Help - Dolphin From Costco Works For 10min And Then Stops !

[akrauss]

Well - it looks like I wont be speaking to customer service today. I called at 4:50pm EST and received a message that I had called after business hours of 9-5pm EST. Never mind that my manual states that customer service hours are 8:30am-5:30pm EST !!

[us7sail]

I just ordered the aquabot turbo c from costco. Will let you know how things go. Ordered it sunday and will be here tomorow,thur. Can not wait to try it out. chris

[akrauss]

Thanks- Yes please let me know how the Aquabot works for you. Is this your first purchase of a robotic cleaner ? My pool is a bit of a free-form shape, so that is a concern for me - - but nothing is perfect...

[us7sail]

Yes this is the first robot for me. Used a baracuda that my dad has and was more a pain in the ass than anything. I want something I can throw in and forget. My wife wants me in the house with the newborn not manually cleaning the pool. I told her the robot was the only way.

[us7sail]

Well just put the bot in the pool and it worked great. The pool was significantly cleaner after one 4hr run and I have been running the filter a lot lately. Looks like it covered the entire pool even the in pool steps. Ran up to the waterline with out any problems. No sticking on the ladder. Did have a problem with the main drain. I was sort of disappointed as I did not want to have to purchase a adapter. Other wise I was pleased. Recieved the bot in 4 days despite the advertised 7-10 shipping.

[akrauss]

Thanks for the update on your Aquabot - - Enjoy. Well my update goes like this... I spoke to Dolphin US customer service after waiting 30min plus on hold and was told as follows:

1) If Temp. in the pool is under 65 degrees may not run. Told her the manual says nothing like that. In fact the only mention of temperature constriants I could find relate to the Dolphin climbing walls and even that says under 54 degrees may not climb. Her answer - "Yea I know." Also, last season when I opened I had no problem and water temp was approx. the same.

2) Make sure filter bag is clean. She said should be washed in the machine w/ Oxyclean. Told her I never had a problem last year, but will try it if necessary.

3) Try running it w/o the filter bag, as recommended to me herein.

Well last weekend, temp. in the pool had reached a balmy 72 degrees (no heater - - but that is another story). Thus, I dropped it in w/ the filter bag and same thing happened... It ran for 10 min or so and stopped. Thereafter, I removed the filter bag and tried again. Same problem. Based upon the foregoing, I figured it was unnecessary to try and wash the bag. Accordingly, I packed it up and returned it to Costco. I must now decide in the next few days whether I will just try another Dolphin through Costco or go with the Aquabot Turbo C - - also through Costco. Any help with this decision would be most appreciated. It looks as if the Turbo C does not have a remote and does not come with a cart at Costco - correct ? Thanks.

[korinian]

I bought my Dolphin from Costco 2 seasons ago. It has always worked great. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

After the first use of this season, I lifted the unit out of the water rapidly, with a really heavy load of debris in it, and it snapped off one of the yellow locking plates. I called SmartPool and they shipped me out replacements plates the same day n/c. I don't know if it will eventually manifest problems, but I'm really happy I went with it so far.

Dave