Aquabot Slow/Not Moving Then Not Fully Reversing

by Mike
(NY)

My Aquabot had started to show signs of not being able to propel itself the last time I used it, so this year when I tried to use it and it didn't move, I changed the drive belts but it still was not working. I took it apart and concluded it must be the drive motor.

As I learned how the motor is controlled, I started to think not only could it be a weak motor but it could also be a bad drive board?

I replaced the motor and put the unit back together (it was dark when I finished) and it still did not have good forward propulsion. I assumed it must be the drive board (inside the motor housing).

I decided I should bench test a spare board (from a used motor)before swapping into my Aquabot. I noticed it had the same odd running pattern as the one I already have.

So I started to think the problem was not the board. I checked and sure enough I did not have the belts on my Aquabot configured correctly.

So I corrected the belts and Tested out the unit in my pool.

It ran well in one direction but would get hung up in the reverse direction after only going about 5 feet. Again and Again very strong in one direction and would hang up in other direction?

It seemed like the new motor was stronger but something was still clearly wrong?

I had new drive belts on the unit but I figured let me check the basics.

Sure enough the drive belts were missing some teeth.

So I put new belts on the unit made sure I put it back together correctly and tested it.

Well my Aquabot is now running like new! Thanks to Richard from Aqua Quality Pools and Spas for his help!


Moral of the story: MAKE SURE THE BELTS ARE ON CORRECTLY AND NOT DAMMAGED! JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE NEW DOES NOT PRECLUDE THEM FORM BEING A PROBLEM! THEY MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IF THEY WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY OR MISHANDLED ( please don't ask me how I learned that).


Some Notes: I thought the drive board could be bad because of the way the motor would run and then seem to stall and sputter. It seems that the correct operation is 3 full revolutions, then it goes about 270 degrees further and you get the shuttering and it goes through the cycle again ( 3 full revs + 270 Deg.) that is normal operation apparently.

It should eventually go in the other direction and do the same.

ADMIN NOTE Author has an electrical engineering background