A&A MagnaSweep IFC (In Floor Cleaners): compatibility with pop-up cleaner heads

[RogerDR26]

Has anyone with an In Floor Cleaner system (IFC—pop-up heads) tried a wheeled/tracked robotic cleaner in addition to the IFC system ?
Do robotic vacuum cleaners work okay with such IFC systems, or do they damage the pop-up heads? ( I assume you would operate the robotic vacuum only during the hours when the pop-up heads are not programmed to be operating.)
My A&A Magna Sweep system functions, but it fails to remove all the sediment and debris from areas at the deep end of the pool.

 

[scottts]

I have an in-floor system. I just switch my return to my water fall 100% so the popups don't pop up during robot use. I set suction for skimmer only so the floor drains don't try to suck the robot in place.

Hopefully you have a way to divert your water in a similar way. If not, you could simply shut your pump off during the robot cleaning period.

 

[RogerDR26]

Thank you, thank you for your quick and useful response!
One of my concerns is whether the robot vacuum would “suck up” the pop-up head, and possibly damage the pop-up head — apparently that doesn’t happen with your robotic vacuum. Can I ask which robot vacuum you have, your level of satisfaction with it, and whether you would buy it again?

 

[scottts]

Hmmm ... I'm not really sure if the robot sucks up the pop up head underneath it so I cant swear it doesn't. All I can report is that I haven't had any head damage.

My robot is the Maytronics M600. This is the second summer I've had it. I have the same issue as you - stuff in the deep end that the in floor doesn't get. I run the robot once per week and it cleans that stuff up nicely. It cleans the walls and tile line as well so it eliminates manual brushing, which for me is a major benefit. Makes pool maintenance much nicer.

I would definitely buy it again.