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I agree with your equipment choice.. Great choices actually.. The problem you and the pool builder is going to be finding said equipment.. Once of the best companies are out of almost everything you are looking for.. And when you can find it the prices are CRAZZY...

Not in stock

In stock but only local pickup

In stock

I would buy everything and have someone install it... :)
So for my smaller pool I would want this correct. Pentair IntelliCenter 5PIC40 Kit - Pool only with Load Center and IC40 I do not have a spa.
 
Taylor,

The numbers 5 and 8 are the number of high voltage relays in the Automation.. You only need a relay to turn on things that need 120 or 240 Volts AC to run. One relay must be used as the pump/filter relay, that leaves you with 4 or 7 relays.

Without a spa, a "5" relay unit should work well for you, it just depends what all you want to control...

The IntelliFlo does not need a relay.
The SWCG uses the Pump/Filter
Each pool light that you want to individually control will need a relay.
A light over the equipment pad needs a relay
Other things that would use a relay are:
Landscape lights
Booster pumps
Acid pump control
Relay for robot control
????

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Taylor,

If this were my pool I would use it as is for a year and see if the supply chain issues go away.

While new equipment will make things easier, it is not what keeps the water clear. :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.
Jim, I am thinking about that for sure. I really would like to at least get the automation and salt cell in so I don't have to lug gallons of chlorine. I am not going to use the inline tab thing and certainly not whatever that mineral apparatus is. I guess I could leave them both there and empty and lug chlorine. The SWG would be nice I could deal without the automation I just would like to buy the all in one and be done. I follow TFP guidelines and test with the recommended kit, have for years. The cell is so nice for when I travel, if I ever get to again.
 
Taylor,

The numbers 5 and 8 are the number of high voltage relays in the Automation.. You only need a relay to turn on things that need 120 or 240 Volts AC to run. One relay must be used as the pump/filter relay, that leaves you with 4 or 7 relays.

Without a spa, a "5" relay unit should work well for you, it just depends what all you want to control...

The IntelliFlo does not need a relay.
The SWCG uses the Pump/Filter
Each pool light that you want to individually control will need a relay.
A light over the equipment pad needs a relay
Other things that would use a relay are:
Landscape lights
Booster pumps
Acid pump control
Relay for robot control
????

Thanks,

Jim R.
You read my mind. Ok there is one light in the pool. There is a light over the pad and landscape lights both are controlled at this time by switch in the house. Those will be automated with Lutron Caseta for the house.

So I am thinking for Relays
1 for pump/filter
1 for pool light
1 for heater
1 for acid control pump (don't have one now at current pool but I could see the need in the future.I want to see how stable the new pool is first.)
1 for robot (Question I will be plugged in across the yard in the pool cabana about 75 ft. from equipment pad, where it will live on its caddy. So I think that plug could be on Caseta. I am having a wired in wifi connection in the cabana to cover the yard. )

Is there a cost difference between the two. I'm having trouble discerning between models.

I forgot there is a bubbler so 1 more relay.
So I could need 6 if I add the acid demand and the robot needs on. 4 if not.
I
 
I would put the equipment on order and warehouse it until you get everything and find someone to install it. Only wrinkle will be keeping it all on one invoice if it qualifies for Pentairs 3 year bundles warranty.

Heater does not use a high voltage relay. If you get a TS-485 connected MasterTemp heater it will be controlled by a RS-485 communications cable.

Acid control pump has its own controls and does not use a relay.

Robot has its own controls and does not use a relay.

So you are back to using maybe 3 high voltage relays.

Bubbler uses an actuator that plugs into a different low voltage area then high voltage relays.
 
I would put the equipment on order and warehouse it until you get everything and find someone to install it. Only wrinkle will be keeping it all on one invoice if it qualifies for Pentairs 3 year bundles warranty.

Heater does not use a high voltage relay. If you get a TS-485 connected MasterTemp heater it will be controlled by a RS-485 communications cable.

Acid control pump has its own controls and does not use a relay.

Robot has its own controls and does not use a relay.

So you are back to using maybe 3 high voltage relays.

Bubbler uses an actuator that plugs into a different low voltage area then high voltage relays.
OK Allen, just when i thought I had a grasp. So maybe if I order and put a deposit on it it will read as all one invoice to qualify for the Pentair 3 yr. bundle warranty. Got that.

Totally lost me on the RS-485 controls. Do they then connect with the Intellicenter so I can control all from my phone from the same app? And I haven't even gotten to the number of actuators, check valves, and bypass.
 
The IntelliCenter has a few different ways it controls devices.

Some devices are simply turned on and off like a light switch using high voltage relays.

Other devices like IntelliFlo pumps and Connected Heaters talk to the IntelliCenter using a RS-485 data link.

And then actuators have their own connections for 24 volts to control them,

You may want to browse through the IntelliCnter Installation Guide to see the range of connections it supports - https://www.pentair.com/content/dam...licenter/intellicenter-installation-guide.pdf
 
Taylor,

My list of relay uses was just some that you might want to do.

For the robot, if you want it controlled by the EasyTouch it will take a relay to turn the outlet on and off. As Allen points out you do not have to use the EasyTouch, you could use some home automation system.

For the Acid pump it depends on what you buy. It you used a Stenner, to automate it you'd use the EasyTouch to turn an outlet on and off. If you used a feeder with its own control system you would not need a relay.

I agree that any heater does not need a relay.

RS-485 is the type of serial com port that Pentair uses. The IntelliFlo is controlled by the RS-485 com port and some heaters are controlled by the RS-485 com port. Obviously the IntelliFlo and heater needs AC power, but they are wired direct and not through any relays

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jim and Allen jumped in there for the win, I always recommend Polytec pools.. Sometimes I have bought off Amazon but the prices are almost always higher.. In this weird age we live in now..
 
Jim and Allen,
Starting to collect quotes from other companies, along with lining up to order on my own, that's if I can find someone that knows what they are doing. So talked to one company today, got all done, no push back on any of the items. They then asked if I wanted Never heard of this. The pool area has lots of evergreen, deciduous trees, shrubs, etc. Would this do the same job as hairnets? I use the skimmer angels so I can't use the hairnets, or is there a work around I don't know. Seems like alot of money to replace a hairnet.

Also studying up on relays and data links, is there a 101 remedial course. I know nothing about electronics, wiring, etc.
 

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I don't think the multicyclone is ever necessary. A large cartridge filter will do all the filtering you need.

Various device installation manuals are the course for how equipment is connected and communicates.
 
There are some that have installed them as prefilters... I had one similar on my old suction side vacuum and it worked great for keeping big stuff out of the filter.. But that was because there was no basket and it acted like the basket..

I just do not see the extra price is worth it.. The only way I could see it working is if you had a cheaper small filter and the prefilter..

It is just easier and cheaper to get a large filter that can last a year without cleaning and be done with it... :)
 
There are some that have installed them as prefilters... I had one similar on my old suction side vacuum and it worked great for keeping big stuff out of the filter.. But that was because there was no basket and it acted like the basket..

I just do not see the extra price is worth it.. The only way I could see it working is if you had a cheaper small filter and the prefilter..

It is just easier and cheaper to get a large filter that can last a year without cleaning and be done with it... :) over
Allen and Cowboy, I had never seen this mentioned on TFP and I read alot of the new builds. Since I hadn't every heard of it, my first reaction was I don't need this. I am way oversizing the filter per advice here so that should do it. Thanks as always.

Christine
 
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This is what I use instead of the skimmer angels, that still allows the use of hair nets. I found this because my initial skimmer baskets came with socks/filters. They were reusable but they degraded quickly and I realized that cleaning them out versus tossing the whole thing was not worth it.


It is relatively simple to change the hair net using this handle.

--Jeff
 

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This is what I use instead of the skimmer angels, that still allows the use of hair nets. I found this because my initial skimmer baskets came with socks/filters. They were reusable but they degraded quickly and I realized that cleaning them out versus tossing the whole thing was not worth it.


It is relatively simple to change the hair net using this handle.

--Jeff
Jeff, Oh that's perfect, and I love the visual aid.
 
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So I have come across a new to me pool service company while researching for a spa(another thread). I was impressed enough with the way they handled my spa questions to I ask them for an equipment quote for the pad. This time I didn't give them my list, just mentioned I would like automation to work from my phone and wanted Pentair equipment. These are the 2 options I was given.

Note, I have 1 pool light, 1 bubbler, 3 returns, heater, and a port for a Polaris cleaner which is not being used, as I have a robot, I think this is all I need to control with automation. Other lighting such as landscape, over the pool pad, in the freestanding cabana, will be on Lutron Caseta.

These are the 2 options I was given. I have gone to the Pentair site but it's all Greek to me.

Is the Intellicenter different from this? I thought I understood that the Intellicenter comes with the SWG and the box actually contains the controller for the SWG within so it is a cleaner instal on the wall.

Control System with IntelliChlor Transformer and Salt Cell COM-30-0545
Misc Parts
1.00$4,660.00$4,660.00
EASYTOUCH 8 POOL/SPA CONTROL (COM-30-0540)
Misc Parts
1.00$3,633.00$3,633.00
 
I would get a modern IntelliCenter system over a 20 year old EasyTouch system.

The IntelliChlor with an IC40 cell should cost $1500 + installation. Installation is not $3,000.


A 5 relay IntelliCenter bundle costs $3,420 plus installation.

The following items are included in the Pentair IntelliCenter 5PSIC40 Control System kit:
  • Pentair IntelliCenter Control System Outdoor Control Panel (mounted in the load center)
  • Pentair IntelliCenter Control System Load Center with Pentair IntelliChlor Transformer
  • High power wireless connection kit.
  • Pentair IntelliChlor IC40 Cell Kit
  • Two Pentair IntelliValve Motorized valve actuators
  • Temperature Sensors: Water Sensor (25 foot cable, o-ring and hose clamp) and Air Sensor (with short cable).
  • Pentair IntelliCenter Control System Installation Guide


Your new Pool Service is high on their pricing.
 
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