Zodiac Pool Systems Baracuda S3 User manual

Owner’s
Manual
Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
2620 Commerce Way
Vista, CA 92081
Tel: 800-822-7933
Fax: 877-327-1403
www.baracuda.com © 2009 Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. TL-3200 W1833A 2/09

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Congratulations on purchasing the Baracuda®S3 Robotic cleaner. Please take a
moment to read through the entire manual before installing your new unit. Your
cleaner must be installed and operated as specified.
READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
SAVE ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
PREVENT ELECTRICAL SHOCK
• To reduce risk of electrical shock
- Connect unit to receptacle protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
- Per United States National Electric Code (NEC), keep the power unit at least five
(5) feet (Canada 3m (10ft.) per CEC requirements) from pool edge and do not
remove it from caddy. Never submerge the power supply.
- Do not enter pool while S3 Robotic is in water.
- Do not bury cord. Locate cord so as to prevent it from being damaged by lawn
mowers, hedge trimmers and other equipment.
- S3 Robotic is designed with double insulation protection. Double insulation is a
concept of safety in electric power products which eliminates the need for the
usual three (3) wire grounded power cord. All exposed metal parts are isolated
from the internal live parts with two insulation layers.
- Double insulation—For continued protection against possible electric shock, use
only identical replacement parts when servicing. Do not attempt repair of the
S3 Robotic cleaner, power supply unit, power cord, or floating cable.
- To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use S3 Robotic cleaner or power supply
if the cord is worn or damaged. Contact Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. immediately for
a replacement cord.
- NEVER OPEN POWER SUPPLY UNIT.
- Do not use an extension cord to connect the unit to electric supply; provide a
properly located outlet. The power supply unit shall be placed near the outlet box.
PREVENT CHILD INJURY AND DROWNING
• To reduce the risk of injury, do not permit children to operate this product.
• Do not let anyone, especially small children, sit, step, lean, or climb on any
equipment installed as part of your pool’s operational system. Unless otherwise
stated, per United States National Electric Code (NEC), ALL components of your
pool’s operational system should be located at least five (5) feet from the pool
(3m (10ft.) in Canada per the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) so children cannot use
the equipment to gain access and be injured or drown.
WARNING Failure to heed the following warnings can result
in permanent injury, electrocution or drowning.
!
CAUTION Failure to heed the following warnings could cause
damage to pool equipment or personal injury.
!
• S3Roboticmustbeinstalledandoperatedasspecified.
• TurnS3Roboticoffbeforeremovingitfromwater,anddonotoperateoutofwater.
• DonotremoveS3Roboticfromthepoolfor15minutesafterthecleaningcycle
has completed.
• CleanfilterelementintheS3Roboticaftereachuse.
• Donotusetheproductinyourpoolifthewatertemperatureis
above 95˚ F (35˚ C) or below 55˚ F (13˚ C).
CONTENTS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 2
S3 RObOTIC LIMITED WARRANTY 4
ASSEMbLY AND INITIAL USAGE 5
UNPACKING 5
ASSEMbLING THE TRANSPORT CADDY 5
CONNECTING THE POWER SUPPLY TO CADDY 5
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION 6
SUbMERGING THE CLEANER 6
INITIAL USAGE 7
RECOMMENDATIONS 7
CARE AND MAINTENANCE 8
CLEANING THE FILTER ELEMENT 8
CLEANING AND STORAGE OF THE CLEANER 9
CHANGING THE bRUSHES 9
WEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS 9
TROUbLESHOOTING 10
ELECTRICAL CERTIFICATIONS 11
23

S3 ROBOTIC LIMITED WARRANTY
THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THE S3 ROBOTIC CLEANER.
YOUR S3 ROBOTIC HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED TO BE EASILY INSTALLED
AND TO PROVIDE LOW MAINTENANCE OPERATION.
PRIOR TO INSTALLING YOUR NEWS3 ROBOTIC, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:
1) Complete and return the warranty card.
2) Record your purchase information on the spaces provided below.
3) Attach your invoice (or a copy) to this page.
These actions will insure prompt warranty service, should it be required. Simply present your owner’s manual, along with the
invoice at any of our authorized warranty centers nationwide.
RECORD YOUR S3 ROBOTIC POOL CLEANER DATA HERE:
Date of Purchase___________ Purchased From ______________________________________ Serial Number: ___________________________
(located on machine head)
City ______________________________________________________ State________________ Zip Code ________________________________
S3 ROBOTIC LIMITED WARRANTY
This S3 Robotic was carefully inspected before shipment from our warehouse. Upon unpacking, if any part proves defective or missing, please
notify Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. immediately. Please consult owner’s manual for complete instructions on the installation and operation of your
S3 Robotic.
ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC. WARRANTS THE S3 ROBOTIC POOL CLEANER AGAINST MANUFACTURING DEFECTS FOR (2) YEARS. ALL
WARRANTIES ARE EFFECTIVE FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
Should this product prove defective in workmanship, materials during the applicable warranty period, the consumer’s sole and exclusive
remedy shall be such repair or replacement of the product as provided below.
THE LIMITED WARRANTY PROVIDED HEREIN IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WRITTEN WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE S3 ROBOTIC
POOL CLEANER. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES IMPOSED BY APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY. SOME STATES DO NOT
ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
1. Discoloration of the S3 Robotic pool cleaner. This is caused by reaction to ultraviolet rays and the chemicals used in the pool water.
Discoloration does not affect the operating ability of the S3 Robotic. Therefore, this Limited Warranty does not cover the replacement of
discolored parts.
2. Damage to or malfunction of the unit resulting from excess chlorination or improper water chemistry balance.
3. Normal wear and tear of expendable parts including, but not limited to, filter elements, drive belts, drive tracks, brushes, rollers, and
floating cables.
4. Age, pool water imbalance, and improper installation can cause vinyl pool liners to become brittle or unduly wrinkled. Corrosion of the
supporting walls and/or irregularities in the pool base may also cause liner failure. The use of this product in such an environment is at the pool
owner’s risk. Therefore, the pool owner hereby releases the manufacturer from any and all claims for damage where these conditions exist.
5. The S3 Robotic is designed for use in in-ground pools only. If unit is used in any other application, the pool owner hereby releases the
manufacturer from any and all claims. This misuse will void all warranty on the unit.
6. Electrical damage caused by lightning or a bad electrical connection.
7. Abnormal use, misuse, mishandling or alteration of the S3 Robotic.
8. Under no circumstances will the warranty period on the appliance be extended or renewed as a result of a repair or replacement made under
the terms of the warranty.
9. In no event shall Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. be liable in contract or in tort, or under any other legal theory, for lost profits or revenues, loss of
use or similar economic loss, or for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or similar damages, even if it has been advised of the possibility
of such claim. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or
exclusion may not apply to you.
IMPORTANT WARRANTY NOTICES FOR VINYL LINER POOL OWNERS
• Certainvinyllinerpatternsareparticularlysusceptibletorapidsurfacewearorpatternremovalcausedbyobjectscomingintocontactwith
the vinyl surface, including pool brushes, pool toys, floats, fountains, chlorine dispensers, and automatic pool cleaners.
• Somevinyllinerpatternscanbeseriouslyscratchedorabradedsimplybyrubbingthesurfacewithapoolbrush.Inkfromthepatterncanalso
rub off during the installation process or when it comes into contact with objects in the pool. Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. is not responsible
for, and the Limited Warranty does not cover, pattern removal, abrasion or marking on vinyl liners.
• Vinyllinersaresubjecttodeteriorationordamageduetoage,theeffectofchemicals,corrosionorfailureofthesupportingwalls;aswellas
improper installation, maintenance or cleaning of the supporting walls or base.
• BeforeinstallingtheS3Robotic,examinetheinteriorofyourpoolcarefully.Ifyourvinyllinerisbrittleorhasstones,wrinkles,rootsormetal
corrosion in contact with the underside of the liner, or has damage to the base material or supporting walls, do not install the S3 Robotic
before having a qualified professional perform the necessary repairs.
ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LINER DAMAGE.
WARRANTY PROCEDURES
No claim under this Limited Warranty will be recognized unless the registration card, included in your box, is completed and
returned within fifteen (15) days of the purchase date. Only the original purchaser may submit a claim under this Limited
Warranty. Purchaser’s claims against Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc., shall be limited to those claims which may be asserted under
the Limited Warranty relating to any defect, malfunction or wear of the S3 Robotic.
To obtain warranty replacements or repair, call (800) 822-7933 for authorization. When submitting a claim, always supply
serial number, evidence of purchase date, retailer and a brief description of the problems/defects encountered. Zodiac Pool
UNPACKING
The packaging should contain the following items:
• S3Roboticcleaner
• Transportandstoragecaddy
• Powersupply
• (1)Nutand(1)bolt
• Owner’sManual
Check that the unit has not been damaged during transport. If
you detect damage, contact Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. at
800-822-7933 before using your S3 Robotic cleaner.
To unpack S3 Robotic and it’s components:
• Removethesmallboxthatcontainsthepowersupply.
• Removethehandles(leftandright)ofthecaddy,whichare
located against one side of the box.
• Removethecleanerfromthebox,takingcarenottotanglethe
cable in the caddy.
• Removethelowerportionofthecaddyalongwiththeupperand
lower cable hooks, power supply hook, cable hook flange, locking
plate, bolts and screws. Diagram 1.
ASSEMbLING THE TRANSPORT CADDY
• Insertthehandlesintothetubesonthelower
portion of the caddy and align the screw holes.
• Positionthelowercablehookandflangeonthecaddytubes.
Secure the two (2) bolts through the flange, then secure the
tapping screw. Do not over tighten.
• Positionthetopcablehookandpowersupplyhookoverthe
holes on the handle tubes. Secure the bolts and tapping screw.
Do not over tighten. Diagram 2.
CONNECTING THE POWER SUPPLY
TO THE CADDY
• Positionthepowersupplyhookoverthepowersupplyhook.
• Slidethelockingplateclipsintothepowersupplyhookand
tighten the screws. Do not over tighten. Diagram 3.
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ASSEMBLY AND INITIAL USAGE
Assembled
Transport
Caddy
Power
Supply
Hook
Upper
Cable
Hook
Power Supply
Hook
Locking
Plate
Cable
Hooks
Cable Hook
Flange
Power
Supply
Locking
Plate
Power
Supply
Hook
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ASSEMBLY AND INITIAL USAGE
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WARNING Failure to heed the following warnings can result
in permanent injury, electrocution or drowning.
!
PREVENT ELECTRICAL SHOCK
• Keepthepowersupplyatleastfive(5)feetfromtheedgeofthepool(3m(10ft.)
in Canada per CEC requirements). Never submerge power supply.
•Youshouldonlyconnectthepowersupplytoareceptacleprotectedbyaground
fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Contact a certified electrician if you cannot verify
that the receptacle is protected by a GFCI.
• Donotuseanextensioncordtoconnectthepowersupply.
• DonotallowanyonetoswimwhiletheS3Roboticcleanerisinthepool.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
•Foryoursafetyandtoobtainthebestpossibleperformance
from your S3 Robotic, connect the cleaner’s floating cable to the
power supply and thread connector until it is snug—
do not over tighten. Diagram 4.
IMPORTANT:
•S3Roboticpowersupplyisequippedwithanautomaticshutoff
feature to prevent over heating if operated in direct sunlight
for an extended period of time.
•S3Roboticpowersupplyiswater-resistant,notwaterproof.
Therefore, never submerge the power supply.
SUbMERGING THE CLEANER
•Submergethecleanerinthepoolandremoveanyairtrapped
inside by turning it over if necessary. Diagram 5.
•Ensuretheunitsinkstothebottomofthepool.
•Spreadoutthefloatingcableoverthepool,ensuringthereare
no knots or coils in the cable.
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Power
Supply
Floating
Cable
Connector
INITIAL USAGE
Select either Perfect or Turbo cleaning cycle on the power supply:
The Perfect Cycle
• Completedin3hours
• Cleanswallsandfloors
• Intensiveandcompletecleaning
The Turbo Cycle
• Completedin1.5hours
• Spendsmoretimecleaningfloor
• Maximumcoverageinminimaltime
• TostartyourS3Roboticcleaner,pressthebuttonforthedesired
cycle (Perfect or Turbo). Diagram 6. The cleaner starts up after
just a few seconds and the indicator light for the cycle selected
illuminates.
• If you wish to stop the cleaner or change cycles during a cycle, press
the OFF button. Diagram 7. To start a new cycle, press the button for
the desired cycle.
• Attheendofthecyclethecleanerstopsandthelightremainsonto
indicate the cycle it last completed.
• S3Roboticincludesasafetyfeaturethatautomaticallystopsthe
cleaner after 20 seconds, when it is powered on, but not submerged
in water. For pools equipped with a beach area, this safety feature
allows the cleaner to drive in reverse, and back into the pool when
the propeller is out of the water.
To turn the S3 Robotic off, press the OFF button. Diagram 7.
• Disconnectthepowersupplycablefromtheelectricaloutlet.
• Disconnectthecablefromthepowersupply.
• Attheendofeachcycle,coilthecablestartingatthecleanerand
go toward the connection point at power supply. Remove coils or
twists along the way.
IMPORTANT:
• Waitapproximately15minutesafterthecycleiscompletedbeforeremoving
the cleaner from the water. This allows the motor to cool, and will prevent
damage to the cleaner.
• RemoveS3Roboticfromthepoolafterthecleaningcycleis
completed and store on the caddy.
• NeverliftS3Roboticoutofthepoolbythefloatingcable.Always
use the handle to remove S3 Robotic from the pool. Diagram 8.
• RemoveS3Roboticfrompoolwhensuperchlorinating.
RECOMMENDATIONS
•UseyourS3Roboticcleanerasoftenasneededtokeep
your pool clean.
•Cleanfilterelementaftereachcleaningcycle.
•Do not leave your cleaner in the pool on a permanent basis.
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Handle
ASSEMBLY AND INITIAL USAGE
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
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CLEANING THE FILTER ELEMENT
Clean the filter element at the end of each cycle.
• Ensurethatthepowersupplycablehasbeendisconnected
from the electrical outlet or that the floating cable has been
disconnected from the power supply.
• Removethecleanerfromthewaterandlayitupsidedown
to access the filter frame plate located on the bottom of the
cleaner. Diagram 9.
• Undothe4clipsthatholdtheplateinplace.Removeit,while
holding it upside down so that the dirt remains in the filter
element. Diagrams 9 & 10.
• Releasethetwo(2)plasticretainerclipstoremovethefilter
element. Diagram 11.
• Carefullyremovetheelasticfromthebaseofthefilterandthen
remove it from the filter frame plate. Diagram 12.
• Emptythefilterelementandcleanitwithrunningwaterorif
necessary with slightly soapy water. If you use soap, rinse it
thoroughly while turning it over. You can also machine wash it,
following the instructions given on the label inside the
filter element.
• Rinsethefilterframeplateandremoveanydirtcaughtunder
the flaps.
• Replacethefilterelementandensuretheelasticfitssnugly
around the filter frame. Diagram 12. The Zodiac Pool Systems,
Inc. label should be located in the corner, alongside a rod.
• Positiontheplasticretainerclipsatthetopoftherods.
• Replacethefilterframeplateandsnapitintoplace.
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0
Filter Frame
Plate
Filter Element
Filter Frame
Retainer Clips
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Clips
Metallic Rods
(Inside)
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
CLEANING AND STORAGE OF THE CLEANER
• Thecleanermustbecleanedregularlywithcleanorslightlysoapy
water. Rinse thoroughly in clean water.
• Donotleaveyourcleanertodryinthesunbythepool.
• Thecleanermustbestoredonthecaddysothatthebrushes
do not deteriorate and the cleaner dries quickly.
CHANGING THE bRUSHES
We recommend that you change the brushes every two (2) years or
once they have become worn.
Brush Removal:
• Turnthecleanerupsidedown.
• Separatetheedgesofthebrushandundothetabs,thenremovethe
worn brushes. Diagram 13.
Brush Installation:
• Positionthenewbrushesontherollerwiththespikesfacing
outward. Diagram 14.
• Threadeachtabintotheslotprovidedandgentlyfeeditthrough
so that the heel comes out at the other side of the slot.
• Useapairofscissorstocutthetabs3/4inchfromtheheelsothat
they are no higher than the spikes.
WEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS
Weight adjustments can improve the cleaning efficiency of your
cleaner and adapt its pattern to your pool.
If cleaner does not cover the entire pool, move the weight from the
#5 post, closest to the floating cable side of the cleaner, to the #3
post and recheck coverage.
To adjust coverage further, move the weight to the #1 post. The #2 and
#4 posts can be used for fine tuning the cleaner balance. Diagram 15.
If cleaner is too buoyant, sucking air when at the water line, add the
extra weight (two stainless steel plates) included in the manual
bag to the #3 post. Diagram 15.
If cleaner does not climb walls to water line, remove all weights.
To access the motor block:
•Unplugthepowersupplyandremovethecleanerfromthepool.
•Withrobotupsidedown,removefilterelementframeplate.
•Loosenthescrewssecuringthemotorblockprotection
grid and remove it.
•Makeweightadjustment.
•Replacemotorblockprotectiongridandfilterframeplate.
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Slot
Spikes
Tab
Roller
Front
Bumper
Weight
Motor Block
1 2 543
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TROUBLESHOOTING
ISSUE: The cleaner is not properly adhering to the bottom of the pool.
SOLUTION: Repeat the instructions noted in “Submerging the Cleaner” section of
the manual to release trapped air.
ISSUE: The cleaner will not climb the walls.
SOLUTION: •Ensurethefilterelementisnotfullorcloggedup.
If it is, simply clean it.
• Althoughthewaterseemsclear,yourpoolmaycontainmicroscopic
algae (not visible to the naked eye), which are making the sides
slippery and are preventing the cleaner from climbing them. In this
case, super chlorinate the pool and adjust the pH level.
Do not leave the cleaner in the pool during super chlorination.
ISSUE: The cleaner is not moving at all.
SOLUTION:• Checkthatthepowersupply’selectricalplugisfunctioningcorrectly.
Try another electrical product to verify.
• CheckthatyouhavestartedaPerfectorTurbocleaningcycle.
ISSUE: The cleaner seems to be performing less efficiently.
SOLUTION:• Ensurethesurfaceofthebrusheshavenotbecomesmooth.
We recommend that the brushes are changed every two (2) years,
or sooner if they are worn.
• Ensurethefilterelementisnotfullorclogged.
If it is, simply clean it.
• Ensurethefloatingcableisnotexcessivelycoiledortwisted.
For further troubleshooting information, please contact Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
at 800-822-7933.
ELECTRICAL CERTIFICATIONS
SAFETY STANDARDS:
Baracuda®S3 Robotic is ETL listed
to UL Standards.
This product is manufactured in
accordance with UL 1081 5th Edition
listed test standards.
10 11
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