry, but ship them wet them for their customers so they don't think something is wrong when they get them.
The Technician was very gracious with his time, and answered a few questions for me, and encouraged me to call back anytime for help or questions. When they said he would call me back on Monday I was skeptical, but pleasantly surprised that Morning. So, a couple of things he told me, I thought worth a mention.
1. The motors are rated at a 1000 hour lifespan, but he said in all but a few rare cases they are seeing this surpassed regularly, and by a nice margin. If by chance you go this route with yours, it has to be replaced in house now, but it sounds risky doing it yourself and risking a motor flood from something simple you didn't know about doing or not. Sometimes it can be worth a motor versus all new though he said.
2. Although made to stay submerged, the units will last longer if not left that way for it's lifespan, so occasional removal when not used for periods can only help. Provided you don't keep them out in the sun. That's a killer.
If you have questions or decide to do this, or need help, simply let me know, and I'll be happy too if I can in any way.
See post 27 & 28 for disassembly instructions.
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