IntelliCenter - Do you have to use Intellivalves? Other brands ok?

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wgipe

wgipe

Gold Supporter
Jul 4, 2020
490
Fletcher, OH
Pool Size
20000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Happy Saturday!

Our pool build gets underway on MondY, and I am thinking that I would like to get a valve actuator for my heater bypass so that I can automatically activate the bypass when the heater is not in use. I’ve seen a whole lot of failed IntelliValve actuators on here, and wondering if there is a better/more durable option. Any ideas? Will other brands of actuators even work? I have Pentair valves.
Thanks!

Wes
 
Jandy, Hayward, Pentair, and other actuators all have a standard plug interface that works with the IntelliCenter and other automation. An IntelliValve uses the same standard interface.

I have not see discussions here of IntelliValves failing.
 
ajw22 said:
Jandy, Hayward, Pentair, and other actuators all have a standard plug interface that works with the IntelliCenter and other automation. An IntelliValve uses the same standard interface.

I have not see discussions here of IntelliValves failing.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I can't seem to find the thread at the moment, but it was on another topic, and after someone commented that theirs only lasted a few seasons, several others piled on. Perhaps I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. I would like to keep everything Pentair if it's possible just for simplicity's sake.

Thanks,

Wes
 
Use a Pentair CVA24 regular actuator.

www.pentair.com

Valve Actuator

The Valve Actuator is designed for use with 2-port and 3-port valves and features maximum torque, 24VAC bi-directional motor.
www.pentair.com www.pentair.com

The IntelliValve works as a standard actuator right now. Pentair has not implemented any of the Intelli features they advertised. That is likely what folks piled on about.
 
ajw22 said:
Use a Pentair CVA24 regular actuator.

www.pentair.com

Valve Actuator

The Valve Actuator is designed for use with 2-port and 3-port valves and features maximum torque, 24VAC bi-directional motor.
www.pentair.com www.pentair.com

The IntelliValve works as a standard actuator right now. Pentair has not implemented any of the Intelli features they advertised. That is likely what folks piled on about.
Click to expand...

I knew I had seen issues somewhere. It was in the Amazon reviews: Amazon.com : Pentair 521485 IntelliValve Valve Actuator : Garden & Outdoor
 
@wgipe
I have had six of them (IntelliValves) since December 2018. Not one issue.
They have been tanks so far.
In fact I have been trying to kill one for months by blasting it with continuous RS-485 commands (something average users won't do) and it has still not failed me yet.
r.
 
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My Intellicenter controls Jandy, Intermatic, and Hayward actuators. It came with the new actuators that are supposed to have some advanced features that allow incremental control. That feature has never appeared but I bet @MyAZPool figures out the code before Pentair implements it. I've read a few bad reviews about all actuators but my experience is they all work fine and very similarly. The only difference is some of the older ones that have mechanical adjustment are a little easier to adjust. I'm saving my fancy new actuators for when Ron gets the new features working... I can only imagine how he's doing this. I've got this image of a mad scientist in his lab hooked up to a lightning rod and a random number generator... poor actuator doesn't stand a chance!

Chris
 
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setsailsoon said:
My Intellicenter controls Jandy, Intermatic, and Hayward actuators. It came with the new actuators that are supposed to have some advanced features that allow incremental control. That feature has never appeared but I bet @MyAZPool figures out the code before Pentair implements it. I've read a few bad reviews about all actuators but my experience is they all work fine and very similarly. The only difference is some of the older ones that have mechanical adjustment are a little easier to adjust. I'm saving my fancy new actuators for when Ron gets the new features working... I can only imagine how he's doing this. I've got this image of a mad scientist in his lab hooked up to a lightning rod and a random number generator... poor actuator doesn't stand a chance!

Chris
Click to expand...
Chris,
Thanks but no, MyAZPool is not nearly smart enough for that. He is only blindly following along as a willing guinea pig to help the cause while being directed by the super smart guys.... :p
There have been a couple of IntelliValves that are now resting in the IntelliValve graveyard from this project, I'm sad to report. RIP... But I am running a program that doesn't appear to be nearly as lethal as some of the code that a few have tried... (To boldly go where no IntelliValve has gone before).....
r.

MyAZPool
1605491894289.png
 
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Make sure that the actuators and valves are from the same company.

They are interchangeable, but the screws have a different thread and are more likely to cross-thread and damage the plastic female threads.

When installing the screws, make sure not to cross thread by rotating slightly backwards until the screw drops into the thread and then go forward.
 
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Stick with the regular actuator, especially for the purpose you describe, which is just basic "on-off." The less electronics at a pool pad the better.

Leave it to Pentair to distribute more Intelli-crud that is not so Intelli-gent. Don't get me wrong, I am 100% Pentair, it's just frustrating to hear, yet again, how their software engineers cannot get it together... I won't clog up your thread with my list of software interface complaints...
 
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Dirk said:
Stick with the regular actuator, especially for the purpose you describe, which is just basic "on-off." The less electronics at a pool pad the better.

Leave it to Pentair to distribute more Intelli-crud that is not so Intelli-gent. Don't get me wrong, I am 100% Pentair, it's just frustrating to hear, yet again, how their software engineers cannot get it together... I won't clog up your thread with my list of software interface complaints...
Click to expand...
@Dirk
Not sure I entirely agree with your first sentence but I certainly do agree 1000% with the next paragraph. I think we have both learned the same lesson there (the hard way no doubt).
I think my new label may say it all :p I just couldn't resist my temptations lol...
72FCF16A-9900-4F93-896D-7781D68A1FEC_1_105_c.jpeg
Take care there Dirk....
r.
 
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@MyAZPool, what of the first sentence didn't you like? I don't know all that an IntelliValve can do, but beyond just routing water 100% one way or 100% the other, it would be unnecessary for a heater bypass. That's what I meant to say: stick with the simpler actuator. If you didn't like the second part, about electronics on the pad, I'll admit I'm no one to talk, mine is loaded with 'em.
 
Dirk said:
@MyAZPool, what of the first sentence didn't you like? I don't know all that an IntelliValve can do, but beyond just routing water 100% one way or 100% the other, it would be unnecessary for a heater bypass. That's what I meant to say: stick with the simpler actuator. If you didn't like the second part, about electronics on the pad, I'll admit I'm no one to talk, mine is loaded with 'em.
Click to expand...
Not that so much, my "guess" is just that the IntelliValve "might" be built a little tougher and I do prefer the electronics on it. I haven't see a lot of "valid" complaints about it here (I take the comments on Amazon with a grain of salt). Not a big deal.. Mostly, I just wanted to comment on how much I agreed with your second statement! Right on the money (no pun intended), IMHO... :thumleft:
r.
 
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When I was looking for a Pentair automation bundle to recommend to another member, I thought I saw only bundles with the new IntelliValves. Not sure that the older style actuators are even available in bundles any more. Seems to be Pentair's way of pushing the newer IntelliValves... I could certainly get behind them more if you could adjust them via IntelliCenter. Hopefully that'll be a firmware update someday...
 
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Dirk said:
When I was looking for a Pentair automation bundle to recommend to another member, I thought I saw only bundles with the new IntelliValves. Not sure that the older style actuators are even available in bundles any more. Seems to be Pentair's way of pushing the newer IntelliValves... I could certainly get behind them more if you could adjust them via IntelliCenter. Hopefully that'll be a firmware update someday...
Click to expand...
Agreed 100%.. But then again, I've been "mis-informed" (a nicer word then the stronger version) :p by them on several topics and occasions so I'm only holding my breath while submerged in the pool LOL....
r.
 
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