Wanting to add automation... help please

[BKennedy]

I've searched through threads here and found some useful info, however, I was hoping to get some opinions on what would fit my specific needs the best. I currently have a Pentair Challenger pump that I have repaired a few times and now the front housing is busted. I am ready to upgrade to a VS pump and have decided on an Intelliflo pump. I want to add some automation to my setup.

Here is what I want to accomplish... I would like to be able to control/setup my new VS pump with my phone as well as at the equipment pad. I have an IC60 SWCG that I would like to hook up to the automation as well so I can program when it comes on and off with the different pump speeds. In the future I plan on replacing our light, but I don't know how that would work, as my light on/off switch is not near the equipment pad, its on the other side of the house for some reason. I don't have a hot tub any other features/waterfalls/pumps/valves that I would need to control.

I am trying to decide between the Intelliconnect and the EasyTouch system. I spoke to Pentair today and they recommended the PSL4. I have seen others here saying to say away from the 'lite' version saying the regular version has more options. I also wondered if the intelliconnect would suit my needs. I don't really know if I need to hook up a whole control panel when the Intelliflo has a control panel on the top that allows programming. I want to be able to view the pump and IC60 and control them from phone if I'm away. My SWCG is hooked up to a power center. Will either automation option or the intelliflo pump allow me to only turn on the SWCG when the pump is running full speed? Will the intelliconnect let me do the same basic things as the easytouch as far as what I can do on the phone? Also, the 'lite' version doesn't have a load center but I'm not sure I need that. I have power from my breaker box to mechanical timers now. Will an easytouch/intelliconnect wire to that or does an easytouch replace the mechanical timers? Do I really need the load center/breakers?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am completely in the dark when it comes to pool automation. I would appreciate and help and advice y'all could give me. Thanks!

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Look at the Pentair IntelliCenter. The systems you're considering are very old and you want something newer.

 

[BKennedy]

Look at the Pentair Intellicenter. The systems you're considering are very old and you want something newer.

I looked at that, but really am not wanting to spend that much when I really only have two things I would like to control.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

If you want phone control, you'd need to add Pentair ScreenLogic to the EasyTouch for an additional $500 and it's clunky old hardware.

 

[Ahultin]

I don't know much about them but from what I understand the new intelliflo 3 pumps use the pentair home app and can control 2 auxiliary items

 

[BKennedy]

If you want phone control, you'd need to add Pentair ScreenLogic to the EasyTouch for an additional $500 and it's clunky old hardware.

So the intellicenter doesn’t require screenlogic?

 

[BKennedy]

I don't know much about them but from what I understand the new intelliflo 3 pumps use the pentair home app and can control 2 auxiliary items

I was looking into those briefly, but from what the tech at pentair said, I would have to buy some sort of relay and wire it up specifically to be able to turn off the salt cell when the pump isn’t running at full speed. Also, they said you have to buy the top control board separately for the pump if you want to be able to control it from the pump. Otherwise, it’s all through the app. Sounds like more of a pain unless they explained things wrong to me.

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

Checkout this manual..

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/pumps/intelliflo3-vsf/manuals/user's-guide/intelliflo3-pro3-vsf-users%20guide.pdf

It appears to me that the IntelliFlo3, that has the internal relay card, can be used to control several things, including a salt cell. It appears it can be configured so that the cell will not come on unless the pump is running. It does not show anywhere that the pump has to be running at full speed, just running at whatever speed you set it to run. It can control two external devices, such as a SWCG and a Booster pump.

It appears to show % of full speed rather than actual RPM, which is just stupid, but not that big a deal.

This is a new pump and not too many have seen it in action yet. You should be the first and let us know you it works..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

So the intellicenter doesn’t require screenlogic?

Correct.

 

[BKennedy]

B,

Checkout this manual..

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/pumps/intelliflo3-vsf/manuals/user's-guide/intelliflo3-pro3-vsf-users%20guide.pdf

It appears to me that the IntelliFlo3, that has the internal relay card, can be used to control several things, including a salt cell. It appears it can be configured so that the cell will not come on unless the pump is running. It does not show anywhere that the pump has to be running at full speed, just running at whatever speed you set it to run. It can control two external devices, such as a SWCG and a Booster pump.

It appears to show % of full speed rather than actual RPM, which is just stupid, but not that big a deal.

This is a new pump and not too many have seen it in action yet. You should be the first and let us know you it works..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks for all the info! One thing I am concerned about is the salt cell has to have a certain amount of flow to produce chlorine. If I have the pump running at a low speed part of the day, it may trigger a low flow warning from the salt cell. I don’t have a booster pump since I have a robotic cleaner. Im starting to think the automation route might be overkill since I don’t need to control a heater, water features or anything else. Is the intelliconnect really old, junk software like others mention? Or do you think it serves its purpose for simple things like I’m wanting accomplish?

 

[ajw22]

One thing I am concerned about is the salt cell has to have a certain amount of flow to produce chlorine. If I have the pump running at a low speed part of the day, it may trigger a low flow warning from the salt cell.

There is no significant benefit in running the pump speed below the level that engages the SWG flow switch. Anytime the pump is running you should let the SWG generate chlorine.

The SWG does not need much flow and speeds below that do not skim well or accomplish anything in your pool.

 

[BKennedy]

There is no significant benefit in running the pump speed below the level that engages the SWG flow switch. Anytime the pump is running you should let the SWG generate chlorine.

The SWG does not need much flow and speeds below that do not skim well or accomplish anything in your pool.

thanks! I have read that some people run their pumps 24 hours. What is the purpose of a VSF pump if I am going to only run it at a higher speed?

 

[ajw22]

thanks! I have read that some people run their pumps 24 hours. What is the purpose of a VSF pump if I am going to only run it at a higher speed?

I run my pump 24/7 at 1600 RPM which is sufficient to run my SWG. When my cleaner runs the IntelliCenter increases the speed to 2400 RPM for 3 hours of cleaning and skimming. When my heater runs the speed is increased to 2600 RPM to give over 40 GPM for the heater.

Maximum speed for a pump is 3450 RPM. You never need to run a VS pump close to that.

You save 90% of electrical costs when running your pump at 33% of maximum speed. Below that speed you get diminishing savings.

 

[Jimrahbe]

What is the purpose of a VSF pump if I am going to only run it at a higher speed?

B,

I don't understand that question? Why would you think that you would have to run a higher speeds?

I have a simple set up with a large cartridge filter and no heater. This means that I can run my SWCG at about 1200 RPM. That is not very fast and to run 24/7 costs me less than $20 bucks a month. My IntelliFlo is about 8 years old and the newer ones, like the IntelliFlo3, are even more cost effective to run.

The whole point of having a VS pump is so that you can run it at different speeds depending on the mode your pool is in. Allen's example above is perfect!

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[BKennedy]

B,

I don't understand that question? Why would you think that you would have to run a higher speeds?

I have a simple set up with a large cartridge filter and no heater. This means that I can run my SWCG at about 1200 RPM. That is not very fast and to run 24/7 costs me less than $20 bucks a month. My IntelliFlo is about 8 years old and the newer ones, like the IntelliFlo3, are even more cost effective to run.

The whole point of having a VS pump is so that you can run it at different speeds depending on the mode your pool is in. Allen's example above is perfect!

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks Jim! I think I’ve decided to go with the intelliflo and adding the intelliconnect

B,

I don't understand that question? Why would you think that you would have to run a higher speeds?

I have a simple set up with a large cartridge filter and no heater. This means that I can run my SWCG at about 1200 RPM. That is not very fast and to run 24/7 costs me less than $20 bucks a month. My IntelliFlo is about 8 years old and the newer ones, like the IntelliFlo3, are even more cost effective to run.

The whole point of having a VS pump is so that you can run it at different speeds depending on the mode your pool is in. Allen's example above is perfect!

Thanks,

Jim R.

I guess I deleted the rest of my comment somehow when posting my reply! I plan on going with the intelliflo and the intelliconnect. That will enable me to run my pump and salt cell from home or make changes on the app when I am away. I guess I don't know how often to run the pump at different speeds. My pool right now just runs about 10 hours a day with the current pump. I don't use a booster pump anymore after switching to a robotic cleaner. Would I just run it a few hours a day at a higher rpm to help the skimmers clean more and then decrease it the rest of the time? I am new to VS pumps, so I appreciate all the advice!

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

At a minimum, you will need to run your pump at a speed that turns on your SWCG, and long enough for the cell to make the chlorine your pool needs each day. For me this is 1200 RPM, but each pool is different, so you will have to experiment and see what works for your pool. If you don't have a heater, 1200 should be in the ballpark. My pool skims well at 1200, so I don't "need" to run at any other speeds except when I want to run my waterfall or make the water in my pool swirl a little more when I'm "sleeping" on a pool float.

There is no right or wrong answer here. You will just have to play with it and see what works best for you. I would not run less than a 1000 RPM.

I personally run my pump 24/7, which initial sounds like a bad idea. But it works well for me. I like making a little chlorine all the time and I like skimming all the time. My cost to run 24/7, most of the time at 1200 RPM, is less than $20 bucks a month. My IntelliFlo is over 8 years old, and the newer ones are even more cost effective to run, my guess $10 bucks a month. I like that I'm not starting and stopping my pump and at 1200 RPM, you almost have to touch my pump just to make sure it is still running, that is how quiet they are.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mancona]

I'm new here and a new pool owner this summer, but for my simple pool only setup i have been very happy with the intelliconnect. It is easy to setup and works fine to program 4 VS pump speeds, ichlor %, heater temp, and lights. I considered a higher end system but without a spa of water features it was not worth the extra cost for me.

Sounds like the intelliconnect will meet your needs as well.

 

[BKennedy]

I'm new here and a new pool owner this summer, but for my simple pool only setup i have been very happy with the intelliconnect. It is easy to setup and works fine to program 4 VS pump speeds, ichlor %, heater temp, and lights. I considered a higher end system but without a spa of water features it was not worth the extra cost for me.

Sounds like the intelliconnect will meet your needs as well.

Thanks for the reply! Glad to hear from someone with an intelliconnect that’s happy with it! I really think it makes the most sense for me since I don’t really have any other features to program.