| An automatic pool cleaner is a necessity when | | | | (wait 45 seconds and switch it on again). This |
| you have a swimming pool and we have two! | | | | kept happening and we soon concluded it was |
| Unfortunately (or so it seemed), an above ground | | | | faulty although we did agree that what it had |
| pool with a PVC liner is notoriously difficult to find | | | | cleaned, it had cleaned effectively and gently. |
| an automatic pool cleaner for since most will climb | | | | Kaltech listened to our complaint, didn't argue and |
| the pool wall and thus tear the liner. We spoke to | | | | arranged for a replacement to be tested and sent |
| several local specialist swimming pool supplies | | | | out to us. We packaged up the old one and took |
| shops and it seemed like it would be impossible to | | | | it to our local courier (the agreement is that we |
| find an automatic pool cleaner for our pools. | | | | pay for the courier to the UK, they pay for the |
| A search on the internet found the Aquabot | | | | courier to us). |
| Neptuno made by a UK company called Kaltech. It | | | | A few days later a new Aquabot Neptuno arrived |
| seemed ideal but (particularly given the price) we | | | | and we finally tried it out last night. It worked |
| wanted to be sure therefore we asked to speak | | | | perfectly, switching itself off as it is supposed to |
| to a technician who helpfully made an overseas | | | | after about 3 hours. The main swimming pool, a |
| call to our cell phone. He spoke at length about | | | | stretched octagon, is now much cleaner. We have |
| the Aquabot Neptuno and was confident that it | | | | only two complaints. |
| would not damage our swimming pool liner. | | | | Firstly, there were two patches which the |
| We took the plunge and ordered a machine. It | | | | automatic pool cleaner did not find - both adjacent |
| arrived a few days later and we unpacked it | | | | to our 'Roman' steps. One of those patches was |
| being careful to remove the clingfilm which | | | | probably too small for the machine but the other |
| protects the rollers. Essentially the Aquabot | | | | was missed for no obvious reason. Next time, we |
| Neptuno is a pump with a filter which is mounted | | | | will start the machine from there and see if it |
| on rubber caterpillar tracks and with two big stiff | | | | ignores a different area instead! |
| sponge rollers in front to do the cleaning. Inside is | | | | Secondly, there was a clerical error by which |
| a bag which collects the detritus from the bottom | | | | someone wrote the delivery address as being the |
| of the pool. The power supply is 12V DC which | | | | one our credit card was registered to and it was |
| comes via a 230/240V transformer (supplied). | | | | only thanks to the courier ignoring that in favour |
| The cable trails across the surface of the water | | | | of their local knowledge of where we live that |
| therefore the Aquabot Neptuno should not get | | | | caused the Aquabot Neptuno to arrive. |
| tangled in its own power lead. | | | | That said, Kaltech were very helpful - from the |
| We launched the machine and waited the requisite | | | | original call from the technician to the many emails |
| 20 minutes while the rollers absorbed the water. | | | | from them giving me tracking details of the |
| If you don't do this, then there can be a build-up | | | | parcels and generally keeping me informed of |
| of friction and either your liner or the rollers may | | | | progress. My contact there was a lady called Lucy |
| get damaged. | | | | and she took great pains to be helpful - my |
| The machine set off across the bottom of the | | | | particular thanks goes to her. |
| pool travelling much faster than we had expected | | | | This was an expensive purchase - our blue and |
| - almost at the fastest pace one could have | | | | yellow submarine - but, to date, we are delighted |
| walked through the water at. Unfortunately, after | | | | with our Aquabot Neptuno automatic pool cleaner. |
| a few minutes it stopped and we had to restart it | | | | |