Polaris 380 Automatic Inground Pool Cleaner

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Should I buy a new Polaris 380 or a used One? Should I buy a different pool cleaner? What pool cleaner is right for my pool? Is one model better than another? What is the difference between Polaris 180,280, 340, 360,380, 480, 65, 165, Turtle? All of these are good questions. One we are sure you asked yourself.

We here at East Coast Pools, Patio & Grills  answer these questions everyday.  We want to sell product as much as the next guy.  But we want our customers to make an educated decision, before they spend those hard earned dollars. So we are going to try to answer some of these questions for you. We hope  this information helps you make the right buying decission.

Should I buy a new Polaris 380, or used?

First you need a little history. Polaris 180 was the first pressure side pool cleaner that ran from a booster pump. The Polaris 180 has only 1 jet that creates the cleaning power.  It has a narrow throat, which allows leaves to clog it up.  It works very good, and is easy to repair.   It is old and out dated.  But it was the best at the time.

Polaris hoses! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Hose's on old Polaris go bad. Don't waste money buying alot of hose parts. Replacing Back up valves, swivels, and sweep tails is ok. But if your floats are sinking,
dragging the hose on the bottom, buy a new hose kit. The old floats were a type of  foam that got water logged, causing them to sink .  Don't waste money buying floats for the hose's , the old ones are way to hard to take off.

Polaris 360 & 380 were the next units to hit the market. These are 3 jet cleaners. The 380 In-ground requires a booster pump as does the 180 and 280, 480.  The 360 works off the return lines. The 340 work off t...

Automatic Pool Cleaners

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So you are tired of the manual cleaning process of your swimming pool. Thinking about buying a new pool cleaner, or replacing a worn out one? Here is a basic primer on the pool cleaners.
Suction Side - Usually the cheaper priced models because they have less moving parts. These either hook into your skimmer via an attachment, or a dedicated suction side port on your pool. The dedicated port is a much better way to go on this as it does not render your skimmer useless while the cleaner is in use. Since the water is being sucked in (think vacuum cleaner) the debris is carried with the water to your filter where it is removed.
Types with Wheels or Feet (Examples: Hayward navigator (feet), ThePoolCleaner (wheels)) suck water and moves by a turbine inside the cleaner, causing it to spin, which drives the cleaner. Use a programmed drive box to randomly cover the pool.
Disk Type (Examples Kreepy Krawly, Barracuda) use a valve to open and close the water flow, causing the unit to jump (looks like vibration). Unit follows the hose around the pool.
Pressure Side - Cheaper models use your pools return (Polaris 360 as an example) to power them. Better models use a dedicated pump. As in the suction side cleaners, the moving water spins a turbine (depends on brand, but that is basically it) or uses water jets for movement. These usually have an external bag, that jets of water cause the debris to wash up into. The amount of debris the bag can "catch" is limited by the size of the weave, usually allowing smaller particles to pass through. Some have a tail whip used to stir up this small debris so your pump will draw it in via the inlets and the filter will catch it. Use a programmed drive box to randomly cover the pool.
Robotic - These are typically self contained cleaners with their own motors and pumps. They have brushes (basically) that spin and use water jets and bags like the pressure side cleaners. These plug into an ou...

Aquabot Turbo

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By the end of its first season, my Aquabot had eaten its power cord so many times that there were deep digs in the heavy insulation covering the wires.  There was also considerable damage to the drive tracks.  I called t...

Pool Devil - Automatic Pool Cleaner

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Does not work in all pools..as stated in advertisment....

Aquabot Turbo

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I completely disagree with the writer regarding his experience with the Aquabot Turbo.  I also purchased the unit in 2004 but instead of using my local pool distributor, I bought it on ebay, new for $800.00.  And if you DO read the instruction manuel, it absolutely says not to run the unit with the filter on.  I however do keep my filter on but use the plastic cord protection sleeve that keeps the cord safely away from the unit.  As far as it having enough suction to pick up everything, ISN"T THAT WHAT YOU WANT!!  Maybe you should talk to a pool mason to fix your loose tiles.  Also if you use it every 4 days or so you will keep the pool cleaner and won't have to empty the machine as much.  As far as it being disgusting, what did you do in the past when the debri just went into your filter? Same stuff.  I have never had one problem and I absolutely love coming home to a clean pool that I didn't have to clean.

Aquabot Turbo automatic pool cleaner

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A robotic pool cleaner is the best tool you can buy for your pool. They run independent of the pools filtration system, circulate the water and need very little attention.

The Aquabot Turbo is the fastest robot available and will provide years of trouble free service. Remember, it is a machine and ALL machines break eventually. Often, it is the owner's who unknowingly break them.

One of the most common problems is a broken power cable that is often mistaken for a bad power supply or motor.

The cable is stressed when the robot is pulled from the water. Never pull the robot from the water with the power cable. It is also stressed when it is twisted. Severe twisting will cause it to float below the water line making it likely to be eaten by the machine. This can be prevented by coiling the cable after each use starting at the robot so the twists can work themselves out toward the plug end.

Switching handle position mid cleaning will also untangle the cord.

Running the robot out of the pool will damage the pump and motor. Don't do it. Only plug in the robot when it is in the water.

Careful with too much chlorine in the water. Chlorine is highly corrosive. Never store the robot with open containers of chlorine.

I don't ever vacuum my pool with anything but my Aquabot. I use disposable bags from NASTYBAG.COM to avoid the unpleasant job of cleaning the bag.