I have a Sun Ray (DC200). The experience sounds similar.

When I purchased my home with pool, I mistakenly thought that the sidewall port was screwed shut. I immediately ran the suction tube through the intake in the filter basket. This led to poor suction, constant sticking to the bottom grate, and no pulsing in the vacuum.

After I learned that the sidewall port works, I hooked the Sun Ray to that - the way that it's supposed to work.

The Sun Ray stil stops pulsing (it works roughly 80% of the time). It still won't get out of the deep end. It still won't climb walls.


I suspect that the pivot point for the pendulum sticks. But I can't get into the unit to verify that.


I would not recommend this unit to anyone.