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Pentair Rebel Questions & Answers
65 questions from our users
Hi can someone tell me why my rebel cleaner goes onto its side (on one wheel) it was working perfect now just does this continuously, only 5 months old. Thankyou
Buy the Pentair float which fits about 18" from the cleaner head on the vacuum hose. It will solve your problem.
Purchased my Rebel Pentair back in 2013 and have been reasonably happy with it. Have used the tune up kit on a couple of occasion to replace cogs, wheels etc. Have just purchased a new tune up kit but appear to have bought the Pentair 2 kit by mistake. from what I can make out from the adverts, it appears to have very similar, if not the same, components with the exception being the tyre tread. It is in the mail already so I’m likely stuck with it, so can anyone confirm, other than the tyres, what other differences there are with this kit and what likely won’t work/fit in my old machine? Thanks, Mick
My suggestion is to call the manufacturer or if you have a pool 'store' nearby perhaps they can help.
It’s truly the damndest thing. In my rectangular pool (and regardless the level of suction) it climbs the wall, releases, climbs the same spot again until the wheels rotate at which time it releases from the wall, and having rotated just slightly before releasing it falls at such an angle that after completing the rotation it’s aimed right back up the same spot on the wall.
This absurdity is so mesmerizing that I’ve spent up to 30 minutes watching. It can eventually move, but only to do the wall gag in another location, typically spending its hours in 3-4 locations and always in the deep end.
Replaced parts but no change. I don’t see everyone else describing the same observation, so I don’t think it’s a piece of junk. But I also don’t know what to do. Any ideas?
Why do people want this to climb walls? To me this seems unnecessary when the leaves and bugs are sitting on the bottom of the pool. Also some people say it doesn't work in tiled pools but are they using the special tyres designed for tiled pools? They are different to the tyres for concrete pools.
My rebel doesn’t clean the pool as well when the cover is on and the hose gets tangled what should I do
I bought a rebel 2 for x/mas & it was perfect for about 3 weeks & now it only cleans the top half of the pool, I have tried changing the hose lengths around but it makes no difference, how do you fix it ? Regards, steve.
Hi Steve my Rebel 2 since xmas is still going great, have you contacted your pool shop or Pentair direct, I would be interested if mine started doing this but have you installed the buoncy piece at I think 600mm from the unit on the hose?
Hi Noelene
Seems to be a common complaint. They will sell you a tune up kit - if this is better quality than the rest of it - who knows. I declined and bought another cleaner which seems OK.
My Rebel 2 just keeps in one spot against the pool wall no matter how many times I move it. The baskets are clean and back washing done
Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is a serious design flaw with these things. The gear teeth on the left wheel are not pushed far enough into the ring gear on the outer portion of the left wheel (inside) to work for more than a few weeks. It does not take long for it to get to where the right hand wheel is the only drive wheel, so it just sits in one spot.
This is a design fault that has to do with the cam and follower sizing that changes the left wheel direction by forcing the geared shaft into either the inner ring or the outer ring of the left wheel. Pentair should be ashamed to have released these into the market.
If you still have warranty, take it back to Pentair or your installer. I am on my 3rd one in about a year. They are total junk, but as long as they keep replacing them, I will keep using it.
Next one will be the Zodiac MX8. May not be better, but certainly couldn't be worse.
I took the rebel out of the pool while I was swimming. I have put it back in the water but now it's not working. Will it start up again on it's own, or do I need to do something more to it? Hoping I haven't broken it.
You might need to prime your main pump (pool filter) by opening the strainer lid (while pump is shut off), then pouring in a bucket or two of water, closing the lid, then starting the pump. It should prime and then all will likely be well.
Do the above with the Rebel in the pool, submerged.
Good luck!
I have had the Rebel for a couple of months and it gets caught in the corner of the shallow end and never moves. It has been doing this since the beginning. Filter is clean and we have cleaned all basket and hoses. Any suggestions?
Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is a serious design flaw with these things. The gear teeth on the left wheel are not pushed far enough into the ring gear on the outer portion of the left wheel (inside) to work for more than a few weeks. It does not take long for it to get to where the right hand wheel is the only drive wheel, so it just sits in one spot.
This is a design fault that has to do with the cam and follower sizing that changes the left wheel direction by forcing the geared shaft into either the inner ring or the outer ring of the left wheel. Pentair should be ashamed to have released these into the market.
If you still have warranty, take it back to Pentair or your installer. I am on my 3rd one in about a year. They are total junk, but as long as they keep replacing them, I will keep using it.
Next one will be the Zodiac MX8. May not be better, but certainly couldn't be worse.
I have purchased the Pentair Rebel 2, and now realise it’s supposed to be in the pool for only 1-2 hours each day, without the cover. This takes away the ‘hands off’ aspect I was seeking. Does anyone leave it in full time, and with the cover on? Would love to know if this is possible as otherwise I may as well have stayed with a manual vacuum (it’s a very small pool).
I own a pool maintenance business in Sydney and have dozens of regular clients with both mk1 and 2 pentair rebels and all of them happily spend their entire lives permanently in the pool doing two 4hr cycles a day,some under blankets as well.
My Rebel 2 within 5 minutes of being in pool is upside down and can't right itself HELP my 2nd pool cleaner in as many years
There is a substantial lug on each wheel of the Pentair Rebel and I’m wondering if they need to be in any particular orientation? I’ve noticed when they’re lined up directly across from one another, they can spend a lot of time in one position along the radius bend from the pool floor and wall - and when I separate their alignment, the unit spins off the previous “stuck position” immediately.
Has anyone got a review on the Pentair prowler 920 robotic pool cleaner
Is it recommended to change the wheels on the rebel pentair if I am replacing the tires? Or is it ok to just change out the tires because they are worn? Thank you for any help.
My rebel wants to stay in the deep end and we have to move it to the other end by hand. It then works but always migrates back to the deep end. Help it is only 3 years old.
My pool & rebel were started up 18 months ago, & my rebel does the same. Only cleans deep end. I brush shallow end towards deep. Hopefully someone will provide advice for this issue.
I had the same issue, this is an design flaw in the Rebel 2. the drive shaft gets worn out easily and the wheel will stop turning when this happens. You need to unscrew the wheel that doesn't turn and install the new drive shaft. You can get the parts in your local pool shop https://www.poolspot.com.au/left-drive-kit-for-pentair-rebel.
I hope this helps
Mine is doing this now. First it wasn't moving at all then someone opened it up and removed and reattached the hoses and started working but now moves around in deep end. I take it to the shallow and it makes its way back. I've only had it 1 year
I know my my rebel works... it doesn't work during regular timed pool cleaning but it does when I do a quick wash? What is the issue. ? Thanks!
I changed from a suction type pool cleaner to a pentair Rebel (been 2 months now) and I notice a black rubber substance around the waterline of my pool. (only thing that is black in the pool is the tires on the rebel. is this a common occurance/life of tires?
I haven't noticed anything on the 2 pools I look after (1 is pebble 1 is vinyl), is it black algae attached to the wall? If so thats not good! If its floating bits or rubber maybe... or dust from a building site perhaps..
id have a very close look at what the black stuff really is b4 you take any action Bob
Thank You Adso and Steve for your help, no black algea. What is the best salution to clean the tires? Tires are still strong and operating.
Hi there I recently purchased a Rebel 2 (3 months ago) it was working fine had it out of the pool for 2 weeks now it only goes for a metre then stops I take it out of the water check it then put it back it does the same thing any suggestions cheers David
If its not a suction power issue, did you try pulling it apart? Make sure all the cogs are moving freely and nothing is obscuring, you can feel if there is any resistance or damage or anything in there, wouldnt be much wear and tear in 3mths, an obstruction seems more likely.
always make sure there is no obstruction between the Rebel and the skimmer box..large leaves ect get jammed ...if thats ok id look at your actual filter to see if it needs back flushing,,or like mine the old cylinder filter ..it might need a hose down as this limits suction power to the Rebel...my cogs were a little worn over the years so i installed a tune up kit..all runs fast and cleans very well ....Rebel works 100% when it has great suction
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