Aquabot Stays in Deep End

[Ragman]

Our Aquabot is 1 year old and now only cleans the deep end of the pool. Even if we start it in the shallow end, it works its way to the deep end and never comes back to the shallow end. The pool is 16x32 and goes from 3ft to 8ft. Any suggestions?

[PoolDoc]

I've got no suggestions -- never used an Aquabot, but someone else may.

Just keep in mind that traffic on the PoolForum is low, and won't begin to pick up till March. So, you may have to wait for an answer.

[CarlD]

While I don't know Aquabot very well, I do know a bit about Dolphin and Blue Diamond cleaners which are similar. But I do know this about Aquabots: They sometimes have track problems and there are replaceable parts for them. Also: are you turning off your pump while you clean? Most cleaners instruct you not to run the pump. Have you de-tangled your cable lately? How well is the Aquabot climbing the walls? Normal? Sort of? Not at all? If there is a problem you either have a bad vacuum motor or the path is clogged...like leaves getting past the cleaner's filter. It's hard to get them out but you'll see them at the top where the water comes back out.

These gadgets are simpler than they seem, but tricky when they mess up. There are two or three motors. One is for suction and vacuuming and does the cleaning. That is how it can climb the walls--vacuum pressure. The other one or two are for the drive...one if it's a full-width track, two if it's split. Again, there could be a problem with the drive track.

If all seems fine mechanically, then you'll have to arrange to have it serviced. I've been down that road too. I've not personally been happy with Dolphin's service, but Blue Diamond's is excellent. I don't know about Aquabot.

Carl

[giantsnation]

Carl, which Blue Diamond model do you have? I've looking to buy a robotic cleaner and I really like the new Dolphin Nautilus. I've heard that Dolphin has really cleaned up its act in terms of customer service.

[CarlD]

GN:
I cannot speak for Dolphin but the new unit with lasers looks cool. I have the Blue Diamond with wireless remote and split rollers. In SOME ways it's primitive next to the Dolphin Dynamic I had, but cleans the pool in 3 hours instead of 8, and has a much simpler, yet just as effective bag. And the motors are each 3x the size of the Dolphin's, but the unit is far lighter. I have to take the ladder out for the Blue Diamond (not the drop-in steps) which I didn't have to do with the Dolphin, but that takes all of 15 seconds. The remote on the Dolphin is a true joystick and you can see what you are programming. Not on the Diamond. Despite that, the Diamond cleans better and faster and my personal experience is their service is far superior.

Carl

[gitpicker]

Ragman - Are the tracks moving, and it just seems like it is slipping while trying to climb back to the shallow end? If so, it could be that the bag needs to be cleaned. Mine would do that after about a half hour of cleaning when I first opened the pool in the spring. It could be full, or partially full. The bag pores also get clogged quickly which cuts down on the water flow, thus suction to create traction on the slopes. So, I would be cleaning my bag many times during my intital cleaning after opening. After the first spring cleaning it can run for hours before cleaning out the bag. It's been like this every year.