Polaris 360 Spinning Its Wheels

[jetescamilla]

So I am a new pool owner because of our house purchase. We discovered that the Hayward that the previous home owner left behind was a piece of crap that would either have to get rebuilt or replaced. We opted to go with a Polaris 360 because of its ability to bag debris without sending it though the pool system itself. We figured that would be better than having rocks sent to my pool pump (we live in Phoenix and rocks being kicked in by my dog). Also, we didnt want to upgrade to the Polaris that required an added booster.

Although it seems to not have all 3 wheels on the ground most of the time, it still does move around the pool and suck up the debris. I have only owned it for 2 days so I am by no means an expert. Also, the tail does not seem to wiggle like I anticipated. Another thing is that the unit does not seem to climb on the walls in any way, it will run into it and roll to the side and either continue along the edge or return from a direction near where it came.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what to do? I have ensured that the float is pushed all the way against the body of the Polaris and the thrust jet is set at the 11 o'clock position. Also, we used 2 of the jet reducers to build up the pressure for the Polaris to achieve the correct rpm's.

Thanks for the future help, I imagine I will be reading and writing a lot of posts over the life of my pool ownership.

[quantumchromodynamics]

Here is the manual. If this doesn't answer your questions, please post back for further help.

[jetescamilla]

Yes I have a copy of the manual. It is not very informative in its troubleshooting area...

[jetescamilla]

So I just got off of the phone with Polaris technical help and they want me to try and run it again without the bag attached. Evidently if it works properly then they said that it means that there is air entering my return line. I dont understand how air entering my return line and simply removing the bag of the 360 will alter the behavior of it. I am at work right now and will have to try it out when I get home.

Is this a common check on these type of machines? Is Polaris just being quick to dismiss the issue and start placing blame on my pool equipment? I really dont have an idea since my pool ownership experience is barely pushing 10 days right now.

[Pool Clown]

If the bag is full, or you have had a scaling problem. The bag can act like a sail and disrupt the proper operation of the unit. They should have asked you about the air and not dismiss you to "remove the bag and see" test. If you have the air problem you describe, you can check this quickly, then get back to Polaris, hopefully you will get a different tech, one that knows more.

[jetescamilla]

Thanks for the help. How would I go about checking if I have an "air" problem? I would like to know if I am up against more than just a 360 that likes to do wheelies.

[Pool Clown]

At the risk of being a smart-alec, you would see air bubbles coming out of the vac tube on the unit (with the bag off).

Just to make your symptoms clear, is the unit doing wheelies, or barely touching the ground (you listed both)? Or is it doing both?

Wheelies could be a truster jet adjustment or too much drag on the bag.

Barely touching the ground could be not enough pressure, or a backup valve not cycling, and not closing off completely.

[jetescamilla]

No you are not being a smart alec, but my thinking is that with the bag on or off the air bubbles would be coming out regardless. That was the point I was trying to make with the Polaris guy. The bag is not going to stop air bubbles from coming out.

Also, the wheels are just barely off the pool surface, there are no real wheelies. That was just me being a little humorous. I worked late today and didnt get a chance to try it out. Will do tomorrow and report.

Thanks

[Pool Clown]

No you are not being a smart alec, but my thinking is that with the bag on or off the air bubbles would be coming out regardless. That was the point I was trying to make with the Polaris guy. The bag is not going to stop air bubbles from coming out.

Not always. If you had a scaling problem, the holes in the bag can get scaled up too. You may not notice it either. I have also seen where fine particles get caught in the bags holes, and prevent air from escaping. You may or may not be able to see that either.

Also, the wheels are just barely off the pool surface, there are no real wheelies. That was just me being a little humorous. I worked late today and didnt get a chance to try it out. Will do tomorrow and report.

Check the backup valve, and make sure it is cycling off completely, no water coming out of the back up port.

.