Dolphin S300i motor replacement?

[Auburn02]

As I understand it these robots have a drive motor and a suction motor, but I can’t seem to find those parts separately and instead have only seen a “motor unit” part for purchase. Is it safe to assume both motors are included in the unit?

My robot has had issues for a while now that we suspect was due to a lightning strike while plugged in, but the primary failure was it refused to connect to the app. It would still drive around like normal, I just couldn’t change the run time or the mode, etc. After reaching out to Maytronics support even though I was out of warranty, I was told the issue was likely either the power supply or the motor. If I had to replace one and then the other I’d be better off just buying another robot, so I held off since the thing was getting around the pool, just have to start the cycle via the button on the power supply.

After a while longer it has finally dawned on me that it also doesn’t seem to pick up very well these days, so I got in the pool with it yesterday and manually steered it directly over some sand and it just swept it around a bit with the brushes but didn’t pick it up. I placed my hand over the opening on the bottom and feel zero suction. But it is blowing water out the top vent, so I’m not sure what this might indicate.

Anyway I’m pretty willing to pull the trigger on the $450 motor unit if there’s a good chance it could solve both of my issues, just want to better understand what all that includes.

 

[Jimrahbe]

02,

If it is "Blowing water out the top", then the suction motor is working just fine..

If either motor was not working, the robot would not pass its self tests and it would not run at all after the first minute or so.

Open the filter and look at the bag-like device that is around the suction opening.. They can clog and fail to open like they should.

As a test, remove the bag and see how well the suction works without it.

The bag is supposed to prevent stuff from leaking back into the pool when you pull the robot out of the pool.

Also, if you have not done so already, remove the impeller fan blade and make sure there is no string wrapped the impeller motor shaft. All you need is a Philips screwdriver..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Auburn02]

Well dang. But that does make sense Jim, kind of figured it had to be drawing water in if it is able to push water out. I just don’t have a direct comparison to know if I should feel suction with the palm of my hand or not…. may need to invite myself for a swim at a friend’s house.

As for the fabric flap inside the filter box, I know it is clear as I pull the filter every time after it runs and rinse it out. I’ll check the impeller next.

I was reading this thread which seems to be a similar issue in that the robot does complete its self test and will run for the 2 hour cycle, but no suction. Also the fact that I’ve been unable to connect to the machine via the app and alter the cleaning mode or run time, etc, there is certainly at least one part that is faulty, just need to narrow it down to which. I was hoping this latest discovery would point to the motor as a sure thing.

I do think I have a friend with the same unit, I suppose I could also borrow his power supply as another test.