Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Installation of the Hayward Navigator® V-Flex™ & PoolVac V-Flex™ (Standard version also)

In this article I go over the step by step set up of the New Hayward Navigator V-Flex and Hayward Pool Vac V-Flex. The installation process also works for your standard Pool Vac and Navigator. So if you recently purchased one of these watch this short installation video.



This installation process works also for the standard Navigator and Pool Vac also, since the V-Flex in essence is the same machine but with a different turbine and A-frame. Everything else about the cleaner is the same as the standard versions so this works for the following models also:

Hayward 2025ADC PoolVac XL
Hayward AXV073WH
Hayward 925adc Navigator
Hayward 900 Wanda
Hayward Pool Vac XL
Hayward 1005CC Pool VAC

The New V-Flex technology incorporated into the Navigator and Pool Vac from the Poolvergnuegen Cleaners that Hayward acquired, now make these cleaners an excellent choice for your pool. The parts are now much more durable and long lasting and the V-Flex turbine will pick up larger debris than the old fixed turbine.

Included in the box are 12 one meter pool hoses – plenty for most pools. I like the dark blue color Hayward is now using, it just makes the cleaner look better in the pool. There is one special lead hose with a cuff on front, this hose is important because it is more flexible and will help the cleaner get around the pool in a more even fashion.

Also included is the skimmer regulator valve and the skimmer cone for skimmer installation. What is not included is a Vac Lock for side port/ vacuum port installation. You will need to purchase that separately.

There is a handy flow gauge included that will help you set the suction on the cleaner. This flow gauge should be kept handy to check the cleaners suction and to readjust it after cleaning your pool filter. It is easy to use and makes setting the suction of the cleaner simple.

I highly suggest installing the cleaner with an in-line leaf canister to prevent your pool pump basket from getting clogged up. If you don't use a canister as the pump basket gets full the cleaner will begin to slow down. So for optimal operation a leaf canister is a must. Below are two very good canisters:

Hayward W530 Large Capacity Leaf Canister with Mesh Bag – Review: https://youtu.be/iyTaIgE_iSU
Hayward Standard Leaf Canister : http://youtu.be/ea243_oqGzo

If you run into any problems with the set up feel free to contact me and I will offer my assistance. Make sure the filter is clean and that the pump basket is also free of debris before you start the installation process as these are two factors for poor performance. Also if you have a suction leak or vacuum leak (air in your system) the cleaner may not run well after installation.

The video covers just about every detail so you shouldn't have any problems in most cases.


To see my review of the two V-Flex models:
Hayward PoolVac V-Flex™ Automatic Suction Pool Cleaner: https://youtu.be/A8k_N9DyA44
Hayward Navigator® V-Flex™ - Suction Side Automatic Cleaner: https://youtu.be/MBR6oyG7zG4


Tuesday, December 20, 2016

How to Choose the Right Pool Service Company

In this video I go over some of the things to look for when you go to hire a pool service company to service or to do a repair on your pool. There are many fly by night service guys out there so if you want to hire a reputable company the video goes over some of the things to look for. I will also detail them here.



Of course your first impression matters. Personal appearance and how the person carries themselves are important. If the person is not polite or just doesn't appear to be professional, chances are they are not the right person to service your pool. They should have these basic forms to show you when they give you a bid for service:

A drivers license (copy)
A business license (copy)
A business card
A service agreement (copy)
A Website where you can see their services and rates listed
Customer references
Personal references
Liability Policy

One thing that is often overlooked is if the service company has a General Liability Policy. I would not hire anyone who is not licensed or insured and learned this lesson the hard way when I was remodeling a rental property a few years back. Now I hire only licensed and insured contractors, electricians and plumbers. It is the same concept when you hire a pool service company or landscape company. Not that something will happen, but something could happen, and if they are not insured you will have little to no recourse.

So ask them if they are insured with a class A-rated underwriter. If you are hiring the person for your Commercial Account (Apartment, Motel or Hotel) they should carry a $2 million dollars per occurrence policy. For standard residential pools, a $1 million per occurrence policy is sufficient. If you already have a pool service company servicing your pool, ask them if they have a General Liability policy.

If you are a pool service company and want to get a Liability Policy you can contact SPPA. I also offer a group rate thru my Patreon site:



Some areas require your pool service technician to be CPO certified. This means they have passed an exam and are certified to service residential and commercial pools. The Certification includes things from pool chemistry to state and local codes and is administered by The National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®). You can read more about it on their website:


Hiring someone CPO certified is a good idea and it shows that they have a levle of competency to service your pool.

These are some of the basic requirements that you need to ask for, and a reputable service company will have all of the above in place. 

Most companies will offer a variety of pool service options. These will include a chemical only rate or a chemical, skimming rate, and a full service rate that includes brushing and vacuuming. You may not need full service at your pool or you may just prefer that the chemicals are balanced every week. Most of my service accounts are full service but choose the right level of service for your needs.

You must trust the pool service technician completely since you are giving them access to your property. So vent your service professional carefully. You do not want to find property missing or the pool guy's family using your pool while you are out of town, believe me this does happen. So trustworthiness is a key when you pick your service person.

I touch briefly on my vehicle because that is important. If the pool service technician pulls up in a compact car or a truck that looks like it is held together by duct tape, chances are you will get frequent calls that they can't make it because their vehicle is in the shop. My truck has broken down before on a few occasions, but it is rare and you don't want that to be the norm with your pool company. So the service person's vehicle is a factor. They don't need to be driving a brand new Chevy but they should have a decent vehicle.

References are important. I don't hire anyone now without getting references. The pool service company you choose should be able to provide you with at least three current customers and some personal references like their Pastor, neighbor or business associate. It is also good to get a service company recommendation from your own friend or neighbor who is already using them for service.

I also have a list of pool service companies on my website. These are all friends and associates or guys who follow me on YouTube and my other sites. I know them personally so check the list for a service company in your area. I am adding to the list all the time:


So I suggest you use due diligence when you hire a pool service company. If you follow these steps and guidelines I am confident that you will hire the right company.

YouTube Video Index – A list of all of my videos:


Thursday, December 15, 2016

Polaris 8050 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner

This is the all new Polaris 8050 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner. The Polaris 8050 Sport is part of Zodiacs Trade Series Products which means that is only sold at your local brick and mortar pool store and is not sold online. But the Polaris 8050 is well worth a drive to your local pool store to purchase.



It features Cyclonic Vacuum Technology. To put it simply the Polaris 8050 really sucks in the dirt and debris at an amazing rate. It has a very easy to empty debris chamber and a very easy to use control panel. The large handle on top allows you to easily drop it in your pool and retrieve it when it is done cleaning. It is also backed by a two year manufacturer warranty.

I am not sure what the retail price point will be once it hits stores in January of 2017, but I would say it will sell for $1,000 to $1,100.

This is very different cleaner from the Polaris 9450 Sport and 9550 Sport. The Polaris 8050 cleans the pool in a different fashion. It can be set to clean the floor only or the floor, walls and waterline. It moves very rapidly on the bottom, and the Cyclonic Vacuum
Technology easily sucks up dirt and debris so the cleaner doesn't scatter it all over the place. It will also pause for as long as 20 seconds to readjust the cleaning pattern. This is a design feature that allows the Polaris 8050 Sport to clean your pool in the most efficient pattern.

It is programmed to get unstuck from any main drains and if it is up against the step areas, it will reverse itself and back out of any areas that would trap it. In my testing if the Polaris 8025 drove right over the main drain, it would always find a way to get off of it and move back onto the pool floor. The tracks also have a shield around them so if it runs into a large obstacle on the pool bottom, the side shields will keep the tracks from being dislodged.

It has the look and style of an old school robotic cleaner, and this actually makes it more effective. It won't turn over onto its side and the solid square build of the cleaner will allow it to stay balanced when it hits a pool corner or is coming down off of the step area. It is not as pretty as the Polaris 9000 series cleaners, but it is no less effective.

It comes with a premium caddy, which is very well built and sturdy. The control Panel clips right into the top of the caddy and the cleaner sits very nicely onto it. The Control panel is very easy to use and there are only 3 buttons on it. I really like the simple control panel of the Polaris 8050 Sport.

The first button is the Surface Control System (SCS) which you can set for your particular pool surface. It comes factory default set at “3” but you can simply raise or lower it at a push of the button. Once you set the SCS for your pool, the selection will stay in the control panel's memory. Set it at “1” for a rough surface pool like Pebble Tec. Set it at “2” for a plaster or gunite pool. Set it at “3” for a Fiberglass or Tile pool and set it at “4” for a vinyl pool. Now the Polaris 8050 Sport will climb the walls and clean them for your specific pool type.

Then there is the Start/Stop button. This is how you turn the cleaner on and you can turn it off also at any time during the cleaning cycle.

The next buttons control how you want the cleaner to work in your pool. It can be set to clean the floors only up the coves in your pool, or it can be set to clean the floors, walls and tile line. For floor only the cleaner will run for 1 ½ hours. For floor, walls and tile line it will run for 2 hours. That is all the time the Polaris 8050 needs as it moves rapidly around your pool.

The Polaris 8050 Sport is designed for a small, medium or large pool. The cleaner comes standard with 50 feet of cord so if you set the cleaner up directly in the middle of your pool it should be suitable for most pools. It is also designed to clean all pool surface types and is safe for all pool surface types.

The Polaris 8050 Sport is driven by the tracks on the side of the cleaner and also has two pleated scrub brushes on the front and back of the cleaner. Nothing innovative about this, but the track drive system is very reliable and suits this cleaner very well.

One of the best features is the easy access debris chamber. Just a push of a button releases the chamber and it is very easy to clean and reinsert. The Debris chamber also traps dirt as well as leaves and debris. It has a decent capacity and didn't fill up in my testing.

To get you to shop at your local pool store Polaris is offering you a two year warranty on the Polaris 8050 Sport. In some cases, like this one, it pays to shop at your local pool store and at the same time you are supporting your local retail business. Buying everything online has it's advantages, but in the case of the Polaris 8050 Sport it is worth the drive to your local pool store.

The Polaris 8050 Sport is loaded with great features and it is worth looking at if you are in the market for a robotic pool cleaner.

To learn more you can visit Polaris:

Related Videos:
Polaris 9450 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner – Review: https://youtu.be/-omfZaoCx-E
Polaris 9550/955 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review & Field Test: http://youtu.be/DpTvayZtXf4
Polaris 9550/955 Sport in ACTION!: http://youtu.be/WjYDBA_08tc
Polaris 9550/955 Sport - Unboxing and Caddy Assembly: http://youtu.be/5lhoVQcICeA
Polaris 9550/955 Robotic Pool Cleaner Control Unit Overview: http://youtu.be/JmfCZzRXdhg
Robotic Pool Cleaner can Maximize your Pool's Energy Savings: https://youtu.be/h89CpLnTAqg






Monday, December 12, 2016

Starting a Pool Route: Basic Supply & Equipment List

In this article I go over the basic supplies and equipment you will need in order to start your pool route. It is a bit of an investment, but you want to start off well so that you run into less problems and make your day easier out there. That is why I recommend only the best equipment.



Starting with the chemicals you will need, I suggest going with liquid chlorine as your primary sanitizer. In the real world you will get in a situation where you will run out of liquid chlorine, so I suggest as a back up you carry a box of Pool Shock. Pool shock is easy to store and has a very long shelf life. It comes in handy in a pinch. Included on the list are two Pool Shock options.

The list also includes other essential chemicals that you will need for your route. These are the ones I use on a regular basis and these are 90% of the overall chemicals you will need.

On this list you will also find the equipment that I use. I only use the best equipment a
nd the prices reflect that. investing in the best equipment will save you money in the long run. If you go cheap you will be replacing equipment constantly, having things break at untimely moments and just add frustration to your day. I suggest just going with the best.
I also include some essential spare parts to get you started. Pump lid o-rings, filter tank o-rings and the like. There is no worse feeling than having to run to your local supplier and waste 40 minutes of your day just because you didn't have the part on your truck. I carry a complete pool store worth of parts on my truck – my only problem is that I spend 40 minutes looking on my truck for the part ;).

So spare parts are critical and you will know from the equipment and cleaners on your route what is essential to carry. I suggest pump lid and filter tank o-rings for all of the equipment models on your pool route.

I would recommend that you join me and become a Patron on my Patreon page. There are two levels for pool service professionals and at any of the two monthly levels I can qualify you for a group Liability Insurance rate locked in at $50 a month (the $10 or $20 levels). As a Patron you can text me or call me and I can help you with every aspect of your pool service business. Including of course going over this list and helping you select the best supplies and equipment for your route.

As a Patron I can e-mail you this list as well as help you add to your own list of supplies. It is a win-win arrangement and I think you will find my help and suggestions very beneficial. To learn more and to become a Patron sign up here:



Here is the starter list of chemicals, equipment and supplies:

QTY       POOL CORP PART #                            DESCRIPTION:

CHEMICALS:
[02] HAS-50-136 01041 HASA 4/CS 1 GAL SANI-CLOR [CASES] LIQUID CHLORINE
[03] HAS-50-135 15041 (4/CS)HASA1 GAL MURIATIC ACID [CASES] ACID
[24] AWC-506427 25252 SUPER SHOCKWAVE SHOCK OPTION 1
[40] CLP-50-3655 PRO SIDE 40/CS SUPER SHOCK QUICK SHOCK OPTION 2
[01] HAS-50-3550 625103397 POOL SEASON 50# TAB (UW) 3” TABLET UNWRAPPED
[02] AAA-06-210 AAA-210 DE POWDER 10# BAG DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTER MEDIA
[01] AAA-06-202 AAA-202 DE POWDER 25# BAG DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTER MEDIA
[01] HAS-50-1042 50# BAG SODA ASH USE TO RAISE ALK & PH
(YOU CAN ALS BUY A 10 LB BAG OF BAKING SODA TO RAISE ALKALINITY & USE
BORAX TO RAISE THE PH – AT YOUR LOCAL WALMART)
[01] AAR-50-73030 10-0945 1QT TILE SOAP SCALE OFF RED TILE SOAP CONTAINING ACID
[02] APB-50-874 3# YELLOWTRINE FOR ALGAE IN MOST POOLS
[01] ALA-60-1001 MAGIC LUBE 5 OZ FOR O-RINGS
[01] BOS60-3060 01000CL12-BC 31530 SILICONE RTV 315 3 OZ FOR FILTER TANK O-RINGS

OTHER CHEMICALS:
[01] MCG-50-2206 22064 EASY CARE 64 OZ BEAUTEC FOR POOL SCALE
[01] HAS-50-166 64410 10# JAR ALGI-BAN FOR BLACK ALGAE
[01] NAT-50-899 3 LITERS POOL PERFECT FOR TILE SCUM
[01] APB-50-8012 1 QT SWIMTRINE PLUS FOR STUBBORN ALGAE

POOL EQUIPMENT:
[01] TKP-60-1000 TKCB THE CADDY BOX (BLUE TOTE CADDY) TOTE FOR POOL SUPPLIES
[01] SMB-40-2006 VAC HOSE STANDARD 50 FT SMOOTH BOR POOL HOSE
[01] RAI-40-2125 PENTAIR R201286 222 POOL VACUUM SMALL
[01] ARN-201-1082 W560 BLK CANISTER STANDARD HAYWARD LEAF CANISTER
[01] ARN-201-2061 AXV092 HOSE CONNECTOR TO CONNECT HOSE TO CANISTER
[01] SKM-40-2791 DUALLY TRI-POOL 6'-18' 18' POOL POLE
[01] SKM-40-2792 9024 TELEPOLE 8’ -24’ 3PC OPTIONAL 24' POOL POLE
[01] ABB-40-2003 6” BLACK ALGEA BRUSH 6” BLACK SS ALGEA BRUSH
[01] ABB-40-2031 5030 BRUSH 18” STEEL ALGEA 18” SS ALGEA BRUSH
[01] SEW-40-6282 18” BRUSH STAINLESS STEEL/ POLY SS & POLY 18” BRUSH
[01] SEW-40-6299 18” BRUSH 100% POLY BLEND 100% POLY 18” BRUSH
[01] PTY-40-2073 TILE SCRUBBER POOL TILE BRUSH
[01] PTY-40-5059 RED BARON RAG BAG PURTIY POOL LARGE LEAF RAKE
[01] PTY-40-2045 ULTRA LITE PURTIY POOL SILT LEAF RAKE
[01] PMS-47-1000 22276 TEST KIT DELUXE 5 WAY BASIC OTO TEST KIT
[01] TAY-45-1147 TAYLOR K-2005 DELUXE TEST KIT OPTION 1
[01] TAY-47-915 TAYLOR K-2006 DELUXE TEST KIT OPTION 2
[01] LAM-47-2056 COLOR Q PRO 7 DELUXE TEST KIT OPTION 3
[01] AQC-45-1032 AQUACHECK 7-1 STRIPS TEST STRIPS

OTHER EQUIPMENT:
[01] LSS-67-1000 UNIV FILTER SOCKET SET MULTI-TORK FILTER SOCKET SET
[01] GLD-451-1005 T-CELL CLEANING STAND FOR PENTAIR & HAYWARD CELL CLEANING
[02] SKM-401-2000 CAM FOR TRI-POLE REPLACE IF POOL POLE DOES NOT LOCK
[04] RAI-401-4077 DELRIN SPRING CLIP #170 CLIPS FOR POLE/BRUSH/VAC
[02] PMS-42-8003 LIFEGAURD VENTED HAT STRAW HAT
[01] LSS-051-0000 AQUACOMB AQUACOMB CARTRIDGE CLEANING TOOL
SPARE PARTS:
[01] PAC-101-3148 WISPERFLOW PUMP LID WISPERFLO/INTELLIFLO PUMP LID O-RING
[01] SPG-601-1161 0-330-9 CX120D O-RING HAYWARD CANISTER O-RING
[01] SPG-601-1094 SPX300S PUMP LID O-RING STA-RITE DURA GLASS PUMP LID O-RING
[01] SPG-601-1122 O-RING LID STA-RITE DURA GLASS OLDER MODEL PUMP LID O-RING
[01] SPG-601-1101 O-RING LID ULTRAFLOW ULTRAFLO PUMP LID O-RING
[01] SPG-601-1094 0-12-9 LID O-RING SUPER II HAYWARD SUPER II PUMP LID O-RING
[01] RAI-451-5791 R172064 PARTS BAG F/#300 RAINBOW #300 CHLORINATOR PARTS
[01] RAI-451-4016 8’ TUBING BLACK RAINBOW #300 CHLORINATOR TUBING
[01] ARO-051-1006 RED LINE TANK O-RING PENTAIR 2000 SERIES TANK O-RING
[01] SPG-601-1162 O-333-9 O-RING ALL OTHER PENTAIR FULL SIZE FILTER O-RINGS
[01] SPG-601-1195 DEX2400K TANK O-RING COMMON HAYWARD FILTER TANK O-RING
[02] 0-24-9 O-RING AMP/PUR/HAY/PAC/SAU TOP MANIFOLD STEM PIPE O-RING (UNIV)
[01] HAY-06-250 SP0410X502S DE VALVE KIT SLIDE 2” HAYWARD PISTON O-RING
[01] AMP-061-104 COMP AMERICAN/ PUREX BACKWASH PENTAIR PISTON O-RING
[01] INT-30-660 TRIPPERS ONE SET ON/OFF TIME CLOCK ON/OFF TRIPPERS



Monday, December 5, 2016

Liability and your Swimming Pool Route: How to prevent potential lawsuits

In this article I go over liability on your pool route and some things you need to be aware of. One of the essential things you will need is a good Liability Insurance Policy to protect yourself from losses due to a possible lawsuit. Even if you don't get sued you may need to pay out large sums of money which could put you out of business.



A Liability Policy is very inexpensive and  there is no reason not to have one. I learned this almost the hard way. I had a customer accuse me of leaving her gate open, luckily there was no incident. But it wasn't me who did it. I just shook that off as a one time deal. Then six years ago I had another customer accuse me of leaving the pool fill water on. This one was more complicated and messy and made me see the need to get some type of coverage. Now I have no worries out their in the field and can sleep easy at night.

Liability Insurance is just a way of transferring risk from you to someone with deeper pockets. It is the same reason why you drive around with $500,000 in auto insurance and why you have fire insurance for your home. You couldn't afford to pay a claim in those two instances and you certainly can't afford to pay a $50,000 or a $1 million dollar claim against your pool service business.

That is why I highly recommend a General Liability Insurance policy. I have a great relationship with a local company here which offers the best rates and uses only "A" rated underwriters. To learn more about the policies offered by SPPA you can visit their website:

http://thesppa.com/

If you become a Patron on my Patreon site at the $10 or $20 level, you can get a group policy rate of $50 per month.  This also includes a waiver of the $100 annual renewal fee by SPPA. This is a 2/1 policy and will be sufficent in most cases. 2 Million for the life of the policy and 1 million per occurance.  This policy includes:








To join at the group rate and to learn more:
http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/sppa-pool-route-liability-insurance

If you service Commercial accounts you may need a larger policy depending on the requirements - usually a $2 million per occurrence policy.

There are some common sense essentials that you can do at each account to prevent liability and I will touch on those here. Having a basic service log at all of your accounts where you log the date and time of service is your first line of defense. Noting the water chemistry is also important in case someone claims to have gotten sick after swimming. For Commercial accounts the log should be more extensive and include filter PSI, ORP and other essential readings. If there is any question of liability this service log may clear you, especially if you are being wrongly accused of leaving a gate open on your service day.

Closing all safety covers, closing all gates, locking safety gates and closing pool fence gates after servicing a pool is critical. Critical. If a gate is left open and a child, elderly person or pet were to fall in, you may be held liable. I had a friend who was sued for $1,000,000 after his employee was accused of leaving a gate open and a child fell in. The child survived but suffered brain damage. He had liability insurance and they paid out the $1,000,000 for him. True story.  He would be out of business and would have lost all of his assets. He is the one who turned me onto getting a Liability Policy a few years back.

Filling a pool for a customer can turn out to very expensive for you if you forget to turn the water off. I make it a rule not to fill customer's pools. Having a Contract or Service Agreement stating something like this will protect you:

“The customer is responsible for keeping the proper swimming pool water level. We are not responsible for possible damage to the pool equipment if the water level gets too low and the system runs dry. To prevent this please maintain the proper water level at all times. We will not add water or fill the pool as part of our monthly service.”

There are some rare exceptions on my pool route when I am servicing a vacant account. In that case I will install a Pool Sentry Autofill if the pool does not have it's own auto fill system. If I do add water to a vacant pool I will leave my truck keys attached to the fill valve. But as a rule, do not fill the customer's pool. You WILL leave the water on and if the house gets flooded you are looking at a $30K clean up bill.

There are also some basic things on the pool deck and equipment area that can prevent liability. Make sure all of your accounts have an operating skimmer cover. If the skimmer is uncovered a child could get their hand entrapped in the pool suction line or someone could break their ankle by stepping into the skimmer. I know a pool service guy who broke his ankle while servicing an account that did not have a skimmer lid. Also make sure any side port/ vacuum ports connected to an automatic cleaner has a functioning vac lock. I have a separate on Vac Locks:

Side Port (Automatic Cleaner Port) Overview & Troubleshooting: http://youtu.be/b-FOWJ3P-9I

Also make sure your manual timer boxes have a cover or shield over the wires. There is a potential for a customer getting shocked if they touch the exposed wire terminals. If they have a preexisting condition or a pacemaker they could suffer real injury. Basically, check the equipment area for any potential hazards:

How a Broken Diverter Valve Handle can Ruin Your Equipment & Cause Death: https://youtu.be/Q-LMNGLvgfU

Bottom line, a good Liability Insurance Policy will help protect you from mistakes and accidents on your service account.

YouTube Video Index – A list of all of my videos:
http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html



Monday, November 28, 2016

Volt FX-8Li Battery Powered Vacuum by Water Tech - NEW Features for 2017!

The Volt FX-8Li is now the premiere Water Tech Pool Blaster Unit on the market for 2017. It also sports some nifty new features which I cover in detail in the video for you. Bottom line, if you are looking to purchase or upgrade your Pool Blaster cleaner, the Volt FX-8Li would be a great choice.




The FX-8Li is a retail pool store cleaner and cannot be purchased online. Over 600 retail locations should stock this cleaner, and if not, your local pool store can order you one. As a reward for supporting your local brick and mortar pool store, Water Tech will give you a 2 year warranty on the FX-8Li.





Let me start with the two major upgrades that the Volt FX-8Li comes with. The twist plug and charging port have been completely redesigned. It is now a simple on/off button and the charger never has to actually enter the motor/battery chamber, which means there is a complete water seal with this cleaner. It is an awesome improvement and eliminates user error which could cause water to enter the battery compartment and thus ruin the cleaner.

The charger itself has been redesigned in order to charge the cleaner without having to open the charging port. It has two prongs that will sit on the on/off switch and charge the cleaner quickly and easily. Expect about 35-45 minutes of run time between charging which is pretty standard for all of the Pool Blaster cleaners.

Another great improvement is that the power rating has gone up from a respectable 350 to a spectacular rating of 500. The power rating is basically the suction of the cleaner. Compared to the Max CG which is their Commercial cleaner with a rating of 400, the new FX-8Li has 20% more power. It is very noticeable in this pool that had pine needles and pine branches. The FX-8Li had no trouble at all with sucking them up. So this is one powerful battery powered cleaner.

The Vacuum Head on the Volt FX-8 is just huge. With the added power and the large vacuum head, this cleaner has a very wide cleaning path. It is suitable to vacuum a large above ground pool, your larger spas and to spot vacuum a pool. The power and large cleaning path makes this cleaner the most versatile of the Pool Blaster line.

Also included is a unique vacuum hose and attachment that fits onto the nose of the cleaner. This can be used to get into areas that the FX-8Li cannot reach, such as the top steps or maybe a shallow water feature. This is a great extra addition since the cleaner needs to be submerged in order to work and the attachment works in water as shallow as 1 inch. This is an excellent attachment and one that works really well in my testing.

Also included are two filter bags. One is the Extreme Filter bag which is excellent for dirt and debris. Also included is a standard bag for larger leaf type debris. I also would suggest getting the sand silt bag as this bag is super long lasting and will pick up very fine sand, silt and dust. You can order the one for the Pool Blaster Max as it will fit the FX-8Li also:

You can also order the specific Sand/Silt bag directly from Water Tech:

I think both bags are the same size, just one has a blue rim vs a black rim. It is an essential bag.

Even though the FX-8Li is much larger than the Pool Blaster Max cleaners, it is not much heavier and is designed very well so that it remains well balanced on the pool bottom. It does taking a bit getting used to as it is larger than most of Water Tech's line of cleaners.

There is no doubt about it, the FX-8Li is in my opinion the best Pool Blaster model yet. Yes, you have to drive to a retail pool store to purchase one, but it is well worth the trip. You can learn more at your local pool store or by contacting Water Tech directly:
l 800-298-8800 or email CustomerService@WaterTechCorp.com

To see my other reviews on the Volt line:
Volt FX-2 Battery Powered Vacuum by Water Tech - Review & Overview: https://youtu.be/bCZu9Jgl5L4
Volt FX-4Li Battery Powered Vacuum by Water Tech - Review & Overview: https://youtu.be/g2aLU56eowM


Visit my Website to learn more about the Pool Blaster line : http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/water-tech-pool-blaster

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

T-Bar Mount: Connect Two Pool Service Carts to Your Truck at the Same Time

The T-Bar Mount is designed for pool service professionals who wish to connect tow service carts to their truck at the same time. The T-Bar mount was created by T.Dula Inc., in order to make it easy to mount two service carts to your truck. The T-Bar is quick and easy to install and is also less expensive than having two receivers welded onto your truck frame.



The T-Bar mount can be ordered directly from T.Dula Inc and it runs around the $250 price range. It is less expensive than leaving your truck all day at the welder to have two receivers welded on. All you need is a standard Class III Receiver mounted to the bottom of your truck.

To order the T-Bar mount contact T.Dula directly thru their website: http://www.tdula.com/

The anti-wobble bolt is pretty effective, I also had my welder shimmy a piece of metal into the Receiver to help make it even more stable. I also have a piece of wood taped on between the T-Bar Mount and my truck bumper to eliminate all wobble. Wobble is bad for the carts as it will wear down the hitch over time. You can even have your welder install an anti-wobble bolt similar to the ones that come on T-Bar Mount to your Receiver.

Wood jammed under bumper
Metal Shim in Receiver











There are several companies that make service carts but I think T.Dula is the best. My last service cart was from them and it lasted almost 20 years. The hitch is also superior and built to last virtually forever. I also use a Power Vac on my pool route and the T-Bar Mount is perfect for it also. So no matter the situation I have both my Service Cart with my manual vacuum and my Power Vac on my truck at all times.

If you are serious about servicing pools I highly recommend a service cart. Once you get one you will wonder how you survived without one. It just makes your day that much easier. And the T-Bar Mount is the best way to mount your service carts.

A bit about my service truck and how the T-Bar mount is fairing after about 8 months now. My truck is a 2005 Nissan Frontier with a good towing capacity and a maximum hitch tongue weight of 800 lbs. With the T-Bar mount and two carts I would say the total weight is around 200 lbs. So mounting the two carts is no strain at all on the frame of my truck
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The T-Bar Mount has held up extremely well as I park my truck outside and I have already had a couple of chemicals spilled in it. This thing is well made and virtually indestructible. With that said, if you have a very small service truck, check with the manufacturer to see if you can safely mount two carts to the back with the T-Bar Mount as every truck is different.

Also, since every truck has a different height from the receiver to ground, you may need to have a custom shanks made in order to mount your service cart. The Power Vac cart has a very adjustable hitch so that was not an issue. T.Dula does make a shank for their service cart and in my case it was almost the perfect height so that I could just role the service cart up to the hitch without having to lift it. I go over this in more detail in the video I filmed on the service cart.

Pool Service Cart by T.Dula Specialties: https://youtu.be/g-fp5l6_wZc
Electric Vacuum Cart (12 Volt Cart): https://youtu.be/fUZJuMTF4gg


So if you are interested in having two service carts on your truck, the T-bar mount is the way to go.

To learn more you can contact them also on their website:

If your a pool service professional consider joining me on Patreon:



Monday, November 21, 2016

Kreepy Krauly VTX-3 Australia Market ONLY

This is the Kreepy Krauly VTX-3 which is only available in the Australian pool market. If you live outside of Australia you will not be able to purchase this cleaner. Which is too bad because this is a great suction side cleaner made by Kreepy Krauly AU.



Kreepy Krauly AU holds the patent for the Kreepy Krauly cleaner but only in Australia. You may be familiar with the Pentair version which is sold in all other regions. The difference is that Kreepy Krauly AU has kept refining the Kreepy Krauly cleaner making changes here and there until their models work great. They also make their cleaners to last much longer and the VTX-3 comes with a one year full warranty and a 10 year warranty on the drive system.



The VTX-3 would be ideal for a Vinyl or Fiberglass pool, although it can be used in all pool types. I prefer the VTX-7 for plaster pools but the VTX-3 will also work fine. The parts are very long lasting and the silicone seal will last for at least 3 years and is specially designed for the AU market where pool water temperatures are usually very high in the Summer. The silicone seal material is both heat and chemical resistant.

The VTX-3 is basically a condensed version of the VTX-7. It smaller and lighter and the main body is designed to be compact so it is ideal for small to medium size pools. It scrub the floors and walls and pick up sand, dirt and debris with no problems. The VTX-3 uses vortex technology which allows large debris to be sucked up into the cleaner without jamming it.

The hoses for the AU Kreepy Krauly are more advanced than the Pentair counterparts. They are wider and more flexible allowing the cleaner to get better coverage of the complete pool. They also lock together in a tighter fashion so no air leaks between hose sections are possible. The color is also a nice aqua blue which looks good in all pool types.

The benefit of these bouncing type cleaners are that the design is very simple – there is only one moving part. Also the bouncing movement will knock debris down to the bottom to be vacuumed up allowing the surface to stay much cleaner. The VTX-3 is also designed to climb the walls up to the tile line.

 All in all the VTX-3 is an all around great cleaner. If you live in the Australian market, check out their website to learn more.

To learn more visit Kreepy Krauly AU: http://kreepykrauly.com.au/vtx-3/

To see more cleaner reviews:
Kreepy Krauly Sprinta Plus Suction Side Cleaner Review -Australia Only: https://youtu.be/SASB3NZFmuM
Kreepy Krauly VTX-7 Suction Side cleaner Review - Australia Only: https://youtu.be/EBVOy-UTojU

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

CelaPool™ Diatomaceous Earth Low Dust Swim Pool Filter Aid

This is CelaPool™, a revolutionary new low dust diatomaceous earth (DE) filter aid by EP Minerals. CelaPool is a form of DE that produces very little dust, in fact none at all in my testing.



It is a relatively new product and it is not widely available yet. PoolCorp (SCP & Superior) will be stocking it sometime in 2017 for the pool service professional. Leslie's Pools should also stock it for the retail pool customer so check with your local pool store. Since it is new it is rather expensive online but available:


It should retail for about $25 for a 24 lbs bag. The smaller bags will be less. Comparable to the price of a regular bag of DE.

Here is what I like about the CelaPool DE powder. There is no dust. The dust from regular DE is a an industrial hazard. Meaning if you use it frequently,(like us pool guys), and inhale the dust which you shouldn't, it will cause lung issues and possibly cancer. The CelaPool solves that problem and makes DE very safe to use.

The amount of CelaPool you will add to your pool is the same as for regular DE. Here is the dosage amount for quick reference:

For complete filter charging with the Aladdin 300 DE E-Z Scoop:

24 sq ft filter: 4 scoops
36 sq ft filter: 6 scoops
48 sq ft filter: 8 scoops
60 sq ft filter: 12 scoops
72 sq ft filter: 14 scoops

45 sec to 1 minute filter backwashing with the Aladdin 300 DE E-Z Scoop:

24 sq ft filter: 2 scoops
36 sq ft filter: 3 scoops
48 sq ft filter: 4 scoops
60 sq ft filter: 6 scoops
72 sq ft filter: 8 scoops

You can make a slush with some water and mix the Celapool in a bucket before pouring it into the pool skimmer or you can add it directly. It quickly dissolves and will coat the grids just like your standard DE.



The bag that the CelaPool comes in sets it apart from your standard DE. No longer will you need to worry about the paper bag of DE tearing or DE leaking out everywhere. The Celapool bag is made of durable plastic and is thermally sealed. It is also weather proof so if the bag gets wet, no worries.

CelaPool will come in three different size bags. A small 6 lbs bag will be available for your small filter, a 12 lbs bag for larger filters and a 24 lbs bag for multiple uses or for the pool professional. These bag sizes will make using Celapool very convenient.

EP Minerals decided to develop CelaPool in response to the complaints about the high dust levels in the pools using Celatom DE. Since it is a relatively new product it will take a little time for it to be widely available. I will post an update when it is more widely available for early 2017. I highly suggest switching over to CelaPool DE and to stop using more traditional DE due to the health risks from the dust.

Related playlist:
D.E. Filter cleaning, Backwashing & Tips:

Related Videos:
How Much D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) do I Add?: http://youtu.be/lz97RnlATi0
Perlite Filter Media vs. D.E. (Diatomaceous earth) Filter Media: http://youtu.be/IJJ5TAVC-B8
Perlite Filter Media Filter Cleaning & Backwashing Part 2 of 2: http://youtu.be/AZeuA7zz7VQ