CLEAN POWER

Why does the “Barracuda G4″ pool cleaner say its ONLY for in-ground pools?

I have an above ground pool and have tried a few different automatic pool cleaners with no luck. My father has an inground pool and uses a Barracuda G3 which does a great job.

I went to the Barracuda website and want either a G3 or G4 but they say its ONLY for inground pools. Does anyone know why I cannot use a Barracuda G3 or G4 for an above ground pool? Does anyone use an above ground auto-cleaner they just love?

I have a 15×33 oval above ground pool.

http://www.baracuda.com/g4.htm <– Barracuda G4 Product info

It’s similar in concept to the Kreepy Krawly. It’s designed to climb the walls in an in-ground pool. The main difference is that there is either a gradual slope (sometime two 45 degree angles) between the walls and the floor of an in-ground pool. It’s designed to hit this and keep going (to climb all the way to the waterline.)

In an above-ground pool, generally the wall-to-floor is a 90 degree angle.

You probably already know that, but the problem is the cleaner will get stuck and wear abnormally if it hit the wall and couldn’t keep going. (Like it would in an above-ground pool) That would void it’s warranty.
(The rings on the similar-looking above-ground cleaners on that page prevent them from getting stuck against the walls.)

As far as what cleaner might work for you, a lot depends on what kind of debris you get in the pool and how powerful your filter system is, etc. I use a Hayward Aquacritter in mine (21 round), and it works great for me (with the optional leaf canister since I get a lot of leaves in my pool.)

Addl:

As far as my statement about voiding the warranty being “rubbish”, tell that to the manufacturer and see what they think. (Never mind that it says so right on the link you provided.) I’ve had experience in this area… manufacturers look to get out of spending any unnecessary money (as in paying warranty claims they feel they shouldn’t) as well as anyone. If you use their product for other than its intended use, no mfg. is going to cover that under warranty. (At least that’s the way it is here in the States.) They will be able to tell by the wear on the unit that it was not used as intended.

(They might give in after an extended fight, but it’s not worth the hassle.)

And can you use an inground cleaner in an above-ground pool? Try it with a Hayward Pool Vac, for example, and watch what happens… (The inground version of my Aquacritter, which like the Barracudas, are basically identical inside.) The difference being the ring on the aquacritter that allows it to turn when it hits a pool wall. Oh… and the price of the Pool Vac usually being around twice that of the Aquacritter. Seems like another good reason to me not to use an inground cleaner in an above-ground pool. (Unless someone likes spending a lot more for things…. Or likes to sell more expensive things.) As important as any obstructions on the floor are the angles between the walls and floor of the pool. Some cleaners may be able to work correctly in both, but most won’t.

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