The Twister power steers your pool cleaner automatically so your cleaner can completely clean your pool without getting stuck in corners. The Twister is powered by the constant flow of water through the pool cleaner hose and will counter-rotate the hose about 3 times per hour. A unique...
Monday, March 29, 2010
Trouble Shooting Suction Side Automatic Pool Cleaners
Popuar Names
Some of the most popular brands of suction side pool cleaners include such names as Aquabug, Kreepy Krauly, Ranger, E-Z Vac and Polaris just to name a few. While they do an adequate job of cleaning in non heavy use situations, if malfunctioning in any one of a number of areas their effectiveness will become degraded.
Moving Through Your System
The first place to check if a suction side pool filter isn't doing its job correctly, is the pump basket and the filter. Make sure that both are clean and not clogged with debris. More often that not, this will be the source of your problem. However; if both the filter and the pumps debris basket are clean, you then have to work your way progressively through your system.
Your Next Step
Next, check the throat of the cleaner itself to see if it has become clogged by something that is too large to pass through it. Another place to check for obstructions is anywhere that the hose connects to anything, as debris can be caught by a coupling. If that isn't the source of your problem then move on to the next step.
Check The Hose
That is to carefully check the entire hose for cracks or holes. Start by bringing the hose up out of the water and lay it across a patio or deck with the end in the pool. Then connect it to a pressure coupling and turn the water on. Over at the end in the pool, place your hand over it to clog it slightly and then look to see if water is gushing from any leaks in the hose.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
How Often Should I Clean The Swimming Pool Filter Cartridges?
The most common question from pool owners is about how often they should clean their swimming pool filter cartridges. Although the answer can vary from filter to filter, there are a few general guidelines that will give you an idea as to when it is time to clean your cartridges.
The easiest way to determine the effectiveness of your pool filter cartridge is your filter's pressure indicator. This is usually a gauge or meter that is on the outside of your filter housing. This gauge will also show you the maximum pressure at which your filter should operate. Be certain that your filter does not exceed this pressure.
As your cartridge begins to accumulate dirt and debris it becomes more difficult for the pump to circulate water through the filter. As a result, the pressure on your filter system increases and less water is circulated through your system. Not only does this increase the workload on your pump, it also reduces the quantity of water that is filtered. This leaves more dirt and debris in your pool. Most cartridge filters run at a lower pressure than sand or DE.
To get an accurate reading of your filters effectiveness you should make note of the pressure reading on your system when you install a new filter cartridge. This will be your baseline reading.
As time goes by and your filter begins to accumulate debris, the system pressure will increase. When the pressure increases by about 8-10psi (8-10 pounds per square inch) it is time to either clean or replace your cartridge.
With the low cost of cartridges, replacement is easy and inexpensive. If you decide to clean your cartridge be sure to not use too much pressure. Too much pressure can actually push debris further into the cartridge. Your goal is to simply rinse off the larger debris. After you rinse the cartridge you should soak it in an alkaline based cartridge cleaning solution. After you have finished soaking it you should gently rinse any remaining debris.
After you replace your cartridge the system pressure should be lower. If it isn't then it's probably time to replace it. A properly functioning filter system will have lower pressure which allows it to circulate more water and remove more debris.
By making sure that your swimming pool filter cartridges are in proper working order you will extend the life of your pump, your cartridges and most important, you will have a sparkling pool that is clean, clear and beautiful.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Aquabot Neptuno - Automatic Pool Cleaner Reviewed
An automatic pool cleaner is a necessity when you have a swimming pool and we have two! Unfortunately (or so it seemed), an above ground pool with a PVC liner is notoriously difficult to find an automatic pool cleaner for since most will climb the pool wall and thus tear the liner. We spoke to several local specialist swimming pool supplies shops and it seemed like it would be impossible to find an automatic pool cleaner for our pools.
A search on the internet found the Aquabot Neptuno made by a UK company called Kaltech. It seemed ideal but (particularly given the price) we wanted to be sure therefore we asked to speak to a technician who helpfully made an overseas call to our cell phone. He spoke at length about the Aquabot Neptuno and was confident that it would not damage our swimming pool liner.
We took the plunge and ordered a machine. It arrived a few days later and we unpacked it being careful to remove the clingfilm which protects the rollers. Essentially the Aquabot Neptuno is a pump with a filter which is mounted on rubber caterpillar tracks and with two big stiff sponge rollers in front to do the cleaning. Inside is a bag which collects the detritus from the bottom of the pool. The power supply is 12V DC which comes via a 230/240V transformer (supplied). The cable trails across the surface of the water therefore the Aquabot Neptuno should not get tangled in its own power lead.
We launched the machine and waited the requisite 20 minutes while the rollers absorbed the water. If you don't do this, then there can be a build-up of friction and either your liner or the rollers may get damaged.
The machine set off across the bottom of the pool travelling much faster than we had expected - almost at the fastest pace one could have walked through the water at. Unfortunately, after a few minutes it stopped and we had to restart it (wait 45 seconds and switch it on again). This kept happening and we soon concluded it was faulty although we did agree that what it had cleaned, it had cleaned effectively and gently.
Kaltech listened to our complaint, didn't argue and arranged for a replacement to be tested and sent out to us. We packaged up the old one and took it to our local courier (the agreement is that we pay for the courier to the UK, they pay for the courier to us).
A few days later a new Aquabot Neptuno arrived and we finally tried it out last night. It worked perfectly, switching itself off as it is supposed to after about 3 hours. The main swimming pool, a stretched octagon, is now much cleaner. We have only two complaints.
Firstly, there were two patches which the automatic pool cleaner did not find - both adjacent to our 'Roman' steps. One of those patches was probably too small for the machine but the other was missed for no obvious reason. Next time, we will start the machine from there and see if it ignores a different area instead!
Secondly, there was a clerical error by which someone wrote the delivery address as being the one our credit card was registered to and it was only thanks to the courier ignoring that in favour of their local knowledge of where we live that caused the Aquabot Neptuno to arrive.
That said, Kaltech were very helpful - from the original call from the technician to the many emails from them giving me tracking details of the parcels and generally keeping me informed of progress. My contact there was a lady called Lucy and she took great pains to be helpful - my particular thanks goes to her.
This was an expensive purchase - our blue and yellow submarine - but, to date, we are delighted with our Aquabot Neptuno automatic pool cleaner.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Treating Yourself To An Automatic Pool Cleaner
One of the things which comes as a rude awakening to many an owner of a newly installed swimming pool is just how labor intensive caring for a backyard swimming pool can be. While the idea of summer afternoons whiled away in the sun at poolside while the crystal clear water beckons whenever the sun gets just a little too hot have enticed many a family into pool ownership, the work which goes into maintaining that crystalline water can quickly tarnish the fun.
But there is a solution. The automatic pool cleaners which have recently become available for home swimming pool owners can turn the least pleasant aspect of pool ownership into a simple, hands-off task. An automatic swimming pool cleaner can handle any kind of pool surface from vinyl to fiberglass, and any pool contour, not only its floor. Pool walls and steps are no match for an automatic pool cleaner.
Regardless of whether you have an in ground or above ground swimming pool, there will be an automatic pool cleaner to suit you. All you need to do is verify with the swimming pool supply vendor that the one you are purchasing is appropriate for your needs.
How An Automatic Pool Cleaner Works
An automatic pool cleaner is actually a waterproof vacuum which can be connected to your pool's filter, eliminating the need for to empty the collection bags which are part of the robotic pool cleaners which crawl along the bottom and sides of a pool. Automatic swimming pool cleaners will pick up everything from pebbles to twigs and leaves, and remove insects as well. They perform a time-consuming task and yet are not at all difficult to either assemble or install.
Price Of An Automatic Pool Cleaner
A typical automatic pool cleaner has a single moving part, making it both simple to care for and energy efficient. The cost of an automatic pool cleaner will depend on the sophistication of its technology; there are some which have advanced cleaning capacity and some which are jet propelled. But an automatic pool cleaner can be purchased for as little as a few hundred dollars.
Buying an automatic pool cleaner will free you from the drudgery of cleaning your pool and let you spend more of those long lazy hours in the sun, while crystalline waters which you didn't have to clean lap at the pool's edge and invite you to enjoy their coolness whenever the sun gets just a little too hot.
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The apartments at Fieldstone Trace are offered in 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath townhomes in the Polaris Area of Columbus with attached garages and woodburning fireplaces. Enjoy our hotub, heated swimming pool, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, playground and picnic area. Easy access to all major Columbus highways. View these apartments for rent online at forrent.com: www.forrent.com
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Automatic Pool Vacuums
As private swimming pools have become popular, there are various kinds of vacuums available in the market. The automatic vacuums offer a good line of hygiene and maintenance if swimming is done regularly. Some of the products already available include Polaris 340 cleaner vacuum, Baracuda Pacer vacuum cleaner, Pool buster Max vacuum Aquatic vacuums and Pro-strength Vac head Vacuum.
How do these automatic devices restore the hygienic conditions of the swimming pool? Automated machines move till the bottom of the area. They also reach the sides where dirt and debris are lodged and are difficult to remove. The machine tends to suck every particle, dirt, sand, leaves and even bugs. The automated ones are available for above ground and in ground areas. There are different equipment that varies from the type and design of the pool and the floor texture. The cleaning machine also depends on the evenness, bumpiness or slope of the floor area. The corners also matter- If round or square in size, in order to ensure the debris can be effortlessly sucked out. Some machines have wheels for easy movement. Although the manual ones are cheaper comparatively, the automatic vacuums are an upgraded version and work faster. The automatic machines do all the cleaning and sweeping in and around the pool mechanically. The advanced versions work with the help of remote controls. It gives no trouble in cleaning process. It reaches to the bottom of deeper bodies and the sides easily. Investing in this important cleaning tool is necessary.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Navigator Pool Cleaner- The Best Of The Best
Mention that you have a backyard swimming pool, and people's ears perk up and they may hang around waiting for an invitation to a weekend barbecue at poolside. If the weather is hot enough, they may even offer to bring the steaks and beer. But the chances are very, very good that they will not offer to come over the morning of the cookout and clean your pool for you.
Backyard swimming pools can be a lifesaver in the height of summer, but those afternoons splashing and cavorting in the crystal clear water would not be possible if the mornings were not devoted to cleaning the pool. And cleaning a large backyard pool is no simple feat, unless you have a pool cleaner. But if you're going to invest in a pool cleaner, you should consider investing the best of the best, the Navigator pool cleaner from Hayward.
Hayward is considered by many to be the crème de la crème of swimming pool cleaner manufacturers, and the Navigator pool cleaner is their state of the art offering. The Navigator pool cleaner will happily spend its working life scuttling around the bottom, walls, and steps of your swimming pool, vacuuming up all the leaves, twigs, dirt, bacteria, sand, insects, algae, and any other foreign objects which cross its path. When the Navigator pool cleaner is done for the day, you will feel like you could use your pool to double as a bathtub.
Unique Navigator Features
The Navigator pool cleaner has some unique features which makes it a more efficient cleaner than any other on the market. Its "neck," through which debris passes, is larger than those of other cleaners, meaning it can pick up larger leave, twigs, and even pebbles. And when it vacuums up objects, it produces a circular "draining" effect which not only gets large items; it filers all the dirt and microscopic debris from the water as well.
But the most remarkable feature of the Navigator pool cleaner is that it is capable of "mapping" the contours of your swimming pool so that it remember which areas it has already cleaned, and will not return to them until it has completed a sweep of the rest of the pool. This capacity makes it one of the most efficient pool cleaners on the market, and while you might expect Hayward to load the Navigator pool cleaner with a price tag of more than $500, they didn't. A Navigator can be sweeping your pool clean tomorrow for a mere $350!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Swimming Pool Cleaner - Hollywood Or Bust
The human swimming pool cleaner, aka "The Pool Boy" has had a long and storied career in Hollywood's screen presentations, most notably in "Harold and Maude" with a swimming pool cleaner/screenwriter wannabe whose script deliberately left at poolside was discovered by a producer and turned into a movie.
But swimming pool cleaners, at least most of them, do not write or end up in movies; in fact, most of them are not even human. Swimming pool cleaners are tools designed to ease the unpleasant aspect of having a backyard pool; namely, keeping its water clean and hygienic. There are a wide variety of swimming pool cleaners available, but they all fall into one of three categories.
Types Of Swimming Pool Cleaners
The most common swimming pool cleaners are the manual vacuum cleaners, complete with the same parts as your indoor vacuum contains. Your manual swimming pool cleaner will have a dirt collection bag, filters, a motor which creates suction, and hoses--everything a good vacuum should have. But you are the manpower which guides the manual swimming pool cleaner into all the nooks and crannies of your pool.
Automatic swimming pool cleaners do the same thing manual swimming pool cleaners do but they do it with much less human assistance. Once you position them in an area of the pool which needs cleaning they will get to work and scoop up all the unwanted material.
Robotic swimming pool cleaners are the new, and smartest, kids on the pool cleaning block. Far more high-tech than their manual and automatic counterparts, they contain microchips which make them smart enough to work independently of their human owners. If you have a robotic swimming pool cleaner, all you need do is put it in your pool, press the on switch, and go somewhere to get good and hot because when you return in a few hours, your pool will be sparkling clean and ready to cool you off.
Manual, automatic, and robotic swimming pool cleaners are all readily available, and every year become more advanced as their manufacturers seek to maintain and increase their customer bases. If you have a serviceable swimming pool cleaner, you should just keep using it until it wears out, because if you wait long enough you will be able to replace it with one possessing features as yet undreamed of.
Who knows; the next generation of swimming pool cleaners may take a page from Hollywood's book and start leaving scripts at poolside for the perusal of directors and producers!
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