We have a Polaris 380 that is about 3 years old. It connects to a port in the pool which when not in use serves as another return. That port also gets output from a booster pump meant to power the Polaris. The booster pump is about 20 yrs old though. It has always worked well but this year after uncovering the pool and getting it clean and ready to go I put the Polaris in for a regular weekly touch up and quickly noticed there was a problem. without the booster pump the Polaris moves very little but it never did move much without it before. Now however even with the booster pump on it moves very slowly and the tail just drags behind it. In the past the tail would swipe back and forth pretty vigorously. I examined the screen in the piece where the Polaris hose connects to the return and it was dirty so I cleaned that but it did not make much of a difference. The booster pump turns on and when I check the flow with my hand at the return without the Polaris connected the booster pump does increase the outflow so its working. My question then is which component is the problem, the Polaris or the Booster pump and how do I figure that out? I could buy a new pump but I hate to spend a few hundred dollars only to find out that wasn't the problem and the same with the Polaris. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Polaris is moving very slow - Is it the Polaris or the booster pump?
- Thread starter michael60
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 66,622
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Pumps either pump out full flow or they don't work at all. I doubt it is the pump.
You need to continue checking the Polaris hose or internals for where it is losing water flow. I have had the Water Management System hose internal to the 380 get disconnected.
Do the wheel RPM test that is in the manual.
You need to continue checking the Polaris hose or internals for where it is losing water flow. I have had the Water Management System hose internal to the 380 get disconnected.
Do the wheel RPM test that is in the manual.
Thanks. I did not know that about pumps. I'll take the Polaris apart and see if there is an internal problem. I already connected the hose directly to a return and the water seemed to pass through with sufficient force so I dont think its the hose
You may have a broken drive belt inside the Polaris. Just open and check there are two belts. Or you may have a disconnected hose inside of the Polaris, it’s an easy fix, just YouTube it.