Automatic Leisure Time
Everyone loves a backyard pool, up until it comes time to clean it. Manually cleaning a pool is a tedious and inefficient process, which is why pool owners are increasingly looking to automate the chore with a pool cleaning robot. But with so many different corded and cordless options on the market, how do you know which is right for you? William Neilson from Sydney Pool + Outdoor Design speaks with Paul London, owner of Sydney Pool Robotics, to get the scoop on how to choose the best robot pool cleaner for your pool
Sydney Pool Robotics is a leading supplier of pool cleaning robots to both residential and commercial pool owners. The company stocks the latest models from all the major brands, and the expert team can walk through the process of deciding which features matter most to you. If you have a pool cleaning robot in need of repairs or maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact the team for help. The company stocks a comprehensive range of spare parts and can even book your robot in for a service. Contact Sydney Pool Robotics to see what they can do for you.
Living on Batteries
When it comes to choosing a robot pool cleaner the biggest decision to make is whether it will be corded or cordless. Cordless pool cleaning robots are most celebrated for their convenience. Cordless cleaning robots don’t need to be plugged in when operating, so there’s no need to find a power point that’s close enough and no cause for worrying about leaving a cable lying on the ground for as long as it takes the cleaner to finish.
These can be great for smaller pools with low volumes of debris that need extracting, but for larger pools with higher volumes of dirt and debris the machine will not be able to cope and will require regular intervention. The problem comes down to how to maintain performance when relying on a limited power source. “Cordless robots rely on powerful lithium batteries, in my opinion the technology is not yet where it needs to be to provide value for money. As those batteries get bigger and increase the robot’s performance, the price goes up and up,” London elaborates.
The charging of these batteries can also be inconvenient. Charging a cordless pool cleaning robot requires removing it from the pool and connecting it to its charger. Cheaper models of robots typically rely on plug in style chargers, whereas premium models are more likely to make use of inductive charging, which is more reliable and much safer to use.
The Perks of Steady Power
If a cordless model isn’t appropriate, then it’s time to look for a corded pool cleaning robot. Many people discount corded models because of the perceived inconvenience and unsightliness of the power cord, but London reports that he and his team actually receive very few complaints from pool owners who opt for a corded model. The cord can be easily tucked away when the robot is not actively in use and the potential difficulty of finding an outlet is vastly outweighed by the benefits of a constant power source.
The performance of a corded pool cleaning robot will never decline as its battery runs low; it will always perform at its peak. You also never need to worry about a robot with a flat battery getting stuck at the bottom of your pool or having to replace an expensive lithium-ion battery when it eventually degrades.
Corded robots are also an appropriate choice for any size of pool, from the smallest of home pools right up to the largest of commercial pools, so you never need worry about selecting one that isn’t up to the job. The higher flow rates a corded motor is capable of delivers superior pool cleaning performance, and when looked after properly they can last for up to eight years.
London provides some key pointers on pool robot maintenance: “The key is water balance. If your chlorine spikes, then damage can be done to the cord as well as the robot itself. Dogs also have an affinity for robot cords, we can find ourselves replacing more than 20 cords per year as a result of dogs chewing them up.”
Work Smarter Not Harder
When considering your options, it is also important take factor in exactly what features are essential to you and within your budget. Most robotic pool cleaners in the mid-to-high range feature wi-fi connectivity, which allows features such as remote operation, timer settings and cleaning modes.
They can also collect data on things such as the water temperature and whether the filters are full. As London explains, “These features are most useful in corded models as they are constantly connected, cordless robots are often not communicating while in the pool so the wi-fi feature loses some of its benefit.”
It’s important to note that some cheaper robots don’t have spare parts available, especially the batteries of cordless models, so be sure to investigate how repairable your robot is. Money saved now could very well be lost later if you’re forced to buy a whole new robot. Do your research into what options are available and make an informed decision to ensure you get the most out of your new robotic pool cleaner.
Images Courtesy of Sydney Pool Robotics