New Dolphin – Disappointing Results

[suburbiaboy]

Actually @Mdragger88

Is that “red” part the farthest point from where the bot is plugged in? Maybe resistance on the cable is keeping it away?

No in fact the last few runs I have the cable coming from the middle-right of the diagram, exactly where the red area is.
Previously I had it starting at the bottom in the shallow end.

Today I started it in the red area (middle top) and it still didn't do more than 60% of that area – the top-right and top-left corners remain fully untouched. I'm currently running it from the top left corner to see what happens.

Thing is, a couple of those red areas (especially top-right and bottom-right) are where debris tends to settle due to the currents from the pump so if it never gets to them, then what's the point of it? I'll still have to get the vacuum out regularly.

 

[Mdragger88]

Some people have issues with the jet’s flow causing avoidance but it’s not very common. The only thing I know to do is give it a little more time or exchange it & see if maybe yours was just a little wonky.

 

[suburbiaboy]

I don't have the pump running at the moment as I'm waiting for parts, so no jets.

I just came back after running it again and found it spinning it's tracks but going nowhere. It was in deep end at the bottom of a slope so completely flat behind it.
After a few minutes of it doing that I stopped it, checked the impeller and everything else and it all seems fine and clear.
I think at this point I might have to assume it's just not working right.

 

[generessler]

Totally different situation, and I don't know this device, but it sure sounds like my suction-side cleaner. It's tremendously sensitive to buoyancy. Any kind of trapped air is curtains. It goes from normal excellent operation to doing wheelies where it doesn't pick up any dirt, falling on its side, and loops that cover only certain sections of the pool. The most recent thing I learned is really fascinating. You need to wash out the fabric dirt bag with soap once in a while. Otherwise it develops a biofilm that turns it into a pretty effective balloon. Since yours has been bad from new, this isn't the problem. But definitely look for some way that air can be trapped. Or maybe it was manufactured with the wrong weight for some reason. As an experiment, you could try tying on a few ounces (big stainless steel washers with a zip tie?) to see if things improve.