Polaris Vac-Sweep® 360 Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Why does my Polaris 360 get stuck in corners or on other obstacles longer than 3 minutes?

A:  Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute.  The optimal range is between 28-32 RPM.  It is easy to check the RPM by bringing the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged, turn it so the single side wheel is up (make sure you hold on to the sweep hose so you will not get wet). Mark the single wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute, beginning after the Polaris has completed a back-up cycle (back-up jet off).  If your wheel RPM is in the correct range, you will need to make sure your back-up valve is cycling.  Hold the back up valve out of the water and watch the back up jet to make sure it turns on and turns off.  This jet should be off longer than it is on.  Turn your Polaris 360 off, remove it from the water and spin one wheel and verify that all wheels spin together.  Finally, check your thrust jet located on the back of your cleaner; it should be in the eleven o’clock position.  If all the above items check out okay, then it may be necessary to install a ladder guard kit (part #G-21) to keep your Polaris from getting stuck on the ladder.

Q:  Why doesn’t my Polaris clean the entire pool?

A: Your Polaris 360 cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute.  The optimal range is between 28-32 RPM.  It is easy to check the RPM by bringing the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged.  Turn it so the single side wheel is up (make sure you hold on to the sweep hose so you will not get wet). Mark the single wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute, beginning after the Polaris has completed a back-up cycle (back-up jet off).  If your wheel RPM is in the correct range, you will need to make sure your back-up valve is cycling.  Hold the back up valve out of the water and watch the back up jet to make sure it turns on and turns off.  This jet should be off longer than it is on.  Turn off your Polaris 360, remove it from the water and spin each wheel to verify that all wheels spin together.  It is also important to make sure the feed hose reaches within 6” of the farthest point of the pool.  If the hose is either too long or too short, please see your owner’s manual for detailed hose cutting instructions. Next, check your thrust jet located on the back of your cleaner; it should be in the eleven o’clock position.  Finally, the swivel on the 360’s feed pipe must move freely for optimum turning ability.  If it binds then you will need to replace the feed pipe assembly (part # 9-100-1002).

Q:  Why does my Polaris 360 move too slowly?

A: Your Polaris cleaner needs to operate at a minimum number of wheel revolutions per minute.  The optimal range is between 28-32 RPM.  It is easy to check the RPM by bringing the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged.  Turn it so the single side wheel is up (make sure you hold on to the sweep hose so you will not get wet).  Mark the single wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute, beginning after the Polaris has completed a back-up cycle (back-up jet off).   Is your Polaris 360 plugged into a return line or a dedicated cleaner line?  Return line installations may require you to restrict the flow to one or more of your extra return lines.  Please verify that the flow has been restricted to these extra return lines.  You may need to purchase restrictor plugs (sizes vary depending on the diameter of the holes).  Since the Polaris 360 uses your existing filter pump (does not require a booster pump), it is very important that you keep the filter screen in the quick disconnect clean.  Also, your skimmer and filter baskets need to be cleaned regularly as well as keeping your pool filter clean.  If your pool filter is dirty, you will need to back wash it.  Next you will need to verify that your hose swivels and nuts are securely attached to your feed hose pieces to prevent any water pressure loss which can cause your cleaner to move too slowly. Finally, you will need to make sure your back-up valve is cycling.  Hold the back up valve out of the water and watch the back up jet to make sure it turns on and turns off.  This jet should be off longer than it is on.

Q:  Why does my Polaris 360 move too fast?

A:  Just as low RPM will cause your cleaner to move too slowly, high RPM will cause your 360 to move too quickly.  The optimal range is between 28-32 RPM.  It is easy to check the RPM by bringing the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged.  Turn it so the single side wheel is up (make sure you hold on to the sweep hose so you will not get wet).  Mark the single wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute, beginning after the Polaris has completed a back-up cycle (back-up jet off).    Then unscrew the pressure relief valve on the quick disconnect until your Polaris is operating between 28-32 RPM.

Q:  Why doesn’t my Polaris back-up?

A:  First, you will need to make sure your back-up valve is cycling.  Hold the back up valve out of the water and watch the back up jet to make sure it turns on and turns off.  This jet should be off longer than it is on.  Check your 360’s wheel RPM; they should be between 28-32 revolutions per minute.  It is easy to check the RPM by bringing the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged.  Turn it so the single side wheel is up (make sure you hold on to the sweep hose so you will not get wet).  Mark the single wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute, beginning after the Polaris has completed a back-up cycle (back-up jet off). You may need to replace the head float (part #A-20), if it is full of water.  Finally, verify that your Polaris’ feed hose is floating and not sagging.

Q:  Why does my 360 only turn in one direction?

A:  First, you will need to check the thrust jet located on the back of your cleaner; it should be in the eleven o’clock position. Turn off your Polaris 360, remove it from the water and spin each wheel to verify that all wheels spin together.  Next, the swivel on the 360’s feed pipe must move freely for optimum turning ability.  If it binds then you will need to replace the feed pipe assembly (part #9-100-1002).  Verify that your Polaris’ feed hose is floating and not sagging, and that any curve in the hose that connects to the cleaner head is aligned with the curve of the feed pipe.  Finally, check your 360’s wheel RPM; they should be between 28-32 revolutions per minute.  It is easy to check the RPM by bringing the cleaner to the edge of the pool keeping it submerged.  Turn it so the single side wheel is up (make sure you hold on to the sweep hose so you will not get wet). Mark the single wheel or place a leaf or twig under the tire as a starting point; count the revolutions of the marked wheel for exactly one minute, beginning after the Polaris has completed a back-up cycle (back-up jet off).

Q:  Why does the Polaris run on its side?

A:  If your bag is full of debris it may affect how your cleaner operates.  Make sure you empty the filter bag regularly.  Check for water in the head float by removing it from the cleaner and shaking it.  If there is water in the float, replace it (part #A-20).  Finally, make sure your float hose is floating and not sagging.

Q:  Why does my Polaris 360 feed hose become tangled?

A:  The Polaris 360 feed hose needs to be the proper size for your pool.  First, make sure the feed hose does not extend beyond the farthest point of the pool.  If it does, cut off the overage amount from the first section of your feed hose from the pool wall. Next, you will need to make sure your back-up valve is cycling.  Hold the back up valve out of the water and watch the back up jet to make sure it turns on and turns off.  This jet should be off longer than it is on. Finally, verify that your Polaris’ feed hose is floating and not sagging and that the 3 hose floats are positioned properly.  The first float is located behind the back-up valve, the second one 4 feet up the feed hose (toward the pool wall) and the third float is located 7 feet from the back-up valve.

Q:  Why does my Polaris 360’s sweep hose get sucked into the vacuum tube?

A: The sweep hose should be moving in a gentle sweeping motion.  You can adjust its motion by turning the adjustment screw until it slows down to a gentle sweeping motion.  Also, verify that your sweep hose scrubber is not blocking the opening at the end of the sweep hose.  If it is, move the scrubber so that it will not block this opening.

Q:  Why does the Polaris’ sweep hose spray water out of the pool?

A:  There are three things that can cause your Polaris to spray water out of the pool.   First, your sweep hose scrubber may be worn or missing.  You can replace it by purchasing part #9-100-3105.  Secondly, your sweep hose could be operating too fast.  The sweep hose should be moving in a gentle sweeping motion.  You can adjust the motion of your sweep hose by turning the adjustment screw until it slows down to a gentle sweeping motion.  Finally, it might be necessary to add a sweep hose weight (part #B-2) to keep your hose from spraying water.

For additional information regarding the Polaris 360, please contact the Polaris Customer Service Department at 1-800-VAC-SWEEP.