robot clean voltage and cable questions

[fjzsocal]

I've got a pressure-side Polaris 360 cleaner. Works well enough, but we have bears in the area, and they seem to love biting the hose, so I am constantly repairing the hose.

I'm interested in a robot cleaner, but need to know how they are powered: I think they use stepped-down AC, but spec sheets don't seem to list the voltage, nor whether it's AC or DC.

Also would like to know how the cords are typically constructed... are they repairable if damaged by bites?

thanks

 

[PoolStored]

So, you have me absolutely captivated.

"Lions, Tigers and Bears, OH, MY!!!" Bears in LA?

Most pressure side cleaners have a port that is underwater. Do you have bears swimming in your pool chewing up pressure lines? Or do they just chew on them when they are sitting on the deck? Not even sure how you are repairing the hose...Yikes.

Usually, robots have about a 6' AC cord to the control unit. Then a long cord that goes to the robot that can be 30/40/50/60' long. Usually, the motor in the robots are DC, with a transformer in the control unit. Cords are typically replaceable, but with so many bears in LA, and all the chewing going on, might be expensive. $180 a pop.

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[HermanTX]

If you look at that same site noted by @PoolStored a Polaris hose package is also $180. Now a hose is repairable to a point where you need to replace it. Whereas one bite into the electrical cable and I forsee that as non-repairable and need to purchase a new cable.
It is low voltage from the transformer to the robot in the water. Most people hide the transformer and its short cord to the 120V outlet in box to protect it from rain and UV. The robot cable is exposed across your deck and into the pool.

The polaris hose is mainly submerged with exception of that part that has floats on it and stays on surface when the cleaner is idle.
Are the bears getting in the pool to eat the hose or are they swatting at it from the edge of the pool?

 

[fjzsocal]

Thanks for the answers.

The Polaris hose is completely submerged, but the bears get in the pool and swim around and play with it. Hose damage is holes where they bite it, so water sprays around, and if they bite hard it'll break nearly in half. I repair it by cutting away the damage and inserting a new swivel joint.

I'm thinking if there's (say) 24V on the robot cable, they'll learn pretty quickly not to bite it. (Just lick the terminals of a 9V battery to see what I'm talking about.) I'll just need to figure out how to do a spot repair with good watertight seal.

 

[fjzsocal]

BTW we had a couple of bobcats stop by yesterday. But they don't swim, so no damage.

We're in LA, but in the last row of a development. From our back yard, it's a straight shot through undeveloped land to the Angeles National Forest.

so no damage.
We're in LA, but in the last row of our development. Our back yard is a straight shot to the Angeles National Forest.

 

[PoolStored]

Yikes!