The tail sweep on my 280 does not move from side to side, it just drags straight behind the unit. The cleaner moves along the bottom, climbs the wall, etc. There is no blockage in the cleaner, hoses, or back-up valve. There is no pressure loss at the wall fitting or releif valve. The tail sweep adjustment screw is turned counter-clockwise about as far as it will go without falling out. The pump strainer basket is clean. The cartridge filters are clean. I have added no additional weights to the tail. What am I missing? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Polaris 280 tail sweep inop
- Thread starter gcalahan
- Start date
check the tail sweep hose for any hole caused from wear. check the orfice at the end of the tail sweep hose to be sure it is not worn or pluged.
No holes in the sweep hose, not plugged or damaged in any way. Is there a pressure gauge that can be used to check the pump pressure at the wall fitting and if so what should the pressure be?
Open up the cleaner and check the water management system for obstructions. It can happen often if you have small debris. Debris will get caught inside the cleaner and can plug up certain parts of your water management system.
I have completly dis-assembled the cleaner looking for debris, bad o-rings etc. Everything looks ok. No obstructions in any orifice, water sprays hard out of the tail scrubber end but the hose does not move side to side.
when mine did that it drove me crazy, until I noticed the sponge on the end was protruding past the end of the hose. Once I made sure a little bit of the hose was poking out the far end of the scrubby sponge it sweeps as I would expect now.
The scrubber was sticking past the end of the hose by approx. 1/4 in. I moved it flush with the end but still no sweeping action. Maybe the cold water is making the sweep hose to stiff to sweep?
oh wow... then its definitely putting out the pressure... No idea then. Whats your water temp?
With water that cold, I bet the tail is just too stiff. I would try not to worry about it, and wait til the water warms up to see if it starts flailing again.
I had the same issue when I purchased a house. I don't know how old the hose was, but it became inflexible over time. I purchased a new hose and that solved the problem. The new hose was much more flexible.
Saturn94
Bronze Supporter
- Mar 11, 2015
- 1,746
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Some time back I asked the manufacturer about operating my 280 in cooler water temps. This was the response;
I had the same problem and just bought a new tail. Turns out the plastic had just gotten stiff and it didn't whip around anymore. New tail solved the problem. If you check all that other stuff, try a new tail. They are under $20.
I've been learning much from TFP this summer, 2021. In turn, I'd like to share my experience with others (Post #1).
If you have (or had) a cloudy pool because DE was entering the pool due to a torn grid panel and you've been running the Polaris, then the Polaris tail can become clogged with DE and other particles. You'll need to pull the Polaris to the surface and check the port at the end of the tail to see if water is coming out. If no water is leaving the port at the end of the hose, then you most likely have a clogged hose. TIP: I was able to use a large paperclip (straightened out) to clear out the port (opening at the tail end of the hose) by carefully pushing back the particles, running water through the hose (easier when detached from Polaris), and repeating the method until satisfied with the flow rate.
If you have (or had) a cloudy pool because DE was entering the pool due to a torn grid panel and you've been running the Polaris, then the Polaris tail can become clogged with DE and other particles. You'll need to pull the Polaris to the surface and check the port at the end of the tail to see if water is coming out. If no water is leaving the port at the end of the hose, then you most likely have a clogged hose. TIP: I was able to use a large paperclip (straightened out) to clear out the port (opening at the tail end of the hose) by carefully pushing back the particles, running water through the hose (easier when detached from Polaris), and repeating the method until satisfied with the flow rate.