Dolphin getting stuck

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Maindrainclipon.com are honoring their guarantee and refunding my purchase. Their D1 Modified clip options has a 50% success rate with Dolphin cleaners. Unfortunately they do not offer an alternate clip for my case.


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Update:

I used Filbur real pool filter cleaner on the Z5's mesh screens.

filbur_zpshtyzq2vy_1.jpg


Did it clean the filters? Oh yeah. Even after their Cascade bath last week, our filters had a bit of yellow tinge. That is all gone now.

Did the robot still get stuck? Oh yeah. Next up, remove side cover and install new bearing. Will include pics.
 
Alright then, this little robot is not going to get the best of me. On to the bearing. Here is a picture of the side panel. You need to remove those four screws to get it off.

side%20panel_zpskqprrdir.jpg



Here is what it looks like underneath. The rusty bearing is in the center. It should look white like the other two.

side%20panel%20removed_zpsdhuaqj9b.jpg



A little prying by hand will get the track off...

tread%20removed_zps4ripfdtf.jpg



The pulley/bearing assembly pulls right off from the hexagonal driveshaft. No tools required so far, except the Philips screwdriver for the outer panel. The driveshaft will also pull right off, it has a slot in the rear that fits onto a flattened shaft protruding from the electric motor. The floating design is pretty clever IMO.

driveshaft_zpswxebbklv.jpg



Here is a closeup of the old and new pulley/bearing. You can see the old one is not concentric. Also looks like some R&D changes have been made.

track%20pulley_zpsqbuv1u92.jpg



Pop it all back on, fasten the four screws, and Bob's your uncle.

pulley%20replaced_zpsng7avrgw.jpg



Except Bob ain't my uncle. Robot got stuck. Twice, before I gave up.

Next, replace the foam rings!
 
MarkTX thanks for the detailed recap. I just don't understand what the deal is with this robot. I wrote to Maytronics support last week. They asked me to send the unit back in to support for service. I can't imagine they'll go thru the intricate steps you have. Really don't want to be shipping this thing back and forth [emoji51]


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Is it still getting stuck on the drain? Maytronics Support asked whether I was still interested in returning my Z5 to have "the extra brush added." Where is there room on the unit to add an extra brush?


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I have no clue what they mean by extra brush, nor do I see a way to install one. I would inquire further. Please let us know.

For my part, I am not done with this thing yet. I will keep the thread posted.
 
Appreciate it. Yes, I did reply back to Maytronics support to inquire about exactly where this brush goes or whether possible to self-install. Unless they intend to replace it with one of their M5 units or something? Don't exactly want to find a box and incur shipping charges on this monstrosity if it can be avoided. Though it may very well come to that. Will be traveling for a couple weeks and intend to address when I return.


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FYI Maytronics service indicated they can add the 3rd brush to the Z5 that the M500 model has. However it's not a DIY install. Am going to return mine under Warranty RMA in a few weeks and see whether it helps. More to follow.


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Last week I installed four new foam climbing rings for $10 each. Might have helped with the climbing, but still readily stuck on drain. Yesterday, I removed the tracks (which were hard, not tacky at all, and SLIGHTLY worn) and treated them with 303 UV Protectant (non-toxic, water based), which restored some tackiness. Rinsed them off in the sink, re-installed, and it helped a lot. The thing was frolicking around like new, it seemed happy, but got stuck after an hour or so. Compared to 5 minutes, which is how long it usually took, so I think there is a clue there. I have new tracks on order, but they are taking forever to get here. But that is a $50 spend for the tracks.

My plan is to remove the robot when not in use (so not in the pool 24-7 anymore), and apply the UV stuff every month. And thinking about that 5th brush...
 
Also, I have learned that to remove the tracks, it is preferred and much easier to simply pull out the right and left rollers on each side first. Then, no prying required to remove the track. They pull right out. Putting it back together is another matter, but not hard. The right and left pulleys on each side have 4 slots that are almost impossible to seat when the track is installed. So to put it back together, seat the pulleys first and then put the track on. Some minor hand prying required.

And if you are like me, you will install the tracks upside down the first two times, LOL. Just saying. Look at the pics. The smaller treads go over the top on the inside. You will still get it wrong LOL
 
The solution is to have a flush channel main drain installed when building a pool. I did not do this. Mine doesn't get stuck but does get redirected a bit.
 
santacruzpool said:
:goodpost: Yes but once you find out by then it is too late for a channel drain.

Where were you 2 years ago!!! Oh well :sad:
Click to expand...

Yup. The sad part is they also look much better IMO. And for me, one of our PB options used them but I didn't key in on the value to have my chosen PB use one.
 
Unfortunately after a couple of happy years with my Z5 I no have the "stuck on the drain" problem. I just reached the curing point of our new Pebble Tec finish and tossed the Z5 in the pool. With the new surface came new drain covers and the Z5 high centers itself every 5-10 minutes or so. This is so disappointing.
 
I use a polaris unicover. You can get them for around $45 from Amazon. No more stuck robots for me. I've been using them for many years. I will add that they only last around 3 or 4 seasons (I'm on my third unicover this year). But it is cheap insurance to keep the robot from getting stuck.
 

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