My Dolphin: Now I'm getting rid of it

[jimwnola]

On your Turbo, HZZ, did you have the regular tracks or the ones that are bigger, that you only see on some Turbos, I think "H" models or something like that. Aqua products charges more for the bigger track ones, but some seller was telling me the regular tracks (which is what I have on regular Aquabot) stay on better. Anybody have an opinion on that. I'm semi-tempted just pick up a refurbished Turbo since you can get them for about $500 on ebay.

[hzz]

As far as I know, I have the regular tracks. I certainly didn't pay any extra for the tracks and I don't recall it being an "H" model.

[CarlD]

Well, the Blue Diamond arrived last night and the jury is still out on this thing. Somethings are upsetting but OK--the foam brushes are hard and look messed up--they just have to soak up water. The brown stains also concerned me but they test them in water in Israel, then they have to dry out and there can be mold or other stuff:



The chipped clip below the port may get it replaced. In the water, the brushes got big and soft.

It didn't seem to want to climb the walls consistently, but they tell me it only does it on the 1st, 3rd and 7th time it hits a wall. Again, that makes sense.

They tell me with my pool to be VERY wary of wear on the liner just above the bottom of the pool--where the unit bumps into the wall--they don't recommend this usually for an A/G pool, especially round or oval. Mine is rectangular so it's more what the unit is designed for--they'll get back to me.

But MOST disturbing is that 5 minutes after being dropped in the pool last night it got jammed under the ladder. This morning I left it to go eat breakfast it was jammed again. It shuts down, which is good, but the pool wasn't clean yet, which is bad.

Here's the ladder it can't negotiate:



So, the jury is still out and it may be going back really, really soon!

Meanwhile, Maytronics and Smart Pool have gone silent on me.

[Davenj]

CarlD,
Did you notice any scratches on your liner from the Dolphin. I have 6-8" scratches around the end on the bottom. Looks like where the Dolphin runs along the side (oval) against the wall. Thought it maybe pieces flakes of Kooldeck in the pool? Disturbing none the less.

[mr.bbq]

CarlD,

Thanks for the review so far, i would agree looking at the pics the less than new looking condition would have me concerned. Of course if it works no worrys. But for that kind of money i would think it would be in shiny new condition even if it was water tested.

Best of luck hope it works out for you!!

R

[cleancloths]

The pads are just fine. My Blue Pearl has similar sort of pads - two big ones rather than 4 small ones and they are rock hard when dry, but get nice and soft and spongie in the water quickly.

As far as getting caught on the ladder I used to have that problem with my Polaris. What I did was get a couple of sections of 2" (or maybe it was 1.5" - I forget) PVC pipe and I cut out a section of the pipe longitudinally that was maybe an inch or an inch and a half wide so I could force the pvc pipe over the verticle sections of the ladder. This made it a smaller opening between the ladder edge and the pool wall so the cleaner would not get stuck in there.

[CarlD]

The pads are just fine. My Blue Pearl has similar sort of pads - two big ones rather than 4 small ones and they are rock hard when dry, but get nice and soft and spongie in the water quickly.

Yeah, they did that on mine too. As I said, I was less concerned--first, there was a notice wrapped around them saying expect them to be hard and let it soak in the pool for a few minutes before the first run. The brown concerned me but, while ugly, it's not critical.

As far as getting caught on the ladder I used to have that problem with my Polaris. What I did was get a couple of sections of 2" (or maybe it was 1.5" - I forget) PVC pipe and I cut out a section of the pipe longitudinally that was maybe an inch or an inch and a half wide so I could force the pvc pipe over the verticle sections of the ladder. This made it a smaller opening between the ladder edge and the pool wall so the cleaner would not get stuck in there.

What a GREAT IDEA! I have plenty of 1.5" stock--and with a cap glued to the bottom to keep from scratching the liner...WOW! That could really work well! Form a picket! Completely different from the barrier I had in mind. Maybe bungee them to the ladder, too. Easy!

THANK YOU!

BTW, has anybody got any experience with a Diamond in a vinyl pool with perfectly vertical walls? Is there abrasion on the liner where the unit turns to climb the wall?