Which filters are you using? If you want to get the fine stuff i would run the pleated filters. If you are and its still doing that then it would be best to contact maytronics and inquire with them what to do.
Doheny's Discovery, S200, Active20, Triton owners club
- Thread starter Killer95Stang
- Start date
Which filters are you using? If you want to get the fine stuff i would run the pleated filters. If you are and its still doing that then it would be best to contact maytronics and inquire with them what to do.
bbrock
Well-known member
All of you veteran owners, now with the addition of your dolphin, how often are you manually brushing your pool? I used to do weekly, but I am now questioning that.
Also, for those that leave it in the pool all the time and just take it out to empty/clean the filters, what's your technique for untangling? Just straightening out the cord?
And, planning ahead, can I leave the controller out in the rain? I have it behind my pool equipment box, so it is not exposed to any sun, and on top of that I threw a cardboard box over it to cover it. But just thinking about the rainy season.
Also, for those that leave it in the pool all the time and just take it out to empty/clean the filters, what's your technique for untangling? Just straightening out the cord?
And, planning ahead, can I leave the controller out in the rain? I have it behind my pool equipment box, so it is not exposed to any sun, and on top of that I threw a cardboard box over it to cover it. But just thinking about the rainy season.
Sounds like you need to switch to the pleated fine filters or one of the filter panels is loose/warped. The inside of the cartridge and the outlet of the machine are completely sealed off from one another by the body of the unit itself, no rubber seal needed. Only way algae could get through to the outlet is one of those two.
If you want to extend longevity, don't leave it in the pool all the time. Only leave it in there for the duration of the cycle or as close to it as possible. They're built to go in water, not stay in water.
Also, the power supply looks waterproof, it isn't. I get plenty of power supplies ruined and waterlogged from being left out in the rain. Cover it if you can.
bbrock
Well-known member
thebombardier, if it has a weekly timer/program option, doesn't that infer that you could leave it in the pool for a week at a time?
Maybe I'll get a 5 gallon bucket with lid and punch a hole in the bottom so I can run the cord through one side, and then punch a hole in the lid so I could run the other side of the cord out. That way the controller is protected from the rain if I just leave Ghostlight in the pool.
Maybe I'll get a 5 gallon bucket with lid and punch a hole in the bottom so I can run the cord through one side, and then punch a hole in the lid so I could run the other side of the cord out. That way the controller is protected from the rain if I just leave Ghostlight in the pool.
Dolphins have had weekly timers for over a decade now. Wasn't a great idea then and it isn't a great idea now. The only thing keeping the electrical connection waterproof on the Dolphin is a compression fitting with a thin rubber gasket and a single o ring.
With the weekly timer i advise my customers only use it if they're going away on vacation or something like that. If you can help it, it's always better to pull the unit out of the pool. Not saying you're going to rot the waterproofing out in a day or a week but I can tell when a unit comes into my shop which ones stay in the pool and which ones are kept in the shed.
Mine stays in the pool more than out, I also thought since it had a 7 day timer it was made to stay in pool. thebombardier is in the industry and knows a lot more, has given me advice better than Maytronics customer service and the store that sold it to me so I do not doubt he is correct. But I am running mine 2 -3 x a day, it is probably not made for that, but overnight I get a lot of dirt and insects in the pool plus need 2 cycles to get full coverage.
I have not brushed my pool since last August. I bought the robot last June. I think the robot does a better job at brushing than I do, but would like to here other opinions.
Also thebombardier, if you had to buy a robot for your pool, which one would you buy and why?
I have not brushed my pool since last August. I bought the robot last June. I think the robot does a better job at brushing than I do, but would like to here other opinions.
Also thebombardier, if you had to buy a robot for your pool, which one would you buy and why?
Good question! If you answer please specify pool type since vinyl may be different than plaster, etc.
As to brushing - I've only had my pool a couple months but I've not brushed since I got the robot.
That is an interesting observation. I suppose the drying out in between uses has a less negative impact than the continuous submersion. Is this also true for the S-series robots? I haven't done much digging but when I removed the cover to troubleshoot mine when it broke it looked to me like the motor was a sealed unit in the S-series.
For the record, I'm one of those who leaves mine in almost all the time. It only comes out for a minute to clean the basket and untangle the cord a bit or when we have folks over to swim all day. Then it is out for a day and back in for the week. We're open year round too so I'm doing accelerated life testing for you folks up north.
I will say that if my robot lasts 2-3 years I'll be happy. I'm happy to spend 200-300 bucks a year for that cleaning service. Especially since I only spend a few bucks a year for the rest of my pool chems, mostly just salt and muriatic acid. Pool maintenance cost with TFP is so low that it isn't even a line item in the budget!
- May 23, 2015
- 25,794
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Mine gets pulled frequently. I used to pull it out everyday but I have to admit that I'm leaving it in 3-4 days at a time lately. My robot tech at the pool store also said leaving then in 24/7 for extended lengths of time puts a lot of wear on them but I suppose that's because most people so badly manage their water chemistry (or their service companies do the management) that the robots are exposed to some pretty awful and corrosive water conditions. I've seen posts over the years of people who have added solid chess and then stated that they let the robot mix it up. Not good! I always pull the robot when I add acid even though I know it will be diluted.
Perhaps Danny and I can be opposing data points although he has a good 18 month start on me.
Perhaps Danny and I can be opposing data points although he has a good 18 month start on me.
The race is on to see who can kill their robot first! I'm only 8 or 9 months ahead. I got it in November, I think. What is solid chess? Not on the recommended chem list! Did you mean cheese?
- May 23, 2015
- 25,794
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The race is on to see who can kill their robot first! I'm only 8 or 9 months ahead. I got it in November, I think. What is solid chess? Not on the recommended chem list! Did you mean cheese?
Oi. Apple auto correct....
"solid chems"
However, I have, on occasion, thought my pool needed more cheese....just not sure if I should go with granular (Parmesan) or liquid (Que Bueno) [emoji848]
OK, all you hold outs and procrastinators, I just got an email From Doheny's saying the Discovery is on sale for 639.99! Don't miss it!
- May 23, 2015
- 25,794
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Wow!! Maybe I'll buy one and then have robot battles in my pool....or they might get together and make little baby robots...ewe [emoji131]
ride525
Gold Supporter
Website says $649.99. But it also offered me a $10 off coupon. So, net result is $639.99.
bbrock
Well-known member
Net is $650 after the ~$11 handling charge. This takes into acct the $10 off as well.
I assume you mean new robot? Because if we are talking any one ever made it would be a Dolphin Diagnostic. Simple, bulletproof, and they will last 10 years easy when taken care of. Of course I know how to service them too so I imagine for the layman it's not the easiest to troubleshoot. I also have a big soft spot for the original Dolphin by Aquatronics.
Of any new robot, it would depend on the pool (because I don't actually own a pool, my parents took down our 15' round 6 years ago). If there is a main drain/floor returns, definitely an M400 or M500. If not, I would go with an A20 or A30 depending on the size. Tigersharks tend to need complete drive rebuilds after all the bearings explode at 3-4 years, and Aquabots have had motors failing left and right lately, plus the Dolphin drivetrain is just better designed if you asked me as an engineering student.
Also, overall vinyl vs concrete/gunite/plaster vs fiberglass doesn't make too much of a difference. Just concrete/gunite tends to eat rubber parts faster.
That is an interesting observation. I suppose the drying out in between uses has a less negative impact than the continuous submersion. Is this also true for the S-series robots? I haven't done much digging but when I removed the cover to troubleshoot mine when it broke it looked to me like the motor was a sealed unit in the S-series.
For the record, I'm one of those who leaves mine in almost all the time. It only comes out for a minute to clean the basket and untangle the cord a bit or when we have folks over to swim all day. Then it is out for a day and back in for the week. We're open year round too so I'm doing accelerated life testing for you folks up north.
I will say that if my robot lasts 2-3 years I'll be happy. I'm happy to spend 200-300 bucks a year for that cleaning service. Especially since I only spend a few bucks a year for the rest of my pool chems, mostly just salt and muriatic acid. Pool maintenance cost with TFP is so low that it isn't even a line item in the budget!
The gaskets and o-rings are pretty well lubed, so no concern about them drying out. The Active, S and M series all use the same cable to motor box connection these days. It's a compression fitting with a gasket and o-ring I took a picture of here (this is our demo Active 20):
Cable attached to motor
Cable detached from motor, gasket and o-ring circled
And I also took a couple of pictures of the inside of the swivel from the M series.
Picture of swivel
Another picture of swivel
It's just not a lot there keeping it waterproof, it works well but why risk compromising it? Especially since if the MBU/cable connection gets breached water can get into the motor box. The motor box is sealed so you can't just replace one motor inside the box, whole thing's gotta go. (Though there are rumors this will change).
bbrock
Well-known member
Great info thebombardier. I don't want you to think that I don't trust you, but I had to call Maytronics today to verify there received my online warranty registration. At the same time, I wanted them to chime in on pulling vs. leaving in water. This nice lady rep. validated what thebombardier has stated. In an ideal world, it's best to pull it after using. She supported that eventually the plastic can become discolored and brittle from the chemicals.
Not sure if that will change my behavior, but it will modify I guess. Today, I played around with Ghostlight and tried her out at a different outlet. This outlet is protected by our roof from sun, but I can also place my cardboard box over the controller for extra protection. I am trying out this outlet to check how Ghostlight functions, and she is as happy as ever working away. About the same distance to the water (~12'-13'), but is more on the long side of my kidney shaped pool vs. the other outlet I was using that at the end of my pool.
Additionally, last night lying in bed (yea, I think about Ghostlight then too) I was tossing around the idea of getting a caddy. I found one at Walmart for ~$99-100. Not bad considering all the $ that will be saved on electricity. I thought a caddy may be useful to store it those times I want to take it out if we have a larger swim group. Some threads back, I can't remember if it was by Matt/Joyfulnoise or Pool Amateur, someone had stated even when you take it out you don't want to coil the cord up right away on the caddy vs. leaving it on the ground to straighten. Therefore, if I am not going to wrap the cord right away, then the caddy is really just going to serve as a device to make it easier to store (not on its side anymore) and haul around (one hand on Ghostlight, other hand for cord).
Side note, today I tried the cord rolling technique since Maytronics says to roll the cord. It kinda of worked. I rolled it into very large rolls/loops. Not sure if it really is any different vs. when I had made large loops in one hand with the cord being fed from far out w/ my other hand.
Untitled by B Brockman, on Flickr
The product of all Ghostlight's hardwork. Dang the water is clean.
Untitled by B Brockman, on Flickr
Untitled by B Brockman, on Flickr
Untitled by B Brockman, on Flickr
And, I did brush the pool today, but much less. I was brushing b/c I am not sure if everything has been covered in the 2 hr cycle. But, even if I ran her 3 d/w I am sure more of the pool is covered vs. the old Polaris 280. If anything, I am thinking the only brushing needed really may be on the sides since in the 2 h cycle she primarily focues on the bottom. And wow, Pool Amateur, you have not brushed your pool since last Aug. That's almost 1 yr.
Not sure if that will change my behavior, but it will modify I guess. Today, I played around with Ghostlight and tried her out at a different outlet. This outlet is protected by our roof from sun, but I can also place my cardboard box over the controller for extra protection. I am trying out this outlet to check how Ghostlight functions, and she is as happy as ever working away. About the same distance to the water (~12'-13'), but is more on the long side of my kidney shaped pool vs. the other outlet I was using that at the end of my pool.
Additionally, last night lying in bed (yea, I think about Ghostlight then too) I was tossing around the idea of getting a caddy. I found one at Walmart for ~$99-100. Not bad considering all the $ that will be saved on electricity. I thought a caddy may be useful to store it those times I want to take it out if we have a larger swim group. Some threads back, I can't remember if it was by Matt/Joyfulnoise or Pool Amateur, someone had stated even when you take it out you don't want to coil the cord up right away on the caddy vs. leaving it on the ground to straighten. Therefore, if I am not going to wrap the cord right away, then the caddy is really just going to serve as a device to make it easier to store (not on its side anymore) and haul around (one hand on Ghostlight, other hand for cord).
Side note, today I tried the cord rolling technique since Maytronics says to roll the cord. It kinda of worked. I rolled it into very large rolls/loops. Not sure if it really is any different vs. when I had made large loops in one hand with the cord being fed from far out w/ my other hand.
Untitled by B Brockman, on FlickrThe product of all Ghostlight's hardwork. Dang the water is clean.
Untitled by B Brockman, on FlickrUntitled by B Brockman, on FlickrUntitled by B Brockman, on FlickrAnd, I did brush the pool today, but much less. I was brushing b/c I am not sure if everything has been covered in the 2 hr cycle. But, even if I ran her 3 d/w I am sure more of the pool is covered vs. the old Polaris 280. If anything, I am thinking the only brushing needed really may be on the sides since in the 2 h cycle she primarily focues on the bottom. And wow, Pool Amateur, you have not brushed your pool since last Aug. That's almost 1 yr.
You do not have to wait to coil the cord (although heat makes cord softer and easier to coil) the issue is more of the technique of how you do it. You do not want to wind it up tight but use a technique that will allow the cord to coil without twisting and want bigger loops rather than tight circle and the cord should lay in nice circular pattern as yours is in the picture, that looks good to me both the size and shape.
Not sure of rolling technique that Maytronics suggested, anything written or in their videos? I did see in a video where they suggested putting the coiled cord by the side of the pool and let the robot pull it in the water as needed and that is how I 1st started but that will add twists to the cord and since I was having that as my main issue of complaint stopped doing it that way and unrolled the cord as I did with wire when I was working as an electrician's helper, then laid it in the water to be sure I had all the twists out of it. That is how I still do it, but looking for a better, quicker way.
I got the robot in June last year was still brushing until I became convinced the robot did better than I can. I use 2-3 cycles a day when I am here, put it on the 7 day timer when away for 1x per day. When I 1st got it I would do tests in the AM, I get a lot of dirt, worms caterpillars and bugs in pool at night and then was able to see if it got everything on 1 cycle it did not but after 2 cycles I could not find anything, therefore I have been running 2 cycles when I can, which is most days. When opening this year water was clear so I balanced the chems and put the robot in and kids swam as it was hot in late May when I opened. Then I pulled robot and SLAMED for 2 days Actually passed SLAM the 1st night but kept it up for a second night to be sure. Let it drift down and continued my usual routine. If robot does not do as good as brushing I would like to know why and when I am convinced I will change my habits. Hope this helps or brings good discussion.
- May 23, 2015
- 25,794
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Google "over-under cord wrap" and you'll bring up several YouTube videos on how to wrap a cord without twists.
I'm a big fan of the caddy because it gives you all the places you need to store stuff for the robot. Well worth the additional $100 in my opinion.
I'm a big fan of the caddy because it gives you all the places you need to store stuff for the robot. Well worth the additional $100 in my opinion.
Just Googled "over and under cord wrap. It was something new and I am going to try it. Thanks JoyfulNoise.