Barracuda Kontiki 2 question

[pool newby]

I have the barracuda Kontiki 2 above ground pool cleaner. It has been finicky every time we used it.....sometimes it would work on low speed, sometimes not, it stops at random and refuses to move, and the adjustable valve that attaches to the vacuum plate is very picky. Sometimes it constantly sucks air, etc. I tried hooking up the Kontiki without the valve and it worked perfect on low speed, plently of suction and movement.

Is there any harm in using this without the valve attachment ? There seems to still be good flow from the return. It does seem to get occasionally hung up on the bottom step. Any ideas from keeping this from getting hung up ?Has anyone experiences similiar problems ?

thanks

pool newby

[pool newby]

bump...............

What???? Nobody using a Kontiki 2 out there, surely someone knows an answer, replies appreciated.

thanks

Bob P
pool newby
E Tn

[sailork]

Sorry nobody has replied. I've never heard of the Kontiki 2 but I've got an in ground and I've only owned it for 4 months so I guess that's no surprise.

I've got a Baracuda G3 and it's a similar suction side. When I first got it (free from a friend..) I ran it with the little suction control dealy sealed nearly shut and my valves set so that it got more suction than Zodiac approves of. It would clean the sides and ran around the pool like algae's worst nightmare. Nowadays due to hotrodding my plumbing I run it at below the recommended suction and it dawdles around the bottom or just goes back and forth along the bottom step that runs the length of the pool. It still saves me from vacuuming....

As far as wearing it out from running it above it's recommended settings I suspect your kontiki is repairable like my baracuda but you should check. If I "wear out" my baracuda all I have to do is take it apart and buy a new diaphragm thingy for it that costs $30. It's a VERY simple operation. I suspect it's cheaper for your Kontiki since everything appears to be more $$$ for the in ground version. ;-)

[pool newby]

From what I've seen, there is little if any difference between the G3 and Kontiki, except the color. Mine also has the removable diaphram. So, I'll go ahead and keep using it like that, with out "flow rate" valve and see how it goes.

[medvampire]

I have the 1500 and had to set my valve to max vacume. The unit still hangs at the ladder and get lazy at times. I think its just the nature of suction side cleaners that you have to baby sit them a little.
Havent tried with out the valve but might next time.
Later
Steve