Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Won't Start... then will... then stops -- help!

[Lucky13F]

I'm not sure how old it is -- the previous home owner left it for me -- but it looks pretty good.

I've opened it and cleaned it and removed screws and pulled out hair and gunk and...

Never had this problem before -- but I plug it in - and nothing. I pull it up and stare at it --- give it a Fonzie tap -- lower it back in -- bubbles -- it moves, then it stops.

Try all this again -- it runs fine. Stops. Seems like it runs better on the flat ground and stops on sides -- but then again, maybe not.

OK -- been running back and forth and looking at it -- it stops. I raise it up so that the impeller out flow at the top is slightly above water -- it spews bubbly air -- and then starts working --- until it stops shortly thereafter.

Suggestions?

 

[Brett S]

My first guess is the cord is getting flakey. If you don’t raise it up, but just try to wiggle the cord around can you get it to start again? I would think the most likely places for problems would be at the swivel if your cord has one, or right where it connects to the robot.

 

[jerryt]

The swivel has brushes in it, they get dirty or freeze in position. They are spring loaded.

If you are lucky, you can clean the connections, and verify the brush/pin is springing back, if they are corroded then

The whole brush (Pin) pulls out of the disassembled swivel, and you can replace with another from a back up robot

 

[Lucky13F]

Thanks -- I found this guy's video online -- tonight I am going to follow along and see what needs to be cleaned etc. And examine everything internally.

I called Maytronics -- they told me to take it out -- turn it upside down -- and press power to reset it -- but nothing happened.

Which makes me thing you are right --- some connection is slipping.

 

[Lucky13F]

I watched the video this weekend -- Took the entire Dolphin apart -- washed it out -- checked all the obvious things -- put it back together.
I could see nothing out of the ordinary -- everything looked good, bearings spun -- brushes soft -- easy to self-crank.

Did not see any wires looking worn or flakey.

Put it back in -- fired it up - bubbles came up, moved forward, then backward, hit the wall -- climbed up about 2 inches. Stopped again.
Lifted it out -- spit out a ton of air bubbles when it breached the water surface -- dropped it back in -- nothing.

Called Maytronics -- told me I could send it to them for repair -- but I am not under any warranty. I would imagine there must be a repair place closer to home in New Jersey. But mailing it would likely cost as much as a brand new unit.

There could still be some kind of wire issue -- but I am not qualified to fix it -- or even find it at this point.

Any thoughts?

 

[jerryt]

Did you open the white swivel? Clean the two contacts in there, and check that the contacts spring back out when depressed (Not stuck).

 

[JonoVegas]

When this happened with mine, unfortunately it was time to get a new cleaner. Hope you have better luck.