Help finalizing project

[MooreND23]

Hey all, So after months of waiting on supply chain delays for everything, we are getting closer. Still no arrival date for our Intellicenter i8ps IC60 (PB says assume it should be here in 1-2 months). I offered to buy online as they are available but given the warranty issues with buying Tradegrade online he wants us to wait until it arrives from his rep.

- Features -
38' FG Latham pool
semicircle Latham tanning ledge
(2) 36' sheer descents with LED (magicfalls with light cascade)
(2) Pentair Laminar
(1) Pentair Bubbler
(4) Globrite pool lights
Pentair Ultratemp ETI
Intelliflow pump
was told a second pump would be used for Laminars
Autocover

Essentially my PB says he is handling the low voltage portion of the electrical and my buddy (licensed electrician who hasnt done a pool before) and I are handling the "high voltage" portion. My plan, in order to not have to buy 7 or more transformers for individual control of everything, was to put the pool lights on one transformer, laminars another, descents another, and bubbler another. So far PB has delivered (1) 300W, (2) 100W, and said theres another 100W he will drop off soon. Also dropped off a number of deck boxes (5 port, multiple 3 port). He is very busy right now and not as available to discuss things.

- My questions -
1 - What would the 300W vs 100W transformer likely go to? As best as I can tell the Globrite are 15W, Sheers 14W, Laminars 16W, and Bubbler 15W
2 - Curious if I will need more than the included 8 relays? Assume pump, Heater, Sheers, Laminars, Bubbler, Lights, possible 2nd pump for laminars
3 - Assume I need more than the two Intellivalves? Pool, Tanning ledge, Descents, Laminars, Bubblers
4 - I assume he plans to treat the tanning ledge and pool as one body? Unclear the benefit of treating them as two, ledge wont have an autocover (ordering a cover I can put on when needed.

 

[MooreND23]

Additionally, I ave asked my PB his thoughts on how to assess the water pipes for leaks given the substantial snow we got last week. the tanning ledge rain water froze and has thawed. Water pipes are 15" or so deep. He disconnected pump and treated pool water prior to disconnecting while equipment pad was poured but has yet to reconnect. Concerned about pipes freezing while water was not running. Is there a way to test for leaks once everything is connected next weekish?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Please tell your builder you want Pentair Microbrites and NOT the horrible Globrites that all seem to break down on year 3, and require replacement. Worse yet Globrites use a propitiatory fitting that does not allow you to switch to a more reliable light.

Maddie

 

[YippeeSkippy]

@Jimrahbe could you please look at the electric questions above.... Thanks.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

1 - What would the 300W vs 100W transformer likely go to? As best as I can tell the Globrite are 15W, Sheers 14W, Laminars 16W, and Bubbler 15W

You will just need to ensure that you follow the sizing recommendations in the lighting manuals for sizing the transformers. I would assume that the 300W would cover the pool lights and the others would use a 100W transformer for each grouping.

2 - Curious if I will need more than the included 8 relays? Assume pump, Heater, Sheers, Laminars, Bubbler, Lights, possible 2nd pump for laminars

You will need 1 relay for each lighting transformer you want to control independently. Sounds like you will have 4 lighting groups, so you will use 4 relays there. The pump will use 1 relay. The Ultratemp should communicate via the RS485 bus so no relay there. If you have a second pump for the laminars that will also use a relay. So looks like you will be using 6 of the 8. You could reduce that if you wanted, by grouping some of the lighting together. For example all water feature lighting, sheers/laminars/bubblers, could be grouped together and then you could have feature lighting on or pool lighting on independent of each other.

3 - Assume I need more than the two Intellivalves? Pool, Tanning ledge, Descents, Laminars, Bubblers

You will need an intellivalve actuator for every valve you want to automate. Do you have a spa? The I8PS can handle 4 valves as it comes. Two of the valve actuator ports are dedicated to pool/spa suction/return valves. If you need more than that, you will need to add the valve expansion module, which will handle an additional 6 valves, for 10 total. I have a spa so I use my pool/spa valves as intended. I do not think it is possible to program those to work in a different manner, so that may mean that you are limited to 8 valves.

4 - I assume he plans to treat the tanning ledge and pool as one body? Unclear the benefit of treating them as two, ledge wont have an autocover (ordering a cover I can put on when needed.

It sounds like this is a raised tanning ledge with a wall around it and a spillover. Without knowing anything of the design, I would say typically tanning ledges are considered as part of the pool body.

--Jeff

 

[Turbo1Ton]

If you haven't yet, you may want to read through MyAZPools Intellicenter review thread. Lots of information explaining the in's and out's of the Intellicenter controller.

Pentair IntelliCenter Review and Information

So, it’s been almost about a month now, since I received the Pentair IntelliCenter Control System automation equipment and “let the fun begin”. I thought that I might share my experiences and my opinions up to this point, in case others may be considering the purchase and use of this particular...

www.troublefreepool.com

--Jeff

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moore,

Just to be clear...

An IntelliFlo pump does not need a relay. But one of the 8 relays is dedicated as the Pump/Filter relay whether it is used or not. This means you really only have 7 user programable relays.

Anything that is controlled by a valve does not need a relay unless it also has a light. So, a waterfall would not need a relay, but a lighted waterfall would.

Jeff covered everything else above.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Thanks for the clarification Jim. I couldn't remember if they needed them or not. Mine is set up with the feature pump on a relay but I don't remember why that is. Maybe because the installer didn't know any better and I just left them like that. Although I did wire them to the line side of the relay so the pumps stayed powered all the time. Filter pump relay is used to control my SWCG.

I think MyAZPool discusses the pros and cons of using a relay on the pumps in his thread I linked to above, and that is likely the reason I left mine connected. That and I wasn't at risk of running out of relays. Regardless, as you said, not required.

--Jeff

 

[MooreND23]

Thank you both for all your information and guidance, truly appreciated. Unfortunately, the globrites were already planned for and the niche's are already in, concrete done, etc. I did not realize the issues with the Globrites until too late. My one major regret so far. I will have to live with it I guess.

I figure the 300W is for the lights, just seemed like far more than needed with out 4 lights at 15W a piece. Oh well.

I will read the MyAZPool asap. Thanks again!!

Please tell your builder you want Pentair Microbrites and NOT the horrible Globrites that all seem to break down on year 3, and require replacement. Worse yet Globrites use a propitiatory fitting that does not allow you to switch to a more reliable light.

Maddie

 

[Turbo1Ton]

The good news is that Pentair makes an adapter that will allow Microbrites to be used in a Globrite niche. Hopefully the Microbrites have a better track record. I have not heard of any failures being discussed on here, yet.

--Jeff

 

[MooreND23]

The good news is that Pentair makes an adapter that will allow Microbrites to be used in a Globrite niche. Hopefully the Microbrites have a better track record. I have not heard of any failures being discussed on here, yet.

--Jeff

Awesome, guess that’s what I’ll use when the globrites Crud the bed. Thanks for the heads up.