Any reason to not use robot cleaner in cold water (52F)

[wayner]

My pool was uncovered yesterday and there are a bunch of leaves in the bottom of my pool. Is there any issue with using my robot in water of this temperature and emptying the basket fairly frequently? I don't have the time to vacuum manually.

I have an Aqua Products EVO 604 robot.

 

[PoolStored]

I've been running mine for a month with water temps in the 40s.

 

[wayner]

Thanks. It seems to have trouble climbing the walls, I was wondering if that could be because the rubber brushes are a bit stiff due to the cold water and don't have as much friction to climb the walls. It could also be because the walls are dirty.

 

[Newdude]

There are two HUGE reasons IMO.

1) Gaskets which will be the failure of your robot when they let water inside. Not if, but when.

2) cold water.

 

[wayner]

Like a frightened turtle

 

[wayner]

There are two HUGE reasons IMO.

1) Gaskets which will be the failure of your robot when they let water inside. Not if, but when.

2) cold water.

So what temperature is warm enough?

 

[Newdude]

So what temperature is warm enough?

No Idea. If I hit the lottery and no longer cared about anything, I'd just replace as many as I needed. Currently, I'd add 5 or 10 degrees to whatever the manufacturer says. It's in the manual.

* edit. Ok they say 55 for the evo, so i say 65. Just my broke butt opinion.

 

[wayner]

Thanks. It was warm here in Toronto today, in the low to mid 70s, so hopefully my water is up above 55.

 

[pookiesunshine]

from manual for dolphin m500-
PH: 7.0 – 7.8 Salt: Max 5,000 ppm
Temperature: 6˚C(43˚F) to 34˚C(93˚F) Chlorine: Max 4 ppm

 

[PoolStored]

Mine:

 

[Jimrahbe]

Wayne,

I have been using robots for about 20 years... In the DFW area pools are open 365..

Until recently, I had three pools that all had robots used year round.. The two robots at my rent house stayed in the water 24/7/365, unless the tenants took them out to swim, which did not happen in the winter..

I saw zero effect on the operation or longevity of the robots.

Do what works best for you, but from my perspective the cold water made zero difference.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Newdude]

but from my perspective the cold water made zero difference.

Says the Texan to the Canadian.

(But point taken)

 

[wayner]

Says the Texan to the Canadian.

(But point taken)

That is kind of funny, but my pool is closed from about Oct 15 - May 1. So I have far less experience with very cold water and worry about freezing than someone from Texas that has their pool open year round. And I am a bit of an outlier as I have my pool open far longer than most folks around here.