Variable speed pumps on Pentair Intellicenter

[bmpardo]

Hi, ajw22.

I just discovered that our pool builder poorly wired our VSF pump to our Intellicenter such that the pump has no power when it's not operating during a scheduled event. I'm asking the pool builder to correct the problem.

I understand the existing installation doesn't align with the instructions in the VSF pump installation manual, which is reason enough to fix it, but why exactly must the pump be powered up at all times?

I'm asking because I want to have a response ready if my pool builder should say that the existing installation is OK.

Thanks,

bP

 

[ajw22]

I understand the existing installation doesn't align with the instructions in the VSF pump installation manual, which is reason enough to fix it, but why exactly must the pump be powered up at all times?

I'm asking because I want to have a response ready if my pool builder should say that the existing installation is OK.

The IntelliCenter may commmunicate with the pump when the filter pump relay is not on. And the pump may be slow to power up and miss commands from the IntelliCenter.

Also the pump will not be powered in SERVICE mode allowing manual control of the pump from its control panel without you turning on the pool.

Tell your builder you want all equipment installed following Pentairs Installation Manuals.

 

[Jimrahbe]

bP.

Sounds like your idiot installer wired your VS pump to the load side of your IntelliCenter's Pump/Filter relay. Which is wrong!!

Besides what Allen listed above...

The Pump/Filter relay is only closed when in the Pool mode or Spa mode.. If you wanted to run the pump without being in the Pool mode or Spa mode, it would not have any AC power.

Do you have a Saltwater pool??? If so, I suspect they also screwed up the installation of the cell's power center...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[bmpardo]

The IntelliCenter may commmunicate with the pump when the filter pump relay is not on. And the pump may be slow to power up and miss commands from the IntelliCenter.

Also the pump will not be powered in SERVICE mode allowing manual control of the pump from its control panel without you turning on the pool.

Tell your builder you want all equipment installed following Pentairs Installation Manuals.

Thanks for this.

As you say, our pump is not powered when in SERVICE mode. However, I can get power to the pump if I go to "Manual Circuit Control"...



and then turn on the appropriate circuit:



However, it's clear this is just a workaround rather than the intended procedure.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks for this.

As you say, our pump is not powered when in SERVICE mode. However, I can get power to the pump if I go to "Manual Circuit Control"...

View attachment 630627

and then turn on the appropriate circuit:

View attachment 630629

However, it's clear this is just a workaround rather than the intended procedure.

Yup, but that procedure may turn on other things like a SWG that you do not want on.

Your pump is not wired to control it individually as it should be.

 

[bmpardo]

bP.

Sounds like your idiot installer wired your VS pump to the load side of your IntelliCenter's Pump/Filter relay. Which is wrong!!

Besides what Allen listed above...

The Pump/Filter relay is only closed when in the Pool mode or Spa mode.. If you wanted to run the pump without being in the Pool mode or Spa mode, it would not have any AC power.

Do you have a Saltwater pool??? If so, I suspect they also screwed up the installation of the cell's power center...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yes, I do have a SWG.

In the installation manual for our Pentair Intellichlor IC40, it says that the " IntelliChlor SCG AC power center wires must be connected to the LOAD SIDE OF THE MAIN FILTER PUMP RELAY located in the load/power center".

But this describes the connection to an IntelliTouch, EasyTouch, or SunTouch Control system, which we don't have. Would these instructions apply to a Intellicenter Control System? Or should the Pentair Intellichlor IC40 be wired to the control side (non-load side) of the relay just like our pump? I'm not seeing any clear documentation on this.

Also, what about the booster pump for our side pressure cleaner? Should it wired like our VS pump, too?

Thanks for your help, Jim.

bP

 

[bmpardo]

Yup, but that procedure may turn on other things like a SWG that you do not want on.

Your pump is not wired to control it individually as it should be.

Thanks again, ajw22. Your messages have been very helpful. I appreciate the help.

 

[ajw22]

But this describes the connection to an IntelliTouch, EasyTouch, or SunTouch Control system, which we don't have. Would these instructions apply to a Intellicenter Control System?

Yes

Or should the Pentair Intellichlor IC40 be wired to the control side (non-load side) of the relay just like our pump?

No

I'm not seeing any clear documentation on this.

Pentair is very sloppy in updating manuals across products.

Also, what about the booster pump for our side pressure cleaner? Should it wired like our VS pump, too?

Booster pump needs to be be switched by an AUX relay. The Booster pump circuit needs to be set to Master Cleaner so the IntelliCenter ensures the booster pump only runs when the filter pump is on.

The Master Cleaner also has a 5 minute delay after it is turned on to allow the filter pump to get flow running.

 

[Jimrahbe]

bP,

The transformer for the SWCG system, MUST be wired to the load side of the Pump/Filter relay.. If they did not know how to correctly wire the pump, they may also have not wired the SWCG transformer correctly either..

Show us several pics of the wiring inside the bottom of the IntelliCenter..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[bmpardo]

bP,

The transformer for the SWCG system, MUST be wired to the load side of the Pump/Filter relay.. If they did not know how to correctly wire the pump, they may also have not wired the SWCG transformer correctly either..

Show us several pics of the wiring inside the bottom of the IntelliCenter..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks for continuing the dialog, Jim and ajw22.

Here's a photo of the panel wiring:



If you can't follow the wires, let me know. I'd be happy to take more photos or trace out the circuits for you. Whatever you guys need.

Thanks,

bP

 

[Jimrahbe]

bP,

The relay in the upper left is the Pump/Filter relay..

The Yellow and White wires go to the SWCG transformer and are installed correctly.. on the load side of the relay..

The Black wire that is on the same pin as the Yellow wire, needs to be moved one pin to the left..
The Red wire that is on the same pin as the White wire, needs to be moved one pin to the left..

This means that you would have 2 black wires on line 1 and two Red wires on Line 2.. This would provide constant AC power to your pump.

Probably more effort to contact your pool builder than it would be to just move the two wires...

It is actually a pretty neat install compared to many, mine included...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Ahultin]

The Black wire that is on the same pin as the Yellow wire, needs to be moved one pin to the left..
The Red wire that is on the same pin as the White wire, needs to be moved one pin to the left..

This means that you would have 2 black wires on line 1 and two Red wires on Line 2.. This would provide constant AC power to your pump.

Need to also make sure the rs485 wires on the pump are hooked up first

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

The pump runs fine under RS-485 control when the Pump/Filter relay is closed...

Jim R.

 

[Ahultin]

A,

The pump runs fine under RS-485 control when the Pump/Filter relay is closed...

Jim R.

got it, i did not see it mentioned and did not want to assume

 

[bmpardo]

bP,

The relay in the upper left is the Pump/Filter relay..

The Yellow and White wires go to the SWCG transformer and are installed correctly.. on the load side of the relay..

The Black wire that is on the same pin as the Yellow wire, needs to be moved one pin to the left..
The Red wire that is on the same pin as the White wire, needs to be moved one pin to the left..

This means that you would have 2 black wires on line 1 and two Red wires on Line 2.. This would provide constant AC power to your pump.

Probably more effort to contact your pool builder than it would be to just move the two wires...

It is actually a pretty neat install compared to many, mine included...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Awesome.

I think you're right--doing it myself would be easier.

I'll move those wires over and report back.

Thank you.

 

[bmpardo]

Awesome.

I think you're right--doing it myself would be easier.

I'll move those wires over and report back.

Thank you.

Done! Thanks, Jim and everyone else. Super easy fix once you understand where the wires are supposed to go.

 

[mknauss]

Thanks, Jim and everyone else.

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