12/2021 Robot recommendations - don't say Dolphin 200

[Hal3]

Taking another look at replacing my Polaris with a robot. Searching the forum there are many recommendations for the Dolphin 200 and a few particular online vendors. I see no Dolphin 200's available anywhere today.
I am looking for:
1. Available
2. Price close to $1000
3. At least 24 mo factory warranty (including return shipping preferred)
4. Well-reviewed from reliable sources - like here

I don't need Bluetooth or WiFi.

I'm not in a rush because the Polaris still "works".

I am leery of the "Amazon only" models but I could change my mind.

Love it or list it?

 

[mknauss]

Marina Pool Spa
303-985-0077 ◦ [email protected]

Explorer E30 - equivalent to the S200.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Hal,

What you want is an S200 "style" cleaner, it does not need to be an actual S200..

Dolphin makes a lot of identical robots and just changes the color for specific markets.

As an example, I have two S200's and a Pentair Warrior.. guts wise, they are the same, only the name has been changed to protect the innocent.

I bought all three of them from Marina Pool and Spa and will buy my next one from them as well.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jmastron]

The main recommendation is to *call* Marina Pool&Spa in Colorado and ask to speak to Margaret (or anyone who can help with pool cleaners). They have as good or better pricing than most online sources, and are a brick and mortar store so full warranties etc apply. And they are knowledgeable and can help steer you to the right model.

The Dolphin S200, Dolphin Active 20, Pentair Warrior SE, Dolphin Explorer E30, and Dolphin Triton PS (and maybe some others) are all the same underlying robot with different covers.

I bought an E30 from them a couple months ago and am happy with it. According to Robotic Pool Cleaners - Maytronics Residential, the Explorer E30 and Triton PS are still available. Both of those are actually "online" models but I didn't see better prices elsewhere. Note that those 2 don't come with the ultra-fine pleated filter that the others come with, just the fine mesh (they added a set of pleated filters for $50). But call, as they may have gotten shipments and just not updated the site.

Prices have gone up a lot, but you should be able to get one in this class in the $800 range.

 

[Hal3]

OK. Done.

My local dealer had a Dolphin Active 20 in stock.

It doesn't seem to be working.

The motor doesn't seem to have enough power to pull the leaves through the cloth valve.

Too many leaves?

 

[mknauss]

It should work. Sounds like a unit that needs repair.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Hal,

Was it a new unit or used??

Either way it should be able to suck up those leaves.

When the unit first powers up you should see a mini volcano of surface water right above the unit.. This is from the suction motor. It can get clogged with hair etc.

Once you get the leaves out you will want to use the corrugated filters to get all the fine dirt.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jmastron]

My E30 is doing a pretty good job getting similar sized leaves. I'd check for anything stuck in the impeller, and then take it back to the store to take a look. You presumably paid a premium to buy it locally, they'll be able to see if anything clogged or broken.

So far the Dolphin seems to hold 1.5-2x the volume of the Polaris 280 (yes, I stuffed these leaves into the Polaris bag to check ). It does steadfastly refuse to pick up palm fronds that the Polaris would at least partially suck up, but seems to get everything else. I do miss being able to see how full the bag is at a glance into the pool --I wonder if anyone's fashioned a clear cover for one of these?

 

[Hal3]

It should work. Sounds like a unit that needs repair.

It's brand new out of a sealed box!
I guess I will check with the store then.

 

[jmastron]

My E30 is doing a pretty good job getting similar sized leaves. I'd check for anything stuck in the impeller, and then take it back to the store to take a look. You presumably paid a premium to buy it locally, they'll be able to see if anything clogged or broken.

So far the Dolphin seems to hold 1.5-2x the volume of the Polaris 280 (yes, I stuffed these leaves into the Polaris bag to check ). It does steadfastly refuse to pick up palm fronds that the Polaris would at least partially suck up, but seems to get everything else. I do miss being able to see how full the bag is at a glance into the pool --I wonder if anyone's fashioned a clear cover for one of these?

Hopefully I didn't speak too soon -- yesterday I noticed that it hadn't picked up many leaves (basket looked similar to Hal3's last picture), and when I started it again, it ran for just a few minutes before shutting down, and trying again it ran but couldn't get itself up the wall (and even struggled climbing the floor from the deep end).

Removing some tough palm fibers wound around the rollers didn't help. I cleared some leaves and debris out of the impeller (which is straighforward but requires removing a couple screws), and it ran a full cycle and filled the basket again. I think even a couple small leaves caught around the impeller significantly reduces both it's sucking and it's holding-against-surface power.

 

[wireform]

Hopefully I didn't speak too soon -- yesterday I noticed that it hadn't picked up many leaves (basket looked similar to Hal3's last picture), and when I started it again, it ran for just a few minutes before shutting down, and trying again it ran but couldn't get itself up the wall (and even struggled climbing the floor from the deep end).

Removing some tough palm fibers wound around the rollers didn't help. I cleared some leaves and debris out of the impeller (which is straighforward but requires removing a couple screws), and it ran a full cycle and filled the basket again. I think even a couple small leaves caught around the impeller significantly reduces both it's sucking and it's holding-against-surface power.

Good to hear but if the basket is properly installed and all is clipped together they shouldn't be able escape which leads to another possible issue you may have but aren't unaware of. There is a black flap along one side beneath the basket for when the robot is pulled out of the water to aid in draining. If the flap is working as per design it'll stay shut while the robot is working so the only place debris can get in is through the filter. If for some reason it's missing or partially dismounted then debris gets in to the robot avoiding the filter completely and ending up in the propeller area.

 

[jmastron]

Good to hear but if the basket is properly installed and all is clipped together they shouldn't be able escape which leads to another possible issue you may have but aren't unaware of. There is a black flap along one side beneath the basket for when the robot is pulled out of the water to aid in draining. If the flap is working as per design it'll stay shut while the robot is working so the only place debris can get in is through the filter. If for some reason it's missing or partially dismounted then debris gets in to the robot avoiding the filter completely and ending up in the propeller area.

Thanks for the pointer -- I checked the flap, and it appears to be in good condition and in place, but there is a gap when not running (below) -- is that normal? I assume it pulls tightly when under suction (when the robot is running), but I can see how if there are some leaves on the water surface when it's dropped in, or when it's sitting on the bottom in a pile of leaves, that a couple could get in that way and then get to the impeller. And I read that an overfull basket can result in leaves pushing over the top into the impeller.

Two more good runs after clearing the impeller -- mostly full baskets and a visible reduction in the leaves in the pool, so I'll just keep checking now that I know what to look for.

 

[wireform]

Thanks for the pointer -- I checked the flap, and it appears to be in good condition and in place, but there is a gap when not running (below) -- is that normal? I assume it pulls tightly when under suction (when the robot is running), but I can see how if there are some leaves on the water surface when it's dropped in, or when it's sitting on the bottom in a pile of leaves, that a couple could get in that way and then get to the impeller. And I read that an overfull basket can result in leaves pushing over the top into the impeller.

Two more good runs after clearing the impeller -- mostly full baskets and a visible reduction in the leaves in the pool, so I'll just keep checking now that I know what to look for.


View attachment 385094

I'm not convinced the flap is 100% because why is the midpoint have a larger gap unless it's the angle of the picture the makes it look that way.if it's deformed somehow the center part may never close up completely. The only way to be sure is to invert it in the water while it's powered and carefully observe if it actually closed while powered.

 

[markayash]

I live in North Ga and we have big leaves and they clog up the flapper on mine if they have been soaking for a few days.
One thing I heard here was you can take the cloth flapper off if you have a lot of big stuff the catch. Won't work as good without it but does do better with the big soggy ones

Interesting mine quit working earlier this week, Would run a minute and stop..Cleaned the propeller and its back to normal

 

[Hal3]

Dealer suggested pulling the wires apart a little bit. Working great now!

 

[markayash]

Dealer suggested pulling the wires apart a little bit. Working great now!

Curious which wires did you adjust or pull apart?

 

[jmastron]

Dealer suggested pulling the wires apart a little bit. Working great now!

I'm also curious what "wires" you pulled apart. In any case, glad to see you have a full basket!

Mine is working great after I cleared the impeller, full baskets until it cleared the entire pool; the first year I haven't had to manually scoop leaves during the few weeks of wisteria-and-fig-mageddon we get. I was going to be annoyed if it needed screwdriver-level work too often, but once or twice when there's tons of junk in the pool is manageable.

 

[wireform]

I think he speaks of the wires on the end of the black cloth thingy where the debris passes through into the filter box. The wires keep it from opening to large.in its original state but it's somewhat restrictive.

 

[DanF]

I think he speaks of the wires on the end of the black cloth thingy where the debris passes through into the filter box. The wires keep it from opening to large.in its original state but it's somewhat restrictive.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[Hal3]

Yes. The wires in the fabric valve inlet on the bottom of the debris