Vacuums While it Entertains!

Our old Arneson Pool Sweep II cleaner gave us many years of dependable service, but we finally needed a newer unit after a brownout affected its operation making it less efficient. So off we headed to our local pool supply dealer in search of another automatic pool cleaner. We became a little confused over the many models on display, so we asked our dealer for a recommendation. We wanted an efficient, dependable unit from a reputable company that would continue to support the model over the years with replacement parts.

Color Choices, Appearance, Factors Influencing our Purchase

After asking several specific questions about our pool size (20x40,) type of construction (gunite) dedicated pressure line (no,) solar blanket (yes,) booster pump (yes) the dealer recommended the Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 as the most durable, fastest and most powerful automatic pool cleaner. The Polaris 380 comes in two models – the white Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 and the Polaris Black Max 380. The models differ only in color. Our dealer only carried the white Polaris Vac-Sweep 380, which was fine since our pool has a white surface. Owners with black surfaced pools will want the Black Max.

Our dealer explained that this unit was easier to use than the Pool Sweep II since it has its own filter collection bag attached to the unit. It didn’t entail lifting up an unwieldy large leaf basket from on top of the main drain using a long pole, as did our Pool Sweep II. Many times half the leaves would fall back into the pool during removal. This had been the most cumbersome part of using the Arneson automatic cleaner.

The fact that the manufacturer was running a factory trade-up rebate promotion of $125 quickly convinced us that this was also the best deal at the time (June 10, 1996.) It lowered the suggested manufacturer’s price of $524 down to $399. The previous year this same unit, I remembered, was selling for $554. While the dealer ran up the sale, we watched a short in-store video of the product.

Suitability, Installation

The Polaris 380 is suitable for all fiberglass, gunite, and vinyl liner in-ground pools. The system is compatible with the full line of Polaris accessories. It is the most powerful unit that Polaris carries and requires a booster pump, which is an added expense. A licensed electrician should install the booster pump according to the electrical codes applicable in your area. It is also recommended that you have dedicated pressure line. If you do not, use an aboveground feed line running from the booster pump over the pool deck as we do. You will need to purchase the Over-the-Deck Kit. The cost of the Polaris 380 does not include installation or the cost of the Over-the-Deck kit.

Since we had installed our two prior automatic pool cleaners, Arneson Pool Sweep and Arneson Pool Sweep II, we decided that we were up to the job. I have to admit it took us almost an hour to read the detailed instructions; measure to determine the exact length of the Feed Hose; install the Over-the-Deck Kit; assemble, attach and tighten the various parts; and connect the quick disconnect to the universal fitting. We got it up and running with a few minor adjustments. We had 30 days to mail back a copy of our receipt, a completed warranty card, a completed certificate from the brochure and the main body of the old cleaner. We received our rebate in just over 2 weeks.

Owner’s Manual

The unit includes a 16-page black and white Owner’s Manual containing detailed and clear instructions for: assembly, checking operation, fine tuning & making adjustments, maintenance, storage, winterizing, accessories use and troubleshooting. The numerous simple illustrations of components, fittings and measurement-taking procedures provide clear help for ease of installation and maintenance.

Use of the Polaris 380

The Polaris 380 travels randomly throughout the pool on three wheels. It vacuums sweeps and scrubs the bottom, sides, tiles, steps and any swimout sections. We have a love seat, which is a large shallow cut out and it easily gets into the area. The long sweep hose gently operates in a sweeping movement stirring up and pushing debris toward the main drain. A large opening at the bottom of the unit sucks up debris using a circle of water jets. The unit stores the debris in its own ultra light filter bag before the debris clogs your filter. Even heavier pool debris like acorns, leaves and pebbles are easily collected without clogging the unit. The manufacturer states that the unit reduces filter cleanings by 80%. Every 1-½ minutes the unit goes into a back-up mode, which pulls the Polaris 380 away from potential obstacles and also increases its random movement. The multiple jets provide faster cleaning and greater vacuum power. It operates at 100% efficiency because it uses its own booster pump to power the unit.

How often you will need to run the unit will depend on pool size and amount of debris. It takes, on average, under 3 hours to clean our entire pool. Never allow the booster pump to run without the filter pump in operation,by the way, or it will cause damage to the booster pump. Set them both up on timers to prevent this from happening. We, however, prefer to turn our Polaris on and off manually to avoid any possible timer malfunction, which have happened in the past. Our solar cover keeps most debris out so we only run our Polaris 380 twice a week during the swimming season.

Durability, Reliability, Availability of Parts

Our unit is still running perfectly today – 6 years later. We have experienced generally only ordinary maintenance repairs. We check the Filter Screen whenever the pool is particularly dirty especially at the beginning and end of the swimming season. We keep a close eye on the Filter bag and empty it whenever it begins to fill up with debris. We use two different mesh Filter Bags – the Ultra Fine Sand/Silt Bag and the Leaf Bag according to the type of debris in the pool. It is simple to switch between the two mesh bags.

The Wear Rings are still the originals. Each year, we replace the inexpensive spongy Sweep Hose Scrubber. This year we also had to finally replace the 9 Feeder Hose Floats as well since they were also beginning to look grimy and dull and their surfaces were becoming worn and rough attracting algae. Removal of the old floats and replacement with new ones are simple enough procedures but requires some muscle strength, as the fit is VERY tight. The directions and illustrations are very clear but careful placement is needed for optimum performance. Replacement of the Sweep Hose Scrubbers and cleaning the Filter Screen and Filter Bag are even simpler procedures. Our dealer carries all replacement parts for the Polaris 380. Our unit has never malfunctioned nor needed other parts except for one Pressure Release Valve replacement this year due to a fault on our part.

Manufacturer, Warranty, Website

Polaris Pool Systems Inc, located in San Marcos, CA manufacture the units. The company has been in the pool business for over 35 years. The Polaris 380 has been the best selling cleaner for many years. It is owned, operated and manufactured in the United States. Both Polaris 380 models have a two-year Warranty Extension covering manufacturing defects in materials and parts.

Visit the cool-looking Polaris Website for neat ideas and products for your pool and/or spa. It can be read in English, Spanish and French. There are wonderful products for unique lighting, fountains, waterfalls, nozzles, arc and rain sound units as well as nifty pool and spa accessories. Get advice on choosing the best model for your pool and be entertained by the simple but fun animations and short video. Visit www.polarispoolsystems.com for excellent answers to common problems some owners may experience with their units. Receive product support or more information by calling the company at #1-800-VAC-Sweep (1-800-822-7933.) Or, send e-mail to Polaris @ polarispool.com.

My 6-Year Experience with the Polaris 380

I would never go back to using a vacuum system again. I even get entertained watching the Polaris 380 maneuver the pool, doing my work for me. I hated vacuuming the pool in the early days before we purchased an automatic cleaner. The automatic pool cleaner takes much of the tedium out of pool maintenance. Although the pool is rarely absolutely devoid of any debris, it is certainly sufficiently cleaned without any effort on my part.

Is it perfect? No! It just doesn’t clean some areas as well as others such as the angles and corners of our custom designed-by-me pool. Had I known back then what I know now, my design would have been simpler. Also it has trouble reaching the side of the pool around the jets because the jets keep pushing away the unit. The step area is another problem. Although it goes up and down steps, it doesn't stay on them properly balanced or long enough to do a good job-especially on the top step when the solar blanket is in use.

Sometimes the pool only has debris concentrated in one end (under an over-hanging tree) but the unit can’t be program to just clean one area. It must run throughout the whole pool. I’ll bet newer units will eventually correct this someday.

Owners are not completely relieved of all pool cleaning chores by using an automatic pool cleaner. You must still empty skimmer baskets regularly. We additionally brush down the sides of the pool when we open the pool before hooking up the automatic cleaner and hose off the solar cover as needed.

The unit does take up room on the deck or in the storage shed. We store it, out of the way, under our slide when company is expected. Owners may want to remove it when guests use the pool although we leave it in when just our family goes swimming. I’d like a sleeker unit that stores more compactly.

Some owners experience problems with the unit getting stuck in corners or not reaching the far ends of the pool. Usually this is do to improper installation measurements or a lack of sufficient fine-tuning of its operation. We haven’t experienced these problems even though our pool has multiple corners/angles. Occasionally, it does spit up a stream of water if it is delayed in a shallow area like the top step of the pool but clears itself rather quickly. Other than mostly simple routine maintenance, our unit is working fine.

I find that the unit’s Filter Bag become harder to clean as it receive more use and debris gets imbedded in the Velcro closings. The bag then doesn’t seal completely and contents can leak back into the pool unless you are very careful to get a good seal. Using a toothbrush or other stiff bush on the Velcro areas helps considerably unless the debris builds up too much. We replace the Filter Bag once a year mainly because of this problem.

I recommend an automatic pool cleaner to all pool owners. For owners of gunite, fiberglass and vinyl in-ground pools, I recommend the Polaris 380 for durability, dependability and power. The Polaris 380 works better than our former Arneson Pool Sweeps and Arneson Pool Sweep II. It eliminates having to carefully lift a large combersome basket from the bottom of the pool using a long unwieldy pole.

If this unit fits your pool needs, don’t hesitate to purchase it. It will save you hours of work so you can spend less time vacuuming and more time enjoying the pool. Although the initial expense may seem high, these units will last for many, many years if cared for properly. Polaris Pool Systems Inc has a fine reputation in the industry and supports its product lines. Anyone for a swim?

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My review is part of the Eps Kids Big Payoff Challenge. I hope it helps ransom little Eenie, Meanie Minie, Moe from the clutches of the heads at Home & Gardens.

If they don’t free these little guys soon they will have to answer to Grandma Gloria. Everyone knows how tough little old gray-haired grandmas can be. Don’t mess with me! Release them immediately!. Send them over to Books, Magazine & Newspapers so we can teach them to read and give them all the love and attention missing in their little lives right now. Sorry, but we really are the superior, more caring group as evidenced by our efforts to your kidnapping caper.