Wiring Question - Pentair Intelliflo VS Pump with SWG and no controller

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Hey_Zeus

Hey_Zeus

0
Mar 8, 2017
51
Orlando
Hello All, I've been lurking a while need some help.

Here is the background: I am installing a 19,000 Gunite pool in Florida by myself. (Meaning, I'm doing it as a owner builder and subbing out what I can't do). I'm an engineer so I have a good handling on most of the issues, just have some specific questions I would love some help on. I've been searching and reading old stuff, can't find a clear answer to this one though.

Our current point in the process is Gunite is done and cured and plumbing is done also. I've installed all the plumbing and the pump is now sitting under pressure for testing.

I'm now moving on to the electrical portion of the work. I'll have a separate question later about 12V DC light wiring, but wanted to ask about my pump setup.


I am installing the Pentair Intelliflo Variable speeed pump:
https://www.pentairpool.com/~/media/websites/pool/downloads/pumps/manuals/intelliflo_vssvrs_and_intellipro_vssvrs_installation_guide_new_english.pdf

I am also using the Pentair IC40 SWG
https://www.pentairpool.com/~/media/websites/pool/downloads/sanitizers/manuals/intellichlor_owners_manual_version_2_units_before_nov_2011_english.pdf


I've read this, but it doesn't address my question:
How To Install a Pentair Intelliflo VS Pump - INYOPools.com


My question is, when I wire my Variable speed pump without a timer (Pentair has a built in controller no need for a timer, in fact a timer aka disconnect would defeat the purpose of the on board scheduling), how do I wire the SWG?

If I use a time for the SWG, I don't see how I can guarantee syncing the power between the VS Pump and the SWG.

Without an external controller, what's the idea wiring setup for a Variable Speed Pump with a SWG?

Should I always power the SWG and rely on the flow sensor (I read where everyone says these fail and shouldn't be relied upon) or should I have a timer and just sync the clocks myself?

Seems like this sould be a common question, but I don't see the answer... maybe I'm missing it.

Thanks for your help! (sorry if I put this in the wrong section lol)
 
Your going to need something to control the on/ off cycle of the swcg. I would highly recomend at least an easytouch 4. Assuming your using pentair led lighting as well, this will control the lighting color, pump speed, swcg etc
 
Couple Things.

Yes, I did install the Pentair Intellibright Low Voltage lights. However, I have those on a z-wave switch so I can control lights with Alexa ;)

For the EasyTouch 4, I plan on building my own controller after we fill the pool. the VSP has an output channel that tells me what the pump is doing, I'll have a controller hooked up to that with a relay to cycle the SWG power. I guess my wiring question is more for right now than permanent.

I plan on piggy backing off this work:
How I Control The Pool | sdYoung.com

The pump is wired to a 20 amp 2 pole GFI, so I guess I'm just confirming that I should wire directly to the same wires for the pump for the GFI protection.
 
I have an intelliflo and a IC 40. I installed a manual Intermatic T104R timer to turn the SWG on and off when I want it to. This lets you do whatever you want with programs, run times and other such things.

its an easy 70 $ fix that gives you maximum flexibility with your pump and SWG.

Run the power cable into the Intermatic Timer Box. Splice some wires onto the Power cable and connect them to the timer per the schematic that comes with it. Very simple to do.
Continue with power cable out of the Intermatic box and on the pump with one set of wires, and with the other set, out of the Intermatic box and into the Power Center of the IC 40.
 
Hey_Zeus said:
Couple Things.

Yes, I did install the Pentair Intellibright Low Voltage lights. However, I have those on a z-wave switch so I can control lights with Alexa ;)

For the EasyTouch 4, I plan on building my own controller after we fill the pool. the VSP has an output channel that tells me what the pump is doing, I'll have a controller hooked up to that with a relay to cycle the SWG power. I guess my wiring question is more for right now than permanent.

I plan on piggy backing off this work:
How I Control The Pool | sdYoung.com

The pump is wired to a 20 amp 2 pole GFI, so I guess I'm just confirming that I should wire directly to the same wires for the pump for the GFI protection.
Click to expand...

It is incredible what you can do with the arduino and similar units if you can do some coding (or shamelessly poach it). The commercially available controllers are so bulky because they take so long to get into production that they are basically old technology by the time they begin to sell them. The plug-and-play aspect of the Pentair controller is pretty nice though. Anyway, if all you want to do for now is get the system up and running a simple timer to control the intelliflo as Divin Dave recommended is the way to go. The power supply only draws 2 amps so you don't need much of a timer.
 
Divin Dave said:
I have an intelliflo and a IC 40. I installed a manual Intermatic T104R timer to turn the SWG on and off when I want it to. This lets you do whatever you want with programs, run times and other such things.

its an easy 70 $ fix that gives you maximum flexibility with your pump and SWG.

Run the power cable into the Intermatic Timer Box. Splice some wires onto the Power cable and connect them to the timer per the schematic that comes with it. Very simple to do.
Continue with power cable out of the Intermatic box and on the pump with one set of wires, and with the other set, out of the Intermatic box and into the Power Center of the IC 40.
Click to expand...


So I think I'm going to breakdown and use the Intermatic T101R 220V for now. This is how I plan on wiring it.
https://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-T...rd_wg=6NQIQ&psc=1&refRID=04KC2M9H7E36KH3JTP2Y

20170502_114329.jpg

I'll connect Supply to the Timer at L1 and L2, I'll also connect the pump to L1 and L2 so it's always powered. I'll have the timer control load 1 and load 2 which is connected to the SWG.

This way, pool pump is always powered so it's internal timer handles everything, and the SWG is controlled by the Intermatic Timer.

Thoughts?

Edit: Not shown in diagram, but obvious grounding wire from Supply, Pump and SWG connected to grounding lug at bottom.....

Looking to wire it up tonight.

Sam

- - - Updated - - -

Quick follow up for planning, what are the knockouts on the bottom? Are they both 1/2 inch or both 3/4? or a mix? Would love to be able to have 3/4 in and 1/2 out. Suprising the online documentation doesn't dictate it.
 
I believe a simple Relay connected to the L1-N, that in turn would close and power up the SWG is the simplest and inexpensive method, but engineers always want to break things that are not broken! So fire away!:p

Felipe
 
Flying Tivo said:
I believe a simple Relay connected to the L1-N, that in turn would close and power up the SWG is the simplest and inexpensive method, but engineers always want to break things that are not broken! So fire away!:p

Felipe
Click to expand...

We want to simplify things.

Can you explain how you would hook up this relaya little more? I"m assuming youa re suggesting I don't need the Intermatic.

Are you talking a relay direct at the pump connection?
 

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Yes a direct connection to the back of the motor for the relay. No deed for heavy gauge wire. From the relay to the SWG use the appropriate gauge wire for usage!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Zeus I believe your diagram works.

And I think you understand what I am about to say. If you hook it up that way you need to be sure that the pump's timer and the intermatic timer are coordinated so you don't have the situation occur where the SWCG is working and the pump is not. In theory the flow sensor would shut it down but you should not rely on that.
 
gwegan said:
Zeus I believe your diagram works.

And I think you understand what I am about to say. If you hook it up that way you need to be sure that the pump's timer and the intermatic timer are coordinated so you don't have the situation occur where the SWCG is working and the pump is not. In theory the flow sensor would shut it down but you should not rely on that.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I mentioned before. Need to sync the clocks manually for now. Not ideal, but I'm not installing my home brew controller and trying to explain it to the Electrical Inspector lol.
 
Why put a timer on a SWCG

Why do you even need the timer in this installation? The IC40 won't make chlorine with low or no flow as the flow sensor will turn it off. Couldn't you just program the pump at it's control panel and not worry about the IC40?
 
Re: Why put a timer on a SWCG

Ben Diss said:
Why do you even need the timer in this installation? The IC40 won't make chlorine with low or no flow as the flow sensor will turn it off. Couldn't you just program the pump at it's control panel and not worry about the IC40?
Click to expand...

Because a SWG can explode if it is on with the pump off. We get a couple every year.
 
Re: Why put a timer on a SWCG

Ben Diss said:
Why do you even need the timer in this installation? The IC40 won't make chlorine with low or no flow as the flow sensor will turn it off. Couldn't you just program the pump at it's control panel and not worry about the IC40?
Click to expand...
Because the flow sensor is a safety device not intended as a primary control mechanism.
 
Your diagram works. I set my stuff up on a a 15 minute lag time. SWG comes on 15 minutes after the pump does, and goes off 15 minutes before the pump does so I dont have the worry of the SWG being powered without the pump running. The only thing to keep in mind, is if the electricity goes off, you'll need to reset the timer to the correct time.



Hey_Zeus said:
Yeah, that's what I mentioned before. Need to sync the clocks manually for now. Not ideal, but I'm not installing my home brew controller and trying to explain it to the Electrical Inspector lol.
Click to expand...
 

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