Polaris 380 - Pressure

[rohulp]

Been struggling with my cleaner for the last few years. Mostly the sluggish, getting stuck in the corners issue. Most recently I have pretty much rebuilt the entire cleaner (all bearings, belts, turbine gears, and quick connect). I have also cleaned and checked the water management system. After all this, the cleaner was still getting stuck in the corners and moving slowing.

Today, I checked the in line filter. Nothing was in there, but it is discolored (rust colored now). Still sluggish. Then I completely removed the blue restrictor disk and the cleaner was moving again (but now too fast). Also, the pressure relief valve in the quick connect is definitely working and releasing pressure (but I feel like it releasing a lot of pressure...bubbling aggressively a lot there).

Obviously, something is still wrong, but no clue as to what. What should I do next?

-Look for very small leaks in hose (none obviously visible)
-Replace in line filter
-????

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bperry]

Been struggling with my cleaner for the last few years. Mostly the sluggish, getting stuck in the corners issue. Most recently I have pretty much rebuilt the entire cleaner (all bearings, belts, turbine gears, and quick connect). I have also cleaned and checked the water management system. After all this, the cleaner was still getting stuck in the corners and moving slowing.

Today, I checked the in line filter. Nothing was in there, but it is discolored (rust colored now). Still sluggish. Then I completely removed the blue restrictor disk and the cleaner was moving again (but now too fast). Also, the pressure relief valve in the quick connect is definitely working and releasing pressure (but I feel like it releasing a lot of pressure...bubbling aggressively a lot there).

Obviously, something is still wrong, but no clue as to what. What should I do next?

-Look for very small leaks in hose (none obviously visible)
-Replace in line filter
-????

Thanks in advance!

It’s not much help, but I had similar issues with my 360. Just kept replacing parts and even when it seemed like everything should be working, it would decide to stop moving or not work. I can tell you the new robots clean 10x better and are way less hassle. I sold mine along with the pressure pump and don’t miss them at all.

 

[ajw22]

The pressure relief valve should not be releasing any pressure. If the PRV is old I suggest you try replacing it for about $12.

If the new PRV still releases pressure then try the blue disc or red disc.

 

[Bperry]

It’s not much help, but I had similar issues with my 360. Just kept replacing parts and even when it seemed like everything should be working, it would decide to stop moving or not work. I can tell you the new robots clean 10x better and are way less hassle. I sold mine along with the pressure pump and don’t miss them at all.

Actually I can offer a bit of useful advice. In my case when the cleaner would stop moving I would take it apart and find a small grain of sand stuck in the little jet that blows into the Little turbine motor that propels it. Once you clean I blew out the grain of sand out of the nozzle it would start going again. But then a few days later or sometimes hours another little grain of sand would clog it up again.

 

[ajw22]

Actually I can offer a bit of useful advice. In my case when the cleaner would stop moving I would take it apart and find a small grain of sand stuck in the little jet that blows into the Little turbine motor that propels it. Once you clean I blew out the grain of sand out of the nozzle it would start going again. But then a few days later or sometimes hours another little grain of sand would clog it up again.

You have a sand filter and that problem says some sand was getting blown out your filter in the return water. Folks with a cartridge or DE filter would not see that problem.

 

[AndyTN]

Do you still have the red restrictor washer? If increasing the flow from the booster pump supercharged your Polaris, then that seems like what you needed. I think the wheels are supposed to turn approx 30 rpm so if you think it is now too fast then you will need to play around with the pressure.

Did your booster pump get a lot louder when you took out the restrictor washer?

 

[Bperry]

You have a sand filter and that problem says some sand was getting blown out your filter in the return water. Folks with a cartridge or DE filter would not see that problem.

True as long as one grain of sand can’t make it past the filter.

 

[rohulp]

It’s not much help, but I had similar issues with my 360. Just kept replacing parts and even when it seemed like everything should be working, it would decide to stop moving or not work. I can tell you the new robots clean 10x better and are way less hassle. I sold mine along with the pressure pump and don’t miss them at all.

Bperry. I'm getting pretty frustrated as well. Might bite the bullet and get a new cleaner. Can you tell me what you ended up getting?

 

[rohulp]

Do you still have the red restrictor washer? If increasing the flow from the booster pump supercharged your Polaris, then that seems like what you needed. I think the wheels are supposed to turn approx 30 rpm so if you think it is now too fast then you will need to play around with the pressure.

Did your booster pump get a lot louder when you took out the restrictor washer?

PRV was replaced 2 weeks ago as well. Booster pump has not gotten louder. I have both disks (red and blue). When blue one is in there, the polaris gets stuck, but PRV does not release much water/pressure. Only way to get it moving was to completely remove the disks, but now its releasing a lot of pressure.

I have a DE filter and am constantly checking the water management system for particles cleaning and blowing it out.

So I guess is there a way to increase pressure with blue/red disk in or decrease pressure with no disk.

 

[Bperry]

Bperry. I'm getting pretty frustrated as well. Might bite the bullet and get a new cleaner. Can you tell me what you ended up getting?

Dolphin Nautilus CC plus, on amazon. But I hear good things about marina pool and spa on this website, would recommend giving them a call.

 

[Bperry]

PRV was replaced 2 weeks ago as well. Booster pump has not gotten louder. I have both disks (red and blue). When blue one is in there, the polaris gets stuck, but PRV does not release much water/pressure. Only way to get it moving was to completely remove the disks, but now its releasing a lot of pressure.

I have a DE filter and am constantly checking the water management system for particles cleaning and blowing it out.

So I guess is there a way to increase pressure with blue/red disk in or decrease pressure with no disk.

Try taking the cleaner out and blowing compressed air though all the jets. Just a quick burst can dislodge particles from the jet inside the impeller. A lot of times you can see it when it comes out.