Pentair VS+SVRS - Easytouch Question

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J

JRennie834

Member
Jan 22, 2019
21
Prosper, Texas
Good Morning from Texas!

A (fairly) new pool owner. Question regarding the control of my Pentair VS+SVRS pump via the Easytouch system (and app).

It seems to me that the benefit of having a variable speed pump is the ability to vary the speeds. Problem is, when I access the pump speeds in the Pentair App, I can only control the speed of the pump via the circuits which are available. The current circuits listed are Pool, Waterfall, Fountain, Spa, Cleaner, which the pump RPM for each one (which can be changed). But with this setup, it does not appear as though I can run my pool at say 1750 RPM during non peak times and then at a higher RPM during peak times, such as during the heat of the day.

I looked into programming the pump itself, which is an option, but those settings do not transfer to the app and cannot be changed at will.

I'm sure I'm being clear as mud, but my pump running at near full bore for 10 hours a day when it is 100+ here in Dallas seems like a waste. If I wanted that, I could have just bought a one speed pump. Or maybe I am misunderstanding the term variable? Maybe it is mean to allow you to run different circuits at different speeds? But that does not seem logical.

Any experts out there that can help would be great. I have attached a photo of my "Pump Screen" as shown on my Pentair App.

Thanks in advance,

JDR
 

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JDR,

You just need to use Feature Circuits and make some additional speeds..

Here are a couple of screenshots..

View media item 1964
Heater Speed.PNG

Heater Speed.PNG


You can see where I set up Skim Low and Skim High which have been assigned their own speeds..

The key is to make "Pool" the slowest speed you ever want to run and schedule it for the total time you want the pump to run.. Then, while Pool is on, just turn on the additional speed or speeds..

If not clear as mud, just let me know..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Jim's screen shot is from the Windows version of the Screen logic SW. If you are using it, click the button in the lower right that says "Configure Screenlogic". If you don't have that button, click on the "Options" button and it will open the lower part of the screen. This software no longer runs on a Mac, but they also have an iOS version. I don't like it as well as the Windows version, but I learned and used the Windows before the iOS version came along (don't know if there is an Android version or not). For iOS search for Pentair or "ScreenLogic Config".
 
Jason,

I love IntelliFlo pumps.. but.. I hate the one that I have because it has the SVRS option.. If I even shut off the filter air relief valve a little too quickly, it will go into the entrapment mode and then it takes me an hour to coax it back to life..

I keep hoping it will die, so I can get a real IntelliFlo... :mrgreen:

Have you had any issue with yours???

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Guys,

Thanks for the great responses! They were a huge help.

Jim, to answer your question first, I have not had any issues yet with the SVRS. Or, maybe I have and I didn't know it. What exactly would it do when the error occurs?

Re: the software, I couldn't find the windows version of ScreenLogic Config, but did put it on my IPad. Now that the pool pump settings are getting closer to normal, just need to do some calculations to figure out when and at what RPM I need to run my pump.

Any thoughts on this? Research I have done is for a 19K pool, to achieve 2 turnovers per day, I need 26.38 gpm if I run the pump 24 hours a day, 52.77 gpm if I run it in two 6 hour segments, 39.58 if I run it in two 8 hour segments, and 31.60 if I run it in two 10 hour segments.

To be honest, the pump has been running for 12 hours a day at 3000 RPM (thus the reason for my initial posting) and the electric bill hasn't been unmanageable. With yalls help the electric bill should go down a bit, but moving forward I'm interested in what is best for pool chemistry and cost.

Thoughts on pump settings, run times, etc?

I attached the flow rates chart from my Pentair pump manual.

Thanks again,

Jason
 

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JRennie834 said:
Research I have done is for a 19K pool, to achieve 2 turnovers per day,
Click to expand...

Jason,

Sorry that you had to waste your time... I'm sure you must have done your research somewhere else... :mrgreen:

The idea that you have to "turnover" x amount of pool water per day is an old myth and is just not true.. Chemicals keep your pool sanitized and clear, the filter is just there to capture all the junk that falls into your pool..

I run my pump 24/7 at 1200 RPM most of the time.. But, we have members here that only run their pumps for 3 hours a day.. You should run your pump for a reason, not a myth..

For me, I have a SWCG and like to generate a little chlorine all the time. I also like to skim my pool all the time. I also don't like to go through the prime cycle on my "SVRS" pump so 24/7 works great for me..

Just set your pump time for what you want to do, and forget about turnovers...

The whole purpose of the SVRS is to turn the pump off, if some sits on the main drain.. This made a little sense when pools had flat single main drains, but now with raised covers and dual drains, it is now obsolete. It does not take much for my SVRS to go into the entrapment mode.. Once it does this, it will try to restart, but about half the time will will just keep cycling between entrapment and starting over and over until it just turns off. Any type of surge in the system will cause the pump to shut off.

I've learned to live with mine and maybe yours is not as sensitive..

In the link I gave you, there is a PC download file that you can add to any PC.. under item 2..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jim,

LOL, I think I just experienced the issue you were describing with SVRS.

I was fiddling with the pump speeds on the lower range and noticed the pump shut off. SVRS error. Then I restarted it, it primed at 3400 RPM, then slowly started decreasing RPM to get to 1400. SVRS error again. Next time I raised the floor RPM to 1600 and, after priming, it successfully reached 1600 RPM without an SVRS error. Then I manually moved it from 1600 to 1500 RPM.

Not sure I have the energy to move it down to 1400 and start the process all over again.

Thought you'd find that amusing.

Thanks,

Jason
 
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Jason,

That is exactly what happens.. but, it may or may not happen when you do it again.. Frustrating for sure.. One way that I can force it to come on is to clean my filter and then turn on the pump.. As the filter is filling back up, air will rush out of the air relief port on the filter.. If I just quickly close it, that will trigger the entrapment mode.. If I slowly close it, it works fine.. most of the time.

Thanks, and yes I did finding it sad and amusing all at the same time.. :)

Jim R.
 

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Jim,

One other thing. Do you have any problem with skimming at the low RPM? I have two skimmers and am testing my skimmers by throwing leaves in the pool to see if they make it to the skimmer and over the skimmer door.

Is there a rule of thumb to use to make sure the low RPM setting isn't negating the water flow to ensure adequate skimming? I figure its a trial and error, but thought I'd ask.

Thanks,

Jason
 
Jason,

I do not have a heater so I can run at 1200 for my SWCG.. If I had a heater I would have to run about 1600 to 1800 to get the same flow.. Heat pumps may even take more flow..

The key for me is patience.. If I try and watch something floating in my pool it will never go down the skimmer.. I use hairnets in my skimmers and I can tell you then fill right up with stuff at 1200 RPM.. If I see something floating, and come back an hour later, it will usually be in one of the skimmer.

You also have to have your water at about the middle of the skimmer mouth, or lower, and the weir door needs to be working (floating up and down)..

I've been told that pool water should be flowing over the top of the weir door and not just around the sides... That is how mine works..

I only have the main drain on about 10%. I also try to have the same suction at both skimmers. The far skimmer is always weak compared to the near skimmer.. I adjust my valves to reduce the suction at the near skimmer, which increases the suction at the far skimmer.. I take the skimmer baskets out and just use my hand to "feel" the suction in an effort to make them the same.. Close is plenty close enough..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jim,

I think I am limited as I have an Easytouch 4 and not an 8. It appears as though on a ET4 you only have 7 slots to setup circuits, which all of mine are filled. I was trying to set up different speeds for skimming (like yours) but I cannot setup any additional circuits. Oh well!

Jason
 
Jason,

All EasyTouch systems have a max of 12 schedules.. But, that also includes any egg-timers that are not set to the default of 12 hours, and any run once commands.

The main difference between the ET-4 and ET-8 is the number of relays.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jim,

I'm even more confused now (and it's all due to my lack of mental capacity. LOL). For instance, when you showed me your setup circuits, yours lists 10+ items. When I go to step 2 on mine it only has 7 items and I cannot add anymore. And with the inability to add more, there are no new options to set pump speeds for in step 4. The only extra ones listed in step 4 are heater, freeze and solar options, which are not listed in step 2. Clear as mud? I have attached screen shots.

Thanks,

Jason
 

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Jason,

Does your EasyTouch have a load center with all your circuit breakers??

If not you may have a "lite" version of an EasyTouch.. It would have a model number like "PL4" or "PSL4".. the "L" stands for lite and it tastes just like lite salad dressing.. :mrgreen:

The lite version of the EasyTouch have a very limited set of functions.. :(

Does your ET have this main panel..

Pentair Install3.jpg

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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