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IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN DETERMINING
THE
PROPER CHOICE OF AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANER
Twenty years ago or so, selecting an automatic pool cleaner
was a fairly straightforward decision as there were only
a few on the market. The two cleaners which dominated the market
back then were the Arneson Pool Sweep and the Polaris 180 Vac Sweep.
Now there are numerous manufacturers and models, and while the choices
may seem overwhelming, selecting an automatic pool cleaner is really not
that difficult. There are really only three basic ways to power an automatic pool cleaner -
pressure or suction drawn from the system itself, or a self-contained electrically
powered robotic style cleaner. Each type has its own unique advantages and
disadvantages..
Which automatic pool cleaner is right for your swimming pool?
Bear in mind that no automatic pool cleaner can be all
things to all people, or pools shall we say. Factors that affect performance are, amongst others:
DEBRIS LOAD - Different pool cleaners handle different volumes and types of debris
differently, and swimming pools containing large leaves or a large volume of leaves or twigs
can present difficulties for almost any cleaner.
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE - a marginal swimming pool filtration system can present
problems for suction driven pool cleaners, and pressure driven cleaners not requiring
a booster pump. This is especially true
with older systems with bronze pumps having limited output, compromised hydraulics (leaks), and/or a
dirty or poorly maintained filter. Provided you have a properly designed and maintained
pool filtration system, suction driven automatic pool cleaners
provide the most cost-efficient alternative. They work well under
moderate debris loading and do not require a booster pump or a
separate timer. One important note here - a system with even minor suction leak(s)
can impair a suction driven pool cleaner to the point it will just not work
properly. It is important to have a hyrdraulically "tight" system.
SIZE AND SHAPE OF SWIMMING POOL - Larger or odd shaped pools can
present problems for system-dependent automatic pool cleaners. For
booster pump pressure driven automatic pool cleaners, size is not as
much of an issue as it is with a suction driven pool cleaner. The
longer the line length to power the cleaner, whether pressure or
suction, degrades the amount of power to the pool cleaner, making them
less effective or even inoperable.
Most system-dependent non-robotic pool cleaners work well in pools
up to 40 - 44 feet long, providing your system is designed properly
and in good running order. However, an odd shape can present
navigational problems for some pool cleaners.
A non-radiused pool bottom (where the sides intersect the bottom of
the pool) presents a problem for non-robotic pool cleaners. This
usually prevents them from going up the sides of the pool.
SUCTION DRIVEN POOL CLEANERS
Suction driven pool cleaners cost the least to own and operate.
These do not require the use of a separate pump to power them - they
work off of the existing filtration system. They are simple to
install and are an excellent choice for most pools provided you have
a system with adequate suction without suction leaks, and a low to
moderate debris load with smaller debris. They attach to either a dedicated
vacuum line on the side of the pool wall or directly into the skimmer, and
operate whenever the system is running.
Debris is drawn directly into the filter system. For pools with lots of
leaves and debris, a leaf cannister attachment is advisable as it will
prevent a lot of this from entering the filtration system.
One drawback of suction driven pool cleaners is that they
can impair the operation of the skimmer.
The skimmer acts to help prevent debris from sinking to the bottom
of the swimming pool in the first place, so this is an an
undesirable though not necessarily critical consequence. An automatic skimmer
plate, which alternates between the operation of the pool cleaner
(without removing it) and the skimmer, can address this but is not
absolutely necessary. These cycle from one filtration cycle to the
next, typically day to day in most systems. Manual skimmer plates
are also available.
For proper operation of suction driven pool cleaners, valves which regulate
the suction between the main drain, skimmer, and or vacuum line should be
available and operational. For best results, suction should be regulated
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If price is no object, robotic cleaners offer the best performance
as they work work independently of the filtration system.
Pools with heavy leaf loads, especially large leaves and pine needles,
aren't usually good candidates for suction style pool cleaners unless the
heavy leaf fall season is short. Generally if a sweep can do all the
work for you 11 months of the year , but requires a little help in the
fall, that's usually acceptable. Leaf canisters to trap larger debris
before entering into the filtration system are also available and
recommended.
PRESSURE DRIVEN AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANERS
These pool cleaners fall into two categories:
Booster Pump Driven, and Circulation System Driven
All pressure driven systems operate on a venturi principle. As water
is forced upward through a collection bag via jets in the throat, a suction is
created underneath which draws the debris into the bag. The bags need to
be emptied periodically, the frequency of which is dependent upon the debris load.
One advantage of these types of pool cleaners is that most of the debris ends up
in the bag as opposed to the filter system, making backwashing necessary less
frequently.
Booster pump driven automatic pool cleaning systems assure that the pool cleaner always
has adequate pressure to operate, and are more expensive to own,
install, and operate. They require a separate (booster) pump in addition
to the circulation pump, as well as a separate timer or switch. The booster pump
is connected to a line terminating at the pool wall, either by a hard
pre-plumbed line when the pool was built, or by a reinforced garden hose
attached to a special deck-mounted connection, typically at the middle
of the longest length of the pool and just below the tile. From there
the line is connected to the pool cleaner via a feed hose.
Circulation system driven pool cleaners operate strictly from the
circulation system only - they have been specially designed to operate
without a booster pump. These pool cleaners typically do a good job as
long as the circulation system is powerful enough and the pool is not
overly large.
Some connect to the return line of the pool, preferably in or near the
center of the pool along its length. Any additional return lines will
need to be closed or restricted.
Others connect to a line which has been tee'd between the pump and
filter and plumbed into the pool, making it less likely for the pool cleaner
to fail due to high filter pressure. This type of setup should
incorporate a pre-filter to prevent the finger screen from becoming
clogged too frequently.
ROBOTIC POOL CLEANERS
Robotic pool cleaners do not require, and work independently of, the pool's
circulation system. This allows the pool to be cleaned at any time without
the system running. They can typically handle all types of debris with few
difficulties. Many come with remote control and allow you to steer the
unit, making them ideal for spot cleaning. This is great if your pool is only
dirty in a few spots and does not require a full cleaning.
While more costly that system driven pool cleaners, they are less costly to
operate and require no installation.
Following is complete list of the automatic pool cleaners Discount Pool and Spa Supplies carries.
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