My Dolphin is sick!

[jdolby]

My Dolphin Dynamic died after 6 great cleanings. I power it up and it does 2 little twists and goes 1 foot and stops. It has done this 12 straight re-starts. I tried power down and back up, fresh clean filter, straightened the cord, inspected for debris in the impeller, and re-programed using the remote. I got it to work once, however it just kept going back and forth about 20 feet in the same pattern.

I did notice that one side of the handle lock (the side that pulls up) will not lock tightly. I can move it back and forth with little force. Also I noticed that it floats a little. I pulled it out many times trying to get all the air out by tilting it sideways underwater.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
JD

[cleancloths]

Sorry to hear your new pet is ill :( I too recently got one and hope the sickness has not spread. I do recall reading in the manual that if it floats you should add some weights to the handle. Hope that helps. Probably you should return it for another one. I bought mine at Costco (via the net) and you can just take it to any Costco store at anytime if you are ever not happy with it for a full refund.

[CarlD]

It's still under warranty. Contact Smartpool.com about warranty repairs. They SHOULD cover shipping on such a new unit. I had to pay to ship mine, but only the motor is still under warranty. It's sick too, but I got nearly 2 years of use from it.

I am VERY concerned about the recent number of failures with Dolphins.

[jdolby]

UPDATE:
Smartpool issued a call tag for repair. Picked up 6/24. Received back 7/5.
Upon unpacking I noticed it was wet and slimey packed well in a pastic bag with proper material. (Why didn't they dry it off before packing.) Also the remote was not properly sealed using the 3 screws. I am missing 1 of the filter bag black plastic clamps. Unit was dirty, looks like they took it out of their dirty pool right into the box sent to me.

WORK DONE:
Replaced broken handle latch and outer casing was seperated.

TEST:
Put in pool and it imediately started the back and forth pattern. Reset. Started the 2 short forward twists and then stops. (Their Repair card lists this as a defect but was not checked. Water in Box.)
Using remote I set cycle to 6 hrs. and it started up and runs.
However, It is not picking up all the fine dirt on the bottom of my pool. Seems like it runs a little slower too.

It is running right now and hasn't finished. I have not set it to climb walls yet. I will report back.

JD

[duraleigh]

Wow! This thread along with Carl's saga and Cleancloths' experience demonstrates just how valuable the forum can be.

I have been looking at robots for a few weeks and, naturally, was leaning towards the dolphins just because of their popularity.

Thanks to ya'll, I am approaching my purchase with a good deal more caution.....Thanks.:)

[CarlD]

That really stinks that they lost a clip and didn't reassemble the remote correctly.

Mine, too, arrived soaking wet in a plastic bag. I had used the original box to ship it, but they didn't return that.

None of the would have mattered if the d*** thing worked right when it came back!

[rollinrock]

Dont want to rub it in guys but my Aquabot Turbo has ran like a dream for two yrs. Best investment I ever made. I sit poolsdie and watch itt for hours with my little green bottles of refreshment. The only probelm is I forgot how to vaccum.

[cleancloths]

Dont want to rub it in guys but my Aquabot Turbo has ran like a dream for two yrs. Best investment I ever made. I sit poolsdie and watch itt for hours with my little green bottles of refreshment. The only probelm is I forgot how to vaccum.


Your little green bottles should be an absolute NO NO by the pool!!! Glass should never come anywhere near a pool as it can create a deadly hazard if it breaks and gets in the pool. Switch to cans or pour it in a plastic cup before you get near the water.

[sailork]

I dunno, I think if he ever breaks one into the pool he should do a little expiriment and sit there and drink some more and see how well the Aquabot Turbo does with glass. He might be out there all night but it sounds like a worthy issue for study.

"33"

[duraleigh]

Additionally,

Always have clean underwear when you go out and don't run with scissors.

[CarlD]

Additionally,

Always have clean underwear when you go out and don't run with scissors.

And you can't have a Red Rider B-B gun because YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT!

[cleancloths]

Door bell just rang, and FexEx dropped off my Blue Pearl -- they did not bother for anyone to sign for it - just drop and run.

Guess I will go out and set it up.

[jdolby]

Update: Smartpool is sending another call tag for pickup back to their shop.
I hope it gets fixed this time.

Also, the dolphin will not climb walls.
Will report back.

JD

[jdolby]

Received back my Dolphin yesterday. It was wet and fithy dirty right out of the shipping box. Put in pool, turned on power supply and the Dolphin just sat there, did not move. I grabbed the remote and punched in cycle time to 6 hours, Dolphin started up. Back and Forth for 6 hours. No climbing walls, no stop and turn, just forward 20 feet and back 20 feet over and over. It also is not picking up dirt very well. This is the same defect I reported when I called for service.

This is the second attempt Smartpool has had to fix my Dolphin. No luck.
Fortunately for me they have paid shipping both ways. I only had the Dolphin 3 1/2 weeks before I called for the first service call.

Now I want my money back!!
I would not recommend this unit. I"ll report back on the refund issue.

JD

[hancop]

I was going to purchase a dolphin for my pool. Based on what I have heard about them in the forums lately and people having to send them back many times to be fixed, and then getting them back still broken, I have decided against the purchase.:) Thanks to eveyone for posting your comments.

[CarlD]

I eMailed Maytronics last night to try to find out why I haven't heard anything from them or Smart Pool.

Right now, I would strongly have to recommend staying away from anything handled by Smart Pool.

[cruzmisl]

This is really too bad. I commented the other day how much better my Dynamic cleaned the pool than my old Diagnostic.

If anyone wants to take the plunge with absolutely no risk, buy the unit from Costco. When it stops working, return it and buy another. At least that's what I did.

Joe

[jdolby]

"Right now, I would strongly have to recommend staying away from anything handled by Smart Pool."

+1

JD

[jdolby]

Update:
I called the ebay dealer where I purchased the Dolphin Dynamic. He had to call Smartpool (distributor) to see if he could get reimbursed for the dolphin before he could offer me any kind of refund. The next day Smartpool called and offered to give me a new "in the box" Dolphin. Both parties said they don't give refunds.
I guess all ends well only if my new Dolphin says heathly. I have to say Smartpool has been very good with communication with me and did the right thing. Their repair techs however need more schooling. IMHO

JD