My Barracuda Ranger gets "stuck" too much

[b2001]

I’m at my wits end with my Zodiac Barracuda Ranger. It continuously gets stuck at the pool outlet. As it moves around the pool, most of the time the part of the hose that connects to the Ranger is going to “loop” over the hose at the outlet connection, since this connection and hose is about two to three inches under water. The Ranger will push to the point where it cannot move forward anymore. It will sit there for too long of a period of time – the end result is my pool does not get very clean.

I’ve tried to figure out how to get around this. I’ve tried creating a “double elbow” connection out of pvc and fittings to raise the hose out of the water at the outlet – but I can’t get something that is “tight” enough, the pressure is too low – reason being - it’s really difficult to find plumbing parts that will match with the pool parts.

I borrowed my neighbor’s complete Ranger assembly and hose today to try out. Within five minutes it was stuck, and it stayed that way for 45 minutes. It finally “broke out”. This seems to indicate no problems with the Ranger or parts, but a problem with my pool setup. I’ve got a 18’ x 36’ AG Doughboy with 1 1/2 hp pump and Pentair cartridge filter.

I did buy a 90 degree elbow today to put on the inlet to direct the water down, and I know that will solve some of the Ranger’s circulating problems that I was having. My water level was half way between and high – I’m currently raising it to see if the outlet connection being lower in the water will lower resistance to the Ranger moving when it gets stuck.

I constantly have to “baby sit” the Ranger which was not my purpose for getting it, of course. I’m not having much luck in cleaning my pool because the Ranger spends too much time being stuck.

Anyone else having this problem or does anyone have ideas? Thanks …

[RavenNS]

I'm not familiar with the ranger...
but i had many similar problems with the Kreepy Krauly

I could only see two solutions... either some sort of booster or turbo propeller added or switch to a new cleaner.

For the K.K., the additional propeller booster add-on, had been discontinued by the manufactor only one year prior. I could still " get one", but at high cost ( for what it is) & with no warrenty or return on it.

I got sick & tired of babysitting my K.K.... it seem to get re-stuck every ten minutes or so of cleaning & I was worried about leaves/sticks clogging up my line somewhere.
I decided to go automated ( robotic) instead.

I love my Dolphin robotic cleaner!
I didn't even buy a ( recommended) drain ramp & it works fantabulous!
( I really do like the remote feature too, although I am seriously considering adding some servos to it for better "driving"...lol)