Automatic Pool Sweep Recommendations?

[Hugh R]

I want to get a pool sweep. It has to be an electric one that plugs on the wall (I have pop ups in the pool that will interfere with a suction one). It has to climb the walls, and it has to collect sunk leaves. The Tiger Shark that I looked at can't handle leaves. Any suggestions?

[cstreit]

Here you are. This one is cheap and thorough.

[Hugh R]

My eyes are burning!!

[dipso]

I use this one. It is great, there are different models too. Some have 4 wheels, some have a bag. Here is a link.
POOLVERGNUEGEN Manufacturer of the finest automatic swimming pool cleaners -- The PoolCleaner
It is not electric, it works off the skimmer suction.


What do you mean by pop ups? The drain?

Mine plugs directly into the skimmer box. My pool has a drain and a skimmer, both return to the filter. I put a plug in the drain and changed the drain cover to a flat one.
I used to have a raised drain cover but my cleaner would get stuck on it.
You no longer need the drain to function for suction if you have a pool cleaner, the cleaner is already cleaning the bottom.

You also get better circulation and filtration with a pool cleaner. It takes the dirty water from the bottom of the pool and runs it up the tube to the filter at the top. Skimmers only clean the surface and drains only clean the area around the drain.
Chemicals mix better as well.
Mine stays plugged into my skimmer all the time and cleans off my timer.

[Hugh R]

Bought this one, a Nitro Wall Scrubber. It climbs up the walls to the water line, drifts down and goes at it again. 24 volt transformer on the deck. It picks up leaves, acorns, just about everything. Can't seem to get up the steps, but it cut my pool cleaning from 1/2 hour to 1-2 minutes, runs for three hours and shuts off. It has tank treads and a big inside filter bag. Saw them up to $1,200 online, got it free shipping, no tax for $650; they make a non wall climber for $550. I wanted to call it "Donna's Cuban Pool Boy", but we settled for "Tank".

[71T Targa]

Nice, it keep the crap 'on board' and then you empty it?

[Danimal16]

I have had a number over the years, the best is the Kreepy Krauley. It is a suction side device that does not use a seperate pump. You can run it off of your skimmer. All of the others are big energy hogs.

[LeeH]

Wow, the electric looks cool. Will it work on Pebbletec?

I fought with a Hayward for years... I had it apart so many times I got to where I could strip the thing in a matter of minutes. The parts were just crazy expensive.

I got fed up and bought a new Baracuda G3. Wow! One moving part that costs less than $20. It lasts a couple of years before needing to be replaced. After years of service a non-repairable piece broke loose so I bought a used one from Craiglist for $60. I feel for folks who are stuck trying to keep a Hayward alive.

[Joeaksa]

Have had the same Hayward for almost 10 years now. Every year I get to replace something inside the puppy but considering how much its used 3-4 hours a day, every day of the year, thats not surprising.

Anyone looking for parts for these, look on the internet. Prices are under half what the local stores are charging.

[campbellcj]

We went through 2 Haywards in about a 5 year span. I found them tempermental and a real PITA overall -- so far I have not gotten a new unit so this thread is timely, with summer rapidly approaching.

FWIW, once a little rubber foot thingie fell off the Hayward and the hard plastic was in contact with the pool surface, and scratched the sheet out of it (dark bottom plaster). Something to be careful about esp. if you are like me and do not go out to the pool for sometimes weeks at a time if traveling or whatnot.

[targa911S]

+ 1 on the G3.

[Ronbo]

The company that makes the robot vacuum cleaner (Roomba) also makes one that cleans pools. I've never used this, but our Roomba does a great job on the floors.

http://store.irobot.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=3334466&cp=2804605&ab=CMS_IRBT_Storefront_011510_poolcleaning