Zodiac Baracuda G3 User manual

Owner’s Manual
Guide du propriétaire

2
Notice for Vinyl Liner Pools: Before installing your new Zodiac automatic pool cleaner, examine the
interior of your pool carefully. If the vinyl liner is brittle or has stones, wrinkles, roots or metal corrosion
in contact with the underside of the liner, or has damage to the base material or supporting walls, do
not install the cleaner before having a qualified professional perform the necessary repairs or liner
replacement. Zodiac will not be responsible for liner damage caused by a cleaner which is in
disrepair, pattern removal from a vinyl liner, or a cleaner used in a pool having an aged or
deteriorated liner. Please see Limited Warranty.
• To help prevent suction entrapment accidents, wall vacuum fittings should have a safety vac lock
installed. Contact your builder or retail pool professional for details.
• Clean the skimmer basket, pump basket and pool filter before installing the Zodiac cleaner and
on a regular basis thereafter.
• Always disconnect the cleaner before cleaning or backwashing the pool filter. After cleaning, let
the filtration system run for at least five minutes before re-connecting the cleaner.
•Removethe cleaner from the pool before chemical or shock treatments. Wait a minimum of four
hours after super chlorination before re-installing the cleaner.
For customer service or support:
Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. Zodiac Pool Care Canada, Ltd.
2620 Commerce Way 2115 South Service Road West, Unit 3
Vista, CA 92081-8438 Oakville, ON, Canada L6L 5W2
1-800-822-7933 1-888-647-4004
www.zodiacpoolcare.com www.zpc.ca
G3 is a trademarkof Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. For sale and use in the United States, Canada and Mexico only.
This pool cleaner is not warranted or guaranteed outside of the United States, Canada or Mexico.
This pool cleaner is covered by one or more of the following patents:
US patents: 5315728, 5421054, 5450645, 5465443 and 6122794. Canadian patents: 2127566, 2134220, 2161309 and 2266355.
Important Information
To ensure prompt warranty service, should it be required, please:
• Complete and return the Zodiac Warranty Card.
• Record your purchase information.
• Attach a copy of your purchase receipt to this document.
Date of Purchase: ___________ Purchased From: __________________________________
Serial Number (Located on underside of cleaner) ___________________________________
If service is required, simply present your Owner’sManual with the attached receipt at any
Zodiac authorized warranty center nationwide.

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Zodiac G3 automatic pool cleaner, and thank you for
choosing Zodiac. Powered by Baracuda technology, the G3 is designed and manufactured for easy
installation, and years of carefree operation.
The Zodiac G3 connects to a dedicated cleaner (suction) line or a pool skimmer. As water flows through
the cleaner, dirt and debris is pulled directly into the pool filtration system.
Before installing the cleaner, please take a few moments to become familiar with its components and to
review the items listed under Important Information on the previous page.
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FlowKeeper™ Valve
FlowGauge
Cleaner Body
Wheel Deflector
Finned Disc
Hose Section
Hose Weight
Valve Cuff
45° Elbow (2)
4-1/2" Connector
Hose
Protector Net
Introduction
Foot Pad

Prepare the Pool
1. Manually vacuum the pool if excessive debris is present,
and make sure the pool filter and pump basket are clean.
2. Close the pool main drain line.
3. Adjust the return lines to blow downward
to break up surface circulation and
ensure complete cleaning coverage.
• Loosen the fitting lock ring
• Redirect the eyeball downward
• Retighten the lock
If the return fitting cannot be adjusted, the fitting
MUST be replaced with Zodiac return line
diverter (part #W90153 for 1-1/2", #W90155
for 2" or #W24100 for pools without returnfittings).
Assemble the Cleaner
Stretch the finned disc over the foot pad
with the fins pointing up. The disc should fit
securely in the groove and rotate freely
on the pad.
Slide the wheel deflector over the extension
pipe, clips up, until it snaps onto place. The
deflector should rotate freely.
Assemble the Hose
Snap the hose weight into position in the middle of the first hose section, about 20 inches from the
end of the hose.
Installation
4
For corner or end installations, connect enough
hose to reach the farthest point of the pool and
then add one more section.
For center installations, connect enough hose to
reach the farthest point of the pool and then add
twomore sections.
1Hose
Section
Skimmer or
Dedicated Suction
Cleaner Line
Hose
Weight
Skimmer or
Dedicated Suction
Cleaner Line
2 Hose
Sections
Hose
Weight
Stretch

5
Connect the Hose
Submerge the hose completely, removing all air. Tip: Turn on the pump, place the hose in front of the return
line until it is flooded. Turn off the pump.
To connect to a dedicated suction line:
1. Insert the male end of the hose into the large
end of the 45° elbow.
2. Connect the elbow to the safety
vac wall fitting.
3. Angle the elbow upward towards
the water surface.
To connect to a skimmer:
The FlowKeeper valve must always be used in single skimmer
installations. It is pre-set at the factory for the cleaner but offers
three settings to adjust the flow. The lower the setting number, the
lower the flow. Pull the handle to adjust the setting up or down.
The red tab can be used to open the valve and stop the cleaner.
If the pool has more than one skimmer, connect the hose to
the one closest to the pump.
The parts used to connect the hose, and the sequence in which
they are installed depends on the type of skimmer.
1. Remove the skimmer basket.
2. Insertthe valve fitting and connect the FlowKeeper with the arrow pointing down towards
the skimmer pipe.
3. Attach the hose protector net to the hose section that goes into the skimmer.
4. Choose the fitting combination that best suits the skimmer to complete the connection.
45 Elbow
45 Elbow
4-1/2" Connector
FlowKeeper
Valve
ValveCuff
FlowKeeper
Valve
ValveCuff 4-1/2"
Connector
Hose
Protector
Net
Hose
Protector
Net
Deep Skimmer Shallow Skimmer
Elbow
Dedicated
Cleaner Line
Elbow
Hose
FlowKeeper
Adjustment

Test and Adjust for Proper Flow
Keeping the hose submerged, attach the Flow Gauge to the hose and turn on the pump.
Verify that the red indicator in the gauge (viewed from the side) is at the Number 3 setting.
If necessary, use the valves in the pool equipment area to adjust the flow.
•For skimmer connections on pools with one skimmer,flow is automatically regulated by the
FlowKeeper Valve. The red indicator should be at the proper setting.
•For skimmer connections on pools with more than one skimmer,leave the valve on the
skimmer connected to the hose open and slowly close the other until the proper setting is reached.
•For dedicated suction line connections,leave the vacuum line open and slowly close the skim-
mer line until the flowis at the proper setting.
If flow is in the low range (0-2):
•Check and clean the pool filter and baskets if necessary.
• Verify that valves controlling the suction lines are in the correct position.
If flowis in the high range (4-6):
• Verify that valves controlling the suction lines are in the correct position.
• Lower the flow setting on the FlowKeeper Valve.
• Open the main drain slightly to further reduce flow.
Connect the Cleaner
Turnoff the pump. Keeping the hose underwater,
remove the Flow Gauge.
1. Submerge the cleaner and flood it with water.
2. When bubbles stop coming from the extension
pipe,connect the hose to the cleaner.
3. Allowthe cleaner to drift to the bottom
of the pool.
4. Turn on the pool pump and begin cleaning.
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Fine Tuning Cleaner Performance
The G3 cycles on/off with the pool filtration pump vacuuming and cleaning all surfaces randomly through-
out the pool. The coverage of the G3 is dependent on the pool’s shape and available water flow. In some
applications, adjustments may be necessary to optimize cleaning coverage.
The hose weight is positioned to
compensate for the buoyancy of the hose.
Aproperly balanced hose will create a
45-degree angle to the cleaner and the
bottom of the pool.
In pools 8-1/2 feet or deeper, an extra hose
weight (part #W83247) may be necessary.
Add the weight 5 to 8 feet from the cleaner.
Areturn line can be used to guide the cleaner
away from steps or areas with V-shaped corners,
and reduce patterning.
Direct the return to gently push the cleaner hose
by positioning the return directional so it aims
towards the wall on the opposite side of the pool,
and surface movement is visible 8 feet out
from the return.
In this example, any return within the grey area
can be used.
Routine Maintenance
To maintain performance:
• Never coil the hose. Straighten a coiled hose with warm water or by laying it in the sun for a day.
Akinked or coiled hose will adversely effect the G3’s coverage of the pool.
• When not in the pool, keep the disc flat to avoid warping.
•Periodically inspect cleaner parts for wear. Replace the footpad when the depths of the channels
between the treads are 1/8" or less.
• Empty the pump basket regularly. The more debris in the pool, the more often it should be cleared.
•Always disconnect the cleaner before cleaning or backwashing the pool filter. After cleaning, let the
filtration system run for at least five minutes before re-connecting the cleaner.
Operation and Maintenance
7
Correct
Balance
Incorrect
Incorrect

Clearing the Diaphragm
Use the Quick Access Cassette system to quickly
clear the diaphragm or check it for damage.
To remove:
1. Unscrew the cassette and pull it out
of the cleaner.
2. Loosen the cassette chamber; pull out the
inner pipe and diaphragm.
3. Pull off the diaphragm.
Inspect it for debris or wear, and rinse it
thoroughly with water. Replace if necessary.
To install:
1. Verify that the retaining ring is on
the diaphragm.
2. Push diaphragm onto inner pipe.
3. Pull inner pipe and diaphragm through
until the diaphragm seats against the lip.
4. Reconnect the cassette and reinstall on cleaner.
Replacing the Foot Pad
The foot pad should be replaced when the depths of the channels between the treads are 1/8" or less.
Storage and Winterizing
Never coil the hose. Always store G3 out of direct sunlight. When storing for the winter, drain all water
from the cleaner. Remove all connectors and adapters from the dedicated suction line or skimmer. Store
finned disc flat, and hose sections disconnected, drained and straight.
8
Tab
Diaphragm
Inner Pipe
Retaining
Ring
Cassette
Chamber
Toremove:
Press down on the locking tab while pulling
the foot flange toward you and up.
Toinstall:
Slide locking tab into position and push
down on shoe to lock into place.
Cassette
Chamber

If you experience a problem with your G3, please follow the troubleshooting steps below to restore
performance. If further assistance is required, contact Zodiac Customer Service. Please have your serial
number and date of purchase available when you call.
Problem Solution
Cleaner does not move or moves slowly. • Confirm that the main drain is closed.
•Use Flow Gauge to ensure proper flow. Note: In water
60° F (16° C) or less, it may be necessary to increase
flowto compensate for the reduced flexibility of the
hose and diaphragm.
•Check diaphragm for damage or wear.
•Backwash filter and empty pump basket.
•Check for air in system. If water level in pump basket
drops or you see excessive air bubbles in the pump
basket or coming from the return lines, there is air in the
system. Check hose connections, tighten all fittings at
pump and check gasket in pump basket for wear.
Cleaner patterns, does not cover entire pool. • Use Flow Gauge to verify proper flow. Increase flow to
improveclimbing. Reduce to move cleaner off the walls.
•Ensure return fittings are directed down. Add a
return diverter if necessary.
•Make sure hose is not kinked or coiled. Lay in sun to
straighten if necessary.
•Verify correct hose weight positioning.
• Move hose weight away from cleaner slightly. For deep
pools add a weight.
•Confirmproper hose length.
Cleaner gets stuck at steps. • Use Flow Gauge to verify proper flow.
•Confirmproper hose length. Shorten if necessary.
• Use return jets to guide cleaner.
Cleaner stays on walls or edge of pool. • Using Flow Gauge as guide, reduce flow to the cleaner.
•Verify correct hose weight positioning.
• Move hose weight away from cleaner slightly.
Cleaner won’t climb walls. Note: Climbing ability may be limited in some vinyl pools
and pools with safety ledges.
• Using Flow Gauge as guide, increase flow to cleaner.
•Verify correct hose weight positioning.
Troubleshooting
9

Zodiac G3 Parts Diagram
3
4
14
12 6
7
8
9
22
20
1
23
11
2
15
16
17
24
1
13
21
5
10
18
25
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No. Part # Description Qty.
1W83278 Wheel Deflector 1
2 W69545 Retaining Collar 1
3 W69526 Bumper Fin - G3 1
4 W70326 Cassette Outer Extension Pipe 1
w/ Handnut
5 W74000 Compression Ring 1
6 W70345 Assy, G3 Cass Chamber w/Comp Ring 1
7 W56525 Inner Extension Pipe 1
8 W81600 Retaining Ring 1
9 W69698 Long-Life Diaphragm (US/Mexico) 1
10 W69994 Cassette Assembly Complete (US/Mex) 1
11 W56124 Float 1
12 W41079 Weight 1
13 W69542 Right G3 Main Body 1
14 W69541 Left G3 Main Body 1
15 W70328 Foot Flange 1
16 W70329 Disc, 36 Finned 1
17 W70327 Foot Pad 1
18 W83247 Hose Weight (US/Mexico) 1
19 W70335 Flow Gauge 1
20 W70050 FlowKeeper Valve 1
21 W60263 Valve Cuff 1
22 W33160 4-1/2" Connector 1
23 W70244 45° Elbow 2
24 W33800 Hose Protector Net 1
25 W83140 Long-Life Hose Kit - 12 x 1 Meter 1