Brand new robotic cleaner

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nabril15

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May 22, 2011
634
Miami, FL
Pool Size
16400
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-45
Good morning all
I received my Explorer E30 from Marina Pool, and I'm ready to launch it into service. For the first time or maybe the second time in my life, I read the instructions manual last night, and some questions arose. I'm excited to put my Navigator and its hoses to rest, and I wish I could convert that dedicated suction line into a return line. Whomever build my 16x30 pool in 2004 opted for only installing 2 return lines at opposite ends. I'll keep that suction line open without the cover so as to move water and create movement, I guess.

The questions.
1. It mentions that it should be used in water within a ph range and an FC of 4. Can that FC statement be ignored?
2. So that the program that I choose runs properly, the power unit needs to remain constantly plugged in, obviously? Does a power outage or unplugging it erase whatever choice that I made for the cleaning program frequency? I'll assume so.
3. Do any of you long-time robot-users have any other tips?

Thank you
 
You can read my robot saga in my signature, there’s a link. I went from suction cleaner to robot and now back to suction cleaner. Two points I’d like to make -

Keep the vacuum port. That are useful for when the robot breaks (and it will break) and you need to manually vacuum. It sucks that they only put in 2 returns but that should be ok.

Do not leave the robot in the water 24/7. These robots have a motor assembly in them that contains all the drive motors and the brains. There are 5 different points of penetration that have o-ring seals. O-ring seals are neither perfect nor permanent, they can fail. Leaving the bot in the water 24/7 will only increase the chances that it will fail. The motor assembly is an expensive failure, $450 current market price. If it fails outside of warranty, you’re left holding that bag …
 
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N,

I have been using robots for almost 15 years.. The robots that I have at rent houses stay in the pool pretty close to 24/7. The one at my house tends to only go for a dip every few days. I have seen no difference in their lifespans.. All of mine have lasted about 5 to 7 years. Only time will tell about the newer ones that I have now.

The color of the plastic on the ones that stay in the pool does seem to fade faster than the ones that I take out. But... in my mind they are a tool and I don't really care about the color, as long as they can still clean.

All my pools have an FC much higher than 4 ppm.

I don't use the "automatic" plug option, as I like to clean the basket once a week anyway, so there is no need for anything but the standard run everyday for a week power supply option.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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JoyfulNoise said:
Do not leave the robot in the water 24/7.
Click to expand...
thank you very much. I admit that I absolutely hate your emoticon or whatever it's called, but yet I find it amusing to look at it. But i hate it.

No, I will not convert that suction port to a return, and your points are very valid. Besides, I would have to dig up a lot and repipe and it will probably be a mess.

The "take out of the water statement" makes sense, but it's a bit troubling and impractical. I work from home every day, so I can "easily" establish the daily routine of: putting the robot in the water, powering it, and removing it after use. What a pain that will be, but I understand and respect your points about the repairs. I was initially planning on running it every other day since I don't have a lot of debris, so the routine won't be a daily thing. Is there a smarter/better way?

What about that statement by Maytronics to only run it at an FC of 4?
 
Jimrahbe said:
All my pools have an FC much higher than 4 ppm.
I don't use the "automatic" plug option, as I like to clean the basket once a week anyway, so there is no need for anything but the standard run everyday for a week power supply option.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...

thank you Jim. Your reply posted as I was typing mine.
What is the "automatic" plug option? Is that the use of a smart wifi plug as I've read some people have used?
 
nabril15 said:
thank you very much. I admit that I absolutely hate your emoticon or whatever it's called, but yet I find it amusing to look at it. But i hate it.

No, I will not convert that suction port to a return, and your points are very valid. Besides, I would have to dig up a lot and repipe and it will probably be a mess.

The "take out of the water statement" makes sense, but it's a bit troubling and impractical. I work from home every day, so I can "easily" establish the daily routine of: putting the robot in the water, powering it, and removing it after use. What a pain that will be, but I understand and respect your points about the repairs. I was initially planning on running it every other day since I don't have a lot of debris, so the routine won't be a daily thing. Is there a smarter/better way?

What about that statement by Maytronics to only run it at an FC of 4?
Click to expand...

I'm a big Bob Ross fan ... and Chia Pets.

If you read the Maytronics info again, you will find that they also recommend not leaving the robot in the water 24/7. It's simply a matter of risk - the longer the robot is submerged, the higher the probability of water incursion. I currently have my motor assembly taken apart and I can tell you that any water that gets into it does A LOT of damage. For those folks that leave them in 24/7, I would encourage them to take apart the motor and give it a look ...

Maytronics includes the automation and scheduling features so that a person can leave the robot in the pool when not at home for a stretch of time, like say a 10 day vacation. That is perfectly acceptable. But your situation is the polar opposite - you are actually at home 24/7 (I used to work from home too). SO in your case I would suggest running the robot and seeing how clean the pool gets. Then take it out and wait. Once it gets dirty enough to annoy you, then put the robot back in to clean. That is the cleaning frequency you should use. When I first ran my robot, I found that I could easily go 3 days with no cleaning needed and even on Day 4 there wasn't much more than a leaf or two but there was enough silt/dust for the robot to capture. So in my first few years I just pulled the robot in and out. That started to get a little old and so I slowly started leaving the robot in the water longer and longer. In it's last functioning year, I left it in the water over winter a lot. It doesn't get freezing cold here much but I'm sure the cold water had a big impact.

Long story short ... find the cleaning frequency that works for you but don't just set it and forget it. If you take care of the robot, it can last longer than 5 years. If not, you'll pay the price for a new one every 5 years.
 
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JoyfulNoise said:
If you read the Maytronics info again, you will find that they also recommend not leaving the robot in the water 24/7.
Click to expand...
thanks again ChiaJim
Actually, in an FAQ document included with the robot, they mention that it is ok to leave it in the water.
Your suggestions make sense, and I shall heed them. I like your suggestion about finding the frequency. I don't have anything along the bottom at this time of year, so vacuuming is not a big necessity. I like the cleaning of the waterline, and I will let the unnamed robot, for now, take care of that every 2 or 3 days.

ChiaThanks
 
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nabril15 said:
...
Actually, in an FAQ document included with the robot, they mention that it is ok to leave it in the water.
Click to expand...

Interesting .. my original instructions say not to keep it in the water all the time but to bring it out and let it dry ... maybe Maytronics discovered that a higher late-life failure rate can allow them to sell more product and they adjusted their instructions accordingly ... :unsure:
 
proavia said:
Do NOT leave that suction port uncovered. It is an entrapment hazard. Even if you shut off the suction to the cleaner port, put the correct cover on the in-pool port.
Click to expand...
thank you
I was thinking of using it uncovered to suction from it and to create movement and perhaps circulation. But I see the hazard despite not having little kids at home.
 
nabril15 said:
thank you
I was thinking of using it uncovered to suction from it and to create movement and perhaps circulation. But I see the hazard despite not having little kids at home.
Click to expand...

Yeah, best not to take a chance. You don't need anyone loosing a finger or ....
 
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