Replace pool cleaner pump or buy robotic pool cleaner

[wazzyjazzy]

A few days ago I noticed that whenever the pool cleaner turns on, a high pitched noise is coming from the pump which I believe powers that pool cleaner.
I got a few quotes on repair or replace and what I was told by all 3 pool companies is that while it is possible to replace the bearings for that pump, since it is almost 20 years old, it's best to replace it completely.
The replacement quotes ranged from $900-$1100 parts+labor.
I've been reading about robotic pool cleaners that if I'm understanding correctly, aren't powered by a pool pump but can be plugged into a wall outlet.

What are TFP's thoughts on these electric pool cleaners?

 

[dfwnoob]

This is pretty much becoming a a Ford vs. Chevy debate, for what it's worth. There are some of us (like myself) that do not see $1000+ robots as commodities to throw away after a few years or don't want to mess with getting the robot in and out of the pool all the time, and there are others who insist the cost savings in electricity alone makes a robot worthwhile. In California energy savings may be a major selling point for you.

That being said, $1100 for a $400 pump is nuts to me.. assuming this is your conventional Polaris booster pump. Even the fancy, energy efficient PB4SQ is $530 at Leslies. Booster pumps aren't exactly rocket science and I would just replace it myself. Most have quick connects and are rarely hard plumbed in.

At $1100 it's six of one half dozen of the other I guess. Accounting for energy savings the robot would clearly be the better deal at that price. On the other side of the coin, replacing the pump yourself for $400 vs $1k for a robot would be a no brainer considering you already have the cleaner.

 

[Toxophilite]

My pool was completely plumbed for a booster pump, sans the actual pump. I wouldn't trade my robot for the luxury of dealing with a hose and hookup - done that years ago on another pool. If my robot dies in a few years, they could be giving away pumps and cleaners, and I would still replace my robot. Other's will see it differently. Hope that helps

 

[wazzyjazzy]

My pool was completely plumbed for a booster pump, sans the actual pump. I wouldn't trade my robot for the luxury of dealing with a hose and hookup - done that years ago on another pool. If my robot dies in a few years, they could be giving away pumps and cleaners, and I would still replace my robot. Other's will see it differently. Hope that helps

T - just so I'm clear - you recommend replacing the pump vs. buying a robotic cleaner?

 

[Toxophilite]

I cannot make any recommends on something that is one, expensive, and two, uniquely beneficial, considerate to one's own preferences and situations. But for me, I love my robot considering all factors and past experiences, which the latter is not as much as others here, but I did own a hosed unit before.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

This is a great post by one of our experts that starts as a love affair then goes awry around Post #305. I could never get over the thought of throwing $1,000 worth of sensitive electronics into the pool for hours/days at a time. I considered it, but stayed with my trusty suction cleaner. Use the search function to find other recent posts on robot failures.

So this just happened....

I'm stoked!! Looking forward to setting it up this weekend. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[wazzyjazzy]

This is a great post by one of our experts that starts as a love affair then goes awry around Post #305. I could never get over the thought of throwing $1,000 worth of sensitive electronics into the pool for hours/days at a time. I considered it, but stayed with my trusty suction cleaner. Use the search function to find other recent posts on robot failures.

So this just happened....

I'm stoked!! Looking forward to setting it up this weekend. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks for this. I will read into it now.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Robots are currently WAAAAAY overpriced. What costs $1000 nowadays was around $600 just before the pandemic. There is also the fact that many manufactured goods, not just pool related stuff, suffered from supply chain problems causing really bad products to be built. We are only now experiencing the hangover from the supply chain crash on manufactured goods and equipment. I would not, in good conscience, recommend a robot to anyone nowadays.

If you can find a handy friend to help you install a new booster pump, it will be well worth it to stick with what you have and what you know. The price quote you got for replacing your booster pump is ridiculous. Honestly, with a few hours of YouTube video watching and run or two to the hardware, you can do the job yourself. With a bunch of friends, it can be a fun Saturday morning project.

As in all things, it’s your pool and your money. I wish you the best in whatever you choose.

 

[wazzyjazzy]

Robots are currently WAAAAAY overpriced. What costs $1000 nowadays was around $600 just before the pandemic. There is also the fact that many manufactured goods, not just pool related stuff, suffered from supply chain problems causing really bad products to be built. We are only now experiencing the hangover from the supply chain crash on manufactured goods and equipment. I would not, in good conscience, recommend a robot to anyone nowadays.

If you can find a handy friend to help you install a new booster pump, it will be well worth it to stick with what you have and what you know. The price quote you got for replacing your booster pump is ridiculous. Honestly, with a few hours of YouTube video watching and run or two to the hardware, you can do the job yourself. With a bunch of friends, it can be a fun Saturday morning project.

As in all things, it’s your pool and your money. I wish you the best in whatever you choose.

Thank you for that. After reading more about robotic cleaners, I've decided to just go ahead and replace the booster pump. I am going to see if I can get some more quotes to replace the pump and if all of the quotes come in at the same price, I will ask a friend to help me replace it myself.

 

[Geebot]

Thank you for that. After reading more about robotic cleaners, I've decided to just go ahead and replace the booster pump. I am going to see if I can get some more quotes to replace the pump and if all of the quotes come in at the same price, I will ask a friend to help me replace it myself.

Although the pricing has increased by a couple hundred dollars in the last two years, robots are still a great value. It's genuinely indispensable. It does a fantastic job of cleaning across the pool and up to/including the tile line. Costs next to nothing to run for a two-hour cycle and although we pulled it out after each use initially, it now lives in the pool with no issues. Would not hesitate to replace it if it failed.