Polaris 380 User Manual
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
OWNER’S MANUAL
Important Information
The Polaris Vac-Sweep®380 automatic pool cleaner comes ready to connect to a threaded 1-1/2" female
pipe fitting on a dedicated return line. Other connections are possible, but they require additional fittings
(see Section B on page 4).
The Polaris 380 is intended for use with a Polaris Booster Pump.You should have a licensed electrician
install the cleaner’s booster pump. The booster pump must be installed according to the electrical
codes applicable in your area. Improper installation can result in serious or even fatal injury.
The following are important points to remember when installing and operating the Polaris 380.
• Always turn the filtration pump on before turning on the booster pump.
• Always disconnect the Polaris from the pool wall when cleaning or backwashing the pool filter.
• After cleaning or backwashing, let the filtration system run for at least five minutes before
reconnecting the Polaris.
•New plumbing lines should be flushed out before installing the Polaris.
• The Polaris should not be used to remove plaster dust in new pools.
• Always remove the Polaris before swimmers enter the pool.
• Always handle the Polaris with care. Do not let children or pets play with the Polaris; it is not a toy.
• Except when checking the wheel RPM, do not handle the Polaris while it is operating (see page 7).
•Never pick up the Polaris by the head float.
• Always remove the Polaris from the pool before chemical shock treatments. As a general rule, any
pool water that is unsafe for swimming is unsafe for the Polaris.
• Carefully cut the hoses following the instructions on page 5.
By following these simple guidelines, you can help protect against injury and prolong the life of your new
Polaris 380.
U.S. Patents: 4,618,420; D 288,373. Unique product shape is a registered trademark.
Before the Polaris is installed, please take a moment to record the serial number. For the location of
the serial number, refer to the Exploded Parts Diagram on page 14.You will be asked for this number
when contacting our Customer Service Department.
Serial # K _____________________
WARNING: USE OF POLARIS 380 IN A VINYL LINER POOL
Certain vinyl liner patterns are particularly susceptible to rapid surface wear or pattern removal caused
by a variety of objects coming into contact with the vinyl surface, including pool brushes, pool toys,
floats, fountains, chlorine dispensers, and automatic pool cleaners. Some vinyl liner patterns can be
seriously scratched or abraded simply by rubbing the surface with a pool brush. Ink from the pattern
can also rub off during the installation process or when it comes into contact with objects in the pool.
Polaris is not responsible for, and the Limited Warranty does not cover, pattern removal, abrasion or
markings on a vinyl liner.
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Table of Contents
I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
II. Installation Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A. Polaris 380 Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
B. Possible Pool Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1. Dedicated Return Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2. Over-the-deck Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
C. Installing the Universal Wall Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
D. Cutting the Feed Hose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
E. Assembling the Polaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
F. Checking Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
G. Fine Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1. Thrust Jet Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2. Sweep Hose Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3. Universal Wall Fitting Pressure Restrictors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4. Checking Wheel RPM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
III.Operation and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
A. What to Expect From Your Polaris 380 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
B. Tu r ning On/Off the Polaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
C. Operating Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
D. Connecting/Disconnecting the Polaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
E. Cleaning the Filter Bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
F. Periodic Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1. Filter Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2. Wear Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3. Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4. Sweep Hose Scrubber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
G. Backwashing the Pool Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
H. Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
I. Winterizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
J. Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1. Sweep Hose Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2. Ladder Guard Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3. Filter Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4. WaterStars and WaterStars WF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
5. SpaWand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
IV. Troubleshooting the Polaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
A. Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
B. Troubleshooting Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Polaris Booster Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Exploded Parts Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
If you are unable to find genuine Polaris parts
in your area, contact us at 1-800-VAC-SWEEP
(USA and Canada only) to receive the name
of the participating Polaris dealer nearest you.
For best results, the Polaris 380 should be
installed by a pool professional. For those with
experience and confidence in handling plumbing
and mechanical equipment, installation instructions are included in this manual.
Please Note: Installation instructions for the
Polaris Booster Pump are included with the pump.
➔ Look for this symbol throughout the owner’s
manual for helpful hints in the use of your
new Polaris 380.
The numbers in parentheses found throughout
the manual refer to the index numbers in the
Exploded Parts Diagram on pages 14-16. There
are also part numbers listed in parentheses to
help identify the replacement parts available at
your participating Polaris dealer.
Once again, thank you for choosing a Polaris.
I. Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new
automatic pool cleaner, and thank you for
choosing a Polaris Vac-Sweep 380. The Polaris
380 is designed to give you years of dependable
and efficient service. With the Polaris 380, you
and your family can spend more time enjoying
your pool and less time cleaning it.
The Polaris has been built with the finest materials available.The Polaris 380 is backed by the
Polaris limited warranty that protects against
defects in parts and workmanship (see the warranty on page 17). Like most mechanical
devices, it will require periodic adjustments,
routine maintenance, and the replacement of
certain hardworking parts. Be sure to have the
Polaris checked occasionally by your local
Polaris dealer.
Always insist on genuine Polaris replacement
parts. You can be sure you are buying genuine
Polaris parts if they come in Polaris part bags or
have the Polaris logo on them. Non-Polaris
parts are not made to our specifications. They
may have an adverse effect on the operation of
your Polaris or may even damage it.
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over-the-deck kit (part #G12) and running an
aboveground feed line from the booster pump
over the pool deck to the pool wall.
C. Installing the Universal
Wall Fitting
1. Turn on the filtration pump and flush out the
plumbing line.
2. Remove the universal wall fitting from the
quick disconnect. The universal wall fitting
has a blue pressure restrictor installed to
help the Polaris operate at its optimum
level of efficiency. Screw the universal wall
fitting and the blue restrictor into the return
line by hand.
3. Turn the quick disconnect into the universal
wall fitting clockwise and pull away to secure.
4. Turn the quick disconnect by hand to tighten
the universal wall fitting; do not overtighten.
Once the universal wall fitting is secure, the
quick disconnect can be removed without
removing the universal wall fitting.
II. Installation Instructions
A. Polaris 380 Components
The Polaris 380 box contains:
1. Sweep Hose with Sweep Hose Scrubber
2. Head Float
3. All Purpose Bag
4. Cleaner Head
5. Complete Feed Hose with Back-up Valve
6. Quick Disconnect
7. Universal Wall Fitting with Pressure
Restrictors (one red and one blue)
B. Possible Pool Connections
1. Dedicated Return Line
A 1-1/2" dedicated return line is recommended.
It should be approximately 6" below the water
level and have 1-1/2" female threads. If it has 1/4"
female threads, you will need to purchase the
3/4" x 1-1/2" coupling (part #G-9).
2. Over-the-deck Installation
If the pool does not have a dedicated return line,
the Polaris can be installed by obtaining an
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*Please Note: The illustrations in this section do not necessarily represent the farthest point for every pool.
You must determine where the farthest point is in your pool.
Properly Sized Feed Hose
For proper cleaner performance, the hose must be sized to fit your pool. To size correctly, follow the steps in
Section D. Once sized, the feed hose should look like the one below.
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Pool Wall
3
2
Universal Wall
Fitting Pressure
Restrictor
Quick
Disconnect
6
1
4
7
Pressure Relief
Valve
Universal
Wall Fitting
Entire Feed Hose Reaches Within 6" of Farthest Point of Pool*
White Hoses Are Cut to Equal Lengths
Universal Wall
Fitting
Floats Are Evenly Distributed
(1-1/2 to 3 Feet Apart)
Clear Hose is Equal to
Greatest Depth of Pool
2-3 Feet Apart
D. Cutting the Feed Hose
1. Straighten the feed hose by soaking it in hot
water or laying it in the sun.
2. Measure and mark the deepest part of the
pool (usually the main drain) with a telepole.
If the pool depth is 10 feet or more, do not
cut the clear hose and skip to step 5.
3. Lay the telepole next to the clear hose. If the
clear hose is longer than the mark on the telepole, cut the excess from the end attached to
the white hose. Do not cut off the float.
4. Reattach the clear hose to the white hoses.
➔ It is easier to reinstall the swivels when the
hose and swivels are wet.
5. Attach the quick disconnect at the end of the
white hose to the universal wall fitting.
6. Stretch the hose to the farthest point of the
pool. (The Polaris will not usually climb onto
the top step, so do not count it in your measurement.) If the hose is within 6" of the
farthest point of the pool, go to Section E.
If the hose is more than 6" short, add a 10-foot
section of white hose with floats (part #9-100-
3104), two nuts (part #D15), and one swivel
(part #D20). Do not add more than one 10-foot
hose section.
7. Measure the amount of hose that extends
past the farthest point of the pool. This is
the overage measurement. Do not cut
the hose yet.
8. Lay the hose on the deck. Go to the swivel
between the 10-foot white hoses. Slide the
floats away from the swivel and remove
the swivel.
9. Cut an equal amount of the overage measurement from each 10-foot white hose.
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Proper Nut Placement
Telepole
Mark Water Level
Greatest Depth of Pool
Farthest
Point from
Universal
Wall Fitting
Telepole
Water Level Mark
SwivelWhite Hoses
Remove Excess
Hose From This
End
Cut Clear Hose
Equal to Greatest
Depth of Pool
Feed
Hose
Nut
Swivel
Universal
Wall
Fitting
Overage
Measurement
Overage Measurement
Floats
Remove
Here
Remove
Here
Floats
Water Flow
To Polaris
Swivel
White Hoses are
Cut to Equal Lengths
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