Intelliconnect questions

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D

Dalancas

0
Bronze Supporter
Jan 30, 2014
26
Henderson, NV
Pool Size
11340
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I didnt see my questions answered directly in previous posts, so apologize if I overlooked them. But here are my questions as I look to buy an IntelliConnect unit:
What temperature sensor are you installing in order to use for the heater control? I see it installed between the pump and filter, according to manual, so wondering what is best setup. I realize this means cutting pipe and installing a sensor mount, so advice here is welcome.
To control my globrites in the Pentair Home app, will allow me to control colors, create color shows/patterns? Or, is it only off and on?
I only have VS pump (yes, I understand its off and on only), MT250 heater, IC-40, globrites to hook up, as well as the temp sensor. Maxes out the IntelliConnect, but its all I need to control anyway, so a good fit I think.

Thank you-
Dennis
 
Dalancas said:
What temperature sensor are you installing in order to use for the heater control? I see it installed between the pump and filter, according to manual, so wondering what is best setup. I realize this means cutting pipe and installing a sensor mount, so advice here is welcome.
Click to expand...

See the attached Installation Manual.

You use...


Drill a 3/8 hole in the PVC pipe and insert the sensor. Secure the sensor using a worm clamp.

1668182933706.png
 

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Dennis,

I am not a fan of the IntelliConnect, but if you have an IntelliFlo pump, it can control it via the RS-485 connection.

All color changing lights are controlled by a relay or relays. Each light that you want to independently control will need a relay, and if 12 volt lights, a transformer.

To connect the temp sensor, you just drill a hole in the pipe and install the sensor, which plugs the hole.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Dennis, before you purchase anything, I would encourage you to spend some time (1) researching what the various Pentair automation systems can and cannot do, and (2) imagining what you someday might want to automate. Read the manuals. I consider not doing so the single biggest mistake I've made regarding my pool. I bought a controller that was not capable of all I wanted to be able to do, and it was just a few days ago, after a long trail of upgrades and rewiring and reprogramming that I finally have the system I want (almost!). All of which would have been a lot simpler had I purchased what I needed in the first place. And I still don't have the automation cabinet I could have had, one that houses all my pool's circuit breakers. I still have an external circuit breaker panel that bugs me every time I look at it, let alone use it.

The IntelliConnect is a good bargain when you compare it to other Pentair offerings, but my concern is that you already have the thing maxed out before you even own it. I tend to overbuy when it comes to electronics, and there is a lot to be said for keeping things simple, so I am projecting a bit. But a little time spent now reading manuals and trying to picture what you might want to control eventually might save you from the mistake I made, and that was trying to save a few bucks that I would gladly go back and spend if I could.

I had to upgrade a Pentair EasyTouch PSL4 to a Pentair EasyTouch 8, and I've still managed to almost max out that model. I'm using all four of its relays, both of its valve slots, both of its heater slots and all of its schedules. And I don't even have a spa or any water features!! And only one pool light!

Do you want to be able to control things remotely? How about a solar heater? Yard or garden lights? A pool cleaning system? A water slide? How about automating acid dispensing? Or a fountain in your landscaping? Or a bug light? Your pool controller can be used for things other than what you currently own, and even for things not pool (like garden lights, yard features, etc, anything that can be "plugged in").

Give some thought to what you might want to be able to do someday, not just what you have right now. Then buy the controller that fits that vision.
 
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Thank you for having your signature completed which helps us answer your questions. Can you clarify what model Intelliflo you have? You should be able set speeds and schedules from the app, not just on/off. Both your pump and IC40 are already directly wired to your electrical panel so you only need to connect them both the the IntelliConnect via communication cables. The MasterTemp will use the fireman's switch for control and the Globrites will need to be attached to the two available relays for control. Worth taking a look at both the Installation Guide and Pentair Home App Users Guide for more info including the following:

In the Pentair Home app, a white pool light should be designated as “Light” or a color light as “Pentair Color Light”.
Click to expand...
 
Dirk said:
Dennis, before you purchase anything, I would encourage you to spend some time (1) researching what the various Pentair automation systems can and cannot do, and (2) imagining what you someday might want to automate. Read the manuals. I consider not doing so the single biggest mistake I've made regarding my pool. I bought a controller that was not capable of all I wanted to be able to do, and it was just a few days ago, after a long trail of upgrades and rewiring and reprogramming that I finally have the system I want (almost!). All of which would have been a lot simpler had I purchased what I needed in the first place. And I still don't have the automation cabinet I could have had, one that houses all my pool's circuit breakers. I still have an external circuit breaker panel that bugs me every time I look at it, let alone use it.

The IntelliConnect is a good bargain when you compare it to other Pentair offerings, but my concern is that you already have the thing maxed out before you even own it. I tend to overbuy when it comes to electronics, and there is a lot to be said for keeping things simple, so I am projecting a bit. But a little time spent now reading manuals and trying to picture what you might want to control eventually might save you from the mistake I made, and that was trying to save a few bucks that I would gladly go back and spend if I could.

I had to upgrade a Pentair EasyTouch PSL4 to a Pentair EasyTouch 8, and I've still managed to almost max out that model. I'm using all four of its relays, both of its valve slots, both of its heater slots and all of its schedules. And I don't even have a spa or any water features!! And only one pool light!

Do you want to be able to control things remotely? How about a solar heater? Yard or garden lights? A pool cleaning system? A water slide? How about automating acid dispensing? Or a fountain in your landscaping? Or a bug light? Your pool controller can be used for things other than what you currently own, and even for things not pool (like garden lights, yard features, etc, anything that can be "plugged in").

Give some thought to what you might want to be able to do someday, not just what you have right now. Then buy the controller that fits that vision.
Click to expand...
Dirk,
Good points and I was back and forth with the IntelliConnect and the EasyTouch. The truth is I dont have plans to add valve control for our water wall, which has 5 valve controlled scubbers, but as you note if I ever wanted to add automation to control the wall or each scubber I would need a bigger system. Thought I could live without, but may reconsider. We rented a home waiting for this one a year ago and it had full Pentair automation for the waterfall/grotto and spa. It was pretty cool to be able to turn it off and on from inside the house on the remote pad.

While we didnt build a spa on this pool it might be nice to have remote control of the water wall. And I had not thought about landscape lighting which is on the list for spring. So, will have to seriously consider a Easytouch instead. Appreciate your perspective.
 
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Dalancas said:
Is there an advantage of Intellicenter over EasyTouch? Quite a cost difference, but other than that?
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3 year old system versus 20+ year old system. IC is modular and expandable.

Pentair updates the IntelliCenter, not the ET.

Make sure you add the cost of Screenlogic into the ET price when comparing costs. IC has networking builtin and does not use Screenlogic.
 

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ajw22 said:
3 year old system versus 20+ year old system. IC is modular and expandable.

Pentair updates the IntelliCenter, not the ET.

Make sure you add the cost of Screenlogic into the ET price when comparing costs. IC has networking builtin and does not use Screenlogic.
Click to expand...
Okay, that makes sense and a no brainer then. Prefer current tech. Good recommendation, I am checking it (Intellicenter) out now. Thank you!

Dennis
 
ajw22 said:
Make sure you add the cost of Screenlogic into the ET price when comparing costs. IC has networking builtin and does not use Screenlogic.
Click to expand...
Dennis, this ^^^ is an important point. You really don't want an ET without ScreenLogic, so you have to add that to the cost when comparing.
Dalancas said:
Okay, that makes sense and a no brainer then. Prefer current tech. Good recommendation, I am checking it (Intellicenter) out now. Thank you!
Click to expand...
There you go. See how I did that? I got you from $400 to $4000 with just a few posts. Hmm, how shall I spend my kick-back from Pentair? ;)

As I said, don't buy more than you need, but be sure to not buy less... Ask lots of question here first, read the manuals.
 
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Dirk said:
There you go. See how I did that? I got you from $400 to $4000 with just a few posts. Hmm, how shall I spend my kick-back from Pentair?
Click to expand...


Get this IntelliCenter Kit for $2,600 and you have a spare IC40 for $800.


Or get this without the IC40 for $1,800.


The advantage to the kit with the IC40 is it has the IntelliChlor Power Center built into the cabinet so you can get rid of your existing IntelliChlor Power Center and sell it to someone for a few bucks.
 
Sorry, here's another cost consideration. Be sure you understand the warranties. Can you install an IntelliConnect yourself and get a full warranty? You can't with EasyTouch or IntelliCenter. The cost of qualified installation has to be considered, or you might be gambling with limited warranties.
 
Update: I bought an Intellicenter 5P which is good for my setup, I need to setup the pump, salt and heater, but the IC is powered up. Having wireless issues that I will post separately if I cant figure out today.

Thank you for all of the help. IC was a wise choice. And a shout out to Polytec Pools for having the IC in stock and letting me pick up locally. They are my new go to since NPS is gone. Welcome to Polytec Pools

Dennis
 
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Keep your IC questions and issues in this thread.

Ic is a bit flaky in taking wireless configuration changes. I found it did not always respond to the change unless it was shutdown and restarted. When it was powered up with the correct configuration then the wireless made the connection.
 
I read more and figured it out. The IC came with the high speed wireless kit and the IC connects to internet through that, and the wireless settings in the IC menu wont do anything but give an error. This is fine since it was/is connecting to the cloud.

The problem I had was logging in worked at the panel but neither the app nor web would recognize my account. I ended up returning to factory default settings and started over, to include setting up my account again.

Everything now works and I can login and access via web and app. I saw another post where the user had to create the account twice as well, so this seems to be the fix. I did see another post where the user direct connected the panel ethernet direct to their router and it setup everything up first time. I didn't try that but it was my next step, if resetting to factory didn't work.

On to wiring the pump and temp sensors today.
 
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Glad to hear about your decision to go with the more capable controller. I really do think that's going to end up being the right decision.
 

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