Thursday, September 29, 2016

Volt FX-4Li Battery Powered Vacuum by Water Tech - Review & Overview

The Volt FX-4Li is Water Tech's latest update for their retail pool store only Pool Blaster Battery Powered Vacuums . Note that the box says Volt FX-4 as the new version is just being produced and should be available for purchase. The Volt FX-4Li as mentioned is only available at your local pool store.



Over 600 retail pool stores carry the Volt FX-4Li so finding it shouldn't be a problem. The new FX-4Li has a power rating of 275 vs the Volt FX-4 rating of 250. It also comes with 2 debris bags and sports a new 2 year limited warranty making this a solid choice for a Pool Blaster cleaner.

I really like the Pool Blaster cleaners and use them everyday on my pool route. Currently I carry the Pool Blaster CG and the Pool Blaster Max HD in my truck and use them in spas, water features and to spot vacuum pools. My Pool Blaster Max CG is over 2 years old and still working fine. It is all in the proper care of the unit.

I make sure I drain out the cleaner after every use, I store it in the back seat of my truck and keep it out of direct Sunlight. I also charge it only until the light on the charger turns green, and promptly unplug it. And last, I use a lot of silicone lube on the charging port O-Ring. Doing all of these things should help prevent your Pool Blaster from failure.

I also have the Pro 1500, the Catfish, Aqua Broom and now the FX-4Li and FX-2. I can't carry all of them in my truck but I have added the FX-4Li to the rotation along with the Max HD and Max CG. I like the FX-4 because it is compact like the Catfish but it has a large debris bag like the Max CG. The nice handle makes it very easy for me to carry it around.

Some of the nice features of the FX-4Li:

Large debris chamber
Charge time: about 3 hours
Run Time: 45 minutes
It weighs only 3 lbs.
It is compact and has a very nice handle to carry it
It comes with a 2 year limited warranty
I like the fixed hard plastic vacuum head

As mentioned, it is a retail pool store only vacuum so you will have to get in your car and pick it up, which is a not a bad thing. By shopping at your local pool store you are helping your local economy and helping out your neighbors who work in the store. To honor your choice to shop retail verses online, Water Tech will extend the warranty from one year to two years.

I would recommend the FX-4Li for you spa, small above ground pool and to spot vacuum your standard pool. It is light weight and compact and it runs for a solid 45 minutes between charging. Just the overall build quality and effectiveness make the the FX-4Li a great choice for a battery powered vacuum.

Let me touch on the debris bags briefly. The Xtreme Multi-Layer bag is good for dirt and debris but it can wear out over time. The All-Purpose bag is sufficient for leaves and larger debris but is probably not your everyday bag. I prefer the Sand and Silt bag as it is good for both dirt, algae dust, sand, silt and leaves and is very durable. This is the one I use primarily on my pool route in all of the Pool Blaster cleaners I have.

Pool Blaster PBW022SS Max CG Sand and Silt Bag – Review: http://youtu.be/3k5f68A1_Q8

I highly recommend ordering this bag – even though it says it is made for the Pool Blaster Max it fits fine in the Volt FX-4Li.

So if you are looking for a compact, effective and reliable battery powered vacuum check out the Volt FX-4Li. I also have reviewed several other Pool Blaster products over the last 2 years.

Related Playlist and Videos:


Pool Blaster FX-2: https://youtu.be/bCZu9Jgl5L4

Monday, September 26, 2016

How to Wire a Jandy VS FloPro Variable Speed Pump

In this Article  I go over the wiring a Jandy VS FloPro Variable Speed Pump. The first thing you will need to do is completely turn off all power to the pool pump. The wiring of the VS FlorPro Variable Speed Pump is pretty straight forward and the Jandy version requires a little extra wiring for the controller. But overall a novice can wire the Jandy VS FloPro Pump.



A disclaimer here; like Pentair and Hayward, Jandy will void the manufacturer's warranty if the pump is not installed by a pool service professional. They do this to help protect the industry.  Although I disagree with the policy it is what it is. You probably will never use the one year warranty anyway, but you need to be aware of Jandy's policy towards self-installation of their equipment.


Like other Varaible Speed Pumps you are required to have a 230V breaker dedicated to the pump. If you do not have 230V wired to your existing pump, you will need to run some 230V wiring as this pump cannot be wired to a 120V single breaker. There is one Variable Speed pump that can be wired to a 120V breaker – the Pentair SuperFlo VS pump.

With that said, the wiring is pretty straight forward. You have the two Load wires (either both red or one red and one black) and one green Ground wire. It doesn't matter which Load wire you put on Load 1 or Load 2 on the back of the Jandy Pump. And I must also note how well designed this pump is. The electrical connection area is so easy to access and wiring is a snap. So simply connect both Load wires and the green Ground wire where indicated.

Here is the wiring for the LOAD and Ground wires:













Here is were a variable speed pump differs from your
standard pump. Since they can be connected and controlled from an automated system there is a set of dip switches located inside, and these need to be set in a specific pattern. Fortunately for the Jandy VS FlowPro the Dip Switches come factory set for the JEP-R controller and the iQPUMP01, so you will not need to move them unless you are connecting the pump to an Aqualink Control panel.

For the JEP-R and the iQPUMP01 there are four wires to connect. Both controllers use the same wire configuration for the FloPro VS Pumps which are  Red, Black, Yellow, Green - when looking at the diagram with the pump basket as North and the back end of the pump as South. The Red wire goes to the far left and the Green wire to the far right of the four wire connection. Once you wire this you are all done.

Wiring for the iQPUMP01 and JEP-R for the VS FloPro pump:





Like most installations without an Automated system you are probably going to use the wires from your existing Intermatic manual timer clock. For the VS pump controller to work you will need to remove the “on” and “off” trippers from your timer and leave the timer on the “on” position at all times. This will allow for the load current to be constant to the pump controller which will now run the pump. You can disconnect the timer and spice and cap the wires but this is not necessary.

So the wiring for the Jandy Vs FloPro pump is very simple and it should take you less than 10 minutes to complete the wiring of the pump. If of course you feel you cannot do the wiring please call a licensed electrician or a pool service professional. Sometimes installers will use odd wire colors on the load wires – I have seen Brown and White wires used also, but generally the wiring is easy as can be.

And last make sure you connect the Bonding wire on the back of the pump. This will protect you in case there is a sort in the line and the pump itself becomes charged with electricity. Rare, but important.  If you are connecting a JEP-R to the pump watch this video for detailed instructions:


Friday, September 23, 2016

How to Plumb in a Jandy VS FloPro 1.0 HP Variable Speed -Tips

In this article I go over plumbing in a Jandy VS FloPro Variable Speed pump. Plumbing in a pump may seem daunting but it is actually quite easy. This particular install is in a very tight equipment area and is one of the more difficult plumbing jobs you will encounter.

To see a step by step plumbing installation, including removing the old pump watch this video:



A disclaimer here, most manufacturers including Jandy will void the manufacturers' warranty if the equipment is installed by the homeowner and not by a pool service professional. Pentair and Hayward have the same policies as well. I don't agree with it but it is what it is. Chances are
you will never need to use the warranty anyway, but be aware of this policy before you do this yourself. So this video is geared towards the pool professional and use this as a guide.

The first thing to note is that the FloPro is designed for 2” plumbing. If you have 1.5” plumbing you will just need reducers at both unions and use all 1.5”couplings and elbows as well as PVC pipes. Not a big deal really. If you have 2” PVC pipes you are good to go.

The base that comes with the FloPro makes it one of the easiest VS pumps to install. It will match up the FloPro perfectly with the inlet pipe so if you are on a cement pad this is ideal. The outlet will line up also in some cases, but in this job I wanted to move the pump back so I could easily access the panel in back to wire the pump. So you may need little plumbing or extensive re-plumbing depending on your set up.

A bit on PVC Cement and Primer. Primer is a good idea to help make the fittings easy as it melts the pvc slightly and also helps with the PVC Cement bond. I the Pool Heavy Grey PVC Cement as it dries slower allowing for more time to play around with the fittings. You will find the blue standard PVC Cement dries very rapidly giving you no room for error. If your new to plumbing use the Pool Heavy PVC Cement.

I use a liberal amount of PVC Cement and apply it to the fitting as well as the pipe, if you try to get fancy and use too little chances are the PVC will start to leak on start up. So I recommend to be very generous with the PVC Cement so that you are not re-plumbing it a day later.

With the included unions attaching the pump to your PVC fittings is very easy. Just be sure to measure exactly – go 1 1/2” into the coupling or elbow and 1 1/2” into the unions on the pump. This will give you a nice snug fit. When attaching the unions there is an o-ring inside so make sure the threads are lined up perfectly, otherwise air will get in and the pump will not have full power and may have trouble priming. If you notice this after turning it on, undo the unions and align them again for a tighter fit.

I like to let the PVC Cement dry for 24 hours. Overkill in most cases but this will assure that you don't start the pump too soon and thus ruin the bond. This is the best and most cautious way in my opinion.

Just be sure you have enough PVC pipe and fittings before you start the job. I always like to have at least double of what I need in case I run into a problem. It is really pretty easy once you do it and if done correctly there will be no chance for any leaks.

Here is the PVC Cement and Primer I recommend you use: 


You Should also have some PVC Couplings and Elbows on hand:


If your done plumbing it in and are ready to wire it up watch part 3 here:





Here is the Unboxing and Overview Video:



Other Videos in this series:
Jandy iQPUMP01 Smart Phone VS Controller: https://youtu.be/ZAvvAccTBig
Variable Speed Pump RPM, Watts and Run Time EXAMPLES: Featuring Jandy iQPUMP01: https://youtu.be/DlOjwUgv_Yk
Benefits of a Variable Speed pump: https://youtu.be/7PdZTDadZKI
How a Robotic Pool Cleaner can Maximize your Pool's Energy Savings: https://youtu.be/h89CpLnTAqg


Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Jandy VS FloPro 1.0 HP Variable Speed Pump - Overview

In this article I go over the Jandy VS FloPro 1.0 HP Variable Speed pump and   what comes in the box,  and an initial walk thru of the installation process. If your thinking about replacing your old standard speed pump with a variable speed pump, the Jandy VS pumps are top notch. There are several ways to connect the Jandy VS FloPro and I will touch on them here.





If you currently have an AquaLink automated controller, you can order the VS FloPro without the JEP-R controller. All you would need to do is wire it into your existing Pump Relay and you are set to go. The automated system will recognize the pump and you can set the schedule and RPM thru the AquaLink menu.

If you don't have an Automated system you will need to order a controller with the pump since Jandy pumps do not come with a built in controller on the pump itself. You can order the VS FloPro 1.0 HP with a mount for the back of your pump and the JEP-R controller can be mounted to the pump. I prefer to mount the JEP-R controller to the wall however as it is easier to access and program in most cases.

As mentioned the stand alone Jandy VS pumps use the JEP-R controller to set the run time and pump RPM. The JEP-R is well designed but the menu takes some getting used to. You can program various speeds for different features like Solar Panels, your Automatic cleaner and your Heater. But there is a learning curve and if you are unfamiliar with these types of controllers you migth find the JEP-R daunting

The second option and the one that I recommend is to order the pump and also order the iQPUMP01. The iQPUMP01 is an innovative way to control the VS FloPro thru your smart phone or device using the iAquaLink app. It works on both the Android and Apple and it is the easiest way to set your schedules, RPM and to see your energy use. This is the way I would go vs the JEP-R.

With the iQPUMP01 you can easily set several run times and monitor your electricity use as the iQPUMP01 displays the wattage at each set RPM. You will really like the ease of use of the iQPUMP01 and it takes minutes to set up and use with the iAquaLink app.

The pump comes with a few parts that are notable. First let me touch on the Base that comes with the VS FloPro. The Base can be used to replace a number of pump models and I will list them here for you and the Base configuration:

No Base Required:
Hayward Super Pump
Pentair SuperFlo
Sta-Rite SuperMax

Small Base (included):
Hayward Super II
Jandy PlusHP
Jandy Max HP

Small Base with Spacers (Spacers included)
Pentair WisperFlo
Sta-Rite Dyna-Glas

Small Base + Large Base (not included – part #R0546400)
Sta-Rite Max E Pro
Sta-Rite Dura-Glas
Sta-Rite Dura-Glas II
Sta-Rite Max-E-Glas

So if your pump sits a cement pad which is most of the cases, the Base will allow you to swap out your old pump with the Jandy Vs FloPro and the pump inlet will match up perfectly.

Also included are two 2” unions for the inlet and discharge of the pump. These unions are a nice touch and make for an easy installation. These are high temp and very tight fitting unions so air leaks will not be an issue. If you have 1.5” PVC pipes you can order reducers that go over the unions.

Last, there is the wire to connect the pump to an Aqualink or the JEP-R if you decide to go with that. If you decide to go with the iQPUMP01, it comes with it's own wires built in.

If you can go with the 1.0 HP version over the 2.0 HP version it will save you more on your total energy usage. The maximum watts of the 1.0 HP is 1400 Watts, whereas the 2.0 HP has a maximum wattage of 2400. I replaced a 2.0 HP WisperFlo with the 1.0 HP (1.65 total HP) Vs FloPro at this pool and you hardly notice a difference. The pool is relatively small at 15,000 gallons and it has a large 320 sq ft filter and no water features. So I could install the 1.0 HP version to maximize the energy savings.

The pump comes with a nice handle on top making it easy to carry and install. A very nice touch on a finely crafted pump. And last, the pump area is very large making it ideal for most homeowners.

Other Videos in this Series:




Monday, September 19, 2016

Variable Speed Pump RPM, Watts and Run Time EXAMPLES: Featuring Jandy iQPUMP01

In this article I go over some variable speed pump RPM settings using the Jandy iQPUMP01 and the FloVis Flow meter. To maximize your energy savings running your pool for one cycle per day at lower RPM settings is the best way to maximize your energy savings.



One cycle a day is all the water passing thru the filter in one run cycle. To accomplish exact calculations a flow meter is essential. Without one you are just estimating and you could be running your pool too long or too short. So if you have a variable speed pump I suggest installing a flow meter – the best is the FlowVis. I have several videos on this flow meter:

FlowVis® Flow Meter - H2flow Review & Overview: http://youtu.be/8WFXje-NWBY
FlowVis® Flow Meter Retrofit Kit Installation Guide: http://youtu.be/hsH2I06G_-A
FlowVis® Flow Meter - Plumbing in the Complete Valve: http://youtu.be/3cvUP6n3xvQ

I am using the iQPUMP01 because it is an excellent interface for the Jandy variable speed pump – I am using a 1.0 HP FloPro Pump in these examples. I prefer the 1.0 HP (1.65 total HP) pump for two reasons. A 2 HP or 3 HP is usually too much flow for most pool systems unless you have a larger filter 400 sq ft cartridge or above ( or a 60 to 100 sq ft D.E. Filter). It is just overkill in most cases. Second, the larger the HP the more AMPS which translates into higher watts. A 1.0 HP FloPro has a maximum wattage of 1400 whereas the 2.0 HP FloPro has a maximum wattage of 2400. So at higher and lower speeds the 2.0 HP pump will produce more watts.

What makes the iQPUMP01 so great is that it will display the exact amount of watts per a specific RPM. If you watch the video you will see this in more detail, but the higher the RPM the more watts that are being used. With a variable speed pump you rarely will need to run it at 3450 RPM – maybe when an attached spa is in use. So just by having a variable speed pump you will save on energy cost even when running it at a higher RPM like 2700 RPM.

Anything is better than running a standard one speed pump. I replaced a 2.0 HP WisperFlo at this pool which was a 10 amp pump which means it was producing about 2400 watts every hour it was running. With the Jandy FloPro 1.0 HP I am producing about 1,500 watts per day. So it went from 9,600 watts per day down to less than 1,500 watts per day. In less than one year the cost of the pump will pay for itself three times over in energy savings.

So setting the pump run time and RPM speed to an exact amount will translate into even more savings.
There may be certain occasions when you will need to run the pump on a higher RPM for a period of time like when you heat your pool with a heater or solar heating, run an automatic cleaner or if your pool had heavy use and you want to correct poo water quality. But for the majority of time you can run your pool on a low RPM setting.

I like having two different RPM settings only as it makes it easier for me to calculate the run time. So I have this pump set that 1700 RPM for 5 hours and then at 2800 RPM for 2 hours so that the automatic cleaner can clean the pool bottom. But you can certainly set it to run all day at 1700 RPM or even 1500 RPM without a higher speed setting. Your pool just won't look clean as the surface skimming is weak at lower RPM settings. I suggest a higher RPM for at least 2 hours a day to get the pool skimmed properly.

That is a brief look at setting some RPM speeds on your variable speed pump and the amount of wattage used at each of those speeds. The bottom line, with a variable speed pump you will save a lot of money on your electricity bill.




Thursday, September 15, 2016

Jandy iQPUMP01: Instant Pump Automation for your Jandy Variable Speed Pump

In this article I go over Jandy's new iQPUMP01 which enables the iAquaLink app to control your Jandy Variable Speed Pump. The app works both on Apple and Andriod devices and makes the iQPUMP01 the most innovative way to control your variable speed pump.



On of the drawbacks of stand alone variable speed pumps (meaning those not connected to an automated system), is that they have complicated controllers and menu functions, making programming the pump a real hassle. Even Jandy's JEP-R controller is hard to navigate and I sometimes have to refer to a cheat sheet that I carry on my pool route. Pentair and Hayward make it not much easier with their variable pump controllers.
But the iQPUMP01 is a real game changer. This device easily connects to your existing Jandy VS pump that is connected to the JEP-R controller. Simply turn off the breaker to the pump, open the back, remove the four wires from the JEP-R controller and connect the four wires on the iQPUMP01. Turn the power back on to the pump and you are set.

The iQPUMP01 is backwards compatible so it will work even if your Jandy VS pump is an older model. 

Then just download the iAquaLink app and create a user account. This is very simple and easy to do and the app is actually very functional and works exceptionally well. Now you are ready to connect to the iQPUMP01.

Connecting your smart phone or other device (IPod, IPad, Android Tablet etc.) is very simple since the iQPUMP01 acts as it's own Wi-Fi wireless network. Simply press the Wi-Fi button the iQPUMP01, enter your phones Wi-Fi menu and connect it to the “VSPump-FE6” in the Wi-Fi ntwork list. Very simple and easy.

The menu in the iAquaLink app is very user friendly. One of the great features is that depending on the RPM of the pump, the actual wattage is displayed so that you know exactly how much energy you are saving by running it at a lower RPM.

Setting up the run time schedule could not be easier. Simply move the RPM dial to the desired speed and then set the start and stop time for the program. You can add multiple schedule run times and multiple RPM settings and once set you don't need to do anything more. You can also adjust some of the defaults like the “Quick Clean” time or the “Timed Run” very easily and you can set the to run less and you can also adjust the RPM on each of these default items.

The iQUMP01 can also be connected to the internet thru your home's Wi-Fi and you can then control your variable speed pump from anywhere. You can also generate a code to send to other users who can access your pump settings with the iAquaLink app on their phone or device. This would be handy if you have swimming pool service and you wanted your pool guy to make some adjustments for you. Simple give him the access code and he can the enter the app on his phone and adjust your settings.

Another nice feature of the iQPUMP01 is that the actual unit itself has simple to use buttons that you can use to run your pump from outside of the app like “Timed Run.” All of these I mention can be adjusted however you would like. The “Timed Run” comes factory set at 3 hours and 2750 RPM but you can easily set it to run for 2 hours at 3000 RPM, for instance. So simply pushing the “Service” button until “Timed Run” lights up allows you to control the pump from the iQPUMP01 unit itself.

This is by far the easiest way to program and operate your stand alone variable speed pump. Nothing comes close to the ease of use that the Jandy iQPUMP01 provides. 

If you don't have a variable speed pump and are thinking about installing one, the iQPUMP01 makes Jandy a top choice now, simply because the iQPUMP01 is so easy to use and has so many innovative features not found from the other major manufacturers.

To learn more about the iQPUMP01 you can visit Jandy's website: http://www.jandy.com/en/products/pumps/variable-speed/iqpump01

Jandy also makes a variety of variable speed pump: http://www.jandy.com/en/products/pumps/variable-speed

If your interested in seeing how much electricity is being used at different RPM settings watch this short video:


Monday, September 12, 2016

Pentair Rebel, & Warrior Large Hump Tires - If Cleaner is Getting Stuck on the Main Drain or Steps

In this article I go over the Pentair Rebel and Warrior Large Hump Tire  (also for the Pentair Dominator in the AU Market). One of the drawbacks of the Rebel cleaner is that it tended to get stuck on the main drain or get hung up in the step areas in certain pools. These Large Hump Tires solve this by adding a larger hump onto the tire.




Since the Rebel is sold only in retail stores or thru your pool service company, these tires are not available online at this time. To get these tires you will have to have your local pool store or pool service company order them for you. If a link becomes available online I will add it here for you.

Here is the part number for Pool Corp if you are a dealer or pool service tech:
REBEL TIRE LARGE HUMP (2) (KPY-201-0326)
Product # :  KPY-201-0326
Mfg :  PENTAIR WATER POOL AND SPA INC
Mfg # :  360326
Department :   AUTOMATIC CLEANERS
UPC Code :   788379866945

The price of these tires range from $50-$60 depending on what area of the country you are in.

So which pools will need these tires? If you notice your Rebel or Warrior getting stuck in the step areas and just leaning over in one spot all day up against the steps, these tires will help get the cleaner out of that area. The large hump will hit the step area and turn the cleaner.

If you notice the cleaner getting stuck on the main drain, these tires will help get it off of the drain and moving around the pool again. This is especially helpful if your pool has the larger anti-vortex main drains.

When Pentair released the Rebel they thought the low hump tire would help it climb the walls better, and it does. But right away Pentair noticed these two issues and designed these Large Hump Tires to counter them. With these tires the Rebel and Warrior are on par with the Hayward AquaNaut and PoolCleaner which come equipped with the Super Hump Tires.

Some pools will not need these Large Hump Tires but in the case with the Rebel in this service account, it would get hung up on the step areas each week. The shallow end steps here are in a corner and are square in shape. The Rebel with the standard tires just couldn't turn itself out but these Large Hump Tires have solved the problem. After running it with these tires now for three weeks, it gets 100% coverage of the pool.

I am not sure if Pentair will switch out the tires on the Rebel and Warrior in the next run of models. I know there are a couple of upgrades they are working on for a revised model of the cleaners. But there is no need to wait since these Large Hump Tires are now available. Simply order your Rebel or Warrior Cleaner and order a set of these tires. Remove the factory tires and sell them on Ebay so you don't lose much money, and install these tires on the cleaner.

As far as the cleaner itself, I rate it as the #2 cleaner just behind Haywards AquaNaut cleaners. This is a solid and well made product that will pick up large debris and leave your pool spotless. It has a very good price point and the parts are very long lasting. Overall if you are in the market for a new suction side cleaner, the Rebel or Warrior is a solid choice.

To see my reviews of both cleaners:
Rebel Suction-side Inground Pool Cleaner Review:  http://youtu.be/MrkYKBkmMIw
Warrior Suction side Cleaner Review: http://youtu.be/hetn0bZ0AJ4

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/top-suction-cleaners-of-2016



Thursday, September 8, 2016

Zodiac MX6 Not Turning: Replacing the Direction Control Device - Side A

In this series of videos I go over replacing parts in your Zodiac MX6 if it is not moving in the pool or not turning. The thing I really like about the MX6 vs the MX8 is how easy it is to work on. Not that the MX8 is difficult, but there are less parts in the MX6 and it just is compact and easier to work on.



One of the drawbacks of the MX6 is all of the moving parts wear out over time. Fortunately the parts are inexpensive and easy to install. I would say after 1 ½ to 2 years you will need to start to replace some parts, and this depends on the pool run time also. But figure at the 2 year mark replacing all of these parts featured in this video series would be a good idea.

This first video covers what to do if the MX6 stops going thru it's turn cycle. Very common in the MX8 but less common in the MX6 since there is only one Directional Device in it. The MX6 uses the Directional Device Side A, part #R0524700 – you will often see it listed for the MX8 like this “Baracuda R0524700 Side A Direction Control Device Replacement for Baracuda MX8 Pool Cleaner.”
The same part is used for both cleaners.

Here it is on Amazon.com for around $20.00:


I prefer the MX6 over the MX8 for the simple reason that it only has one Directional Device. It does a great job of turning out of the step areas and corners and is less prone to breaking down. With that said if the MX6 stops turning this is the part that needs to be replaced.

All you will need is a Phillips screwdriver and there are just two screws holding it on. Very simple and easy. Once you change the Directional Device the MX6 should go thru it's normal turn cycle.

If your MX6 is not moving well in the pool but turning okay it may be another issue. Refer to these other three videos if it is not moving or moving very slowly in the pool.


Videos in this series:
Zodiac MX6 Not Turning: Replacing the Direction Control Device - Side A: https://youtu.be/dRJNQZpNg2M (Watching now)
Zodiac MX6 Not Moving Part 1: Changing the Tracks: https://youtu.be/IK50GXI85M0
Zodiac MX6 Not Moving Part 2: Replacing the Engine Assembly R0524900: https://youtu.be/P6lKjfzeu5g
Zodiac MX6 Not Moving Part 3: Changing the Cyclonic Turbine: https://youtu.be/80o_XacT8HU

For more videos covering the MX6 including adding the Cyclonic Scrubbing Kit to the unit refer to these videos below.

Related Videos:
Zodiac MX6 Pool Cleaner Review: https://youtu.be/G8uXS9Mi3NI
Installing A Zodiac MX6 or MX8 Automatic Pool cleaner: https://youtu.be/4ZmUL9IPsXE
Zodiac "MX6 Elite" - Adding the Cyclonic Scrubbing Kit to Your MX6: https://youtu.be/yiggOIMU3j4
SkimmerMotion Adapter to connect to Zodiac MX8, MX6, X7, T3 and T5: https://youtu.be/oEVtk8hM51E
Zodiac MX8 vs the NEW Zodiac MX6: Side by Side Comparison: https://youtu.be/Q-alTHFH3zk

If your in the market for a bigger cleaner, here are the videos I filmed on the MX8 Elite.

MX8 Elite Videos:
Zodiac® MX8™ Elite Automatic Suction Side Pool Cleaner: https://youtu.be/hUI4WkJJNO8
Zodiac® MX8™ Elite Installation (MX8 and MX6): https://youtu.be/X1afepi03_I
Cyclonic Scrubbing Kit: https://youtu.be/oxuddMxbxoE
Cleaning Algae From Your Pool - MX8 Elite’s Active Scrubbing Action Works!: https://youtu.be/EnA6D1fkUQo


You can comment or email me if you have any questions about either the MX6 or MX8 cleaners. They are great cleaners that are both very easy to work on.

Monday, September 5, 2016

KREEPY KRAULY GREAT WHITE & PENTAIR Dorado TIPS & Troubleshooting

The thing I like about the Pentair Great White and Dorado cleaner is that they have very simple engineering. Not to say the engineering is not great, just that the cleaners are easy to work on. The same engineer who designed the Navigator, Sand Shark and PoolCleaner had his hands on designing the Pentair Great White.



One of the things I focus on in the video is that the thin metal piece called the Ratchet Tab. This small metal piece is what catches on the Ratchet Gear and causes the Cam to spin. If this Ratchet Tab is bent a little too much outwards it won't catch on the Ratchet gear and the cleaner will not go into it's turn cycle. This is probably the main problem you will have with the Great White or Dorado cleaner.

Simply open the cleaner and bend the Ratchet Tab inwards so it will catch on the gear. In fact the brand new Great White I purchased that you see in this video was not going thru it's turn cycle when I installed it. By bending the Ratchet Tab inwards I solved the problem and it is working great now. This Ratchet Tab has to be set exactly at the right angle or the cleaner will not turn properly. It is not a manufacturing defect but part of the overall design. A quick an easy fix.

So if your cleaner is not turning check this Ratchet Tab first as it is likely the source of the problem. Do this first also before replacing the parts on the cleaner. If your cleaner is older than 2 years then the gears may also be wearing out – Specifically the Ratchet Gear that the Ratchet Tab rubs against.

It is a very smart design with only one set of gears and an Oscillator that moves back and forth, vibrating and moving the cleaner. So over time the only part that wears out is the gears that turn the Oscillator. Pentair sells all the gears as a kit, along with the Oscillator for around $80.00. Once you install that the cleaner is practically rebuilt.

Here is the link for the Oscilator Assembly:

There are three more gears that can be replaced but they are longer lasting than the Oscillator gears and sit furthur down the shaft. They are called Idler gears and can also be easily replaced. There are three of them. Here is the link for those three gears:


The unique turn cycle of the Great White and Dorado Cleaner is controlled by the Lift Brush that extends and is controlled by a Cam that spins along as the gears turn. This Cam has three prongs with different size notches on it. Once it gets to the large notch the Lift Brush fully extends on the bottom and the cleaner goes into it's turn cycle. Very original and effective engineering went into the design of the Cam and Lift Brush. Here is the link if you need to replace the Cam on the cleaner:


The cleaner comes with a one year warranty and with regular 8 hour per day use you should get a good 2 years out of most of the parts. Changing the parts is very simple and the video I filmed should be an easy guide for you.

As time goes on the main Brush Ring will also wear down. It is easy to replace and is very long lasting. Think of your pool brush and how long the bristles last on it and you will have an idea od how long the brush will last on the cleaner. Here is the link for the Brush Ring:


So that is a quick rundown of the parts and replacement parts for the Pentair Great White and Dorado Cleaner. Note that the Dorado has the same internal parts as the Great White.

Related Videos:
Pentair DORADO™ Suction-Side Pool Cleaner Review: https://youtu.be/eN8ADVhpEF4
KREEPY KRAULY® GREAT WHITE® Suction Side Cleaner Review:
Pentair DORADO™ Set Up and Installation Video:https://youtu.be/8YflHTmv3MY