Pentair Prowler 930 - Wont go forwards

JJ_Tex · Apr 12, 2025

I have a 4 year old Pentair Prowler 930, which is the same as a Maytronics active. During the week I noticed it would turn on, go backwards about 3 feet then stop.

I tried troubleshooting last night and it seemed to be the cheap plastic gears that connected the motor to the wheel were going bad. This morning I took it to the local pool store (Pinch a penny) who is a Maytronics dealer. They were helpful and replaced the gears and one of the wheels, for under $25. It was a great deal since the $3 parts all had $15+ shipping so would have cost me a whole lot more to DIY.

Unfortunately, when I put it in the pool it didn't move at all. Back to the pool store I go and they figured out the wheel had changed and was getting hung up on the cosmetic cover. They removed it and everything turned as it should have, then they did the out of water self diagnostics. It powered on and then perpetually ran backwards, never switching to forwards, nor sensing it was out of the water. Their diagnosis is that it needs a new $500 motor. That seems silly to spend on a 4 year old unit with the original power cord which appears to be cracking and aging.

What say you TFP?
1. Any thoughts on the robot issue? Is it really the motor issue if its not switching forward? I plan to finish up yard work and then grab a drink, tools, and take the thing apart and see if I can see anything obviously wrong. Maybe I'll be able to get lucky, but not likely unless its just dumb luck.

2. If I do need a new one, there seems to be a huge price difference in cleaners and some newer brands on the market. Pinch a Penny has a cordless Polaris for $1,100. If I have to spend that then so be it, but in my quick research Walmart has a few Aiper models for $400-$700 and Amazon has the Wybot C2 for under $500. I'll do some research later tonight assuming I'm not successful in #1 but figured I would ask here and see if these unfamiliar to me brands are just as good as the Polaris/Maytronics ones.

HermanTX · Apr 12, 2025

JJ_Tex said:
2. If I do need a new one, there seems to be a huge price difference in cleaners and some newer brands on the market. Pinch a Penny has a cordless Polaris for $1,100. If I have to spend that then so be it, but in my quick research Walmart has a few Aiper models for $400-$700 and Amazon has the Wybot C2 for under $500. I'll do some research later tonight assuming I'm not successful in #1 but figured I would ask here and see if these unfamiliar to me brands are just as good as the Polaris/Maytronics ones.

There are several threads on cordless bots. I would recommend the Aiper Scuba 1. There is a new 2025 model (I think) and there is also a Scuba 1 Pro (more features)
I have had the Scuba 1 (some refer to it as S1) for nearly a year and it has done great. It spends about 3 hrs cleaning and recharges in about the same amount of time. I mainly use it in floor mode but it also has a floor and side mode. For about $600 (some times have 10 or 15% off.

There is a more expensive Beatbot Aquasense for about $1100. It definitely has more bells and whistles.

Maybe @Michael z can provide you some advice on robots if you opt to go that way.

HermanTX · Apr 12, 2025

FYI - appears that Aiper had a sale a week or so ago. They have them every so often. But they do have an extended warranty offer.

an1vrsy · Apr 12, 2025

There has been an extensive review on the Aqua Products Evo 614iQ corded pool robot from @Jimrahbe in this sub forum.

I bought one 2 weeks ago and it works great.

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JJ_Tex · Apr 13, 2025

I ended up not being able to fix the dolphin, so I picked up the Aiper Scuba N1 from the local Walmart this afternoon. $489 + $38 for a 3-year warranty/protection plan so I was pretty happy with the price.

It did its maiden voyage and I was pretty impressed. It was completely full of leaves/pollen pods so picked up 95% of what was at the bottom of the pool. I emptied it and sent it on a floor only voyage to see if it will get the rest of the stuff on the floor.

I'm sure I will have to get the hang of a cordless vacuum. I could not get the Aiper app to connect, as that would be nice. I'll also have to play around with how I like the "docking" and what that really means. Hopefully there is a way to send it to the surface/wall so I can grab it with the provided hook. I guess if it does not do that I can always put the hook on the pole and pick it up.

HermanTX · Apr 13, 2025

JJ_Tex said:
I could not get the Aiper app to connect, as that would be nice. I'll also have to play around with how I like the "docking" and what that really means. Hopefully there is a way to send it to the surface/wall so I can grab it with the provided hook. I guess if it does not do that I can always put the hook on the pole and pick it up

I tried the app early on but saw little value so I just charge it and use it as needed. It always ends up on a wall facing up so it is easy to hook it. My hook is ona a pole and I just pull it straight up. Let it drain then remove the basket, and either store it or put on charger. I use an air compressor to dry the receptacle before I charge it.