Active 30i Sucks - But not the way I want

[timmypop]

My cheap Sandshark cleaner died after about six years and I used this forum to help me choose my next purchase. I picked up an Active 30i from a recommended dealer based on the posts from this site. I have used the Active 30 for two weeks and I have got to say this is the most disappointing. I literally watch it roll over leaves and after two 2.5 hour cyclces I wake up to a dirty pool. My Sandshark was way better. Not what I expected.

There is not much to it in terms of function. I have tried using it with and without the mirco filter.

1. Anything I could be doing wrong? Is this not for a pebbletec pool?
2. If the vendor will not take a return, anyone want to buy this thing so I can go back to something that works?

 

[wgipe]

Sorry you’re having trouble! I would call the dealer and ask for help. I bought the same model from Marina a few months back, and it works flawlessly. The pool is spotless after it runs.
-W

 

[Jimrahbe]

Tim,

I'll give you $5 bucks for it..

Something is wrong with it... When you power it up do you see a small volcano of water at the surface above the robot.. You should be able to see the water being sucked through the robot by the suction motor...

It works great on my pebble-tec pool.

You really can't do anything wrong.. Put it in the pool and push the on button.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[djw]

I have found that the little fabric flapper/tube assembly in the bottom of the basket clogs quickly if you have a heavy leaf load. The cloth thing is designed to keep dirt from the basket from draining out when there's no suction or when you are lifting it out of the water. This gizmo and the mostly non functional cord swivel are the weak points of an otherwise outstanding robot.

I would make sure that the fabric flapper is not pinched shut accidently or plugged with leaves. It can and has happened on mine.

When there is a heavy leaf load from a storm or something, I remove the cloth thing (it has an integral bungee cord keeping it on) and it helps leaf sucking somewhat, at the expense losing a little junk lifting it out. Still, it is not a great leaf sucker because of the small intake slot.

As Jim pointed out if you are not seeing a volcano of water on the surface above the robot, they motor or impeller is not working right. This is the easiest cleaner in the world to work on and fix - that's a plus.

I find this cleaner a bit marginal and easy to overload for lots of leaves. You pretty much have to use another method to de-leaf a messy pool from a storm or spring clean up. Once that is done these really clean up the rest, particularly dirt and sand. I'll give you $6 for it

 

[wireform]

Here's the ultimate way of knowing if the suction pump doesn't work or is week. Remove the filter and see if it climbs the wall. If it can't at all that says the pump is not working. If it climbs but falls off that means week . If it climbs well then your issue is what was explained above.