Are Dolphins terrible or am I doing it wrong?

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Drew80

Drew80

0
Feb 26, 2013
344
Austin, TX
Pool Size
10000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
I'm on my 4th Dolphin. The first one worked fine but I sold it because the basket was too small. I then bought a Triton PS that didn't work at all, so I got a warranty replacement. The second one worked for a few months, then started turning itself off after about 10 seconds - another warranty replacement. The replacement was an S200, which I still have. The last 2 Dolphins, including the current one, have had the same issue. They would turn on but never complete a cycle. As of this morning, my S200 will turn on and run for about 10 seconds then turn off.

I just opened up the unit to make sure nothing is blocking the impeller or water flow - everything looks fine. Starts up as expected but quits after about 10 seconds, and that's happening consistently.

At some point you have to question whether the problem is you. Am I doing something wrong or are these units just awful?
 
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From what I have learned they go through a self test when you power them on, if something fails it shuts down. Visually you will see the robot move forward, backwards, forward again, then shut down. This is usually caused by hair and Crud wrapped around that impeller. But like you said you checked that.
I had one robot that did this and found that the motor that spins the impeller was going bad. It just did not spin enough. I believe it was caused by a bad seal that took out the motor bearings.
There is or was a guy on eBay that was selling replacement bearings and seals. I bought two sets so I could fix mine but ended out swapping it for a good motor.

I fixed several of these last summer and if I remember correctly all of the similar models that Dolphin (Maytronics) made have the same guts. It's the power unit that makes them smart (bluetooth) or not.
If you are comfortable tearing it apart, I'd inspect that motor.
 
Kaptain said:
From what I have learned they go through a self test when you power them on, if something fails it shuts down. Visually you will see the robot move forward, backwards, forward again, then shut down. This is usually caused by hair and Crud wrapped around that impeller. But like you said you checked that.
I had one robot that did this and found that the motor that spins the impeller was going bad. It just did not spin enough. I believe it was caused by a bad seal that took out the motor bearings.
There is or was a guy on eBay that was selling replacement bearings and seals. I bought two sets so I could fix mine but ended out swapping it for a good motor.

I fixed several of these last summer and if I remember correctly all of the similar models that Dolphin (Maytronics) made have the same guts. It's the power unit that makes them smart (bluetooth) or not.
If you are comfortable tearing it apart, I'd inspect that motor.
Click to expand...
He's still selling them on eBay. I am almost positive that's what you will need to fix this. If this repair is something you are not comfortable performing, I may be able to help.
 
@Kaptain I opened it up and turned it on. The wheels and treads turn in both directions, as you said, and the impeller doesn't spin at all. Should that spin as part of the self test?

I'm very comfortable with repairs, and the internals on these are pretty simple. Do you have a link handy for the guy on Ebay?
 
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Drew80 said:
@Kaptain I opened it up and turned it on. The wheels and treads turn in both directions, as you said, and the impeller doesn't spin at all. Should that spin as part of the self test?

I'm very comfortable with repairs, and the internals on these are pretty simple. Do you have a link handy for the guy on Ebay?
Click to expand...
ebay.us

FOR MAYTRONICS LINIX DOLPHIN IMPELLER MOTOR PUMP RERAIR KIT BEARING BRUSHES SEAL | eBay

NOTE: THIS IS THE REBUILD KIT FOR IMPELLER MOTORS ONLY! DOES YOU POOL DOLPHIN CLEANER DUE A SELF TEST AND STOP OR RUN FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND STOP. THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM IS THIS MOTOR AND IT SUPER EASY TO FIX YOUR SELF.
ebay.us
 
Drew,

Yes, part of the self test is to run the suction motor at different speeds..

You have to remove the impeller and look at the motor shaft.. It can get string-like material wrapped around it..

I have given up on the Dolphins...

Jim R.
 
If your robot isn't that old and it decent shape, fix it. Bit if your cord is not great and the unit is showing wear from use maybe it's time.
I have lots of good used parts if you need anything
 
Drew,

The tests can be done out of the water, with the robot on its back... but... it will often pass out of the water tests, yet fail when in the water..

So my initial tests would be out of the water.. If it does not pass, it will not pass in the water.. It it passes out of the water, then put it in the pool and try it again.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 

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The impeller isn't spinning at all during the self test. I can spin it manually very easily, so my initial guess would be an electrical problem.
 
Kaptain said:
If your robot isn't that old and it decent shape, fix it. Bit if your cord is not great and the unit is showing wear from use maybe it's time.
I have lots of good used parts if you need anything
Click to expand...
This thing is less than a year old, and I store it in a deck box when I'm not using it. So it's practically brand new. And the third time I've had a Dolphin do this. Frustrating.
 
It has been said on this forum a number of times that these robots have become practically throw-away items. I'd agree if they weren't the best part of $1000+

Of course, the cynic in me thinks that if you are the #1 maker of these devices, and you've been making them for 40+ years, and you're still running into reliability issues....either you really suck at what you do, or you're deliberately building in obsolescence to keep your revenue stream going.
 
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