Baracuda Alpha 3 Plus Owners Manual
AUTOMATIC INGROUND POOL CLEANER
WITH HOSE SINKING SYSTEM
Owner's Manual
and Quick
Installation
Instructions
THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THE ALPHA 3 PLUS™.
YOUR ALPHA 3 PLUS HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED TO BE EASILY
INSTALLED AND TO PROVIDE YEARS OF LOW MAINTENANCE OPERATION.
PRIOR TO INSTALLING YOUR NEW ALPHA 3 PLUS, 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 ALPHA 3 PLUS POOL CLEANER DATA HERE:
Date of Purchase_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Purchased From _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________________________ State_______________________________ Zip Code _________________________
Serial No: AP______________________________________________________ (serial number located on underside of machine head)
ALPHA 3 PLUS LIMITED WARRANTY
This Alpha 3 Plus was carefully inspected before shipment from our warehouse. Upon unpacking, if any part proves defective or missing, please notify Zodiac Pool
Care, Inc. immediately. Please consult owner’s manual for complete instructions on the installation and operation of your Alpha 3 Plus.
ZODIAC POOL CARE, INC. WARRANTS THE ALPHA 3 PLUS POOL CLEANER AGAINST ALL MANUFACTURING DEFECTS AND ALL WEAR
AND TEAR FOR THE FIRST TWO (2) YEARS, INCLUDING THE ALPHA 3 PLUS HOSE AND THE BLADDER ASSEMBLY. ALL WARRANTIES ARE
EFFECTIVE FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
Should this product prove defective in workmanship, materials or wear during the applicable warranty period, the consumer’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be such
repair or replacement of the product as provided below.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
1. Discoloration of the Alpha 3 Plus 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 Alpha 3 Plus. 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. Replacement of parts which fail or become defective as a result of improper installation, negligence, misuse, abuse or tampering by unauthorized repair personnel.
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 Alpha 3 Plus is designed for use in inground 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. The Alpha 3 Plus Pool Cleaner doesn’t work under pool cover.
THE LIMITED WARRANTY PROVIDED HEREIN IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WRITTEN WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE ALPHA 3
PLUS POOL CLEANER. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES IMPOSED BY APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH COMPONENT OF THE ALPHA 3 PLUS ARE
LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO SUCH COMPONENT. SOME STATES DO NOT
ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
In no event shall Zodiac Pool Care, 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.
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 Care, Inc. shall be limited to
those claims which may be asserted under the Limited Warranty relating to any defect, malfunction or wear of the Alpha 3 Plus.
To obtain warranty replacements or repair, call for authorization at (888) 786-7797. When calling, always supply serial number, evidence of purchase date, retailer
and a brief description of the problems/defects encountered. Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. reserves the right to repair or replace all defective or worn parts covered by this
Limited Warranty and return same to purchaser, freight collect.
Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any warranties or representations made by other individuals or businesses beyond the express terms contained in
this Limited Warranty.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
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 U.S. and Canadian patents and Canadian registered design:
U.S. patent nos. 4,642,833 – 4,742,593 – 5,315,728 – 5,421,054 – 5,029,600.
Canadian patent nos. 1,254,105 and 1,256,262.
OTHER PATENTS PENDING.
2
If assistance is required, call 1-888-786-7797
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Pool Schematic...................................................................................... 4
Disc Installation .................................................................................................. 5
Pool Preparation.................................................................................................. 5
Assembly............................................................................................................. 7
Installation........................................................................................................... 8
Flow Adjustment............................................................................................... 14
Pool Pulse
™
.........................................................................................................15
Care and Maintenance.........................................................................................16
Adjustments.........................................................................................................18
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................19
Accessories..........................................................................................................20
Parts Diagram.....................................................................................................21
Check that the following parts are included:
(1) Cleaner
head
(2) 45-degree
installation
adapter elbows
(1) FlowKeeper
™
Valve
(1) Pool Pulse
™
female end male end
(1) 41/2" Connector
(3) Standard hose sections
(9) Baracuda weighted hose sections
(1) Hose protector net
(1) Bladder Assembly
(1) Universal
Valve Cuff
3
IMPORTANT: FOR VINYL LINER POOL OWNERS
Vinyl liners are subject to deterioration or damage due to age, the effect of
chemicals, corrosion or failure of the supporting walls; as well as improper
installation, maintenance or cleaning of the supporting walls or base.
Before installing the Alpha 3 Plus
™
, examine the interior of your pool carefully.
If your 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 Alpha 3 Plus before having a qualified
professional perform the necessary repairs.
(1) Disc
4
GENERAL POOL SCHEMATIC
To help you better understand how your new Alpha 3 Plus™will work, please read the
following overview:
The pump is the heart of your swimming pool. It pulls water and pushes water, creating a
circulation pattern. The pump is supplied water from the main drain and the skimmer.
Large debris is removed at the skimmer basket and the pump strainer basket. Valves
located in front of the strainer basket control the flow of water coming from the main
drain and skimmer. Pools with a wall vacuum fitting would have a valve located near the
skimmer and main drain valves. The wall vacuum fitting provides an easier access for
cleaning the pool. After water has been pulled by the pump through the suction side of the
system, it is then pushed through your filter, removing fine particles and re-enters the
swimming pool through the return inlets. The return inlets may have directional eyeballs
to aim flow and increase pressure. Water flow through your Alpha 3 Plus makes it move,
water flow in your pool steers the cleaner. Restrictions in the suction line, damaged pump
parts, faulty or improperly set valves, baskets packed with debris and dirty pool filters all
affect flow through the cleaner and will reduce its performance. Improperly aimed return
inlets can create a pattern in the cleaning action of your Alpha 3 Plus.
RETURN
INLET
MAIN
DRAIN
SKIMMER
PUMP
STRAINER
BASKET
PUMP
FILTER
SKIMMER & MAIN
DRAIN VALVES
RETURN
INLET
All diagrams are provided for reference and for terminology
used throughout this manual. Your pool may vary.
5
POOL PREPARATION
For your Baracuda Alpha 3™to operate properly your pool filtration system must be
operating at maximum water flow. To eliminate readjustment,
you must do the
following:
❑ Close the main drain
❑ Manually vacuum the pool
❑ Clean the filter according to the
manufacturer’s instructions and
empty the pump strainer basket
❑ Divert the pool return inlets downward
(see page 6)
DISC INSTALLATION
Slide the finned disc over the footpad. Be sure it fits properly in the grooves provided.
The fins on the disc face upward.
POOL PREPARATION
For your Baracuda Alpha 3 Plus™to work properly, all return inlets must be
pointed downward and towards each other so that you do not see a circular water flow
or ripples on the surface.
TOP VIEW SIDE VIEW
6
BEFORE ADJUSTMENT
TOP VIEW SIDE VIEW
AFTER ADJUSTMENT
To adjust the return inlet: loosen the lock ring and redirect the eyeball downward, then retighten the lock
ring. If the eyeball is difficult to adjust, insert a screwdriver inside the eyeball and gently
adjust downward.
If the return inlets cannot be pointed downward, then you
MUST install Baracuda return line diverters.
They are available through your Baracuda dealer
(see page 19).
FOR POOLS WITH RETURN INLET
DIRECTIONAL FITTINGS
Replace the directional
eyeball with Baracuda
retrofit eyeball return
line diverter
(Part #90153 for
1
1
/2" return lines;
Part #90155 for
2" return lines),
and reinstall
eyeball retaining
ring
(see pg. 19).
IF UNABLE TO ADJUST RETURN INLETS
OR FOR POOLS WITHOUT RETURN INLET
DIRECTIONAL FITTINGS
Use Baracuda universal
return line diverter
(Part #24100). Pinch
wires together and
insert fully into
return inlet.
FOR CORNER OR END INSTALLATION
If your skimmer or wall vacuum fitting is located at the corner or end of your pool,
use enough hose sections to reach the farthest point in the pool, plus one (1) section.
FOR CENTER WALL VACUUM FITTING INSTALLATIONS
If your skimmer or wall vacuum fitting is located at the center of your pool, use enough hose
sections to reach the farthest point in the pool, plus two (2) sections.
FOR SMALLER POOLS ONLY
If your pool does not need all 12 hose sections, then reduce the number of
Baracuda weighted hose sections only!
(See pg. 3)
FOR LARGER POOLS ONLY
If your pool needs more than 12 hose sections, call Zodiac North American
Pool Care Sector for details: 1-888-786-7797
7
HOSE ASSEMBLY
SKIMMER
SKIMMER
WALL VACUUM
FITTING
WALL VACUUM
FITTING
SKIMMER
SKIMMER / WALL VACUUM FITTING
SKIMMER /
WALL
VACUUM
FITTING
SKIMMER /
WALL VACUUM
FITTING
SKIMMER /
WALL VACUUM
FITTING
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