Last November, I pre-ordered an “Ariel by Solar-Breeze” surface bot. Before the actual delivery of Ariel, I had then decided to also make the switch from a suction-side cleaner to a Dolphin Robot by Maytronics for cleaning the bottom, sides and tile.
In my research, I noticed several threads that indicated that folks whom had both types of cleaning bots, had voiced concerns that the surface robot would come in conflict with the floating control/low voltage power cable attached to the cleaning robot. I also had conversations with a couple of folks who were owners of both bots that also indicated that this was a problem if both robots were in the water at the same time. Since I didn’t particularly want to be dragging two different robots in and out of the water on a continuous basis, I needed to find a solution that would allow me leave them both in the water 24x7.
My Maytronics Active 60 had arrived and I was expecting delivery of Ariel any day. So, I set out to try to come up with some sort of solution to get that control/low voltage power cable from floating on the surface where it would come in conflict with Ariel.
First, I could not find any type of device that is actually designed and sold for that very purpose. I looked at many different options and suggestions, but frankly, I was not overly impressed with some of the “MacGyver” solutions that I had seen up to this point.
I kept looking around and spent several hours on the net and on Amazon and here is what I came up with as a solution to this problem.
1. I noticed the following items that looked as though they would fit on/around the control/low voltage cable. For the remainder of this thread, I will refer to these at "Cable Pods".
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SWM963M?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
I was hoping that the cutout groove shown for the cable was the right size but I figured that if it was too small, then I could solve that problem with my trusty Dremel tool. But, I determined that I would still need to weigh these down in order to get that cable to sink down a bit below the surface.
2. I looked at many different items (weights), that I could use to put inside these plastic cord covers. Fishing weights came to mind but I didn’t particularly want a bunch of lead fishing weights in my pool although they could be put in heavy duty zip locks I guess. Then I came across these plastic-coated practice casting plugs. Perfect.
Amazon.com : 12 Pieces Fishing Practice Plug Fishing Casting Plug Baitcasting Rubber Practice Plug Suitable for Kids Improving Casting Skill, 6 Sizes : Sports & Outdoors
So, I placed my order. I ordered two sets of four of the extension cord protective covers and twelve of the casting plug sets. I figured that whatever I didn’t need, then I could just send back any extra to Amazon.
The order arrived and I tried one of the cable protectors out and it fit the control cable perfectly. I removed the two little sliding cord management thingys and I then began to play around with what amount of weight that I would need in each "cable pod" so that the control cable would sink down maybe a foot or so below the surface. I came up with approximately 110 grams. A couple of notes here.
I used all eight of the extension cord protective covers evenly spaced out over the approximate 50’ of the control cable that was actually in the water.
So far, everything seems to be working out really good. It doesn’t appear like the Maytronics Robot is negatively affected at all by the control cable being below the water line or being slightly weighted down and Ariel is very happy that she is not being interrupted by the Maytronics control/power cable floating on the surface.
I guess time will tell now if this is a viable solution or if any problems arrive from this method of de conflicting the two bots.
r.
In my research, I noticed several threads that indicated that folks whom had both types of cleaning bots, had voiced concerns that the surface robot would come in conflict with the floating control/low voltage power cable attached to the cleaning robot. I also had conversations with a couple of folks who were owners of both bots that also indicated that this was a problem if both robots were in the water at the same time. Since I didn’t particularly want to be dragging two different robots in and out of the water on a continuous basis, I needed to find a solution that would allow me leave them both in the water 24x7.
My Maytronics Active 60 had arrived and I was expecting delivery of Ariel any day. So, I set out to try to come up with some sort of solution to get that control/low voltage power cable from floating on the surface where it would come in conflict with Ariel.
First, I could not find any type of device that is actually designed and sold for that very purpose. I looked at many different options and suggestions, but frankly, I was not overly impressed with some of the “MacGyver” solutions that I had seen up to this point.
I kept looking around and spent several hours on the net and on Amazon and here is what I came up with as a solution to this problem.
1. I noticed the following items that looked as though they would fit on/around the control/low voltage cable. For the remainder of this thread, I will refer to these at "Cable Pods".
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SWM963M?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
I was hoping that the cutout groove shown for the cable was the right size but I figured that if it was too small, then I could solve that problem with my trusty Dremel tool. But, I determined that I would still need to weigh these down in order to get that cable to sink down a bit below the surface.
2. I looked at many different items (weights), that I could use to put inside these plastic cord covers. Fishing weights came to mind but I didn’t particularly want a bunch of lead fishing weights in my pool although they could be put in heavy duty zip locks I guess. Then I came across these plastic-coated practice casting plugs. Perfect.
Amazon.com : 12 Pieces Fishing Practice Plug Fishing Casting Plug Baitcasting Rubber Practice Plug Suitable for Kids Improving Casting Skill, 6 Sizes : Sports & Outdoors
So, I placed my order. I ordered two sets of four of the extension cord protective covers and twelve of the casting plug sets. I figured that whatever I didn’t need, then I could just send back any extra to Amazon.
The order arrived and I tried one of the cable protectors out and it fit the control cable perfectly. I removed the two little sliding cord management thingys and I then began to play around with what amount of weight that I would need in each "cable pod" so that the control cable would sink down maybe a foot or so below the surface. I came up with approximately 110 grams. A couple of notes here.
1. I found that the first pod where the cable goes in the water should have a bit more weight than the rest of them.
2. Using this method, you’ll have to play around with the different weights of the casting plugs until you get the right combination that will provide just the right buoyancy, so that the control cable “hovers" below the surface but does not sink down to the bottom. And I’m not saying that the control cable never touches the surface of the water or touches the bottom. But if it does, it’s typically not at either for very long and seems to depend on how the control cable is stretched out, direction of travel of the Maytronics robot etc.
I used all eight of the extension cord protective covers evenly spaced out over the approximate 50’ of the control cable that was actually in the water.
So far, everything seems to be working out really good. It doesn’t appear like the Maytronics Robot is negatively affected at all by the control cable being below the water line or being slightly weighted down and Ariel is very happy that she is not being interrupted by the Maytronics control/power cable floating on the surface.
I guess time will tell now if this is a viable solution or if any problems arrive from this method of de conflicting the two bots.
r.
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