Suction Cleaner Installation Tips and Tricks

Here are a few things about the equipment that I check first when I find a cleaner not moving in the pool:

1. Make sure the filter is clean- if it is a D.E. Filter, Clean it or Backwash it. For a Sand Filter, Backwash it to make sure it is clean. For a Cartridge Filter, open it up and clean the cartridges.

2. Ensure the filter operates correctly – no broken grids or old cartridges. If the PSI on the gauge is over 25-30, the cleaner may not work. The optimal filter PSI is around 20 or less.

3. Make sure the pump is working correctly. If air gets into the pump, the cleaner may not move. This is called a vacuum leak or suction leak. Air will prevent the pump from pulling water the extra 30 ft through the cleaner hose. You can typically check for an air leak by disconnecting the cleaner. If the pump primes up fine but loses its prime once you reconnect the cleaner, I would suspect an air leak. The likely location is the threaded fitting on top of the pump and the threaded fitting going into the pump. I would also check the pump lid o-ring.

4. Make sure the cleaner has proper suction. If it is connected to the pool skimmer with the OEM regulator valve that came with your cleaner – refer to the manual for proper adjustment. For example, if it is a Hayward Aquanaut, the regulator with it has a dial on it. Close the dial to increase the cleaner's suction, and then open the dial to increase the skimmer's suction. If the cleaner is connected at the side/vacuum port, make sure that you adjust the valve so that enough suction goes to the cleaner.

5. Check the pump basket. If the pump basket is clogged with debris, it will sometimes slow the cleaner down and stop it completely. Clean the pump basket out.

6. If you have a Variable Speed (VS) pump, make sure that your pump is set at a high enough speed, known as RPM. Typically, most cleaners will need at least 2600 RPM to operate correctly. Sometimes more and sometimes less. I usually start at 3100 RPM and then dial it down from there.

Here is what to check on the cleaner itself:

1. Check for any debris clogging the mouth of the cleaner. It is best to do this with the cleaner running. Carefully pull it to the side of the pool, and with the cleaner head still underwater, turn it so you can see the more sterile opening. Check for any rocks, piles of leaves, and even a rodent stuck in the mouth.

2. If it is a bouncing type cleaner, typically, it has a rubber diaphragm (Zodiac Cleaners). Check the diaphragm for any tears or cuts. Replacing it is easy and will likely get those cleaners moving again.

3. If you have an MX cleaner – Zodiac MX8 or MX6 and any variation of those two, typically the tracks are worn out. It could also be the Directional Device.

4. If it is a Hayward Navigator or Hayward Pool Vac, it is more than likely a worn-out A-Frame and Turbine. You would purchase the A-Frame kit and replace it to get the Navigator or Pool Vac moving again.

5. Sometimes, a hose section gets debris clogged inside of it. To check for this, with the pool running, pull off the first hose section from the cleaner and remove the cleaner head. Keeping the hose underwater, pull off each section one by one until you find the hose section clogged with debris. You want the pool on because you will not feel any suction until you reach the clogged hose and remove it. Then, you will feel the pool suction through the hose again. Just be sure to keep the hoses underwater so that the pump will not suck air.

6. If there is a canister, sometimes it can get full of debris and become impacted. In that case, simply empty the canister.

These are the main reasons an automatic suction side cleaner will stop moving.

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