Poolside Chat Episode #44: Replacing a Jandy Ray-Vac Cleaner

Matthew Simmons

October 23, 2024

< 1 Minute Read

Comments

In today’s episode of Poolside Chat, Rob and Matt tackle another common swimming pool question:

Which pool cleaners replace the Jandy Ray-Vac?

I have a Jandy Ray Vac cleaner and I need to replace it. What do you recommend?

Katheryn R, Inyo Forum

Rumors of the Jandy Ray-Vac’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Parts for the popular Ray-Vac are still available, and you can still get the whole Ray-Vac head and hose. Unfortunately, Jandy only sells the Ray-Vac head and hose separately, which means the price balloons if you are replacing both.

To replace a Jandy RayVac with a whole new cleaner there a few options but the most notable are the Polaris 360 and the Kreepy Krauly Legend 2 by Pentair. What makes the Jandy Ray-Vac special is that it operates on your main pump and does not require a separate booster pump. The Kreepy Krauly and Polaris 360 are drop-in replacement because they also are powered by your main pump’s return line.

Ray-Vac cleaners were around for a really long time and people loved them. But all pool cleaners come to their end and you just have to replace it eventually. Thanks for joining us!

Troubleshooting Topics

Controls / Automation

Chlorinators

Skimmers / Drains

Need Replacement Parts?

Swimming Pool Products

14 responses to “Poolside Chat Episode #44: Replacing a Jandy Ray-Vac Cleaner”

Phil

April 24, 2017

The demise is not exaggerated, it just isn’t completely dead yet.

The only reason why the Ray Vac was discontinued was because Polaris bought the company and they didn’t want to maintain multiple designs. The Ray Vac has been artificially raised in price so as not to compete with the inferior Polaris products.

In a fiberglass pool the Ray Vac worked WAY better than anything I have tried from Polaris. The wheeled versions get stuck on steps and the floating jellyfish kind (Polaris 165) miss spots.

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1. Elias
  
  January 8, 2019
  
  I agree. The Polaris 360’s are junk. They have way to many moving parts and are costly to maintain. I wish the Ray-vac complete unit would resurface.
  
  Reply
2. Jackie
  
  April 9, 2020
  
  so is there a way to buy another ray vac?
  
  Reply
  1. Matthew Simmons
    
    April 10, 2020
    
    No, it is discontinued. But we offer a few replacements in the article/video.
    
    Reply
  2. Rosa Lambert
    
    June 18, 2020
    
    What a shame this wonderful unit is not being made again. The Polaris 360 we have now is total junk and have had to replace several parts. Zodiac are you listening???
    
    Reply
    1. Matthew Simmons
      
      September 2, 2020
      
      I almost want to start a petition to bring back the RayVac. If bellbottoms can make a come back, why can’t the RayVac?
      
      Reply
Anonymous

May 10, 2019

I have a ray-vac for over 10 years and still going strong.

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T. H.

May 27, 2019

I have had a ray vac for 25. Love my “pool monster” but he has been fixed here and there too many times now and can’t see paying twice as much to get parts and create my own. Come on Polaris get it back on market. I don’t think there’s a better one out there. Apparently it is the only one that gets big debris and tiny debris. Now I’m supposed to choose either or.

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New Providence PA

June 17, 2019

I agree Polaris bring back the Ray-Vac! I’ve been using them since 1990. In our 1st pool then built another house and had one in our 2nd pool in 2002 to present. My husband has rebuilt it over the years but it is trul y on its last leg and we love that it works with the pool pump. Our local pool company agrees that it was the best pool cleaner out there. It’s your product now so it’s not competing with your other line especially if its superior. Drop the inferior models and remarket this one!!!

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Barbara p

September 14, 2019

Desprete for ot to come back. I do not understand why they would not. I tried 2 others and they are horriable. You will make a mint it you do.

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Rosa Lambert

June 18, 2020

Unfortunately we have a Polaris 360, which we have had to replace parts several times. There is no comparison to the Jandy RayVac they discontinued. It was a great piece of equipment and kept our previous pool inmaculate.
Zodiac are you listening??? Bring the Jandy RayVac back and your sales will skyrocket!!!

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  September 2, 2020
  
  It boggles my mind how many fans of the RayVac there are. Somehow Jandy is not catching on. Part of me believes the RayVac was too awesome for its own good. Their reliability and great performance meant that owners held onto their cleaners instead of purchasing new ones. Like automakers in the 60s and 70s, built-in obsolescence.
  
  Reply
2. Moe
  
  August 29, 2021
  
  I agree with Rosa. The Ray Vac is a fantastic piece of engineering and to do away with it and replace it with ??? is mind boggling. Zodiac, bring it back.
  I have had a Ray Vac for over 33 years and it is great.
  I am keeping it going with parts that I bought over the years and so far I have been able to replace parts and keep it going, but I know that will not last forever.
  You say in your video that you can still replace the head and hose but at a high price. Where would I get a new head and or hose?
  Let me know.
  8/29/2010
  
  Reply
  1. Matthew Simmons
    
    August 31, 2021
    
    That is a very good question. Zodiac has removed its whole goods from online retailers in the last year or so. If these heads are still available, you’re likely only able to find them from a local distributor.
    
    Ray-Vac Gunite Replacement Head, White – R0374900
    
    Ray-vac Replacement Head, Black (r0375000)
    
    Reply