Polaris Alternative

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jbird0215

jbird0215

Gold Supporter
Feb 1, 2020
108
Nashville, TN
Pool Size
24000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite Pro (T-15)
Hello, I am seriously considering moving to a robot cleaner to replace the Polaris. I thought now would be a good time to shop for one. Some questions I have:

1. I’ve read where folks convert their Polaris line to another return. Is this a good idea? I have 4 returns currently and thought it would be nice to add another return for circulation or to add an inexpensive water feature.

2. What robot would you recommend with my setup? I don’t necessarily want/need a top of the line but a good workhorse. I have one big birch tree that is my nemesis throughout the year and particularly in the fall.

3. Can you use a robot throughout the winter or is there a water temp that renders it inoperable or less efficient?

4. Suggestions on the best place to purchase?

Many thanks,
 
215,

I use the Dolphin S200, which is a workhorse without all the bells and whistles, which I do not need.

Talk with....

Margaret Mills
Marina Pool, Spa & Patio
7777 West Jewell Avenue
Lakewood, Colorado 80232
303-985-0077
[email protected]

They don't open until 10 am and close at 5 pm.. They are busy and you have to keep calling.

They cannot sell robots over the internet, it must by my phone... (edit) or my e-mail....

My S200s were $700 bucks each, no tax and free 2nd day shipping. One of my rent houses still has an old Dolphin Premier that is over 6 years old.. When it dies, it will be replaced with another S200 style robot.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Last edited:
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215,

I live in the DFW area and we do not close our pools here. My robots run year round.. Not sure if you close your pool or not in your location..

Four returns should be plenty.. I'd convert the old Polaris pipe into a fill line, unless you already have one.

Here is a pic of the S200...

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
That’s great. I’m leaving it open this winter and plan to do so every year. Nashville rarely drops below freezing for long but I have freeze protect on just in case. Good to know on using the robot cleaner year round. The Polaris doesn’t do so great with colder pool temps. Excuse my ignorance, but what is a fill line and how should it be plumbed? Pretty sure I don’t have one currently. Thanks
Jimrahbe said:
215,

I live in the DFW area and we do not close our pools here. My robots run year round.. Not sure if you close your pool or not in your location..

Four returns should be plenty.. I'd convert the old Polaris pipe into a fill line, unless you already have one.

Here is a pic of the S200...

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
 
A robot is day and night above a polaris, instead of blowing the fine dirt out the net it catch's it in a pleated filter.

I also use mine for a fill line, my water hose is near the pool pad so instead of running the hose across the deck I just cut off the PVC and stick it in there...Some have actually hooked it up to a sprinkler valve and use automation to add water :)
 
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The Pentair Warrior is the same as the S200/Active20, made by same manufacturer but labeled for Pentair. Cheaper too.
Call Marina Pool and Spa and ask for Margaret or Seth- the're very helpful and will save you green ;)

My old Polaris sweep outlet is now used just as another return, and we use the same fitting to put Skippy's Pool Fountain in.

Maddie :flower:
 
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Gotcha! As far as I can tell, I don’t have a water supply near the equipment pad (been here about a year so still learning the place). Interesting idea about automating via the sprinkler system, but it hasn’t been a huge deal adding water from the hose when needed. I like the return conversion idea but may just wait until spring to decide. I’ll need to replumb my water slide in the spring anyway. Thanks for the advice.

markayash said:
A robot is day and night above a polaris, instead of blowing the fine dirt out the net it catch's it in a pleated filter.

I also use mine for a fill line, my water hose is near the pool pad so instead of running the hose across the deck I just cut off the PVC and stick it in there...Some have actually hooked it up to a sprinkler valve and use automation to add water :)
Click to expand...
 
Awesome thank you! The Skippy Pool Fountain - is that the interesting contraption I’ve seen on previous threads made out of small PVC?

YippeeSkippy said:
The Pentair Warrior is the same as the S200/Active20, made by same manufacturer but labeled for Pentair. Cheaper too.
Call Marina Pool and Spa and ask for Margaret or Seth- the're very helpful and will save you green ;)

My old Polaris sweep outlet is now used just as another return, and we use the same fitting to put Skippy's Pool Fountain in.

Maddie :flower:
Click to expand...
 
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jbird0215 said:
Gotcha! As far as I can tell, I don’t have a water supply near the equipment pad (been here about a year so still learning the place). Interesting idea about automating via the sprinkler system, but it hasn’t been a huge deal adding water from the hose when needed. I like the return conversion idea but may just wait until spring to decide. I’ll need to replumb my water slide in the spring anyway. Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...
I bought a cheap mechanical water timer and a short 10' hose. When I want to add water I just spin it to 60 minutes. Don't know if I would trust turning it on and leaving town but so far it works great
 
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jbird,

You're gonna love the robot. I took the same advice you're getting from experts in this thread. Ended up the Warrior SE was the best deal at the time. Margarite will let you know what's best right now. I also ran the cord through an outdoor cable cover that looks like this:

1606733774544.png
1606734408195.png
You can find many choices for this by searching for "outdoor cable cover". Next thing I did was to put it in "automation mode" and plug it into a smart plug. I used one compatible with Alexa but you can also use any of the home control plugs that work with your home WiFi and don't need voice control if you like many don't like these systems. This is set to run daily for 2 hrs. You can also run from the internal timer but unless you put it into automation mode you'll need to restart it each week. Probably don't need it that long but the pool is way cleaner than it's ever been and when we swim we just drag it to the edge bottom of the pool. You'll want to untwist the cord weekly and clean the filters at the same time. Even though the filter box looks empty they will be blocked with fine particles that impede flow and dramatically reduce the ability to suck fines up from the bottom. Cleaning is a piece of cake by removing and hosing off... takes 5 minutes.

I hope this helps.

Chris
 
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Super helpful, thanks Chris. Love the cord cover and smart plug ideas! Fortunately, I only have about a 10 ft run from the outlet to the pool.

setsailsoon said:
jbird,

You're gonna love the robot. I took the same advice you're getting from experts in this thread. Ended up the Warrior SE was the best deal at the time. Margarite will let you know what's best right now. I also ran the cord through an outdoor cable cover that looks like this:

View attachment 169836
View attachment 169837
You can find many choices for this by searching for "outdoor cable cover". Next thing I did was to put it in "automation mode" and plug it into a smart plug. I used one compatible with Alexa but you can also use any of the home control plugs that work with your home WiFi and don't need voice control if you like many don't like these systems. This is set to run daily for 2 hrs. You can also run from the internal timer but unless you put it into automation mode you'll need to restart it each week. Probably don't need it that long but the pool is way cleaner than it's ever been and when we swim we just drag it to the edge bottom of the pool. You'll want to untwist the cord weekly and clean the filters at the same time. Even though the filter box looks empty they will be blocked with fine particles that impede flow and dramatically reduce the ability to suck fines up from the bottom. Cleaning is a piece of cake by removing and hosing off... takes 5 minutes.

I hope this helps.

Chris
Click to expand...
 
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The S200 and many of the other "manual start" Dolphins have a hidden feature. Someone here will have the link. After pressing buttons a certain way, anytime power is applied, the robot will startup. This allows external automation.

These are all the same Robot:

Dolphin S200 = Dolphin Active 20 = Dolphin Cayman = Dolphin Nautilus (2017 and Later) = Pentair Prowler 920 = Dolphin Proteus DX3 = Doheny's Saturn = Dolphin T35

The Truth About Pool Cleaners: What Your Pool Store Isn’t Telling You — Sunplay

This is my first year with a robot. I have a VERY similar model, but the electronics are upgraded (WiFi & Bluetooth, 2 cleaning programs, weekly/daily programming). It is equal to an S300i. If I had to do it over again, I would do the S200 and a wireless switch.

I keep my cleaner in the pool, because it is programmed to turn on at 2AM. It will be in year round. I don't "close" the pool, except declare "I ain't swimming, no more", at the end of the season.

On the Polaris outlet, just leave it alone. You could buy a connector and make an outlet. But I would not destroy anything! You could move and want to take your robot, and then hook the Polaris back in.
 
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Oh, one good reason to leave the Polaris outlet alone is "mixing". If you want to add chemicals and mix well for an hour, turn on the Polaris pump.
 
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Good points red-beard. We are calling this our forever home but we shall see...

Another appeal for me for Polaris line conversion to a return is the fact that the booster pump has sprung a leak and I’m not enamored with the idea of repairing/replacing it. Going to a robot eliminates yet another point of potential failure. I’ve already removed 2 pumps from the setup that were unnecessary and plumbed incorrectly. Feels good to have some more equipment pad real estate.

It’s crazy to me there are so many brand names for the exact same product. Sounds like a marketing department with too much time on its hands.

red-beard said:
The S200 and many of the other "manual start" Dolphins have a hidden feature. Someone here will have the link. After pressing buttons a certain way, anytime power is applied, the robot will startup. This allows external automation.

These are all the same Robot:

Dolphin S200 = Dolphin Active 20 = Dolphin Cayman = Dolphin Nautilus (2017 and Later) = Pentair Prowler 920 = Dolphin Proteus DX3 = Doheny's Saturn = Dolphin T35

The Truth About Pool Cleaners: What Your Pool Store Isn’t Telling You — Sunplay

This is my first year with a robot. I have a VERY similar model, but the electronics are upgraded (WiFi & Bluetooth, 2 cleaning programs, weekly/daily programming). It is equal to an S300i. If I had to do it over again, I would do the S200 and a wireless switch.

I keep my cleaner in the pool, because it is programmed to turn on at 2AM. It will be in year round. I don't "close" the pool, except declare "I ain't swimming, no more", at the end of the season.

On the Polaris outlet, just leave it alone. You could buy a connector and make an outlet. But I would not destroy anything! You could move and want to take your robot, and then hook the Polaris back in.
Click to expand...
 

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