Investing in a Dolphin pool cleaner for your swimming pool can make maintenance significantly easier, helping you enjoy a sparkling pool without the heavy lifting. But like any tool, your Dolphin robotic pool cleaner needs regular care to keep running efficiently. With a few preventative maintenance steps, you can ensure that your Dolphin pool cleaner performs well for years, giving you a longer lifespan and reliable performance. Here’s an in-depth guide with all the tips you’ll need to maintain your Dolphin cleaner and keep it in top condition.
Understanding Your Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner
What is a Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner?
Dolphins are the top robotic pool cleaners on the market, designed to provide efficient and automated pool cleaning. These pool robots use pool cleaning technology that are equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and scanning systems, allowing them to meticulously clean the pool floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin pool cleaners are celebrated for their reliability, ease of use, and exceptional ability to capture debris and dirt. This makes them a favored choice among pool owners who seek a hassle-free pool cleaning experience in using an automatic pool cleaner because robotic pool cleaners are not tied to the swimming pool filter system and have the ability to clean the pool floor, walls and waterline. Unfortunately, there are many brands of pool robots to choose from – the good news is the Dolphin robotic pool cleaners continue to lead the industry.
Benefits of Using a Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner
Using a Dolphin pool cleaner offers numerous advantages that make swimming pool maintenance a breeze:
Efficient Pool Cleaning: Dolphin pool cleaners are engineered to deliver thorough and efficient cleaning, significantly reducing the time and effort pool owners need to invest.
Advanced Navigation and Scanning: Equipped with sophisticated navigation and scanning systems, these cleaners can effectively tackle the pool floor, walls, and waterline, ensuring no spot is missed.
Reliability: Known for their durability and consistent performance, Dolphin pool cleaners are a reliable investment for maintaining a pristine swimming pool.
Easy Maintenance: Designed with user convenience in mind, Dolphin pool cleaners feature easy-to-clean filters and require minimal maintenance, making them a practical choice for busy pool owners. Most pool cleaners on the market are difficult to maintain – Dolphins are the exception.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Dolphin
1. Rinse and Dry the Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner After Every Use
Your Dolphin pool vacuum collects debris, dirt, and chemicals from the swimming pool during every use. Over time, chlorine and other chemicals can damage the components. Rinsing it off after each use prevents chemical buildup, which can lead to corrosion.
Steps for a thorough rinse:
After each pool cleaning session, remove your Dolphin robotic pool cleaner from the pool and rinse it thoroughly with fresh water. While some customers opt to keep the pool robot in the swimming pool all the time, we recommend that you remove it when not in use so that the cable of the pool vacuum is not exposed to any chemicals being added.
Make sure to rinse the filter compartment, brushes, and other parts that come into direct contact with pool chemicals.
Let your pool robot air-dry completely before storing it. This step prevents moisture from sitting in the pool vacuum, which can lead to mold growth and corrosion.
Tip: Consider dedicating a spot to place your pool robot where you can easily rinse, dry, and store your robotic pool cleaner after each use. It’ll make the process a breeze.
2. Keep the Filter Clean and Clear
One of the most important parts of your Dolphin cleaner is its pool filter, which traps dirt, leaves, and other debris. A clogged filter during pool cleaning can reduce efficiency and put a strain on the motor, shortening its lifespan. A regular cleaning routine is essential for preventing buildup and optimizing performance.
How often to clean the pool robot filter:
During peak pool season, aim to clean the pool robot filter after every two to three uses, or even more frequently if your pool tends to gather a lot of debris.
At a minimum, aim for once a week to keep it running smoothly.
How to clean the pool robot filter:
Remove the filter following the user manual’s instructions.
Rinse under a garden hose, focusing on removing all dirt and debris.
For a more thorough clean, you can soak the filter in a mild detergent, rinse it thoroughly, and allow it to dry before replacing it.
3. Inspect Brushes, Tracks, and Other Parts Regularly
Parts like the brushes, tracks, and swivel connections experience the most wear and tear. Checking these components at least once a month helps you spot any issues before they affect your cleaner’s performance.
What to look for:
Brushes: Look for signs of wear on the bristles, which are crucial for scrubbing away dirt from pool surfaces. Worn brushes should be replaced, as they won’t be as effective at cleaning.
Tracks: These allow the cleaner to move around the pool. If they’re stretched or worn down, it can impact the cleaner’s movement and coverage.
Swivels and pivot points: Ensure there’s no excessive wear, as these allow the cleaner to change direction and maneuver easily.
Many Dolphin models allow for easy DIY part replacements, but check your model’s manual to ensure you’re using the correct parts and installation steps.
4. Store It Properly to Protect It From the Elements
Proper storage is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to extend the life of your pool cleaner and power supply. Exposure to the sun, rain, or freezing temperatures can cause parts to wear out prematurely.
Best practices for storage:
Find a shaded, cool area to store your Dolphin cleaner when it’s not in use.
If possible, keep it in a ventilated shed, or a dedicated spot in your garage.
Avoid placing heavy objects on top of it, which could damage internal components.
Power supply:
The power supply is not waterproof, it is splash-proof.
If a rainfall occurs, the power supply can get damaged. While the pool cleaner can remain in the elements, the power supply cannot so please be sure to have it somewhere where it cannot get rained on while not in use.
Use a storage caddy: If your robotic cleaner comes with a storage caddy, use it. The caddy allows the cleaner to sit in a neutral position without putting unnecessary strain on parts like the brushes or wheels.
5. Handle the Power Cable With Care
The power cable is an essential part of the Dolphin cleaner, and damage to the cable can lead to electrical issues. Keeping it tangle-free and clean will prevent frays or breaks, which can require costly repairs.
Cable care tips:
Before each use, lay the cable out fully and ensure it’s untangled. This prevents unnecessary strain on the cable while the cleaner is operating.
After using your cleaner, avoid tightly coiling the cable. Instead, loosely loop it in large circles to prevent kinks.
If you notice any frays, cuts, or exposed wires, consult the manual or contact a service technician to address the issue.
6. Check Pool Water Chemistry Regularly
While Dolphin cleaners are built to handle pool water, extreme levels of chlorine, high pH, or imbalances can degrade parts over time. Regularly checking and maintaining your water chemistry protects not only your pool cleaner but also keeps the water safe and balanced.
Recommended water chemistry ranges:
Chlorine: Maintain levels between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm.
pH: Keep it between 7.2 and 7.6 to avoid scaling and corrosion.
Total Alkalinity: Aim for 80-120 ppm for stable pH levels.
Testing kits or digital water testers are excellent tools for pool maintenance, allowing you to check these levels regularly.
7. Advanced Features and Technologies
Waterline Cleaning
One of the standout features of some Dolphin pool cleaners is their ability to clean the waterline. This is particularly beneficial for pool owners who often find dirt and debris accumulating at the waterline, a common problem in both above ground and in-ground pools. Dolphin pool cleaners with waterline cleaning capabilities utilize advanced navigation and scanning systems to detect and meticulously clean this area. This ensures a more comprehensive and efficient cleaning process, leaving your pool spotless from top to bottom.
By incorporating these advanced features, Dolphin pool cleaners not only enhance the overall cleanliness of your pool but also reduce the manual effort required, allowing you to enjoy a pristine swimming environment with minimal hassle.
8. Schedule Annual Pool Maintenance Checks With a Professional
Just like a car, your swimming pool can benefit from a yearly check-up by a pool professional. They can spot potential problems that may not be visible and address them before they escalate.
Benefits of professional maintenance:
Technicians can perform a deep clean and internal inspection of all pool surfaces.
They’ll check for any mechanical issues, like motor wear or loose parts on the pool equipment.
You’ll get a report on the overall health of the cleaner and tips for optimal use.
9. Avoid Overworking Your Cleaner
While your Dolphin robotic pool cleaner is designed to handle regular use, overworking it can shorten its lifespan. If your pool tends to get dirty quickly due to nearby trees or heavy usage, consider running your cleaner in shorter, more frequent sessions rather than one extended cycle.
How to optimize pool cleaning schedules:
Use the robotic cleaner as often as needed but aim for shorter sessions to prevent motor strain.
If you have a larger pool, consider using a timer function if available to control cleaning duration and avoid overworking the cleaner.
10. Perform Routine Visual Inspections
Visual inspections of pool robots can be quick and easy but often reveal small issues that, if left unaddressed, could lead to larger problems. Before each pool cleaning session, do a quick check for anything that looks out of place.
What to look for:
Debris or dirt buildup around moving parts.
Unusual sounds or vibrations, which can indicate internal issues.
A simple visual check can catch minor issues early, helping you avoid more significant repairs down the line.
Conclusion
Robotic pool cleaners, especially Dolphin robotic pool cleaners since Maytronics has been in the industry for over 40 years. With a Dolphin pool cleaner, you’re investing in convenience and efficiency using the best robotic pool cleaners in the industry. By following these maintenance tips, you’ll not only extend the cleaner’s lifespan but also keep your pool spotless with less effort. Taking just a few extra minutes for regular care will protect your investment, save you on repair costs, and ensure your Dolphin pool cleaner delivers optimal performance season after season.
Here at Pool Partz, we only carry Dolphin robotic pool cleaners. Why these pool robots? They are simply the best swimming pool cleaners on the market – they’ve been in the swimming pool industry for over 40 years. We are unlike other companies that sell numerous brands. We only sell Dolphin pool cleaners and have been selling them for over a decade. With proper maintenance for you the pool owner, you can rest assure that you have the best pool robot that meets your needs and budget.