New EVO 614i Robot Pool Cleaner Review

@Jimrahbe We have a light switch on our block wall on the deep end side, I added a plug for the power supply so that I don’t have to leave it on pad like the dolphin we had. My question is, do you see any issues with me mounting a weatherproof box on the wall and mounting the power supply in it to keep it from getting rained on?
 
do you see any issues with me mounting a weatherproof box on the wall and mounting the power supply in it to keep it from getting rained on?
PPO,

I think it is a great idea... :goodjob:

I would not want the box to be air tight, just something to keep the rain out..

You really never want any Power Supply to get wet...

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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PPO,

I'd want something with plenty of air flow..

That said, my EVO just happens to be running, so I went out and felt the power supply... It is just slightly above the air temp... Not hot at all..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
PPO,

I'd want something with plenty of air flow..

That said, my EVO just happens to be running, so I went out and felt the power supply... It is just slightly above the air temp... Not hot at all..

Thanks,

Jim R.
I guess if I wanted to get fancy, I could mount a computer fan in there, but that’s not happening. I’ll either drill holes in door, or leave door open unless it’s raining.
 
PPO,

The power supply just does not get that hot.. A few holes would be perfect..

I built two boxes without doors for a couple of rent houses I used to have.. Deep enough so I could push the power supply back inside, away from the front, and with a sloping roof that kept the water out.. Crude, but effective.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Hi Evo owners,

I am about to buy my first robot. The Evo sounds like a great option from what I've read, at least regarding its cleaning ability.

I would suspect, and I think Jim R. even said something similar in his early posts, that the Evo will likely be of similar quality to the Maytronics bots and will eventually need replacement of certain parts over time like the Maytronics. However, after reading many pages from this thread, I haven't seen any indication that there are, or even are plans for offering, spare parts for the Evo like are available for the easily repaired Maytronics. Let me know if I am wrong about this -- I hope so.

If there are no parts available or promised to be available in the near future (within 2 yrs or less), or if these bots are not really designed for DIY repairs, then are you guys not worried about this? After 24 months if one gear or other simple thing goes bad, would we not then need to buy a whole new robot if these are not repairable by owners (or have to go to the trouble/time/expense of sending for repairs by a company)? I'm interested to hear the thinking, and sincerely hope I'm wrong about parts being unavailable and the Evo not looking easily DIY repairable.
 
incerely hope I'm wrong about parts being unavailable and the Evo not looking easily DIY repairable.
TP,

Not sure where you are looking... :scratch: :mrgreen:


Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Hi Jim,

Thanks for your friendly reply that spurred me on to do some deeper digging. I had checked the Marina website earlier and didn't see any parts available for Aqua robots (I didn't know they might be mixed in with Polaris parts) and also I had seen this in your first post:

"10. DIY Repair. I have some experience with the assembly and disassembly of the S200 style Dolphins and it is very easy. At first glance I don’t see how to disassemble the EVO or if repair parts are even available. Not something I plan to investigate until the EVO is out of warranty."
By digging into the Marina parts website more deeply (and also using your link) I see that they do offer parts for the Aqua 604/614iQ robots, which is a great relief!!! :whoot::kim::party:

By the way, have you or anyone looked harder at the robot to see how it can be disassembled?

Thanks for helping everyone with their questions. I plan to order the 604 and the fine filter (we have fine dirt/dust). I presume I, or others, will figure out how to get into it when repair time comes.
 
TP,

I have no intention of doing anything on mine until it quits working... :)

I can't tell you how may working things that I have disassembled, only to find it would not work when I put it back together.. :oops:

I assume when you open it, you let the 'magic' out.. :mrgreen:

I tend to only answer questions when I have a clue what I am talking about.. Since I have never even opened my EVO, I have not responded to the one or two EVO complaints that I have seen here at TFP.. I did talk with Margaret at Marina Pool and Spa, and she said that the EVO had a pretty low return/failure rate, from her point of view.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Jim R.,
I did put in my order to Marina, so am looking forward to my first robot. Manual vacuuming the pool is no fun and takes me more than an hour. And today I found out that my long new-ish vacuum hose is either leaking air into the line or has some other negative influence that is preventing my pump from achieving prime. So am hoping the robot does the trick with the fine dust on the bottom.

I rather enjoy fixing things when needed, but of course never needing repair is much better. There is usually a YouTube "University" video for most repairs it seems.
Thanks.
 
Manual vacuuming the pool is no fun and takes me more than an hour.
Protip: vacuum from in the pool with a snorkel mask on. It's 95% swimming and 5% work. (y)

*may you never need this tidbit again, but if you do, I cannot recommend it enough. Not only do you see any debris way better, but it's almost enjoyable.
 
Newdude,
That does sound like it would be a good way to vacuum, thanks. But I have found with my pump priming problems (in a different thread) that there is a huge difference between trying to prime with my vacuum setup attached to the skimmer (my vacuum hose is 40 ft long, and needs to be that long) and when it is not attached (that is, worse lack of priming when hose is attached), so I think my relatively new and relatively unused hose is probably providing an air leak. Part of the hose must be out of the water near the skimmer and also parts of it floats in the pool. So I think I just can't do any vacuuming, at least with this hose.
 
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...And today I found out that my long new-ish vacuum hose is either leaking air into the line or has some other negative influence that is preventing my pump from achieving prime. ...
TP, have you tried looking for leaks in your new hose? Is it in sections or one piece? Do you fill it with water before connecting it to the pump in order to reduce the volume of air? Sorry, no offense intended, just curious why a new hose would be leaking.
 
Pookie,
I have only inspected each end at the cuffs, since it is 40 ft long (one piece), but I didn't see any obvious problem there. I got it from amazon. It's called a Poolmaster 33440 Heavy Duty In-Ground Pool Vacuum Hose. Yes, removed all air before use. I've given up on it (manual is too much work anyway). Waiting for my new robot!
 
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Based partially on this post I decided to give the EVO 614iQ a try. Should have it in a few days. I had the choice of replacing both the dead booster pump and ancient, worn-out Polaris cleaner in my new-to-me pool or to try out an alternative cleaner system. This one stood out as one of the more reasonable wired robots. Looking forward to seeing it work.
 
Based partially on this post I decided to give the EVO 614iQ a try. Should have it in a few days. I had the choice of replacing both the dead booster pump and ancient, worn-out Polaris cleaner in my new-to-me pool or to try out an alternative cleaner system. This one stood out as one of the more reasonable wired robots. Looking forward to seeing it work.
I’ve had mine running 1-2 times a day since I got it Monday and couldn’t be more pleased.
 

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