This is an update to a previous post on the Piranha PowerPole found here. This write-up will compare a Power Pole used for 10
months to a new never used Power Pole to see how they hold up over time with
regular use. Over the ten months, the
pole was used for a swimming pool maintenance route that included at least 4
days a week of use, with 10-14 pools cleaned each day. Written by www.WCPandS.com
The two main reasons for replacing a swimming pool pole are that
the end of the pole where you connect attachments becomes cracked and/or
thinned, so that the attachments are too loose or they will not connect at all.
Or the mechanism that locks the inner pole to the outer pole (to extend the
length) wears out so the inner pole no longer locks in place.
To start, here is a general comparison picture of the two
poles next to each other. The used pole is scratched, scuffed, and dented
around the entire pole.
Most swimming pool poles have two holes at the far end of
the handle where you can attach cleaning tools. Since the Piranha Power Poles
have two sets of the two holes, each set gets used about half as much over the
same amount of time as a regular pool pole. This is meant to reduce wear and
tear.
As seen in the picture, so far this has worked exactly as
intended. The holes in the used pole are about the same size as the holes in
the new pole, and still hold attachments firmly in place.
Even when viewed from the inside, these two sets of holes
look to be in good condition. (Used on top and new bottom)
The locking mechanism for the inner and outer pole is a
different story.
The Power Pole locks the inner pole to the outer pole using
round indents along one side of the inner pole. This the first time I have seen
this type of locking mechanism used on a swimming pool pole. A twist type lock
is what every other pole uses.
On the used Power Pole, the indents are no longer round,
they are oval shape from repeated use.
This means there is a chance that while pushing or pulling
on the extended pole, the inner pole may collapse into or pull out of the outer
pole. Currently, this is an issue that occurs with the used pole about 1 out of
10 times.
Another issue with other poles is over time the handles
become loose, fall off, or just move around the end of the pole. Piranha did something
to prevent this problem, and used two bolts through the handle to hold it in
place.
This has worked as intended, at least so far, since one bolt
has already broken loose, leaving a single bolt to hold the handle in place.
The far end of the handle has worn off, which is normal with
these types of poles and, the power pole was no different.
It seems that the Piranha Power Pole was made to address
certain common problems with swimming pool poles. Overall, it has held up with continued
use, considering the amount of punishment it was subjected to. For the average home pool owner who is cleaning
his or her own pool once a week, the power pole would make for a good one-time
purchase because of its durability.
I have noticed even after 10 months, these poles are still not widely available
for purchase, I can only assume it is because of the extra cost (2 to 3 times
more) for these compared to budget swimming pool poles. These are definitely worth the cost for anyone looking for quality swimming pool pole.
I've had 3 of these poles, and a hand me down. so here is my review. in my opinion they are way better than the regular twist poles. As far as the author's Main complaint of the holes getting wallowed out as long as you hold the button while you extend the pole and don't rapidly pull it out (without the button pressed, makes sense? How my hand-me down got replaced. Last guy...) I have never had a problem with any of them in that regard. They are thicker, the hand end holds up alot better. One of the things I actually don't like about the pole and is 4 holes where you're are attachments go. As a pool guy you're trying to be quick and sometimes it clicks right back in which is petty I get it, but if one of the sets of holes are going it's going to start cracking and taking the other two out as well. All three of the poles that I got brand new all need to be replaced the same way probably at the same spot. They broke on the extension at one of the holes while putting a small amount of pressure (in and unfavorable way but still was like really?)but I wasn't pushing and pulling and I was vacuuming that being said they were tired old at that point and got me thru the day. if your pool guy and you're reading this you know that without a pole you can't work each time I had the full pole and half of an extension to work with for the rest of the day and it works fine. I can't remember the first two but the last one I had I had repaired as in cut the bottom and drill two new holes for the third time before this one broke. I can't say how long the pole lasted but being that it's a little bit thicker metal and you guys know how long it takes to bow out the bottom I would say that's pretty impressive. But to also not fight those twisty cam poles when they get stuck extended or almost fall in the pool because the cam slipped in is pretty much worth it! Im sold, and the grip stays in place and doesn't really wear out.
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