IntelliCenter + single IntelliValve controlling multiple water features

[Jimrahbe]

Allen,

It does not do it using just one valve... It does it by controlling both the Intake and Return valves... It goes like this..

Pool mode... the Intake valve is set to suck the water from the pool, into the pump, which pushes the water through the filter and heater and into the Return Valve which returns all the water to the pool.

Spa mode... the Intake valve is set to suck the water from the Spa, into the pump, which pushes the water through the filter and heater and into the Return Valve which returns all the water to the Spa.

Spillover mode... the Intake valve is set to suck the water from the pool, into the pump, which pushes the water through the filter and heater and into the Return Valve which returns all the water to the Spa. Obviously, with the spa drain shut off, water going in has to overflow into the pool...

The down side to this standard set up is that you can't control the amount of water flowing over.. This is where a VS pump can be automatically adjusted to make the spillover look like you want.

Maybe you can do the same with the new IntelliValve, but I am not holding my breath...

Jim R.

 

[guinness]

Has anyone heard any more about a firmware update for controlling the Intellivalve actuators? I read the latest firmware release notes but I don't see any mention.

MyAZPool mentioned the Serial Com Port Expansion Board (520818) but since I only really want to control the return valve in this manner, could I just wire the Intellivalve green and yellow wires into one of the two existing COM port connectors for when the firmware is updated?

 

[MyAZPool]

guinness

Has anyone heard any more about a firmware update for controlling the Intellivalve actuators? I read the latest firmware release notes but I don't see any mention.

Nothing yet. We are still on update 1.023. I will post something as soon as a new update is released.

MyAZPool mentioned the Serial Com Port Expansion Board (520818) but since I only really want to control the return valve in this manner, could I just wire the Intellivalve green and yellow wires into one of the two existing COM port connectors for when the firmware is updated?

That's a really good question! Now that you bring it up, it does seem to me that the green and yellow wires would lead to the green and yellow RS-485 connectors on the mother card. But, how would the logic module know which valve to actuate? Seems logical but I do not have a definitive answer. I'll try to find out from Pentair and will also look at the back of my Serial COM Expansion Board and see if I can follow the solder leads and see if I can give you a bit more info.
Take care and I'll get back with you if I can get some more info on this....
r.

 

[guinness]

Thanks Ron, your postings about the IntelliCenter were very helpful as there is a dearth of information on this new system. If it wasn't for you and other posters I would've likely installed the EasyTouch instead.

Regarding your question, the RS-485 protocol supports up to 32 devices that are uniquely addressable by ID that is usually set by jumpers/dip switches. I'm not sure what Pentair did with the IntelliValve though.

 

[ajw22]

Nothing yet. We are still on update 1.023. I will post something as soon as a new update is released.

Rob, did you get my PM?

 

[guinness]

I'll try to find out from Pentair and will also look at the back of my Serial COM Expansion Board and see if I can follow the solder leads and see if I can give you a bit more info.

I suspect that the expansion board will show those connections will be daisy chained (see diagram below). For a single device I still think you could wire it directly to a spare COM port on the main board.

I'm thinking that each IntelliValve has a default address, but can be reassigned another by Intellicenter when added to the network. I assume some manual input is needed to map the device to the function.

This is where things get interesting. I assume it's fairly trivial for the controller to get and set the stop points for each valve electronically (and possibly disabling the panel on the Intellivalve like the Intelliflo).

 

[MyAZPool]

I suspect that the expansion board will show those connections will be daisy chained (see diagram below). For a single device I still think you could wire it directly to a spare COM port on the main board.

I'm thinking that each IntelliValve has a default address, but can be reassigned another by Intellicenter when added to the network. I assume some manual input is needed to map the device to the function.

This is where things get interesting. I assume it's fairly trivial for the controller to get and set the stop points for each valve electronically (and possibly disabling the panel on the Intellivalve like the Intelliflo).

guinness
Here is what the front and back of the board look like.
I think you are right on. Yep looks like the J8 through J13 (IntelliValve RS485 two-pin connectors) connect to the J4 connector.
Thanks much for the explanation. Makes more sense now.
Thanks again and take care.
r.

 

[Poolmama!]

Anyone know if the firmware update was ever released by Pentair to allow Intellivalve to have more than on/off (2 stops) functionality?

 

[Ryanh50]

I also would like to know if the feature is still coming.....

This is now late 2019.

@Pentair. Does anyone watch this amazing forum... Your real customers both pros and educated consumers are all here.....

 

[MyAZPool]

I also would like to know if the feature is still coming.....

This is now late 2019.

@Pentair. Does anyone watch this amazing forum... Your real customers both pros and educated consumers are all here.....

Some of us IntelliCenter users who stay in somewhat regular contact with Pentair tech support and their reps are still receiving the response on this topic. The company appears to be keeping the reps and tech support folks in the proverbial "darkness" about this now.

Since the introduction target date has come and gone (2nd quarter of 2019), the subject appears to have become some sort of company secret/forbidden topic now, which may be based on some "marketing proprietary" baloney of some sort and/or the engineers and software folks can't make it work right yet. Nobody seems to know or are under orders to "keep quiet".

Several of us who want/need this feature are continuing to "pound" the topic with Pentair but obviously our efforts have failed so far. I suggest anyone else who desires this feature also participate in our campaign to keep this touted feature on Pentair's "front burner".
r.
John_and_Val, chemillion

 

[Poolmama!]

Is there any particular 'better way' to contact Pentair about it other than just talking to whichever random person you get on the phone? I really need this functionality to make our system do what our PB told us it would do...but doesn't...so happy to join the badger Pentair team!

 

[MyAZPool]

Is there any particular 'better way' to contact Pentair about it other than just talking to whichever random person you get on the phone? I really need this functionality to make our system do what our PB told us it would do...but doesn't...so happy to join the badger Pentair team!

Poolmama!
I sent you some Pentair executive contact information. I sent it over on the PM side for obvious reasons.
Please let us know if you have better success getting some answers regarding the RS-485 capability for the IntelliValves.
Good luck....
r.

 

[rmontgomery]

I'm sure this thread would be updated if there was an update, but just checking if there have been any rumors of an upgrade. The capability of multiple positions would be very neat to have.

Ryan

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ryan,

While it could happen tomorrow, I would not be hoping or holding your breath..

I will believe it when I see it..

Jim R

 

[Qwijib0]

Every time I get the email alert for this thread I get hopeful , but I'm glad it keeps getting bumped. Maybe someday.

 

[Turtle101]

I hope one day soon they add the full capability of the intellivalves angle functionality with the Intellicenter. I have 2 valves that control waterfall features and the other bubblers. I got the system so I can be lazy and control everything from my phone and not walk back and forth manually setting the different valve angles and then pump speeds. ?

 

[Sandcheez]

Same here. Trying to use it to set flow direction between the skimmer and cleaner. Want to be able to close the cleaner off when it’s removed.

 

[RobertFlagg]

1. On the serial board itself, there are the 5 white intellivalve only plug in's (j8-j13). Does anyone know where we can find the plugs for those plug in's?
2. Where does the J4 wire connect into, the only serial plug on the board is being used by another device. Do I use any open 4 wire serial port?

Thanks

 

[MyAZPool]

RobertFlagg

1. On the serial board itself, there are the 5 white intellivalve only plug in's (j8-j13). Does anyone know where we can find the plugs for those plug in's?

That's a good question. I figured that I would cross that bridge once the firmware is released OR the efforts to crack the IntelliValve RS-485 messaging code over on GitHub are successful. In the meantime, one can connect the IntelliValve GRN and YEL wires to any of the serial connections (J1-J7) on the Serial COM Expansion Board.

2. Where does the J4 wire connect into, the only serial plug on the board is being used by another device. Do I use any open 4 wire serial port?

The J4 on the Serial COM Expansion Board also hosts the J8-J13 connectors.

I have J1 on the Serial COM Expansion Board connected to the Serial COM PORT RS485-B (J4) on my mother card but it really doesn't matter RS485-A or B. Yes, you can connect more than one device to a particular serial port so long as the color coding is correct of course.

However, all of this is academic at this point really until - either the firmware is released (I'm no longer holding my breath either based on my most recent telcon with the project manager) or the IntelliValve code is cracked.

Thanks...
r.

 

[matthewsunshineflorida]

It's surprising how far behind pool stuff is verses other home automation. Probably because it's such a "niche" market, but setting up communication with a valve that already has 3.75 degree stop points able to be programmed should really not be that hard at all. Really seems like something a developer could do pretty quickly... same thing goes for the microbrite/globrite set up - automation means turning the circuit on and off automatically? Fine, but pretty strange!

Oh well, I'm following this thread for updates - my pool should be done by the end of the year with intellicenter i5ps ic40 so I'm hoping this gets updated!