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Attention Installer: This guide contains important information about the installation, operation and safe use of this product. This information should be given to the owner and/or operator of this equipment after installation of the pool cleaner.
Attention User: This manual contains important information that will help you in operating and maintaining this pool cleaner. Please retain it for future reference. Consult Pentair with any questions regarding this equipment.
Before installing this product, read and follow all warning notices and instructions which are included. Failure to follow safety warnings and instructions can result in severe injury, death, or property damage. Call (800) 831-7133 for additional free copies of these instructions.
This pool cleaner is designed and manufactured to provide many years of safe and reliable service when installed, operated and maintained according to the information in this manual. Throughout the manual, safety warnings and cautions are identified by the " " symbol. Be sure to read and comply with all of the warnings and cautions.
HAZARDOUS SUCTION.
Do not play with cleaner or hose or apply to body. Can trap and tear hair or body parts. Hose can trip or entangle swimmers which could result in drowning.
SUCTION ENTRAPMENT, INJURY, AND DROWNING HAZARD.
If your pool has a dedicated suction port ("vac port") for vacuuming or for an automatic pool cleaner, it must be covered when not in use. A spring loaded safety cover (a "vac port fitting") is included with your cleaner. Install it on the suction port to prevent entrapment and injury. If the cover provided does not fit, purchase one that does from your local pool store and install it instead. The cover should conform to IAPMO SPS4-99A.
Stop pump before attempting to clean unit. Do not allow swimmers in pool while pool cleaner is operating.
To reduce the risk of injury, do not let children use or play with pool cleaner.
Do not allow swimmers in the pool while pool cleaner is operating. Hose can trip or entangle swimmers which could result in drowning.
Moving parts may injure hands or fingers. Stop pump before attempting to clean out pool cleaner head.
Pre-Installation Check List
Before installing your cleaner, review and understand all warnings and safety information in this guide. Failure to follow these instructions or improper installation of the cleaner can result in damage to the pool finish or the vinyl liner, Most cleaners are not designed to traverse from floor to wall when the pool cove is 90%. There may be other structures installed in the pool that the cleaner cannot navigate, BE AWARE and supervise the cleaner during unique conditions. Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. disclaims any liability for repairs or replacement to any of these structures or components of the customer's pool.
Before installing the cleaner in a vinyl liner pool:
Check liner closely for signs of deterioration or damage from age, chemicals, pool wall damage, etc. If any damage is found, have a qualified pool professional make all the necessary repairs. Also, if there are stones, roots, etc., under the liner, remove them before installing the cleaner.
Before installing the cleaner in a gunite pool or a pool that is partially or completely tiled:
Make sure pool finish is in proper condition as staining, etching, cracking or delaminating may worsen.
Repair loose tiles and tighten any loose light rings.
Before installing the cleaner, clean your filter system:
Make sure you have cleaned the filter, including backwashing, rinsing, and emptying all baskets. A clean system is necessary for proper cleaner operation and coverage.
Before installing the cleaner, understand cleaner coverage:
The cleaner is designed to rid your pool of debris in approximately 4-6 hours. Less time could be needed, depending on the pool size. The cleaner was not designed to automatically clean steps or swimouts, or to work under a solar cover. The cleaner may get stuck in these areas which can result in damage to the pool finish or vinyl liner. Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. disclaims any liability for repairs or replacement to any of these structures or components of the consumer's pool. It was also not designed to do initial cleanup for a new pool or when opening your pool for the season.
AFTER installing the cleaner, make sure the cleaner is operating correctly:
The cleaner may need some minor adjustments to make sure it is operating properly so there is no damage to the pool finish. Certain vinyl liner patterns are particularly susceptible to surface wear, pattern removal, ink rubbing off of, or serious scratches to the pattern caused by objects coming into contact with the vinyl surface, including automatic pool cleaners. Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. is not responsible for any pattern removal, abrasions or markings on vinyl liners. Periodically inspect the cleaner components and the cleaner performance to ensure it is operating as designed. Replace and/or repair any worn or damages components. Failure to follow instructions or improper installation of the cleaner may result in damage to the cleaner, pool finish or the vinyl liner.
Warnings and safety instructions for Pentair Water Pool and Spa pumps and other related products are available at:
http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-owner/safety-warnings/ or call (800) 831-7133 for additional free copies of these instructions.
Please refer to http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-owner/safetywarnings/ for warning and safety instructions related to this product.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Before you assemble and install your cleaner, you should make sure that your pool is clean and free of algae. If necessary, make the following preparations before proceeding.
Remove the cleaner and all of its parts from the box and check to make sure that all components were included (Figure 2).
Installing the swivel assembly is a snap. Just insert it into the Dorado™ Automatic Pool Cleaner body and give it a quarter turn (Figure 3).
If you attach a unidapt handle to the swivel for manual vacuuming, be sure it is the special, floating unidapt handle provided with the cleaner (Replacement Part No. GW9019). Use of a different unidapt handle will hinder the cleaner's performance.
The cleaner includes twelve sections of hose, each 40 in. (1.02 m) in length (Figure 4).
Do not cut the hose lengths. You will need to connect these 40" sections of hose to create a combined hose length that is at least 4 ft. (1.22m.) longer than the distance from your suction source (whether skimmer or dedicated suction line) to the farthest point in the pool (Figure 5).
Connect the hoses by twisting and pushing the female ends onto the male Figure 4 ends after wetting the ends in the pool (Figure 6).
A special "leader" hose section is designed to connect to the cleaner's swivel assembly and therefore has a larger hose cuff than the other hose lengths (Figures 7 and 8)
Failure to use this leader hose section to attach the hose to the cleaner's swivel assembly will hinder your cleaner's performance. If additional hose is needed, use only hoses from your Pentair Water Pool and Spa dealer (order replacement part No. 41200-0131). Use of another manufacturer's hose will hinder cleaner coverage.
This section describes how to install the Dorado™ Automatic Pool Cleaner. The cleaner is designed to work in a wide variety of swimming pools. Both the standard in-skimmer installation and optional vac port installation are covered below. If your pool configuration is unlike any of the examples, contact your Pentair Water Pool and Spa dealer for assistance, or call Pentair at 1-800-831-7133.
For pools with one skimmer, using the vacuum regulator
The manufacturer recommends the Standard Installation through the pool's skimmer (Figure 8).
The advantage of this installation is its use of the vacuum regulator to balance the water flow between the skimmer and the pool cleaner. The vacuum regulator can be adjusted to changes in the amount of water flow to provide the cleaner with the power necessary to ensure proper cleaning performance, and the manufacturer strongly recommends its use for maximum safety and performance.
Hazardous suction. Can cause entrapment with severe personal injury or drowning.
Use the vacuum regulator in conjunction with your pool cleaner system at all times. The vacuum regulator has an adjustment knob If suction is too high, the knob is turned counterclockwise to decrease the suction. If the suction is too low, the knob is turned clockwise to increase the suction.
The vacuum regulator must be installed in conjunction with the reducer cone (Figure 9).
The reducer cone is required to make most skimmer connections. It will keep the hose and vacuum regulator in place once the filter system is stopped.
To install the vacuum regulator, insert the vacuum regulator and reducer cone in the skimmer. Attach the end of the hose to the regulator (Figure 10).
Make sure the vacuum regulator is submerged at all times. If not, the pump will suck air through the vacuum regulator and lose prime. This could damage the pump.
Vac Port Installation with Vacuum Regulator in Skimmer
If your pool has a vac port (Figure 14), you can install Dorado™ Automatic Pool Cleaner using the Optional Installation.
This section contains information describing the movement and operation of your Dorado™ Automatic Pool Cleaner, as well as tips for "fine-tuning" your pool's valves and connections to optimize the cleaner's cleaning ability.
This is the sound of the oscillator moving back and forth in the oscillator chamber. The best speed for it is about 500 oscillations per minute. The vibration created by the oscillator moves the bristles and the cleaner. If the oscillator is running too fast, the cleaner will have a tendency to climb up the pool wall past the waterline, or "walk out of the pool" and suck air. Reduce the speed by adjusting the vacuum regulator in the skimmer.
Random motion – The cleaner will visit most spots in the pool within a six (6) hour period. It is not specifically programmed, and cannot see the dirt you are seeing. It is a random motion pattern.
The cleaner was designed to spend most of its time in the deep end, where most of the floor and wall area exists.
During a six (6) hour period, the cleaner will visit the shallow end a few times.
Rotating motion – The cleaner will rise up on one side and pivot a few times per minute. This is normal and provides the following:
The cleaner will pick up some debris so large that it may jam. Simply stop the pump and remove the debris from the oscillator, or the swivel assembly.
Pool pump suction is hazardous and can cause entrapment with severe personal injury or drowning. Use vacuum regulator (see instructions below) in pool cleaner system at all times.
NOTICE: Each pool's hydraulic system and vacuum connections are different. Be sure you have installed the vacuum regulator before you "fine-tune" the system. This not only regulates vacuum, but also acts as a safety device.
Suction entrapment, injury, and drowning hazard. If your pool has a dedicated suction port ("vac port") for vacuuming or for an automatic pool cleaner, it must be covered when not in use. A spring loaded safety cover (the "Vac Port Fitting") is included with this pool cleaner. Install it on the vac port to prevent entrapment and injury. For details please refer to the Vac Port Fitting instruction sheet included with your cleaner.
For the novice pool owner for whom pool vacuuming is a new experience, please read all of the following points, installation instructions, and trouble shooting guide carefully.
Please note the following:
For the seasoned pool owner: The Dorado™ Automatic Pool Cleaner connection and vacuum adjustments can be similar to using your manual pool vacuum. Please read on.
You may need to spend some time adjusting the skimmer and main drain valves in order to obtain the best vacuum setting for good cleaner operation. Once you have found the correct valve settings for best operation, we suggest you mark the valves to ensure repeated success.
At first, set valves to give maximum vacuum to the skimmer or vac fitting you have elected to use.
You have too much vacuum if the cleaner climbs up the pool wall past the water line to the point that the cleaner sucks air and the pump loses prime. Frequent loss of prime will damage the pump. To correct this, adjust the regulator by turning the adjustment knob counterclockwise. This will decrease the suction. If the cleaner still climbs out and sucks air, open the main drain valve slightly.
You don't have enough vacuum if the cleaner moves sluggishly or not at all. Be sure the filter system is clean and the regulator and all valves are adjusted to give you maximum vacuum. If the cleaner is still not moving, your pump may not be strong enough to operate the cleaner. Please refer to "Troubleshooting".
If your pool is exposed to large quantities of leaves, we suggest purchasing and installing an in-line leaf canister (part no. R211084K). A leaf canister will provide more debris-loading capacity and also provides a water by-pass when the canister is full. It is very important that the pump not starve for water!
For pools that have large quantities of "big stuff" to pick up, we suggest using the bottom of the skimmer connection in conjunction with an in-line leaf canister (part no. R211084K). A leaf canister will provide more debris-loading capacity and also provides a water by-pass when the canister is full. It is very important that the pump not starve for water!
Some pool owners connect the hose to a skimmer vac plate, which allows the skimmer basket to remain in the skimmer. If this method is used, empty the basket frequently. Also make sure that the vacuum regulator provided is completely submerged so that it will not suck air and damage the pump.
Some pool owners use one of a variety of manufacturer's skimmer vac plates. Some have a vacuum control adjuster, and some do not. The adjuster could be a screw-type, a spring loaded apparatus, or a dial design. For those vac plates with adjusters, it is important to adjust them when fine tuning the vacuum for the Dorado™ Automatic Pool Cleaner.
This section describes the service and maintenance of the Dorado™ Automatic Pool Cleaner.
Hazardous suction. Stop pump before attempting to clean pool cleaner.
Correct: Hose stored correctly – laid out straight, not connected to cleaner.
Wrong: Storing cleaner with hose connected will damage hose and void the hose warranty.
NOTE: Make sure that you do not dislodge the rubber vac skirt while inserting the lower body assembly past the brush ring.
SITUATION | SOLUTIONS: |
Cleaner does not move Oscillator is very slow |
|
Cleaner climbs past water line of pool causing pump to lose prime (suck air) |
|
Cleaner coverage not as expected |
|
Cleaner "stuck" in one spot (more than 15 mins) |
|
Steps and "swim-outs" are not clean |
|
Cleaner flips on its back when pump stops |
|
Hose comes loose when pump stops |
|
Cleaner hovers in one area with hose fully extended |
|
Hose keeps coiling up |
|
Cleaner avoids shallow end of pool |
|
If you have questions about ordering Pentair Aquatic Systems replacement parts, and pool products, please use the following contact information:
Customer Service
(8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. — Eastern and Pacific Times)
Phone: (800) 831-7133
Fax: (800) 284-4151
Web site
visit www.pentairpool.com
or www.staritepool.com to find more information about Pentair products.
Technical Support
Sanford, North Carolina
(8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. ET)
Phone: (919) 566-8000
Fax: (919) 566-8920
Moorpark, California
(8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. PT)
Phone: (805) 553-5000 (Ext. 5591)
Fax: (805) 553-5515
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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