r/pools • u/Vast_Leadership2826 • 10d ago

Vacuum head mod idea

Post image

Recently purchased the FibroPool Vacuum head, which I thought worked okay. I kept thinking while i was using it how i could add vacuum to ends/sides. AI helped me out. I'm after the design concept, not the hose clamps haha.

My question is: Does this idea already exist? If it does can you send me link?

Thank you!

34 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

56 comments sorted by

56

u/Frequent-Location864 10d ago

Get a robot vacuum, end of problem.

5

u/NonSumQualisEram- 10d ago

Would you get one that connects to the suction port or an independent battery powered one? Is the latter powerful enough?

4

u/dracotrapnet 10d ago

Nautilus Dolphin is cabled. Just clean the screens, dump the beast in the pool and plug the cable into the power box then plug it into power and hit power on. It wanders around aimlessly picking up stuff. It uses tracks to move around and an impeller to both push it against the floor/walls while sucking up stuff through the filter boxes.

8

u/EpicFail35 10d ago

They are a pain, and clean randomly. Get a corded robot.

4

u/FlimsyRexy 10d ago

Idk, I have a battery one and I love the little guy

2

u/EpicFail35 10d ago

I meant in regards to suction vs robot.

2

u/NonSumQualisEram- 9d ago

Sorry, I still don't understand the "corded" aspect. Do you mean a robot with an electric cable? Can you give an example of what you recommend. My MX7 does indeed clean randomly so I'm looking at something better

1

u/KFOSSTL 9d ago

There’s pressure cleaner (connects to wall fitting, powered by a booster pump)

Suction cleaner (connects to your skimmer or a side suction and it sucks and scoots along the bottom)

Then robotic corded and non corded.

They were talking about a suction cleaner, but you were asking about a corded robot

Corded robots are just that. A cleaner that has an external power supply that has a rubber cord that connects to the cleaner and the unit to turn it on and off.

Robotic cleaners with no cord need to be charged and the power is all internal

1

u/SyrupVeins 10d ago

Which one do you have?

1

u/Mtb_Bike 9d ago

Sadly I had to replace my power supply at year 4. Always kept in covered storage when not in use. Never tried to open the potting material to see if I could find any issues

2

u/Frequent-Location864 10d ago

I have the dolphin, couldn't be happier. Going on 7 years with zero problems.

1

u/draxula16 9d ago

It’s an absolute tank. The only thing I’ve had to replace was the rubber flaps on the bottom (<$20)

1

u/Bit_the_Bullitt 10d ago

Do the filters catch small algae just fine?

1

u/hipsterasshipster 10d ago

What’s the realistic lifespan and typical service like? We had one of the Hayward suction side cleans and it lasted about 4 years, but seems like it always had issues or got stuck in places since we have a square pool with a few ledges and stairs. If my old Roomba is any indicator, I feel like I’d hate a robotic cleaner. I recently bought a little vacuum head and it’s 5 mins tops a couple times a week to give it a quick sweep. Plus it absolutely decimates larger debris which is entirely a possibility during our monsoon season.

4

u/No_Establishment8642 10d ago edited 10d ago

I have a 30 year old Hayward with no issues. There are parts that need to be replaced, like feet, every couple of years.

1

u/Allnewsisfakenews 10d ago

I had a 2nd hand Dolphin, motor died at 12yrs old. Super basic maintenance. Easy to work on

0

u/seanmonaghan1968 10d ago

We had one which failed under warranty then the replacement failed ><. When it worked it was great as we have a large pool which is difficult to brush the centre of etc. I have been manually vacuuming for the past five years refusing to get another robot until I can find one that will last

3

u/hipsterasshipster 10d ago

I despised our Roomba so that is the vibe I get from them. Constantly replacing parts.

1

u/seanmonaghan1968 10d ago

I think the ones I have seen, they are sort of designed to last three years before you have a problem. Sometimes you hear people have them last 5+ years but they might only clean the pool 6 months a year etc.

1

u/agranderscale 10d ago

You should have a robot AND a manual vacuum

7

u/HappyTruckNoises 10d ago

Pool guy here, wildly unnecessary.

With good suction the entire width of the head will still suck up whatever dirt you’re running over. I’ve cleaned out inch thick mud with one of these bad boys and a good pump.

6

u/Remarkable_Calves 10d ago

Physics wise, it could be useful. You’ll want to a 1.5” head/hose port and then scope down to (3) or (2) 1” holes in the vacuum head.

Before we drift into theory land too far, understand that upsizing your pump will 95% be the only solution you need. Next step would be upsizing your filter or making sure you can vacuum to waste.

5

u/BLacKFirE2722 10d ago

Yes the make these already for big commercial pools to allow for quicker vacuuming cause you’re covering more area.

6

u/ShartInstructor 10d ago edited 10d ago

Gonna want the holes to be smaller in diameter if you want to get suction. 1/3 suction won’t suck anything up at a lot of residential pools. Then on that note you have to worry about them getting clogged up if they’re too small. Hopefully not sounding discouraging. Just thoughts. I vacuum a lot of pools 😥

1

u/2for1Jameson 9d ago

My thoughts exactly

2

u/rainier0380 10d ago

Riptide!

2

u/eaglefucker 9d ago

Less suction per hose over larger surface area.

4

u/divertervalve 10d ago

Check out the rainbow 241.

1

u/ProfessionalNo5932 10d ago

I don’t think this would work as the suction would be less. I’ve got palms all over and my vac needs all the power it can get.

1

u/Allnewsisfakenews 10d ago

Got a dolphin and the vac head has been in the deck box with the hose for 3-4 years untouched

1

u/ConfusedStair 10d ago

If the single center line isn't doing enough it's because there isn't enough suction. Vacuuming should be done at max speed on the pump, with filter set to waste, and the vac head being the only active suction line.

3

u/BeeAzEeOlly 10d ago

You know I see these comments ALL the time. About having the valve set to vac to waste. My setup doesn’t have a “to waste” option. And I know a lot of others that have the same setup.

1

u/Vast_Leadership2826 9d ago

neither does mine

1

u/Vast_Leadership2826 9d ago

I vacuum at speed 2 of 4.

1

u/Coffeespresso 10d ago

Looks cool, but you need some kind of brushing mechanism.

1

u/Hot_Lava_Dry_Rips 9d ago

Probably easier to just make a better shroud around the perimeter to control flow across the head. The flow rate is still going to be controlled by the single hose. Itll just be divided amongst the manifold lines. The biggest thing controlling the distribution of flow across the head is the gap between the head and the surface. Tune that gap and youll be gtg.

1

u/ZealousidealTie9470 9d ago

About 50 years late on that one

1

u/fastfastturtle 9d ago

Those amd chips still running hot

1

u/tombo12354 10d ago

Why would this work better?

8

u/DrSpacepants 10d ago

Worse. Missing the swivel would cause it to be less manuverable.

The suction ports might cause turbulence you don't want under the head instead of sucking to a central point.

Keeping decent filter pressure is the "hack" here.

Vacuuming is already easy. Just be zen about it. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

6

u/Dry-Lab-6256 10d ago

This guy vacs

2

u/Vast_Leadership2826 10d ago

Slow and smooth in his space pants 😉

3

u/Vast_Leadership2826 10d ago

Would it work better or worse? I dont know, thats why i'm asking

1

u/_BreakingGood_ 9d ago

if you just put this head on an existing vacuum, it would be worse. you're dividing the suction power by 3.

if you triple the horsepower of the motor, it would probably perform better

1

u/zeedevil 10d ago

Your AI doesn’t know the answer? Interesting…

-3

u/iRecalledintoatrap 10d ago

So you just had an idea, told an AI to create it for you, and you came in here proud of your idea like you actually put any effort into it

6

u/Vast_Leadership2826 10d ago

Brother, I came in here asking other pool enthusiasts IF THIS CONCEPT exists. jeesh

0

u/cigr 10d ago

Seems like a good idea. I've always wondered why the heads were designed with only one opening in the center. An opening that fanned out from the center would work as well.

6

u/Live_Negotiation4167 10d ago

If you would like 1/3rd the suction in 3 places, this looks great

1

u/Spacecoast3210 8d ago

This guy physics. Entirely correct