Pentair DORADO™ Set Up and Installation

The Pentair Dorado is a fairly easy cleaner to install in your pool. If you have a Kreepy Krauly Great White, follow these same instructions. I will touch on some of the installation problems you may run into below.



All the parts that you will need to connect the Dorado to your Skimmer or Side Port/ Vacuum Port are included in the box. I really like Pentair's Vacuum Regulator as it can be manually set for the optimal suction with ease. It is also a bonus that Pentair also includes a Vacuum Port Fitting.

Also included are 12 one meter hoses with one being the lead hose. It is a pretty easy to determine how many hoses you need, simply stretch the cleaner out from the point of connection, either the skimmer or vacuum port to the furthest point in the pool. For the ideal hose length you should have 4 feet of hose sticking out onto the deck. If you have a little bit more tha nthat, you are fine. This will allow the Dorado plenty of slack to get out of corners and to get the best coverage of the pool.

I thing the main obstacle that you will encounter is getting the suction adjust properly. Fortunately Pentair includes a handy flow gauge for just that reason. So getting the exact suction should be easy form both the skimmer and vacuum port. You can play with the suction a bit also to help the Dorado get the best cleaning pattern. I find that closer to the maximum suction works best.

If the Dorado is climbing out of the pool, just adjust the suction down. It should get up to the tile line and then fall back down without sucking air. It does a great job of climbing and cleaning the walls.

As far as the vacuum port/ side port installation, the manual is seriously outdated. Pentair is using an old Kreepy Krauly Classic manual, and that shows removing the skimmer basket and installing the regulator with a cap on top. Most pools built after 1990 do not have the skimmer and vacuum port connected on the same line. So there is no need for this step in the majority of the pools. Simply attach the Dorado to your vacuum port and adjust it with the valve by the equipment. You can leave the skimmer as is and with the basket installed – there will be no need to insert the skimmer regulator.

A few things that will slow the cleaner down are a dirty pool filter or a clogged pump basket. To prevent the pump basket from getting clogged with debris I suggest purchasing a in-line canister. Of course Pentair makes a good one with their R211084 186A which you can purchase on Amazon.com:


I also like the Hayward canister which is also a solid choice:


If your filter starts to get dirty you will notice the cleaner slowing down. Simply clean or backwash the filter to solve this problem. If the cleaner stops moving completely something may be stuck in the mouth of the Dorado. Simply pull it to the side and with the cleaner underwater, remove any stuck debris.

Not much else will stop the cleaner beside a system wide vacuum leak. This is caused by air getting into the system and you will notice the cleaner start and stop often. You will also notice the filter pressure dropping when the cleaner is connected. To fix this simply find the air leak and seal it – usually by the pump.

If you have any other installation questions please feel free to leave a comment for me.

Related Videos:
Pentair DORADO™ Suction-Side Pool Cleaner Review: https://youtu.be/eN8ADVhpEF4
KREEPY KRAULY® GREAT WHITE® Suction Side Cleaner Review:
Great White and DORADO Tips and Troubleshooting: https://youtu.be/qptNudQJPhk


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