Zodiac F5 Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner

by Zodiac

• Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 pressure side pool cleaner
• Works in all in-ground pools; requires Polaris booster pump
• Palletized in multiples of 16 units
• Ready to connect to 1.5-inch dedicated pressure cleaner line
• Includes 31-feet of feed hose

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 18 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B002HRET6A
• Item model number: F5
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (178 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden)
  • #1 in Patio, Lawn & Garden > Pools, Hot Tubs & Supplies > Cleaning Tools & Attachments > Automatic Pool Cleaners > Pressure Pool Cleaners

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The dependable Polaris 280 pool cleaner easily connects to a dedicated pressure line. Powered by double jets and a separate booster pump, the 280 is suitable for all in-ground pools. It sweeps, scrubs, and vacuums the bottom, walls, and steps of the pool. It also traps large debris like leaves and pebbles in its own filter bag. Also available in a TankTrax model for vinyl pools.

Product Description

This Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 pressure side pool cleaner works in all in-ground pools; requires Polaris booster pump. Palletized in multiples of 16 units. Ready to connect to 1.5-inch dedicated pressure cleaner line. Includes 31-feet of feed hose.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 104 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good cleaner, It works well, poolman review February 4, 2012

By Dave CR

Length: 4:40 Mins

First, you must have a separate pump plumbed in for the Polaris cleaner or you cannot install this cleaner. It needs it's own pump to work off the pressure (return) side of the pool verse the suction (skimmer/side port) side.

I have several customers with these cleaners installed (Two with Polaris 180 models which means that after 15 years they are still working fine) and all work off the same principal. The Polaris pump sends high pressure to the line the Polaris is attached to spinning the wheels and moving the cleaner. Every few minutes the Backup valve activates and reverses the cleaner (prevents it from getting stuck in one area).

These cleaners work well if they are set up correctly. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Hose length is important. Too much hose and the cleaner will not work properly.

The Back-up Valve must be installed 14-20 inches from the cleaner and the water opening (where water shoots out of) must be facing the cleaner and not away from it. These valves tend to fail often. To know if it is working properly, lift it out of the water when the Polaris is running. If water is continuously shooting out and never stops, it has failed and you need a new one, otherwise the Polaris will not run.

The Quick Disconnect that attaches the Polaris to the wall also has an adjustment on it, make sure it is not all the way open or there will not be enough pressure. They tend to crack under the pressure so check it periodically to see if water is shooting out of it from a crack.

Sometimes when you clean the filter, some element will enter the Polaris return line. Simply disconnect the wall connector and clean out the small debris basket (looks like a Thimble)....

If you find the Polaris on it's side in the bottom of the pool, the rear float has probably failed and is full of water. Simply remove it and install a new one. These are the most common problems you will have.

If the cleaner starts and runs for a few seconds then stops, then runs again and stops; check the skimmer basket & pump basket for debris (possibly low water too), if pool does not run the Polaris will not either since it works off the return water pressure.

If the Polaris hose is tangled and doesn't seem to unwind, just add a Swivel to the hose by cutting the hose with a blade, and inserting a swivel with 2 nuts to hold it in. Make sure the arrow on the swivel is pointed towards the Polaris and don't add a swivel within 10 FT of the Polaris (otherwise it will do 360 all day).

The manufacturer recommends Polaris Tail Sweep Pro Accessory if the Polaris tail is shooting water out of the pool. This will keep it from shooting out onto the deck.

This would be a five star cleaner if not for a separate pump running when it is cleaning, not a very energy efficient set up even if you only need to run it 2 hours a day. With all that said, the cleaner should give you many years of great service. The parts do wear out (although I have several units that I haven't had to rebuild in 5 plus years), most commonly the rubber Tires and the wheel bearings. The other parts seem to last a very long time. A very good cleaner. Read more ›

73 of 76 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just as promised September 20, 2009

By Swimdad

Amazon Verified Purchase

After receiveing the $85 quote to repair my aging Polaris cleaner I knew it was time for a new one. With all the incentives on the 380 or 3900 I was going to go with the 380 which was actually cheaper (after incentives) than the 280 but I started asking around - mostly pool professionals - and all (8 for 8) recommeneded the 280 even if the price were higher.

We are happy with the purchase and I was able to save over $100 by buying off Amazon vs. any retail store. There were a few other online sites where it was $15-$20 cheaper but didn't have the reputation or # of stars.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Experience of 280 as compared with 380 and 3900 March 29, 2012

By tx_marketing_online

I have a 22,000 gal pool and have owned the 280, 380 and now the 3900 over the past 10 years. The 280 lasted 7+ years; I replaced it with the 380 and after 1-1/2 years of trying to get it to clean as good as the previous cleaner, I finally gave up and turned to the 3900. The 3900 has been in service now for about 1-1/2 years. The 3900 is a decent cleaner but the thing is like the quintessential Ferrari, runs great while it is running, but requires constant maintenance and tuning. Looking back, nothing cleans like that ole' 280. I recently spoke with 1) my original pool designer, 2) a neighbor who is an award winning pool designer, and 3) an experienced pool installer/maintainer that I have come to trust implicitly (I have worked with several, this guy is on top of his game). All three aforementioned sources wholeheartedly agreed that the 280 just cannot be beat by any of today's available cleaners. The simplicity and cleaning efficiency are unmatched. Right now I am stuck with the 3900 because of the money invested and have even had to replace the main gearbox for a cool $150, plus another $200 in tensioner/follower, bearings, hose attachment assembly, bags, etc, etc. Next major breakdown? ... this thing is out the door and it is back to the trusty 280 ... I hope this helps.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best pool cleaner August 18, 2009

By Tesla

I have tried a number of pool cleaners. Kreepy Krauly was worthless - gets stuck in corners, wears out your pump faster because of its action, gets clogged easily. Dolphin - biggest waste of money I've ever seen, don't get me started. My neighbor has the Polaris 360 that works off the return line - he hates it, these "Lo-pressure" cleaners do not work well. So when I drained my pool to have it replastered, I decided to install a booster pump and new line so that I could have a Polaris 280. Best decision I ever made. Cleans pool great. By far the best pool cleaner out there.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as it has been for the past 10 years March 20, 2010

By Pepo

Amazon Verified Purchase

I had to replace my old Polaris 180. I used it for 10 years and it was already over 8 years old when I bought the house. The 280 cleans the pool very well with minimum maintenance. I put a 12 inches nylon sock (6 for $1.00 at the dollar store) over the exit going inside the bag and change it every 3-4 weeeks. This way I do not have to clean the bag. The 280 has an easy to handle bag, a wider suction mouth and the back flow device to move it from places to places in the pool every 5 min. help to make a perfect job. Polaris sent me free of charge a G-9 coupler to hook it up from my old .75 inch pool wall return. Buying through Amazon at discounted price contributed to make it overall an excellent buy.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No pool boy needed with this robot! June 14, 2007

By Simon Walters

I just purchased my second Polaris 280. My first is still running but not as strong as when I first purchased it. However the thing works great. It does a nice job of stirring things up if it so the filter has a chance to work.

The one thing they don't tell you is they also sell these in black and while the first one I got with my pool was white, I have a a black gunite pool and it makes sense to have a black one.

The thing works like a charm and I can't say enough about it other than shut it off when changing the bag or you will get soaked.