Help Please: Dolphin Dynamic Not So Dynamic

[mickey4paws]

We just opened our pool today. The water is about 50, we've got the heater going but it hasn't been on long. So our usual thing when we open is to put the Dolphin in and let it clean. The water is fairly clear but the rest of the pool looks like ramen soup. So we really want to use the Dolphin and put it in. It started up ok, but would move a few feet and then stop. It has a remote control so I put that on joystick and it would start moving the Dolphin but then it would stop. I tried submitting the parameters via the remote again. It would go a few feet and stop again. I know this is a long shot but could weak batteries in the remote have anything to do with it not running? Or, do you guys thing the water is too cold to run it? We made sure the bag was correctly in place and don't know what else to do.

If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Micky,

When the robot first starts it runs a quick self test.. It moves forward and back and then runs the suction motor.. Only if they all report good will the robot continue to move.

If the self test fails about the only thing that the owner can "fix" is the suction motor impeller. It will sometimes get trash wrapped around it and cause the self test to fail. If the impeller moves freely, then I doubt that there is anything else you can do..

I doubt the water temp is the problem, as I've run mine at lower temps, but not your specific model.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mickey4paws]

Jim, thank you so much for the reply. We did check the impeller and it was spotless and I could move it easily. But something is making the self-test fail I guess. We've stored it down the basement all winter, haven't banged it against anything but never had this problem before.

One thing is it came with 2 cleaning bags. A lightweight green one for leaves to use when you open your pool, and then a much tighter woven white one for regular use. Oh no, I couldn't use the white one because I didn't want all those disgusting worms in it. I noticed the green one this year didn't stay on tightly on the cage like usual. We brought the Dolphin up to change bags, the green bag was just hanging off the wire rack. Following your information about the self-check, do you think that made it fail? I'm going to put new batteries in the remote so I can re-send the parameters again. But I didn't think the remote had to be used every time because I only send the parameters to it when I change the length of time or wall climbing.

We're just going to leave the pump and heater on tonight and tackle "Donnie" the dolphin in the morning since it's dark here now. The water temp should at least be up a bit then too, if that has anything to do with it.

Thanks again, Jim, I really appreciate it.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mickey,

I had a couple of the very old Dolphin Diagnostics, which look similar to yours and have the cloth bags.. I never used the thin bad and always used the heavy bag.. If the bag was plugging the suction port at the bottom, then that might cause the impeller test to fail..

I know for sure if the bag got too full, or too heavy, it could cause the self test to fail.

I'd for sure try it again before I sent it off for repair..

I'm sure you already checked, but if the track slips off the brush end, or the bearings are bad, it will also cause the self tests to fail.

How old is your robot? If you decide to buy a new one, I suggest the S200, 300 line. Much cheaper, cleans better, and does not need the floating handle to clean the waterline tile.. I have a couple of the S200's as I don't need all the bells and whistles.

Like this one....

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mickey4paws]

Thanks, Jim, what you say makes perfect sense. The only thing we did different is use that green bag. I had to look up my account on here to see when I joined, 2009, and we got the Dolphin around that time so it's going on 11 years old. The only problems we've have with it is that it gets stuck in corners when wall climbing.

We did check the tracks but what are the bearings?

I really like the looks of that one in the video you posted. I think my husband would really like it too because it looks a lot lighter and easier to get in and out of the water. Also, since we got a new liner last year, it would be nice to not have to babysit a cleaner in case it gets stuck in the corners. I think if this one doesn't work anymore, we'll just get a new one, considering how old ours is and the new ones like yours look a lot easier to handle.

Thanks so much, Jim!

 

[mickey4paws]

Got up this morning and it failed the self-test. The impeller is not turning but there is nothing wrapped around it and the area around it is clean. Usually when we put it in the water, you can see air bubbles coming up, but nothing now. It's like something is blocking the impeller from turning. But there's some reason it's not turning. Do you have any suggestions? This is so frustrating. I've been googling but can't find anything to do. Thanks!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mickey,

Sorry, other than what I said above, I am out of ideas..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mickey4paws]

Thanks, Jim, I appreciate you trying to help me. My husband ended up taking it to Leslie's pools. He got the guy at their service center to take a look at it. The guy got the brushes moving for about 40 feet of our pool's worth. He also got the impeller moving, however, very very slowly. He thought it most like sounds like the motor bearings have gone bad. But we would have had to leave it there and we don't want to put one more dime in there. I figured it's more like 15 years old.

So............................a new robot for us. Of course my husband threw that one in my corner to decide which one. I was reading about Maytronics last night and their service if you need it doesn't sound too terrific. They want you to send it in if you have any problems and the whole thing, plus pay to have it shipped there and back, unless you have a service center near by. Seems the best idea is to buy it locally. First, I have to decide which one and then see if maybe Leslie's would price match. Also, they sent us a 20% off coupon last week. I had to call them the other day and I asked if there were any exclusions to the coupon. He said they didn't mean to send those out so I guess I was lucky to get one. He said the exclusions should be on the coupon. It excluded service on robotic cleaners but not robotic cleaners themselves.

In the meantime I can't find the regular hand vacuum head (I think I had thrown it out at some point). We still have the hose and I have a thing you put over the skimmer that you stick the hose in that's supposed to keep the hose in there better. We also can leaf rake out the big junk and since the big junk is 99% worms, I'm gonna let hubby do that job.

I like the robot you have but I think I might need something bigger for our pool. But I really like the simplicity of it. I don't care about smartphone apps or any of that.

Thanks again, Jim, I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to reply to my posts. I hope you're enjoying your spring.