New Intelliph Install…

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casiokid

casiokid

Well-known member
Feb 23, 2018
73
Henderson, NV
Pool Size
10000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hi all,

I just finished the installation of a brand new Intelliph and I’m looking for a sanity check…

My rotor rotates CLOCKWISE and based on the instructions, the INLET is the right tube and the OUTLET is the left tube. Wouldn’t this setup be pulling water from the OUTLET side and feeding into the tank?

When I do a manual dispense, I see bubbles coming from the intake tube and entering the tank.

There is also an UP arrow on the right inlet and a DOWN arrow on the left inlet.

Can anyone confirm which way the rotor SHOULD be rotating?

And, is there a way to invert its rotation?

I’ve included pics, and here’s a link to a video:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com www.dropbox.com

Thank you!
 

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Thanks. I’ve read this several times to familiarize myself with the equipment before the install.

However, it doesn’t say anything about the correct rotational direction of the rotor.

I’m looking for someone who actually has one to confirm this movement.

It seems counterintuitive to me that would be rotating CLOCKWISE to feed an outlet tube on the left.
 
I'll have to check on this tomorrow for you, as it's now too dark and too cold outside (and my pad is off for the night).

The tubes look connected correctly to me. The pump does seem to be running the wrong way. I'll verify that for you tomorrow.

The good-ish news is: the pump is DC, which means it'll be a simple fix (just reversing wires). Either in the IntellipH or the pump motor's housing. It would seem it was assembled incorrectly. Or you could just swap the tubes, but then they'd be labeled incorrectly (the arrows) and that could confuse a future you or the next owner of your house/pool. Best to correct the wiring.

Though you'll have to decide which is the lesser of two weevils, returning everything and getting a new one, or possibly voiding the warranty if you try to fix it yourself.

The safest route is to call Pentair and insist they send a tech to your address to fix the problem (they do that). That would protect your warranty and possibly get you fixed up, or get you a replacement, with a minimum amount of effort on your part.

Once that's all taken care of, remind me to explain the vent port. It's important, but I don't have the energy tonight...

boll weevils Memes & GIFs - Imgflip
 
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Counterclockwise is the correct rotational direction. I just watched mine dispense.

I agree with Dirk on calling Pentair and making them come fix it. No telling whether the goof was in the pump electrical connector, or the wiring at the motor itself.

--Jeff
 
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Thank you both for confirming my suspicions! It was getting dark last night as well, so I simply swapped the tubes...it was the easiest solution and the one with which I'm probably just going to stick. And honestly, the clockwise flow of the rotor and the placement of the suction on the left and outlet on the right just seems to make more sense to me anyway.

Interestingly, the faceplate on the controller that came with the unit did not have any screws holding it onto the box. I didn't notice it until I was installing the box on the wall and the faceplate popped out. I may take a look at it today to see if it was tampered with, or just simply an oversight from the factory. I'm sure that's where the reverse polarity issue comes from.

I'm also going to call the supplier I bought this from and notify them as well...maybe they can replace the controller for me through Pentair.
 
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casiokid said:
And honestly, the clockwise flow of the rotor and the placement of the suction on the left and outlet on the right just seems to make more sense to me anyway.
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Ironically, when I first installed my IpH, it wouldn't work. Took me a while to figure out I had reversed the tubes, because, like you, it made more sense to me to connect them that way. So I'm with ya. But...

casiokid said:
Interestingly, the faceplate on the controller that came with the unit did not have any screws holding it onto the box. I didn't notice it until I was installing the box on the wall and the faceplate popped out. I may take a look at it today to see if it was tampered with, or just simply an oversight from the factory. I'm sure that's where the reverse polarity issue comes from.
Click to expand...
I'd be a little worried now that someone was messing with the guts of the controller. The missing screws and reversed wires are evidence. Maybe the controller will last forever, and maybe it won't. If someone disassembled it, or swapped out the circuit board, and you ended up with used or refurbished parts, installed incorrectly, will that affect your warranty should you need it? (Seems likely.)

casiokid said:
I'm also going to call the supplier I bought this from and notify them as well...maybe they can replace the controller for me through Pentair.
Click to expand...
I would do this, and insist on it.

Further, I don't know this for sure, but I expect the manufacturer of the motor/pump would have designed it to run in one direction. The fact that it can run backwards doesn't mean it should. I'm not sure I'd even run it that way at all, even for a few minutes, let alone days or indefinitely. Get the seller to give you a new controller, and if that resolves everything, then great. If not, have him swap out the tank/motor, too, or just the motor. But I don't think you should run it backwards for now.

Have this made right while you're under warranty.
 
casiokid said:
@Dirk HA! Well, there's a wealth of information on this site for those willing to search so you don't have to. :)
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Speaking of which, have you come across the dreaded over-current issue these IntellipHs have? You'll have to deal with that, too. After you solve the pressing motor-reversed issue, we'll walk you through the over-current issue. It's a relatively easy fix, but one you might want to apply the day after your warranty expires.
 
Thanks for this @Dirk! I totally agree that this should be fixed under warranty and also agree that it shouldn't be used in the reverse direction, even if it doesn't do any harm...

As for the overcurrent issue, I thought that was mostly constrained to the IC60 cells? I have an IC40 so I wasn't as concerned about it.
 
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casiokid said:
Thanks for this @Dirk! I totally agree that this should be fixed under warranty and also agree that it shouldn't be used in the reverse direction, even if it doesn't do any harm...

As for the overcurrent issue, I thought that was mostly constrained to the IC60 cells? I have an IC40 so I wasn't as concerned about it.
Click to expand...
I have an IC40 and suffered the overcurrent fate. I would recommend that you do the research on it and be prepared to make the change as soon as your warranty is out.

--Jeff
 
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Turbo1Ton said:
I have an IC40 and suffered the overcurrent fate. I would recommend that you do the research on it and be prepared to make the change as soon as your warranty is out.
Click to expand...
^^^ 100%. I too have an IC40 and had to apply the fix.


casiokid said:
As for the overcurrent issue, I thought that was mostly constrained to the IC60 cells? I have an IC40 so I wasn't as concerned about it.
Click to expand...
You can have Pentair fix it while under warranty.

After that, you can take your chances and you can wait until it fails and then fix it yourself.

Or you can apply a modification of the fix proactively, and avoid the issue altogether. (Which is what I will do if I ever have to replace my controller.)

Be aware that we have seen failures that involve more than just the connector, where components of the circuit board, past the melted connector, also get fried, which is a considerably more complicated repair, if even possible. We don't have a lot of data on whether the fried components are a direct result of the overcurrent issue, but it's suspect. As I said, for this reason and others, I would apply the fix before it fails (but after the warranty expires).
 
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