Automatic Pool Cleaners
Anyone who has been delegated the task of cleaning the swimming pool knows that purchasing an automatic pool cleaner is money well spent. Automatic pool cleaners move along the floor of the swimming pool sucking up trash and debris while you sleep, so the job of pool cleaning is greatly reduced. Some pool cleaners will even climb the walls of the pool removing loose debris and scrubbing the pool surfaces. Automatic pool cleaners come in three different varieties:
- Suction Side Pool Cleaners
- Pressure Side Pool Cleaners
- Electric Robotic Pool Cleaners
Suction Side Automatic Pool Cleaners
operate off the suction created by the pool pump. They are usually connected to a skimmer in the pool and as they move along the pool floor debris is sucked up and trapped in the swimming pool filter. If your pool is such that gets a fair amount of leaves and larger debris in it, the filter and pump basket will need to be cleaned regularly using this type cleaner. On the positive side they are capable of removing smaller particles much better than pressure side cleaners that use a net type bag to contain the debris they pick up.
Pressure Side Automatic Pool Cleaners
operate on water pressure either generated by the pool pump or may use a dedicated booster pump for their operation. Pressure side pool cleaners that use the booster pump usually are more efficient at picking up larger debris than ones operating on the pool pump alone. The down side to these type cleaners are the net bags will not catch smaller debris such as sand and silt. Think of them as the net you use on your pole, smaller particles just pass right through the weave.
Robotic Pool Cleaners
are self contained units that run off electricity. They have a power pack that is plugged into household current, the voltage is reduced to avoid electrical shock , and the robot is powered by built in motors. Most robotic cleaners have brushes on them and actually scrub the pool walls and floor. Some robotic pool cleaners have on board computers so it can (learn) the shape of the pool to more effectively clean all areas. Robotic cleaners catch all the trash and debris they remove in a self contained filter. The true advantage to these type cleaners is the scrubbing action. No more walking around the pool scrubbing the walls. Robotic pool cleaners are the most expensive of the three but for the job they perform you may decide it’s a great investment.
Hopefully this article has provided you with information needed to make the best choice in the swimming pool cleaner that best fits your needs.
