"no comm" fail for IntelliFlo VSF at EasyTouch PSL4

[Gizmo78163]

Symptoms started after adding IntelliChlor 60 and its power center and connecting the data cable between ET-PSL4 and the IntelliChlor power center. The pump data cable seems intact to the pump driver, and all other comm interface functions to the wireless screenlogic interface and the new IntelliChlor seem intact, so I do not suspect the main board comm port is toasted. The pump runs on its own manual program. I'm suspicious of the driver box on top of the IF-VSF. Pump firmware is 2.11 VSF. Any suggestions?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Giz,

Step one to troubleshoot a EasyTouch com issue is to disconnect everything from the Com Port except just the VS pump.

With the ET in AUTO, and only the pump connected to the ET's com port, the pump's display should show "Display Not Active"..

Try that and tell us what happens.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Gizmo78163]

Giz,

Step one to troubleshoot a EasyTouch com issue is to disconnect everything from the Com Port except just the VS pump.

With the ET in AUTO, and only the pump connected to the ET's com port, the pump's display should show "Display Not Active"..

Try that and tell us what happens.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Still, no comm. And manual operation only.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Giz,

Then either your pump is bad or the main card is bad..

Try connecting just the ScreenLogic to the main card and level any other com port connection off..

The see if ScreenLogic will work, If it does, then the main card is good and you pump is bad.

The basic idea here is that any one bad RS-485 device can cause the whole bus to quit working...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[DrewLG]

Symptoms started after adding IntelliChlor 60 and its power center and connecting the data cable between ET-PSL4 and the IntelliChlor power center. The pump data cable seems intact to the pump driver, and all other comm interface functions to the wireless screenlogic interface and the new IntelliChlor seem intact, so I do not suspect the main board comm port is toasted.

If the EasyTouch is successfully communicating with the ScreenLogic interface and the SWG, then the yellow and green pump wires didn't accidentally get swapped and there aren't any stray strands shorting between terminals. And you presumably had the power off while you were wiring everything up, so it's unlikely that the pump's RS485 driver was damaged during that process.

But it is possible that something came loose, so if you haven't already checked for that, you might want to.

• Pull the EasyTouch terminal block off of its four pins and examine it -- tug a little on the pump wires to make sure they're tightly held by the screws.
• Make sure that the cable is firmly connected to the socket at the pump end.
• Open the pump's wiring compartment and make sure that the socket's wiring connector is firmly attached.
• If you have a multimeter, check continuity between the screw heads at the EasyTouch end and the connector at the pump end.

 

[Gizmo78163]

Try connecting just the ScreenLogic to the main card and level any other com port connection off..

The see if ScreenLogic will work, If it does, then the main card is good and you pump is bad.

Screenlogic works alone, the IntelliChlor works alone, and Screenlogic and IntelliChlor work together. Presumably, the main card is good. The pump functions, too, just no comm.

If the EasyTouch is successfully communicating with the ScreenLogic interface and the SWG, then the yellow and green pump wires didn't accidentally get swapped and there aren't any stray strands shorting between terminals. And you presumably had the power off while you were wiring everything up, so it's unlikely that the pump's RS485 driver was damaged during that process.

But it is possible that something came loose, so if you haven't already checked for that, you might want to.

• Pull the EasyTouch terminal block off of its four pins and examine it -- tug a little on the pump wires to make sure they're tightly held by the screws.
• Make sure that the cable is firmly connected to the socket at the pump end.
• Open the pump's wiring compartment and make sure that the socket's wiring connector is firmly attached.
• If you have a multimeter, check continuity between the screw heads at the EasyTouch end and the connector at the pump end.

Regarding your checklist, Drew, everything is "good-to-go."

My PB is out of business, and I'm just outside the 3-year warranty. However, I contacted the PB owner just in case he still has some connections at Pentair and might be able to "encourage" the warranty (I'm awaiting his response). Otherwise, I guess I'm on the prowl for a Pentair #356944Z Pump Driver.

 

[ogdento]

might not be the pump driver... check the comm cable (from the pump to the outdoor board) for continuity. the pump-side connection can get corrosion as well.

 

[Gizmo78163]

might not be the pump driver... check the comm cable (from the pump to the outdoor board) for continuity. the pump-side connection can get corrosion as well.

Thanks for your help and suggestions, Tom.
Confirming good comm cable continuity, drawing 0.7 ohms (each, on both green and yellow lines) from comm screw terminal board side to the female connector at the pump comm disconnect under the display.

 

[ogdento]

ah, well it was worth a shot! but yeah if the cable is good then it seems like the driver or the keypad has an issue (the keypad also has a comm chip inside it)

 

[Gizmo78163]

ah, well it was worth a shot! but yeah if the cable is good then it seems like the driver or the keypad has an issue (the keypad also has a comm chip inside it)

The keypad works very well at controlling the pump, so are we left with the "driver" comm connection or the PCB circuit that manages comm control? Is that something separate that can be repaired or replaced? It seems like the whole driver is replaced as one part, #356944Z, which runs about $800 in the marketplace.

 

[ogdento]

I'm not sure which it would be... the driver board is potted in epoxy so I've never seen a bare one and don't know how it's comms are structured.

If the keypad does use rs485 to talk to the driver board AND the keypad can control the pump, then it stands to reason that the keypad is ok?... maybe there are 2 comm chips in the driver board - one to talk to the ET and another to talk to the Keypad? If there was only a single comm channel in the pump then I'd expect nothing would work.

I don't imagine you'll be able to repair any comms on the driver board unless you can remove the potting, but it's probably worth keeping because even though it can't talk to the Easytouch, it can still run the pump standalone.

 

[Gizmo78163]

Sorry, guys. I'm back to thinking it is the comm port on the PCBA (part #522524). The Screenlogic connection is not giving correct feedback to Screenlogic app or config on my iPhone -- ambient and water temps are off, valves don't stay put, and the IC60 is not controllable. Everything works off their own displays or controls manually, valves work off the ET keypads, but things managed on the comm are not responding. The question now is, do I
1) repair the comm port ($??), (found another thread by jerryt to check voltages, will perform tonight)
2) replace the PCBA (#522524, online ~$340, eBay @ $250), or
3) upgrade to the new IntelliCenter personalities (Pentair #522048, $1250+)?

EDIT: Well, there is no power on those contacts/points to check, so I guess I'm looking for a PCBA -- replacement #522524 or upgrade #522048. Wish me luck!

 

[ouloveme]

it feels like I have similar issues to you. except I replaced the board outside still not fixing the issue. that the pump didn't receive any other info from the board except the time. the board is on Auto but the pump still works independently. Of course, I have a problem with the indoor board as well. but right now it's not plugged in.