IntelliCenter automation upgrade

[String2005]

I am trying to decide if it is worth upgrading the quoted equipment from the EasyTouch psl4 to the Intellicenter...below is a response I received from my contractor (who is amazing BTW) but I just want to verify that this is correct and get any opinions on whether it is worth the additional $2,400. I received some great information from someone on this site about the differences between the two but just want more input as to if it is worth the additional cost.

From my contractor...
"The EasyTouch psl4 comes with screen logic and has 4 auxiliaries. That’s really all the features you have or will need to run. Pump, 2 lights, and spa,

With the intelliCenter you would have 5 unused auxiliaries that you really don’t need. but it would allow you to sync with Alexa and maybe do a couple of other cool things.

Your pool just really won’t have enough features that require the intellicenter

Pentair can link into your system with both options to help you fix any issue that might come up

The cost upgrade is actually $2400 because of the equipment as well as additional programming and set up on the front end."

 

[gregfl2001]

That seems excessively high. Take a look at Polytec Pools which shows pricing for EasyTouch and Intellicenter and you can compare yourself. I wouldn't think there would be much functional difference installing one or the either, but hopefully someone with more knowledge of the subject can chime in.

 

[String2005]

That seems excessively high. Take a look at Polytec Pools which shows pricing for EasyTouch and Intellicenter and you can compare yourself. I wouldn't think there would be much functional difference installing one or the either, but hopefully someone with more knowledge of the subject can chime in.

Thank you, comparing the cost on the Polytec site, I show $1,120 difference, not including remotes for the Easytouch. I'm just wondering is the additional programming and set up should be worth $1,280 seeing as the Easytough would need programming too...seems like a lot to me

 

[Pool_rookie8]

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Thank you, comparing the cost on the Polytec site, I show $1,120 difference, not including remotes for the Easytouch. I'm just wondering is the additional programming and set up should be worth $1,280 seeing as the Easytough would need programming too...seems like a lot to me

I was just quoted $1,100 for the same upgrade from PSL4 to IntelliCenter including an intellivalve. My PSL4 did not have screen logic just a remote. Your price seems very high.

I did add the IC60 SWCG which was $1700 upgrade.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Yeah, sounds like your builder doesnt want to learn the new intellicenter so is just giving you a high price. "Additional programming" is bogus. It took my PB less than an hour to add the actuators, add the temperature sensors, and configure the system. All of those have to be done regardless of Intellicenter or Easy Touch.

For reference my upgrade to the IntelliCenter + an update to a SWCG + a patio extension a few months ago was $1,600. The SWCG and patio extension were the bulk of that price, so I would say a few hundred $ for intellicenter.

Dont get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Easy Touch and is has been around for many years vs 2 years for the Intellicenter. Intellicenter has some cool, nice to have features like color touch screen, but my biggest concern would be the software updates and support. With Intellicenter the updates are over wifi and as easy as updating the software on your phone, pc, etc. It downloads and asks you if you want to install it. Easy Touch requires a technician to actually update the software (flash drive I believe). Also with any legacy product, at some point Pentair will no longer support the system. It may be years from now when that happens, but you know Pentair will be supporting the Intellicenter much longer than Easy Touch.

 

[ajw22]

You really do not want the "Lite" EasyTouch. Your PB is pushing you a cheap limited automation system.

The EasyTouch Lite PL4/PSL4 is not recommended because only comes with 4 schedules/programs and only 1 or 2 feature circuits, no load center, etc. The PL4/PSL4 does not have a Load Center for circuit breakers and is a cheap intimation of the real thing.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Thank you, comparing the cost on the Polytec site, I show $1,120 difference, not including remotes for the Easytouch. I'm just wondering is the additional programming and set up should be worth $1,280 seeing as the Easytough would need programming too...seems like a lot to me

Also keep in mind to compare apples to apples. You need to compare Easytouch ($750) + Screen Logic ($400) vs Intellicenter ($1600).

The screen logic component is what allows you to be able to access the automation from your phone, pc, etc. If your PB is not including screen logic (that would be odd in my opinion) you at least need to add that. With the Intellicenter, all of that is built in.

 

[String2005]

Thank you. That's upsetting that they are wanting to charge me about $1900 just for install on the different systems. Do you think it would be better to voice that to the BP or have an upgrade done later?

What all schedules/programs do you have set up? 4 does not seem like enough...

 

[JJ_Tex]

Here is a screen shot of mine right now. The bottom left shows my schedules. There are only 3 of them (so its a bad example), but you can easily go over the 4 if you want to start scheduling waterfalls and spa spillovers to come on at a certain time, different pump speeds, etc. I'm sure someone can easily post a picture of theirs with a much more elaborate schedule than mine.

 

[ajw22]

The EasyTouch Lite PL4/PSL4 allows 4 schedules/programs

The EasyTouch system has 12 schedule/programs.

The IntelliCenter allows 100 schedules/programs.

Your Pool Builder is also not netting out the electrical installation savings by installing a panel with a load center that replaces the electrical subpanel that was probably priced into the bid.

You don't want to replace it later. The automation should be all wired together with your electrical installation in one nice clean package. You don't what a chop job of retrofitting later on.

I think the person you are talking to understands concrete and plaster and does not understand electrical and automation. He just writes it up and subs it out. He can't knowledgeably discuss the options and trade-offs and the different ways things can be configured.

You should insist on an INtelliCenter with electrical directly wired into the Load Center circuit breakers in the panel. Or an EasyTouch (not Lite) with ScreenLogic with electrical directly wired into the Load Center circuit breakers in the panel. I think either one will cost about the same.

 

[String2005]

The EasyTouch Lite PL4/PSL4 allows 4 schedules/programs

The EasyTouch system has 12 schedule/programs.

The IntelliCenter allows 100 schedules/programs.

Your Pool Builder is also not netting out the electrical installation savings by installing a panel with a load center that replaces the electrical subpanel that was probably priced into the bid.

You don't want to replace it later. The automation should be all wired together with your electrical installation in one nice clean package. You don't what a chop job of retrofitting later on.

I think the person you are talking to understands concrete and plaster and does not understand electrical and automation. He just writes it up and subs it out. He can't knowledgeably discuss the options and trade-offs and the different ways things can be configured.

You should insist on an INtelliCenter with electrical directly wired into the Load Center circuit breakers in the panel. Or an EasyTouch (not Lite) with ScreenLogic with electrical directly wired into the Load Center circuit breakers in the panel. I think either one will cost about the same.

Thank you! I hadn't considered the difference in the electrical cost.

 

[JJ_Tex]

@Jimrahbe
Any thoughts on the poster's dilemma on automation? I get not wanting to spend a fortune on automation, and maybe the Intellicenter is overkill at an additional $2,400, but I'm worried the EasyTouch PSL4 is going to be a disappointment.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Roberta,

The fact that your pool builder is even willing to install the "fake" Lite EasyTouch just bothers me...

It does not have a load center, which means that you will also have an external sub panel.. Just stupid.

You will not be able to schedule more than 4 things.. Period. So, if you want the pump to run a three different speeds, that uses three schedule. If you want your pool light to come on at 8 PM that is a schedule.. You are now out of schedules.. Four is just not near enough for most people.

If you buy the lite EasyTouch you will cry every time you use it.. If you upgrade you will only have to cry once, when you buy it.

A Standard EasyTouch 4 plus ScreenLogic will work just fine for your set-up..

The IntelliCenter is better, but not $2,400 better..

Why are you not going with a Saltwater pool? If you have an IntelliFlo and EasyTouch you are only missing the SWCG..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[String2005]

Roberta,

The fact that your pool builder is even willing to install the "fake" Lite EasyTouch just bothers me...

It does not have a load center, which means that you will also have an external sub panel.. Just stupid.

You will not be able to schedule more than 4 things.. Period. So, if you want the pump to run a three different speeds, that uses three schedule. If you want your pool light to come on at 8 PM that is a schedule.. You are now out of schedules.. Four is just not near enough for most people.

If you buy the lite EasyTouch you will cry every time you use it.. If you upgrade you will only have to cry once, when you buy it.

A Standard EasyTouch 4 plus ScreenLogic will work just fine for your set-up..

The IntelliCenter is better, but not $2,400 better..

Why are you not going with a Saltwater pool? If you have an IntelliFlo and EasyTouch you are only missing the SWCG..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you, I really appreciate the information and advise you all have provided. I don't want to look back and regret settling for something I will not be happy with. Although I have only dealt with my contractor (we are also adding a retaining wall, garage, pergola, and fire pit), I am a bit concerned about the PB as well. I am going to have a talk with my contractor tonight and see what can be done to fix this issue. I want the IntelliCenter and understand paying a bit more for install but that price is absurd.

I have considered the saltwater pool however, we are doing Lueder stone and were told that the saltwater would be very rough on it. Please let me know if you know any differently.