There are three types of automatic pool cleaners; suction side pool cleaners, pressure side pool cleaners and robotic pool cleaners.
Let’s take a look at each one.
Suction Side Automatic Pool Cleaners;
These are cleaners that attach to the suction side of your plumbing. The
suction side refers to the pipes and fittings that bring water out of
the pool to be filtered; that water which is being “sucked” out of the
pool by the filter pump. These cleaners attach to one of the suction
ports at the pool. Usually, this port is the skimmer, or your pool may
have a separate vacuum port where the cleaner’s hose can attach. With
the hose attached and the filter pump running, suction is created on the
underside of the cleaner.
The cleaner moves randomly, or automatically
around the pool with motion created by a device that gives a stop/start
pulsing of water. As the unit travels, debris is sucked up through the
neck and then the hose, past the suction port, through the pipe, and
stops at the filter pump strainer basket, while smaller debris passes
through to the filter. Adjustments on the hose, the unit itself and flow
volume will create different cleaning patterns, so as to maximize pool
coverage.
Pressure Side Cleaners; These cleaners are those that attach
to the pressure side (return) of your circulation system. The water that
is being pumped or “pushed” back to the pool powers these units which
have their own hydraulic power plant inside. Being on the pressure side,
these units have distinct advantages. They are helpful in distributing
clean, filtered water around the pool and having their own debris bag
means that they don’t compromise the filter system. Even with the bag
full, a pressure cleaner still operates, stirring debris up. It just
won’t suck up any more debris until the bag is emptied.
Robotic Pool
Cleaners; These are self contained electric cleaners, which are put into
the pool when there is a need for cleaning. Common brand names include
Aquabot, Dolphin and Aquavac. A transformer is plugged into a wall
outlet, and a long (50 ft) cord from the unit plugs into the
transformer, receiving low voltage power to operate the cleaner. This
power operates two motors; a pump motor which draws debris into the
unit’s filter and a drive motor which moves the unit around the pool.
The advantages to owning a robot cleaner include their self contained
filter, which is easily cleaned. They also do quite well with their
coverage. Some units are computer chip controlled, and some even have
remote controls so you can steer the unit from a lounge chair! Being
that they are the only cleaners not attached in any way to the pool’s
circulation system, they produce no resistance or back pressure on the
filtering. Their cost can be more than suction or pressure side
cleaners.
So which is the right automatic pool cleaner for you?
All three types will get the job done. If you purchase a suction side
automatic pool cleaner you may need to backwash, or clean your filter
more often as a result of the debris being sucked into the filter
system. The pressure side automatic pool cleaners work off the return
line of your pool’s circulation system adding clean, filtered water all
around your swimming pool. Because a robotic pool cleaner is
self-contained (functions independent from your pool’s circulation
system) you may find you do not need to run your pool’s filtration
system as often as before.
The other factor in choosing the automatic
pool cleaner that is right for you is your budget. As the pool cleaner
increases in functionality you can expect an increase in price. Suction
side cleaners are generally the least expensive, robotic cleaners the
most expensive, and pressure side pool cleaners falling somewhere in
between.
