Intellicenter Automation help

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Apr 17, 2022
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Hawaii
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18000
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Salt Water Generator
In search of guidance… any help appreciated.

Pool is 2 months old with pentair IntelliCenter set up. Our power flickered on 7/3 and since then, the pool pump is not communicating with the automation. I can run the pool manually, but not in conjunction with the intellecenter (the display doesn’t show “display inactive” like it is supposed to. Also, the spa jets will run exactly 60 seconds then stop. Every time, EXACTLY 60seconds. I really think this is an automation issue, but I just don’t know enough about the system. I tried the reset and flipping breakers without success.

I called the pentair rep, but he won’t speak to me (only my ”pool guy”). I didn’t have a pool guy, so I hired a pool guy to come out. He said this is 100% a pentair problem and I needed to call the rep or the 1800 number. I called pentair twice and sat on hold for hours, but had to hang up as I have a job and a life to deal with too. I am not in the same time zone at pentair, so it is really hard. I am loathe to call my pool builder as they were terrible with communication before I paid them, but now that I am paid in full, I can’t imagine them being particularly responsive. I have messaged the pentair rep again, but I have no idea if/when he might get back to me.

I am very frustrated and regretting this automation. Any guidance would be so appreciated.
 

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Y,


Did you push the "Reset" button and hold it for at least 10 seconds?

I see a pic of your pump and it says "Display Not Active". When was that pic taken? That is what both pumps should show.

It does not appear to me like you are in the Pool mode??? Did you push the pool icon? I have an EasyTouch, but I assume the pool icon would change color when it is on.

Let's see if we can get an IntelliCenter owner to chime in. Calling @Turbo1Ton

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Check your pump address at the pump controller if that's active, then go into your "pumps" settings and check that it's at the right address. My pump is a VST, it doesn't show connected if I have pump type set to VS, it has to be set to VSF.

In the pumps settings the third/bottom option iirc is Pump Status, you'll see if it's recognized there.

I don't know much about RS485, I read up a bit on it for this, but it might be a good idea to disconnect all your other RS485 devices to make sure there's not a com port conflict.

Be careful if you have a SWG, don't unplug the port on the bottom of the intellicenter while power is energized or you might have other problems too. I don't think I'd disconnect even the RS485 of the SWG.

how many RS485 devices do you have connected?
 
Last edited:
Jimrahbe said:
Y,


Did you push the "Reset" button and hold it for at least 10 seconds?

I see a pic of your pump and it says "Display Not Active". When was that pic taken? That is what both pumps should show.

It does not appear to me like you are in the Pool mode??? Did you push the pool icon? I have an EasyTouch, but I assume the pool icon would change color when it is on.

Let's see if we can get an IntelliCenter owner to chime in. Calling @Turbo1Ton

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Appreciate your thoughts. The “display inactive” is the jet pump. The pool pump should say the same but it doesn’t.

I tried the reset for 10 seconds. I would love if there was a solution that simple.

I am in pool mode
 
FSDpool said:
Check your pump address at the pump controller if that's active, then go into your "pumps" settings and check that it's at the right address. My pump is a VST, it doesn't show connected if I have pump type set to VS, it has to be set to VSF.

In the pumps settings the third/bottom option iirc is Pump Status, you'll see if it's recognized there.

I don't know much about RS485, I read up a bit on it for this, but it might be a good idea to disconnect all your other RS485 devices to make sure there's not a com port conflict.

Be careful if you have a SWG, don't unplug the port on the bottom of the intellicenter while power is energized or you might have other problems too. I don't think I'd disconnect even the RS485 of the SWG.

how many RS485 devices do you have connected?
Click to expand...
I really appreciate your thoughtful reply, but I may not be wise enough to understand. Are you referring to the IntelliCenter panel? I don’t see a pump address or pump settings. The pump itself has pump settings and says pump 1. I am not smart enough to tell you more about my electrical connections.
 
You want to check your pump addresses, you'll have to do that at both the pump(s) and the intellicenter.

I'd probably start at the intellicenter. Settings -> Advanced -> Install -> Pumps.

Looks like one of your pumps is working or is at least recognized by the intellicenter (the one that says Display Inactive). In the intellicenter, look at both of the pumps listed (are 2 listed?). Check the settings in there. You'll see:
pump type, name, address
Settings
Speed/Flow Circuits
Pump Status - the one that says "display inactive" will have a green checkmark in the pump status.
 
FSDpool said:
You want to check your pump addresses, you'll have to do that at both the pump(s) and the intellicenter.

I'd probably start at the intellicenter. Settings -> Advanced -> Install -> Pumps.

Looks like one of your pumps is working or is at least recognized by the intellicenter (the one that says Display Inactive). In the intellicenter, look at both of the pumps listed (are 2 listed?). Check the settings in there. You'll see:
pump type, name, address
Settings
Speed/Flow Circuits
Pump Status - the one that says "display inactive" will have a green checkmark in the pump status.
Click to expand...
I was so excited to try this, but i don’t see advanced settings or speed/flow circuits on the control panel . The pump not communicating is pump address 1 and the one communicating is pump address 2. I wonder if they limited my functionality so I don’t screw it up?
 
So the only thing I could think of that would cause one of the 2 pumps to not show 'Display Not Active' is a bad communications connection. For a quick check, I went out and powered down my features pump, pulled the comms connection, and restored power. Sure enough, it came up with the working display. As soon as I plugged the comms back into the pump, the display returned to 'Display Not Active'.

So you most likely have a bad connection on the communications cable going to pump 1. Most likely this is at the terminal block on the board, in the panel. I wouldn't think that the power flicker would have taken out a single comm connection, but power surges can do weird things.

To confirm this you need to go into the settings as FSDpool mentioned. Here is how you do that.

First - you will need to enter the settings mode...

Intellicenter Pumps 1.JPG

Once in settings, you will have to scroll all the way down using the arrow on the right. Once you reach the bottom of the list, that is where the Advanced System Configuration is...


Intellicenter Pumps 2.JPG

Once in Advanced System Configuration, you will see a selection for Installation Setup...


Intellicenter Pumps 3.JPG

Once in Installation Setup, you will find the Pumps selection...

Intellicenter Pumps 4.JPG

When you select Pumps it will bring up a screen that should look like this...


Intellicenter Pumps 5.JPG

Select the pump that is not Address 2, and then you will see this screen (for my example shots I disconnected my second pump)...


Intellicenter Pumps 6.JPG


Enter the pump status screen and it will likely look like this...


Intellicenter Pumps 7.JPG

Let us know what you find on this page.

If it says Communication Lost, then the next step is to troubleshoot the communication cable connections.

--Jeff
 
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With two IntelliFlo pumps you could try powering down the IntelliCenter and swapping the black RS-485 comm cables plugged into the sides of the pumps. Then power up the IC and see if the problem moved to the other pump which would indicate a comm cable problem.
 
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Turbo1Ton said:
So the only thing I could think of that would cause one of the 2 pumps to not show 'Display Not Active' is a bad communications connection. For a quick check, I went out and powered down my features pump, pulled the comms connection, and restored power. Sure enough, it came up with the working display. As soon as I plugged the comms back into the pump, the display returned to 'Display Not Active'.

So you most likely have a bad connection on the communications cable going to pump 1. Most likely this is at the terminal block on the board, in the panel. I wouldn't think that the power flicker would have taken out a single comm connection, but power surges can do weird things.

To confirm this you need to go into the settings as FSDpool mentioned. Here is how you do that.

First - you will need to enter the settings mode...

View attachment 434041

Once in settings, you will have to scroll all the way down using the arrow on the right. Once you reach the bottom of the list, that is where the Advanced System Configuration is...


View attachment 434043

Once in Advanced System Configuration, you will see a selection for Installation Setup...


View attachment 434044

Once in Installation Setup, you will find the Pumps selection...

View attachment 434045

When you select Pumps it will bring up a screen that should look like this...


View attachment 434046

Select the pump that is not Address 2, and then you will see this screen (for my example shots I disconnected my second pump)...


View attachment 434047


Enter the pump status screen and it will likely look like this...


View attachment 434048

Let us know what you find on this page.

If it says Communication Lost, then the next step is to troubleshoot the communication cable connections.

--Jeff
Click to expand...
You are awesome! Yes, this is exactly what it shows. I can access the one communication cable at the pump side. I have disconnected and reconnected this without change. The other one is within the control panel. I am a tad nervous to disassemble for fear I will void warranties.

Longest hold time for pentair is 210 minutes 😫 I’m willing to try anything

Seriously thankful for this forum!
 

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Sorry, I want to make sure I understand exactly what you did. You removed the cable from the pump, and reseated it on the same pump, is that correct?

Did you attempt to swap the communication cables between the two pumps, as Allen mentioned above, to see if the issue moved with the pump? Meaning take the cable from pump 1 and move to pump 2 and vice versa?

As long as you turn the power off, so that you don't short anything, or more importantly, shock yourself, checking the connections will not void the warranty.

--Jeff
 
This forum is the absolute best!!! I wrote my Pentair guy with this info. He came right out to look at it. Unfortunately, it isn’t just the cable, but it is a Pentair automation problem that is totally under warranty and he is now working on it. Thank you all. I am so grateful to have found TFP!
 
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YahooWahoo said:
I am so grateful to have found TFP!
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