Barracuda G3 Issues

[Bcorig]

Two issues with my G3 sweeper
I replaced my 10 years old G3, which literally fell apart, with a new one 6 months ago hoping it would solve the stereotyped motion I’ve seen for past several years. It just sweeps round and round at the sides of the pool, venturing only into the center once in a while. Round and round and round.
A. I’ve tried increasing and decreasing the Skimmer/Suction ratio but it only results in the G3 either stopping or climbing the walls
B. I’ve tried sunning the hoses - no change
C. I’ve tried all sorts of hose lengths. Shorter, longer no change- it just goes round and round
Question: how can I coax the G3 into the center of the pool?

Second issue: the new G3 has doesn’t actually “creep” along the pool bed like the old one did. How can I make it actually “creep” like the old one did?

Third issue just came up - just yesterday I replaced my failing 18 year old Pentair Intelliflo with a Jandy 2.7 HP VS. It’s set to run 1750 RPM for 3 hours followed by cleaning 2850 RPM for 4 hours and then 1750 RPM for 3 hours. With the Intellflo the G3 ran all day (in a circle as above) but now the RPM has to be above 2500 to run the G3.
Question: Is the G3 supposed to be going the entire time or just during the higher RPM clean cycle? Chat GPT4o tells me it shouldn’t be on constantly.

Finally, with the new pump when the RPM changes from 1750 to 2850 the G3 needs a nudge to actually start sweeping. I’ve just programmed in a 15 minute 3000 RPM between the lower and higher speeds as a nudge since I can’t be out there everyday delivering physical encouragement.
Any observations of suggestions about this phenomenon?

 

[needsajet]

That's a strange one. Sounds like one of those suppliers modernising without enough testing to find the unintended consequences. I have no experience with the new model, but getting the old ones to track better, in my experience, has been about trying a few things...

Did it come with a flow tuning device? Which RPMs put the cleaner into the sweet spot?
On the hose, there's a ring float, perhaps try a few different positions
Is there a ring on it that helps it avoid getting caught in a ladder? Perhaps try removing that
Pressure from the pool's return jets pushing it around to some effect, perhaps some different positions wouldn't compromise the circulation pattern in the pool, but help the cleaner get around

As far as how much to run it, that's personal choice, mostly around how clean you want the pool. The more you run out, the more you'll be replacing wear parts is all, so it's a personal cost-benefit decision. Sitting there sucking water and not moving will not wear the skirt, but may wear the diaphragm if it has one.

How is it plumbed? Skimmer plate? Dedicated suction port? If it's on a dedicated suction port, Is there a leaf cyclone on the hose?

 

[Bcorig]

Thanks
*It’s not really a new model it’s a an exact replacement for the old G3 which, literally disintegrated last winter - perhaps because it was running 8 hours a day - I don’t know. Everything dies.
*It is a separate wall suction so I need to balance Skimmer/Wall suction ratio as well.
*Yes It came with the flow tuning device - thanks for reminding me - I will break it out and recalibrate now that I can actually adjust their RPM - long story, the Pentair was difficult for me to master so I never messed with it once it was set by my pool guy 7 years ago. The Jandy is WAY easier and I found the sweet spot to keep it moving is 2200 RPM but it needs 3000 rpm to get it going. It occurred to me that the old pump must have been running at least > 2200 RPM all the time since it ran all the time.
*All the jets are directed downwards
*So THAT’s what that ring is for.
*No, I don’t have a leaf cyclone - gave up on them several years ago. If I try it again should I fix the basket at the wall (one of my neighbors does that) or should I place it midline??
It’s only 90 degrees out today - I’ll recalibrate it, mess with the Skimmer/Suction ratio, add a few more weights to bottom hose and see what happens.
Thanks for answering - I know its a goofy question.

 

[needsajet]

Not a goofy question at all.

The leaf cyclone protects the pipe to the equipment pad from getting plugged by debris. I connect the cyclone between the first and second section of cleaner hose.

All the best getting it sorted