Thinking of making the switch - Installation questions

[Newdude]

He was talking about the prices fluctuating so frequently so maybe it could be cheaper if I mention to him I can buy it myself.

Many of them get hissy when you wish to cut out the middleman, yet have the middleman install it.

The SWG prices were volatile enough before all this nonsense. When I needed a replacement a couple of years ago, I saw the prices and spent a few days mulling it over. The prices jumped $300 in the meantime and I eventually found one last no name online retailer with the original price. I gambled it on a credit card that I would have disputed if it went south and a week later the SWG arrived. 2 weeks after that they were widely available at the better price at trusted online sellers. The current fiasco only made it worse.

I definitely forgot to mention taking out the UV and tab feeder. Figure the feeder shouldn’t be an issue but the UV might. Worst case scenario I guess I could just leave the UV if it’s too much of a hassle and just leave it off?

Many times the UV/ozone systems come as part of an overall equipment package and the owner doesn't see an equivalent discount (or any) by deleting it. Again, the PB has to make their markup one way or the other and they need XXXX profit per pool to stay in business. If you do have to get the UV, it may need to be physically unplugged or unwired from the breaker / controller. We will walk you through if the time comes.

 

[jlamb5990]

Many of them get hissy when you wish to cut out the middleman, yet have the middleman install it.

Yea that’s true. May leave well enough alone there haha

Many times the UV/ozone systems come as part of an overall equipment package and the owner doesn't see an equivalent discount (or any) by deleting it. Again, the PB has to make their markup one way or the other and they need XXXX profit per pool to stay in business. If you do have to get the UV, it may need to be physically unplugged or unwired from the breaker / controller. We will walk you through if the time comes.

I think I may be confused here. I already have a UV installed from my original PB. I was talking having the SWG installer physically remove it from my current equipment setup. Ya if they charge too much to remove it, I could just disconnect it at the panel and leave it there right?

 

[Newdude]

I think I may be confused here. I already have a UV installed from my original PB. I was talking having the SWG installer physically remove it from my current equipment setup.

Gotcha. So yeah it shouldn't be but 3 mins for the installer to remove the power one way or another. If for some reason they won't, we'll help you do it.

 

[jlamb5990]

J,

The little board mounted to the back of your EasyTouch is indeed a power supply for a Salt cell. There should be two transformers. One for the salt cell and one for the EasyTouch itself..

Maybe things have changed but I doubt it.

Here is a pic showing the two..

Pentair Install3.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Jun 9, 2020

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim

Can you point out where the transformers are in this pic? My electrical knowledge doesn’t extend far past installing a dimmer switch in the house

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

An EasyTouch should have a small transformer that provides power to the EasyTouch circuity. It should also have a large transformer for the SWCG power.

Check out the following pic and compare it to your EasyTouch. The transformers are on the right of the pic and the large one has a "warning label".. A transformer just reduces the 120 or 240 volts AC input and provides a low voltage AC output. The output of the large SWCG transformer goes to the grey IntelliChlor breaker and then to the little board that is mounted to the back wall of your EasyTouch. It is called a Surge card and it takes the 24 volts AC from the grey breaker and turns it into about 40 volts DC, which powers the cell itself.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jlamb5990]

J,

An EasyTouch should have a small transformer that provides power to the EasyTouch circuity. It should also have a large transformer for the SWCG power.

Check out the following pic and compare it to your EasyTouch. The transformers are on the right of the pic and the large one has a "warning label".. A transformer just reduces the 120 or 240 volts AC input and provides a low voltage AC output. The output of the large SWCG transformer goes to the grey IntelliChlor breaker and then to the little board that is mounted to the back wall of your EasyTouch. It is called a Surge card and it takes the 24 volts AC from the grey breaker and turns it into about 40 volts DC, which powers the cell itself.

Thanks,

Jim R.

View attachment 389562

So ya I definitely have space for that transformer but you’re right it’s not there. Of the four surge cards I think I still have 1 that has no wiring to it so that’s available for the intellichlor right? Do you know I can just buy a standalone transformer for the ic40? Would that be all I needed?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Of the four surge cards I think I still have 1 that has no wiring to it

J,

Are you talking about these devices??? if so, these are called relays. They are used like a light switch to turn AC voltage on or off. But instead of manually turning a switch, they are turned on and off by the automation system. The SWCG's transformer needs to be wired into the Pump/Filter relay




Just to be clear.. Your surge card looks like this...

New SWCG PCB.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Jul 18, 2017
• 1

It is mounted to the backwall of the EasyTouch behind the drop-down door at the top of your EasyTouch.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jlamb5990]

J,

Are you talking about these devices??? if so, these are called relays. They are used like a light switch to turn AC voltage on or off. But instead of manually turning a switch, they are turned on and off by the automation system. The SWCG's transformer needs to be wired into the Pump/Filter relay

View attachment 389567


Just to be clear.. Your surge card looks like this...

New SWCG PCB.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Jul 18, 2017
• 1

It is mounted to the backwall of the EasyTouch behind the drop-down door at the top of your EasyTouch.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yep that’s exactly what I was talking about! Thanks for the correction. Ya I’m not sure if that exists behind the top part. I have one picture from the other day but it’s not very good. I can get a better one once the rain lets up here.

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

I can see the surge card in the back of the box, mounted to the back wall of the EasyTouch.

Jim R.

 

[jlamb5990]

J,

I can see the surge card in the back of the box, mounted to the back wall of the EasyTouch.

Jim R.

Yep now I see it. Thanks. So does that mean all I need is a transformer for the intellichlor now? Or do I need the whole power supply for $500?

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

It "appears" that all you need is the SWCG transformer.. That said, I am not there and can't see everything. But on the surface it appears that you are just missing the transformer. I suspect that your pool builder had an old EasyTouch in stock that he had not sold, so with the equipment shortage he just stole the transformer and sold you what was left.

If I was standing there, I would want to make sure the SWCG cable that goes from bottom left of the cabinet and is supposed to go up and plug into the Surge card is there. The connector appears to be there, but I can't see the whole cable or what the other end looks like.

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Jim R.

 

[jlamb5990]

J,

It "appears" that all you need is the SWCG transformer.. That said, I am not there and can't see everything. But on the surface it appears that you are just missing the transformer. I suspect that your pool builder had an old EasyTouch in stock that he had not sold, so with the equipment shortage he just stole the transformer and sold you what was left.

If I was standing there, I would want to make sure the SWCG cable that goes from bottom left of the cabinet and is supposed to go up and plug into the Surge card is there. The connector appears to be there, but I can't see the whole cable or what the other end looks like.

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Jim R.

Jim

Just got a chance to look at it all and it looks like it’s all there except the transformer. I have the outlet for the intellichlor power, the black wire runs up the the circuit board with a white pronged male clip and there is female acceptor at the circuit board.

So all I’m missing is the transformer? Did this get a lot simpler as an install?

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

Looks like all that needs to happen is...

1. Install a new SWCG transformer
2. Wire the input of the transformer to the Pump/Filter relay
3. Wire the output of the transformer to the Surge card and IntelliChlor breaker
4. Remove tab feeder and UV system
5. Install the IC40 cell
6. Plug cell into the bottom of the EasyTouch
7. Wait for Summer to get here so that the water temp gets above 55 degrees
8. Add salt to pool water.
9. Enjoy your new saltwater pool...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jlamb5990]

J,

Looks like all that needs to happen is...

1. Install a new SWCG transformer
2. Wire the input of the transformer to the Pump/Filter relay
3. Wire the output of the transformer to the Surge card and IntelliChlor breaker
4. Remove tab feeder and UV system
5. Install the IC40 cell
6. Plug cell into the bottom of the EasyTouch
7. Wait for Summer to get here so that the water temp gets above 55 degrees
8. Add salt to pool water.
9. Enjoy your new saltwater pool...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Well when you put it like that it sounds so easy!

Everything you said sounds like something I could handle besides removing the UV and feeder and redoing that plumbing and also removing the UV and it’s wiring. I may work up the courage but also may use this new info to negotiate a better price with the installer. Still undecided. But your help was invaluable. Feel like I become more of a pool expert everyday. Now if only I could have my wife think it’s all as interesting as I do

 

[Newdude]

Now if only I could have my wife think it’s all as interesting as I do

You're better off. Too many cooks spoil the broth they say.

Opinions are even worse if there are multiple helpers.

 

[jlamb5990]

J,

Are you talking about these devices??? if so, these are called relays. They are used like a light switch to turn AC voltage on or off. But instead of manually turning a switch, they are turned on and off by the automation system. The SWCG's transformer needs to be wired into the Pump/Filter relay

View attachment 389567


Just to be clear.. Your surge card looks like this...

New SWCG PCB.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Jul 18, 2017
• 1

It is mounted to the backwall of the EasyTouch behind the drop-down door at the top of your EasyTouch.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hey Jim

Was looking at the panel again today and had a quick question. Based on these pictures could you shed any light on what is wired into the current AUX relays? My guess is the blower and lights?

Also, does the pump/filter relay have anything wired to it already or is a SWGC the only thing that could be wired into it and if you don’t have one installed then that relay is just left unwired?

Just trying to make sure that something isn’t already wired into my filter pump relay (like the UV or something)

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

My guess is that the idiot that wired your EasyTouch is using his own lay out as to which relay does what. Yes, it will work that way, but it does help the next tech know what is what. Kind of like labeling NYC as Chicago... It does not change the actual city but confuses the guy reading the map..

The relay in the upper left, should be the Pump/Filter relay, the next relay to the right is Aux 1, then Aux 2, then Aux 3. The next row down should be Aux4, then Aux, 5, 6 and 7.

The problem is that any relay can be plugged into any Aux port on the main board. So, you can make any relay any Aux number you what.

For me to help you understand what is what, you will have to tell me the following:

1. Each relay has a small black coil wire that comes off of the top of the relay and plugs into the main electronics board. I need to know what port each relay is plugged into. Using the relay layout that is showed on the label on the door. (The same as I listed above.)

2. I need to know what each button is labeled on the front of the EasyTouch.

3. Best you can tell we where you think the conduits at the bottom of the EasyTouch go. For example, where does "B" go?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jlamb5990]

J,

My guess is that the idiot that wired your EasyTouch is using his own lay out as to which relay does what. Yes, it will work that way, but it does help the next tech know what is what. Kind of like labeling NYC as Chicago... It does not change the actual city but confuses the guy reading the map..

The relay in the upper left, should be the Pump/Filter relay, the next relay to the right is Aux 1, then Aux 2, then Aux 3. The next row down should be Aux4, then Aux, 5, 6 and 7.

The problem is that any relay can be plugged into any Aux port on the main board. So, you can make any relay any Aux number you what.

For me to help you understand what is what, you will have to tell me the following:

1. Each relay has a small black coil wire that comes off of the top of the relay and plugs into the main electronics board. I need to know what port each relay is plugged into. Using the relay layout that is showed on the label on the door. (The same as I listed above.)

2. I need to know what each button is labeled on the front of the EasyTouch.

3. Best you can tell we where you think the conduits at the bottom of the EasyTouch go. For example, where does "B" go?

Thanks,

Jim R

Jim

Front of panel with labels is attached

Looks like he wired the relays to the first 4 spots on the circuit board up top (filter, aux 1,aux2,aux3)

My best guess on the conduits are as follows
Pool/Spa - lights
H - heater
B - Blower
F - filter/pump
Uv - UV Filter

Also, the plug from the intellichlor grey breaker runs to the surge board up top and that’s it so nothing looks wonky there either.

 

[jlamb5990]

Was able to ID a bit better. Picture attached

Color coded
Red goes to filter port
Green is the aux 2 (blower)
Orange is 3&4 (pool lights - spa lights)

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

Close, but no cigar...

I need to know which physical relay is connected to which main board port..

I am pretty sure that the Pump/Filter port is connected to the Aux 1 physical location.

Which relay is connected to Aux 1, Aux 2. and Aux 3 ports??

Jim R.