Pentair Warrior SE died, where to go next?

[tj__r]

Our Pentair Warrior SE, purchased from Marina in May 2020, died with what appears to be the usual problem: The motor self test fails after starting up and moving a few feet. I followed some suggestions from this forum and checked the impeller and impeller motor shaft, they are clean. I contacted Marina. Phone was answered on the first try, but they couldn't help since it was a few months out of warranty. They did suggest contacting Pentair to see if they'd give a little slack on warranty. I tried calling Pentair, got caught in a phone loop so I filled out the form on their website. No reply yet.

So, unless Pentair offers a replacement motor, it looks like the options are to buy a replacement motor unit for $450ish or to buy a different robot. Questions: Is it likely a replacement motor would last longer than a couple years? Is there a recommended non-Maytronics robot in the sub-$1000 range, ideally more like the $699 we spent on the Warrior? I'm reluctant to spend more on Maytronics given that they either built the motors for short lives, or (more likely) made the self test too sensitive for a unit that's lived for a couple years. I've seen that sort of engineering on other appliances, safety devices that work fine when the appliance is new but don't account for real life wear and tear.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Apsuhead]

Sorry to hear about your problem, exact same thing happened to my Warrior SE but luckily I was still barely under warranty. I opened my motor assembly up and it was my impeller motor. I found the actual impeller motor on ebay from Israel for around $100 listed as used. That was the only possible fix without buying the new motor assembly, but it’s still a Crud shoot if it works or how long it lasts. Hopefully Pentair helps you out.

 

[SlipperyPete]

Questions: Is it likely a replacement motor would last longer than a couple years?

My Pentair Warrior SE has not even hit the two-year mark and I've had that same motor go out twice. I'm selling this thing before the warranty goes out b/c I refuse to put a penny into it. A search of Warrior SE on this board will convince you that this model has some serious issues.

Is there a recommended non-Maytronics robot in the sub-$1000 range, ideally more like the $699 we spent on the Warrior? I'm reluctant to spend more on Maytronics given that they either built the motors for short lives, or (more likely) made the self test too sensitive for a unit that's lived for a couple years.

I've been looking for the same answer. There are some folks here that have had success with other brands. Unfortunately, most people here will tell you to call Marina. And Marina will tell you that the dolphin products are superior.

 

[lhegs]

Our Pentair Warrior SE, purchased from Marina in May 2020, died with what appears to be the usual problem: The motor self test fails after starting up and moving a few feet. I followed some suggestions from this forum and checked the impeller and impeller motor shaft, they are clean. I contacted Marina. Phone was answered on the first try, but they couldn't help since it was a few months out of warranty. They did suggest contacting Pentair to see if they'd give a little slack on warranty. I tried calling Pentair, got caught in a phone loop so I filled out the form on their website. No reply yet.

So, unless Pentair offers a replacement motor, it looks like the options are to buy a replacement motor unit for $450ish or to buy a different robot. Questions: Is it likely a replacement motor would last longer than a couple years? Is there a recommended non-Maytronics robot in the sub-$1000 range, ideally more like the $699 we spent on the Warrior? I'm reluctant to spend more on Maytronics given that they either built the motors for short lives, or (more likely) made the self test too sensitive for a unit that's lived for a couple years. I've seen that sort of engineering on other appliances, safety devices that work fine when the appliance is new but don't account for real life wear and tear.

Thanks for any advice.

same exact thing happened to us this week. What did you end up getting? Would love a cordless, but not sure how good they are

 

[tj__r]

Yeah, in 2020 everybody liked Marina and the Warrior and similar Dolphin model. I guess that's because they hadn't dealt with the longevity issues yet.

Looking at Aiper and Aquabot, what models are good? We have a roughly 36 x 14 odd shaped pool, concrete bottom with fiberglass sides. I liked the cleaning performance of the Warrior fairly well.

 

[mknauss]

Something within the manufacturing process changed in 2020 give or take. The Active20 (identical to warrior se) I have was manufactured in late 2016. I got in early 2017. It is in the pool year around, with a few breaks out of the pool when we are gone on extended trips. Still running like it was new.

 

[tj__r]

Hmm, that may explain the enthusiasm in 2020. I wonder if they changed the self test routine. I feel mine would still work if it would just keep going past the test. All three motors spin, tracks move, impeller pumps, diverter goes back and forth.

 

[Flying Tivo]

You can try and open it up.

Time for Maintenance of "Robotina" Maytronics S200

A little history, Robotina was bought 3 years ago from a seller on Ebay. He listed it as a Refurbished unit and got about 200 bucks savings from a new one. At first few months Robotina would live 1-3 days underwater. I got lazy and let her live 24/7/365 except for few minutes while wash down and...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Gah-Lee. This page is littered with threads like these. When I bought mine everybody was saying get a robot it's the cat's meow.

Mine failed about a month out of warranty. It actually started failing earlier, but I didn't think anything of it. It started failing the selft test now and then but not frequently. I didn't think anything of it. I would check and clean the impeller and go on my way. Then it eventually wouldn't run at all.

For what it's worth, Pentair DID understand my plight and decided to warranty the robot. Even though my serial number is rubbed off and I never recorded it. I provided receipts and shipping info and whatnot and that was good enough. They struggled to find a shop in my area willing to touch it, and eventually decided to mail me the motor unit for install myself.

Give them a shout. I had great luck talking and Emailing "Laura Dunn" on the Pentair team.