The most valuable resource is time. Any residential pool owner will stipulate that pool maintenance takes a lot of time. And any automatic device that can take some responsibilities is excellent support. They save time, and money, reduce the chemical load on the pool with frequent use, cleans all surfaces (floor, walls), prevent algae creation, collect debris, and reduce the load on the filtration system if they have a separate filter bag.
Automatic pool cleaners are designed for all types of pools (above or inground), with all shapes (round, rectangular, oval), inclination levels, and steps; find the better one for your parameters. If you have a significant budget, you can buy a robotic pool cleaner that works autonomously and has remote controllers. A little bit cheaper automatic pressure side cleaner or suction side cleaners are available that execute the same functions but are connected to your filtration system.
In this article, Hayward automatic pool cleaners for inground pools will be checked in detail, and after a detailed comparison of Hayward Trivac 500 vs 700, you can define which one to buy.
Hayward Trivac 500 vs 700 – Comparison table
Main Difference Between the Models
The presented comparison table shows that these two models, the Hayward Trivac 500 and 700, have similar technical characteristics. In general, Trivac 700 is an upgraded version of Trivac 500 with the addition of one essential function that caused a slight change in appearance:
- Trivac 700 has a skimming function that allows collecting of debris from the swimming pool water surface.
- To execute an additional function in Trivac 700, additional navigation and a special nozzle on the top were added.
- As a more modern electronic device warranty for Trivac 700 was extended up to 2 years. Trivac 500 has only one year warranty.
- These listed differences make the Trivac 700 an exceptional product; as usual a skimmer was a separate device, or you have to use a net with a telescopic handle to collect all surface garbage.
Detailed Product Reviews
Hayward W3TVP500C TriVac 500 Pressure Pool Cleaner
Hayward Trivac 500 is a pressure-side pool cleaner that successfully cleans pool walls, steps, floor, and cover. It is simple in use and provides the full coverage of swimming pools of all shapes with a cleaning path width of 9 “. It requires a ¾ HP booster pump with a dedicated return line for practical work connected to the cleaner with a 34 ft. hose.
It has three plastic wheels (two big and one middle size) with rubber dark blue tires providing a non-slip grip of a pool surface to make the cleaner move, and five smaller wheels with tires to prevent getting stuck in any corners. It has a backup valve with a jet nozzle with a unique short backup sequence (60-75 sec) for a longer cleaning cycle and a quick change of direction (in 5-10 sec). A plastic handle on the top was designed for taking out and in the water.
Hayward Trivac 500 is a unique pool cleaner with a large polyester debris bag on the back. The cleaner has three venturi jets near a large inlet on the bottom, pushing the debris into this bag; this allows the collecting of considerable debris. No leaves stay in the pool after this powerful machine work. The bag is effortless to install – two notches on the bottom of the bag fit the slot in the cleaner on the top – just press and the bag will be locked in the correct place. The bag quickly can be taken off with the press of a thumb for cleaning with a garden hose, with a plastic clip on the other side.
For this cleaner installation, in addition to the parts from the box, you need a simple set of tools:
- channel locks for wall fitting installation and tightening,
- a Teflon tape for wall fitting installation,
- a flat-end screwdriver for flow adjusting,
- a razor blade to cut the hose length if necessary.
The wall fitting from the package should be installed on a booster pump return line. After fitting, the regulator from the package should be installed – insert and turn it clockwise. And with the adapter, you need to connect the hose with a length enough to reach the furthest point of your pool plus 2-3 feet; the overage should cut it in a particular 8-foot part. The hose is supplied with the full length in one piece with several installed floaters.
Then you need to check the pressure on the leader hose with a temporary gauge from the package (the booster pump and filter pump should be turned on for a while) – 23 PSI plus/minus 3 PSI; for adjusting the pressure, you need to turn the screw on the regulator with a screwdriver. If you set the pressure, you need to turn the booster pump and filter pump off, connect the leader hose with a cleaner, set the required water flow in the small plastic tail of a cleaner, and put the cleaner in the water.
This is all; after you turn on the booster and filter pump, the Trivac 500 will start to work.
- Separate large bag with easy installation
- Can suck large debris
- Quick and easy installation
- Can clean walls and steps
- Quick change of direction
- Do not get stuck in the corners
- Simple maintenance requires only bag cleaning
- Required booster pump (Hayward Booster Pump 6060 is recommended)
- Do not have waterline scrubbing function
- A hose can tangle
Hayward W3TVP700C TriVac 700 Pressure Pool Cleaner
Hayward Trivac 700 is an upgraded version of Trivac 500 that can clean the bottom of the pool and its surface. For its work also, a dedicated booster pump is required. It looks very similar to the Trivac 500, with the same number of wheels not damaging the pool surface, ergonomic handle, large debris bag, programmed features for changing direction, and a sweeping tail. However, the color scheme is slightly different.
attentionThe main difference is that on the top, there is a particular device to clean the pool surface; it is activated in a special separate mode.
The wide cleaning path of 9” is the same for Trivac 700. Hayward Trivac 500 vs 700 are the same from the bottom – there is a large inlet with three venturi jets pushing with high pressure the water to collect all debris in the bag. The bag is designed uniquely so the debris cannot go outside when the cleaner is off; it can be discharged only when you take out the plastic clip at the end. The sweeping tail with its movement helps to reach all remote areas, but you can use the cleaner without it. A tiny valve near the inlet sets the power of movement.
An additional feature for Trivac 700 is a manual switch from surface to bottom cleaning on the top of the cleaner; it looks like a small wheel that should be put in a required position. The possibility of cleaning the surface (collecting debris) is a revolutionary feature not available for other pool cleaners. The debris is collected with an additional inlet on the top.
The Hayward Trivac 700 in this mode is floating at high speed on the surface and sucks all unnecessary garbage in the bag. When you turn the wheel and switch the cleaner to the bottom cleaning, Trivac 700 automatically sinks to the bottom and continues cleaning the floor and walls.
The installation process for this cleaner is the same as for Trivac 500. If you decide to upgrade your Hayward Trivac 500, you can use the same return booster line with a valve to install a new model. The hose has the same length of 34 ft. that could be extended if required.
Safety rules for usage of this cleaner are similar as for others:
- take out the cleaner when you use chemicals for water maintenance,
- do not swim while a cleaner is working,
- store the cleaner in a dry, shaded place,
- a hose should be stored straight, not coiled,
- remove the cleaner during the filter backwash process.
Before starting the cleaner, you need to clean your filter, check all baskets in the filtration system, analyze and balance the pool chemistry (pH should be 7.2-7.6), and remove before the first start all large debris from the pool. Do not forget to stretch the hose for at least 3 hours after unpacking the package with a cleaner for proper sizing. The hose has a filter that requires cleaning with the water from time to time. All these steps will help achieve a pool cleaner’s maximum effectiveness.
- Can clean the water surface in addition to walls, floor, and cover
- Collects large debris
- Extra-large separate debris bag
- Simple maintenance and cleaning
- Do not get stuck on obstacles, including drains
- Long hose with built-in filter
- 2-year warranty
- Required a booster return line for work
- Do not have the function of waterline scrubbing
- A hose can tangle
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide
With such a detailed description, the pool owner definitely found reasons to purchase a Hayward automatic pool cleaner. To make such cleaners more feasible, please see below the general advantages and disadvantages of automatic pressure-side pool cleaners. Meanwhile, Hayward Trivac 500 and 700 obtain almost all of them.
Disadvantages:
- Requires booster compressor pump
- The cleaner should be taken out when you use chemistry in your pool and to clean the debris bag
- Additional load and preparation of the overall filtration system are required for the effective work of a cleaner
- Not all models are good at collecting fine particles
- Do not clean the waterline
- Have a hose that can tangle
As described earlier, there are some differences between the Hayward Trivac 500 and 700 that, in addition to pros and cons, will define what model is better for you.
Face to Face Comparison
Design and construction
Hayward W3TVP500C TriVac 500
A compact design with three wheels on the bottom and five on the front side allows one to move around the pool without missing spots; it doesn’t get stuck in the corners or around obstacles. Three venturi jets push water with debris into the outlet and further into the debris bag.
Hayward W3TVP700C TriVac 700
Ergonomic design similar to Trivac 700 with wheels, venturi jets, and sweeping tail allows reaching all parts of the swimming pool for cleaning. On the top are additional nozzles to keep the cleaners on the water surface during skimming.
verdictThe design of these two models Hayward Trivac 500 vs. 700, is the same. They slightly differ in color scheme: Trivac 500 is white/ black and dark blue, while Trivac 700 is black/white and dark blue. The other difference is connected to the additional functionality of Trivac 700 – additional nozzles on the top.
Control
Hayward W3TVP500C TriVac 500
Trivac 500 depends on filtration and booster pumps. After proper installation and turning on the pumps, the cleaner will start to move without any additional buttons. If you turn off the pumps, the cleaner will stop.
Hayward W3TVP700C TriVac 700
Trivac 700 also works from filtration and booster pumps. But as the cleaner has two modes – skimming and vacuuming – there is a wheel on the top that can be installed in two positions. Before turning on the pumps, you need to set the wheel in the proper position.
verdictHayward Trivac 500 vs. 700 does not have specific panels or smartphone applications for control; both work only after you put the cleaners into the water and turn on filtration and booster pumps. Only Trivac 700 has a dark blue on the top for changing modes – skimming or vacuuming – but this wheel cannot start the cleaner.
There are no other minor differences for Hayward Trivac 500 vs. 700. All settings, requirements, location of filter bag, frequency of its cleaning, and pre-programmed functions for cleaning a swimming pool are the same.
How to choose the Best Pool Automatic Cleaner?
Despite all the advantages of automatic pool cleaner, its choice should be based first on your swimming pool’s exact needs. There are two types of automatic pool cleaners – pressure side cleaner and suction side. The list of main aspects of how to choose the best automatic cleaner:
- Availability of a booster pump for pressure side pool cleaner. If you have only a filtration pump and do not want to buy a booster, choose the suction side cleaner that works on your main circulation pump.
- Check the cleaning requirements of your pool, including the number of debris to be collected. In addition to the type of cleaner described in point 1, keep in mind that pressure side cleaners only suck the debris from the water; suction side cleaners can scrub a floor and walls.
- Choose the cleaner based on your pool size, surface type, and shape. Not all cleaners can clean stairs, walls, and a floor with inclination. Some can get stuck in the corners. Also, some cleaners are designed only for inground pools.
- Check the programming and control features of the cleaner. The easy control is, the better. Also, a cleaner must be programmed to have complete pool coverage.
- Ergonomic design and lightweight. Compact and not heavy models are accessible in maintenance as you frequently need to take them out from the water. The debris should be installed in a way for easy installation and cleaning.
- Anti-tangling devices for a hose. Floaters or other tools are essential to keep your hose tangling and prevent the normal working process.
- Duration of the warranty. Even though there are no motors in an automatic cleaner to change, some parts like tires or hoses require attention. So, the more extended a warranty is better.
Please consider all these aspects for the proper choice of a cleaner. It is not a cheap purchase if your first choice is not good at cleaning your pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the rubber tires from Hayward Trivac 500 vs 700 require maintenance or changing?
Yes, they are wearing parts. Again, they have special wear marks, and if they become invisible, this time to change the tires. It is applied to all tires, including the smallest ones of the Hayward Trivac 500 and 700.What needs to be checked if the cleaner stops moving in a pool?
How to prevent hose tangling for Trivac 500?
Is a booster pump included in a package for Hayward Trivac 500 and 700?
Can Hayward Trivac 500 or 700 be integrated into Hayward Automatic Control System?
Conclusion
Hayward Trivac 500 and 700 are the best examples of reliable automatic pool cleaners that will make you forget about regular manual pool scrubbing and collecting debris. For practical work, they require only a booster and filtration pump that is usually already part of the existing pool filtration system. Powerful suction and a separate filter bag allow for collecting even large debris. Trivac 700 is an updated version of Trivac 500 with a skimmer function that allows forgetting about additional devices for cleaning the water surface. If you already have a separate skimmer or like to work manually with a net, then Trivac 500 is a perfect choice. Otherwise, Trivac 700 can propose a dual-efficient solution to clean the swimming pool.
Hi! I’m Markus Robertson, and water is my passion.
Five years ago, I graduated from the University of California-Los Angeles and was going to become a professional marine biologist. However, my fate had other plans for me, and due to family problems, I had to find a more stable and well-paid job. I had only one wish for my job to be connected with water.
During this period of my life, I worked as a sales manager at Olympic Pool & Spa Supplies. The job helped me learn everything about swimming pools and related pool equipment, as well as how to choose the best option and what to pay attention to.
Having worked there for three years, I decided to start my own blog about pools, where I can tell people about the best new pool equipment models and share my knowledge and experience.
A marine biologist by education, I became a pool blogger by trade. Now I’m glad I can help the guests of my store and the visitors of my blog know a lot of exciting things about pools, their types, best pumps and filters, necessary equipment maintenance, and so on.
I welcome all people who want to choose a proper basin and the stuff to my blog! Hope you’ll find this information interesting and useful!
