Pool Remodel next month, questions!

[BrooksPool]

Hello All,

First off I want to say thank you for all the great info on this forum, it has helped me immensely over the last 3 years of pool ownership.

We have a pool remodel scheduled for next month and I am considering automation and have a few questions about electrical requirements.

Current setup:
Pool size 19x32ft 25k approx
Pentair VS 011018
Leslies Crystal Clear II DE-LE-42054
120v incandescent light

Planned equipment:
Keep current Pentair VS 011018
Pentair 420 cartridge filter
Pentair IC40 w/ External power center
Pentair intellibrite 5g color pool light
Pentair easytouch PL4
Pentair actuator for 2 skuppers and 1 24in sheer

Currently the equipment pad is about 75ft from the main panel at the house. The main panel has a 220v 20amp breaker on 12ga wire going to the pump. There is also a second 110v 20amp breaker on 12ga wire for the pool light. There is a single 3/4 EMT pipe under the deck to the pad that all the cables go through.

My plan was to use the PL4 (without integrated subpanel) instead of the 4PSC (with integrated subpanel). Leave the existing 20amp 220v circuit and connect the VSP/PL4/IC40 to an existing intermatic timer (timer bypassed). Leave the existing 20amp 110v light circuit and connect it to one of the PL4 relays. Using this setup can I get away without having to re-run larger gauge cable to the pad to create a new subpanel?

I was also planning on not using a second pump for the water features, mostly to cut down on the power requirements as well as save on costs.

What are your thoughts? Am I being dumb and should I just try to fish new cables through the conduit? I am just slightly worried if it doesnt fish well I will have to tear up the deck.

TIA!

 

[ajw22]

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.

With the EasyTouch Lite you can only have 4 schedules/programs/egg-timers and run-once items and that includes any egg-timer that is not set at the default of 12 hours. Unfortunately, ScreenLogic will allow you to enter a billion schedules, but the EasyTouch can't use them.

None of the EasyTouch lite versions come with the built-in IntelliClor SWCG power center.

I would connect the 220V circuit direct to the pump. Run the 110V circuit into the ET load center with a breaker for the ET and internal SWG transformer and a GFCI breaker for the light.

Were you planning on getting Screenlogic with the ET?

Price out the cost difference for an IntelliCenter bundled with the IC40 compared to an EasyTouch+ScreenLogic +IC40.

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

If you can live with only 4 schedules, then although I hate them, the PL4 would work for you. Four sounds like plenty, but they can get used very quickly.. You will need a schedule for each time you want to run your pump.. As an example: If you want the pump to come on at 8am, off at noon, and then back on at 8 pm until 12 pm, that will be 2 schedules.. If you want your pump to run 3 different speeds, such as 1200 rpm for chlorine generation, 1600 for better skimming, and 2800 for your scuppers, that is three more schedules.. If you want an egg-timer that is one more.

That said, I can see your predicament with the power.. I like Allen's idea of using both existing power lines

I would buy a real EasyTouch with build-in SWCG power supply, plus an IC 40 cell. Run the 240 directly to the pump without going through the ET's load center. Run the 120 Volts to the ET's load center and use it to power the system transformer, the internal SWCG transformer, and the lights. I would also add a GFCI breaker in the knockout in the bottom left side of the ET. You can use the backside outputs as the GFCI protected source for your lights.

Pentair EasyTouch 4 System Pool or Spa w/IC40 Cell

No matter which ET you buy, you will also need an add-on called ScreenLogic, so that you can control things with your phone or PC, which I like much better.

Pentair ScreenLogic2 Connection and Wireless Kit

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[BrooksPool]

Thanks for the replies! The regular full feature ET4 with ic40 and screen logic is actually slightly cheaper then the PL4 with separate ic40. I was just thinking from a wiring simplicity standpoint it may be easier? No foreseeable issues running the pump and ic40 On separate circuits? Most documentation i read recommends having the ic40 and pump on the same circuit/timer/relay etc.

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

There is no problem running the pump on 240 volts and everything else on 120 volts.. The pump gets constant 240 VAC and the EasyTouch only tells the pump when and how fast to run, it does not control the voltage going to the pump.. The EasyTouch controls the voltage going to the internal power center for the SWCG. The system can be wired for 240 VAC or 120 VAC, but in your case it makes sense to use the 120 VAC input.

Since you already have the IntelliFlo, you need to make sure you also have the control cable that come with it.. If not, you will need to buy an RS-485 control cable for the pump.

I believe that what Allen and I are suggesting is going to be the easiest way for you to wire your system for full functionality.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Most documentation i read recommends having the ic40 and pump on the same circuit/timer/relay etc.

That is old think before automation and the pump being controlled by a RS-485 data link. If you were controlling the pump and IC40 with a timer then you keep it on the same circuit to ensure they stay in synch. The ET communicates with both boxes to keep them in synch.

 

[wireform]

One interjection, he has an approx 25k pool. I don't think the ic40 will cut it per TFP guidelines.

 

[ajw22]

One interjection, he has an approx 25k pool. I don't think the ic40 will cut it per TFP guidelines.

It is close enough.