Troubleshooting & FAQ's

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Zodiac Suction Pool Cleaners

My Zodiac Suction Cleaner Stops and Starts?: A:
Check if any debris is stuck in the diaphragm, hose, skimmer basket and the hair and lint pot in the filtration pump. Conduct a suction pressure test with the Zodiac Pool Pulse (supplied with your suction cleaner) to determine the proper flow. Following the suction pressure test, make the necessary AD Flow Valve setting changes if suction is to high or too low. Check hoses for leaks and splits
My Zodiac Suction Cleaner is patterning?: A:
Add return diverters and check and make certain that the Return Lines are positioned in the downward position. Lay hose in a straight line in the sun to relax the memory. Confirm that the correct amount of hose lengths are installed and if required add 1 or 2 extra hose sections
My Zodiac Cleaner isn't covering the opposite end of the Pool?: A:
Add return diverters, check and make sure that the Return Lines are positioned in the downward position. Utilise return flow diverters to move cleaner to the opposite end. Confirm that the correct amount of hose lengths are installed and if required add 1 or 2 extra hose sections. Confirm that the hose weight position on the hose is correct (1 metre from head of cleaner on the first section of hose) and adjust if needed.
My Zodiac Cleaner flips over?: A:
Conduct a suction pressure test with the Zodiac Pool Pulse (supplied with your suction cleaner) to determine proper flow. Following the suction pressure test, make the necessary AD Flow Valve setting changes if suction is to high or too low. Check the swivel on the cleaner is not jammed and it turns freely.
My Zodiac Cleaner climbs walls excessively?: A:
This is normally an indication that the flow is too high. Conduct a suction pressure test with the Zodiac Pool Pulse (supplied with your suction cleaner) to determine proper flow. Ensure the AD Flow Valve is on setting #1. Reduce flow to the cleaner head.
My Zodiac Cleaner won't leave the edge or rim of the pool?: A:
Conduct a suction pressure test with the Zodiac Pool Pulse (supplied with your suction cleaner) to determine proper flow and lower flow to setting #1. Utilise return flow to move cleaner. Confirm that the hose weight position on the hose is correct (1 metre from head of cleaner; on the first section of hose) and adjust if needed.

Polaris Suction Pool Cleaners

My Polaris ATV hangs on steps or other obstacles for longer than 5 minutes?: A:
Check the wheel RPM (the wheel RPM should be between 30-34). Verify that the cleaner is cycling. The wheels should turn backwards approximately every 1-1/2 minutes. Check the flow with the ATV suction tester to ensure it is not too high, the flow should be in the square on the suction tester. Inspect all of the tyres to ensure they are not worn. Remove unnecessary pool hardware or install a Ladder Guard Kit (available as a spare part from your Zodiac dealer). The Ladder Guard Kit is only available for Stainless Steel Ladders. Refer to your owner's manual for step by step instructions.
My Polaris ATV is sluggish, running with less power than normal?: A:
Check the wheel RPM. Clean the pool filter and pump basket. Remove the top housing and make sure propeller is free of debris. Remove bottom plate and verify that the intake area is free from debris. Check the suction using the ATV suction tester to ensure the flow is not too low.
My Polaris ATV repeatedly gets stuck at the water line?: A:
Check the wheel RPM. Clean the pool filter and pump basket. Remove the top housing and make sure propeller is free of debris. Check the cleaners suction using the ATV suction tester to ensure the flow is ideal. Remove bottom plate and verify that the intake area is free from debris.
My Polaris ATV "wheelies" or turns severely to one side?: A:
Check the wheel RPM. Make sure the swivel turns freely. Remove top housing and make sure the propeller is free of debris. Check the cleaners suction using the ATV suction tester. Check hose weights for correct positioning.
Air bubbles come out of the return line whilst my Polaris ATV is operating?: A:
Check the wheel RPM. Verify that the hose connections are secure. Verify that all skimmer connections and adapters are secure.
My Polaris ATV is not moving?: A:
Remove the bottom plate and verify that the intake area is free of debris. Remove top housing and make sure propeller is free of debris. Check for proper water flow. If low; clean the pool filter and pump basket, verify that the skimmer suction line connection is secure, adjust the flow regulator or the suction line valve in the equipment area. Recheck the wheel RPM once you have obtained proper flow. Remove lower housing to ensure the belts are on and properly tensioned.

Polaris Pressure Pool Cleaners

My Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 hangs on steps or other obstacles for longer than 3 minutes?: A:
Check the wheel RPM. For the 280 and 360 the wheel RPM should be between 28-32, For the 3900 Sport and 480 the wheel RPM should be between 32-36. Verify the back-up valve is cycling. Adjust the thrust jet. The jets on the 280 should be positioned straight out, at 11.00 o'clock on the 360 and 7.00 o'clock on the 3900 Sport and at 12.00 o'clock on the 480. Remove unnecessary pool hardware or install a Ladder Guard Kit (available as a spare part from your Zodiac dealer). The Ladder Guard Kit is only suitable for Stainless Steel Ladders. Refer to your owners manual for step by step instructions.
My Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 is sluggish, running with less power than normal?: A:
Check the filter screen in the in-line filter and clean, if necessary. Clean the skimmer basket, pump basket, and pool filter and ensure you backwash your filter. Check all of the hoses, connections and swivels for leaks that could cause loss of water pressure. Check the wheel RPM.
My Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 does not back up?: A:
Verify that the back-up valve is cycling. Check the wheel RPM. If the filter bag is full, empty or replace it. If the heat float has water in it, replace it (280 & 360), Ensure the feed hose is floating. Refer to your owner's manual for step by step instructions
My Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 only turns in one direction?: A:
Adjust the thrust jet and ensure the feed hose is floating. If you have a Polaris 360 check if the end of the hose that connects to the Polaris has a curve to it, align it with the curve of the feed pipe and make sure that the swivel on the feed pipe turns freely.
The feed hose on my Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 becomes tangled?: A:
Remeasure the hose to verify that it is adjusted to the proper length for the pool shape. With the Polaris operating, check that the swivels in the hose and the hose connections turn freely. Make sure feed hose is floating. With the Polaris turned off, spin each of the wheels. All wheels should turn together.
The sweep hose of my Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 is sucked into the vacuum tube?: A:
Make sure the opening at the end of the sweep hose is not blocked by the sweep hose scrubber. Adjust the sweep hose to a gentle sweeping motion. If you have a Polaris 480, check your owner's manual for further step by step instructions
The sweep hose of my Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 sprays too much water out of the pool?: A:
Adjust the speed of the sweep hose by tightening the adjustment screw. Replace the sweep hose scrubber if it is worn or missing. Add a sweep hose weight to keep the sweep hose from spraying (available as a spare part from Zodiac dealer).
My Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 does not clean the entire pool?: A:
Verify that the feed hose reaches within 6" of the farthest point of the pool. If not order a new hose section from your Zodiac dealer and add it to the first hose section. Check thrust jet for straight back position (11 o'clock position for 360) that optimises random turning. While the cleaner is operating, hold it upside down and look into the vacuum tube. There should be two (280), three (360) or four (480) distinct, even jets of water. If there are not contact your Zodiac dealer or service representative. Adjust the return lines accordingly to ensure correct flow of water.
My Polaris 280, 360, 3900 or 480 is running in circles on its side?: A:
Check the filter bag, if it is full it can weigh the cleaner down on one side. Check the hose floats to make sure they are spaced evenly. The float should be between 600 and 900mm apart. If you have a 280 or 360 remove the head float and shake it. If there is water in the float, order a new one from your Zodiac dealer.

Zodiac Chlorine Generators

My water looks clean but there is no chlorine residual reading?

To test for chlorine residual, switch on the filtration system and turn the chlorinator to maximum output. After a few minutes take a water sample from the pool. Test this water with your test kit or take it to your local pool professional. A minimum chlorine residual of 1 to 3 ppm is desirable. Adjust PH within the range 7.2 to 7.6. Make sure your cell is clean (clean if required). Check your stabilizer (cyanuric acid) levels. Increase the setting of the chlorine output control. Adjust total alkalinity to recommend range. Test for phosphate. Adjust total hardness to recommended range. Increase meter readings to maximum output by adding salt. Increase the running time of the filter and chlorinator. Make sure that the filter is clean and functioning properly.

A cloud of bubbles is forming in the chlorinator cell?

If the chlorinator and pump are running it is normal for a cloud of small bubbles to be produced in the cell, indicating chlorine is also being produced.

My pool is green and there is no chlorine reading?

A chlorine residual of 1 to 3 ppm is considered desirable. The solution is to super chlorinate or "shock dose" especially in hot weather. This procedure raises the chlorine residual to a very high level for a short period of time and reduces chlorine demand. You will also need to check your stabilizer (cyanuric acid) levels to ensure it is between 30-50ppm. Refer to your owner's manual for step by step instructions on how to shock dose.

My pool has a strong chlorine odour?

Surprisingly the problem here is not too much chlorine as many imagine. Chloramines formed by the bonding of chlorine with amines from sweat, urine and other sources. These chloramines make the "chlorine"& odour and can also cause eye and skin irritations. Free chlorine does not smell (up to 10 ppm concentration). The remedy is to super chlorinate/shock dose. Refer to your owner's manual for step by step instructions on how to shock dose.

The walls of my pool/spa are slimy?

This is caused by combined algae and bacteria growth. Scrub down affected walls and super chlorinate/shock dose using a large shock dose of liquid chlorine. Refer to your owner's manual for step by step instructions.

There is a scale or calcium build up on the electrode of my chlorinator?

There are a couple of causes for this. Firstly your PH maybe incorrect; test the water and adjust the pH range to 7.2 to 7.6. Secondly, the total alkalinity may be high; test the water and adjust total alkalinity to 80-120 ppm. To remedy, clean the scale from the cell (refer to the maintenance section in your owner's manual for step by step instructions) and increase the running time of the filter and chlorinator. Make sure that the filter is clean and functioning properly.

My Chlorinator will not switch off and no functions will operate?

Check to make sure that the super chlorinate button has not been activated. Refer to your owner's manual for step by step instructions.

Can I use Mineral Salts with my Zodiac Chlorinator?

Yes, the latest generation of Zodiac Chlorine Generators (Ei and TRi) are compatible with any mineral salt blend from any of the manufacturers found in all good pool shops. Please follow the manufacturers instructions when using these salts.

How much salt should I have in my pool?

Zodiac recommends using 4,000ppm-6,000ppm (parts per million) or 0.4%. This concentration is very low and is almost below the threshold that is noticable to taste which is around 0.5%. In fact, the salt level is so low it is less than that of a tear drop.

However, latest generation Zodiac Chlorine Generators (TRi and Ei) are able to withstand dilutions as high as sea water 35,000ppm or 3.5%. This means you can vary the salt levels to suit your individual needs. If using a mineral salt blend please check the manufacturers instructions.

My Chlorinator is working but there doesn't seem to be enough Chlorine?

This could be due to an incorrect balance with your pH level. pH is the single most important component of water chemistry and all other factors in the pool environment hinge on this. Chlorine for example becomes almost completely ineffective if the pH level is over 8 meaning that it doesn't matter how much chlorine you have in the pool it lacks any ability to 'kill' the germs and pathogens in the water. Maintaining your pools pH level is very important. Zodiac's TRi-pH will maintain the pH balance for you automatically, dosing pH Down solution when needed to keep your pool in balance and your chlorine at its maximum potential.

You should also check the cyanuric acid level of the water. If this has dropped too low it will mean that your chlorine is burning off in the sun. Be careful not to overdo the cyanuric acid however, as it cannot be removed from the water and can only be diluted by adding fresh water so, maintain the balance within the recommended levels.

Troubleshooting & FAQ's

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