How to perform firmware upgrade on Pentair* controllers

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Tiki-2

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Jul 31, 2023
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Florida
Can anyone recommend a programmer that works specifically with the IntelliTouch controllers? This thread talks about both Intellitouch and EasyTouch, but it appears that they don't have the same MCU. EasyTouch uses the MC9S family of chips, but when I checked my IntelliTouch Indoor control panel, I saw that it actually has an older 68HC12 chip (specifically: MC912DG128ACPVE).

I went ahead an ordered one of the cheap USBDM programmers from AliExpress, but when I started looking into how to install the software and drivers, I found that this programmer does not seem to have any support for the 68HC12 chips (it only supports the "S" series, like MC9S12A128).

I see there is another product (P&E Micro USB BDM Multilink Interface for RS08 HCS08) out there. It says it supports both the HC12 and HCS12, but it is a lot more expensive, and it appears the necessary software might be a separate purchase (though I am not certain exactly what software is required).

Can anyone give any guidance?
 
You might want to reach out to an authorized Pentair Rep and see if the flash is covered under warranty. If you’ve purchased a new piece of equipment recently and that’s why your intellitouch isn’t working then there’s usually no charge.

Even if it’s not covered the flash costs $100 out here…

Be sure to flash the main board and the indoor panel too.
 
bdavis466 said:
You might want to reach out to an authorized Pentair Rep and see if the flash is covered under warranty. If you’ve purchased a new piece of equipment recently and that’s why your intellitouch isn’t working then there’s usually no charge.

Even if it’s not covered the flash costs $100 out here…

Be sure to flash the main board and the indoor panel too.
Click to expand...
So, here's my situation, and why I am investigating this...

I had an Intellitouch 5 with an Intelliflow VS pump, working well for ~ 3 years until it got flooded by storm surge from Hurricane Ian. When I went to replace it, I couldn't get the exact same model, so went with Intelliflow 3 VSF. It ran for about 4 months without issue, then suddenly started having issues communicating to the Intellitouch controller. The status light would indicate that it was connected, the Pentair Home app would say that it was "being controlled by automation", but the Intellitouch controller was showing "No Communication". And, it was not responding to any commands from the Intellitouch - instead it was following its internal program.

I contacted Pentair support and they said there was a know firmware bug that could cause communication problems with older Intellitouch controllers (as well as some others - I think they mentioned SunTouch?). They pushed a firmware update to my pump, but it made no difference. At that point they suggested I should hire someone to update the firmware in my Intellitouch. I asked if they would cover it under warranty, but they said their only obligation was to fix the pump firmware and I was welcome to wait until they release another update.

Honestly, I'm not 100% certain it is even a firmware issue. I'm worried it might be a hardware failure (maybe the pump can receive, but not transmit, so the pump can see that it is connected to a controller, but the controller doesn't see the pump and never sends it any commands).

My currently installed intellitouch firmware versions are:
VIC : 1.170
VOC: 1.160
 
Your flash should be covered then. Try finding out who your local rep is and talk to that person. Pentair Automation tech support isn’t that great until you get to the higher level people that support the installers and warranty stations.

I believe your IT firmware doesn’t support VSF pumps and that’s likely your issue…either way it’s Pentair’s responsibility to make sure their automation works with their equipment as advertised.

The current version is 1.190
 
I use a pe micro parallel port (old school) bdm programmer. You can use one of those, or a pe micro USB bdm programmer. The intellitouch can allegedly be programmed with the cheapo clone jobs for the 9s12 chips but I haven't done it.. I no longer have a USB clone programmer.
@Telemachus posted this link from nxp on how to make it work. If you try it, let us know how you make out.
Post in thread 'How to perform firmware upgrade on Pentair* controllers' How to perform firmware upgrade on Pentair* controllers
 
ogdento said:
I use a pe micro parallel port (old school) bdm programmer. You can use one of those, or a pe micro USB bdm programmer. The intellitouch can allegedly be programmed with the cheapo clone jobs for the 9s12 chips but I haven't done it.. I no longer have a USB clone programmer.
@Telemachus posted this link from nxp on how to make it work. If you try it, let us know how you make out.
Post in thread 'How to perform firmware upgrade on Pentair* controllers' How to perform firmware upgrade on Pentair* controllers
Click to expand...
Thanks for this... I thought I had read all the relevant posts, but I must have missed this one. It sure looks promising.

I had also started investigating the Node.js pool controller. Right now my plan is to try that first to see if I can get it talking to my equipment (if it works, I will know that the pump is still capable of communicating and I will have a backup, in case I mess up the Pentair controller. After that, I will probably come back and try these steps to flash the firmware with the USBDM.
 
Tiki-2 said:
Thanks for this... I thought I had read all the relevant posts, but I must have missed this one. It sure looks promising.

I had also started investigating the Node.js pool controller. Right now my plan is to try that first to see if I can get it talking to my equipment (if it works, I will know that the pump is still capable of communicating and I will have a backup, in case I mess up the Pentair controller. After that, I will probably come back and try these steps to flash the firmware with the USBDM.
Click to expand...
I use the "PoolController" on my test bench to verify the RS485 communication. I highly recommend these...
 

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