Pentair Prowler (Dolphin) 920 Robot Motor Being Weird (Video) - Is it time for a new robot?

[DB-Cooper]

My 4 year old Prowler 920 was really struggling after running for two days. After careful observation, I found it was just moving in little bursts and not really going anywhere. I did the self-test, and it just seems the motor isn't smooth, particularly in reverse. I made a video down below.

At 4 years, I'm not sure it's worth trying to fix. Sadly, the power supply went out months ago, and I just replaced that, but I can probably recoup some of that expense on eBay.

Can anyone tell what's wrong? I think it's probably just time for a new one. I didn't love this robot for a couple reasons:

1. About 20% of the time, it was get stuck perfectly on a floor drain and not be able to get itself off most times.
2. It sometimes gets stuck around my pool swim up bar posts. I feel like it should be able to back out, but it just doesn't and gives up
3. My pools is reasonably far from my home, and I have to manually go down and restart it every 2-3 hours when it finishes its cycle. I would love a remote capability to just start it again as usually it needs to run 2-3 cycles to get every nook and cranny of my pool. A Wi-Fi or remote feature would be worthwhile.

I'm struggling to understand the Dolphin lineup as what's on their web site doesn't match Amazon. I have a $1,000 Amazon gift card from a work rewards program, so I'm pretty much married to Amazon for this purchase. Something with Wi-Fi control/start and multiple drive motors would be worthwhile to overcome the shortcomings of the 920.

Here's the video:

 

[adhanani]

Hi DB-Cooper,

Noticed my Pentair Warrior doing the exact same thing today? Were you able to figure out what was the cause or did you decid to move on from it and get a new robot? My warrior too failed at the 4 year mark.

Thanks!
AD

 

[DB-Cooper]

Hi DB-Cooper,

Noticed my Pentair Warrior doing the exact same thing today? Were you able to figure out what was the cause or did you decid to move on from it and get a new robot? My warrior too failed at the 4 year mark.

Thanks!
AD

I haven't figured out anything, I'll likely just buy a new one

 

[Jimrahbe]

DB,

There is not much that can cheaply be done to repair a robot cleaner.

1. Remove the suction impeller and make sure nothing is wrapped around the shaft.
2. Replace the "wheel kits".. These robots do not have actually bearings, they just have plastic against plastic that act like bearings. Over time these get worn out and make is harder for the tracks to turn...

At 4 years, if I tried those two things, and it did not solve the issue, I'd be looking at a new unit.

You might want to check out this review...

New EVO 614i Robot Pool Cleaner Review

About a month ago I needed a new robot pool cleaner and I contacted Margaret at Marina Pool and Spa. My initial goal was to buy another S200 "style" robot as I have been happy with them so far. Margaret suggested that I might want to look at a new line of robot cleaners that Marina is now...

www.google.com

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[adhanani]

Quick update: The gears were slipping causing the tracks to not turn. Happen to have a PVC coupling that I was able put on top the bushing, shaved it down a bit and was able to get the gears to engage and get the tracks to move again. Robot is back to its previous glory. If anyone is interested, I can post some pictures.

 

[SunnyP2000]

Quick update: The gears were slipping causing the tracks to not turn. Happen to have a PVC coupling that I was able put on top the bushing, shaved it down a bit and was able to get the gears to engage and get the tracks to move again. Robot is back to its previous glory. If anyone is interested, I can post some pictures.

please post some pics . thanks

 

[kafox001]

+1 pics would be much appreciated!