IntelliCenter Meeting

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MyAZPool

MyAZPool

Gold Supporter
Jul 3, 2018
2,296
Arizona
Pool Size
20500
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The week of the 6th, I have been given the opportunity to meet with several mid-level/senior management as well as coordinator types from Pentair Pool Products who are directly involved with IntelliCenter. We're going to meet up here at my home in the Phoenix area.

These are folks that I have had many discussions with via email and VTC's in the past. I view this face-to-face meet as a golden opportunity to discuss everything "IntelliCenter" with the people who can make a difference.

I have my list of items that I believe are key points to discuss, however my priorities may not coincide with yours. That said, if you have a topic that you would like me to bring up on your behalf, I would be more than happy to do so. This includes not only the OCP and firmware but user interfaces like the mobile apps, web-client, Amazon Alexa and Apple Watch, as well as interfacing with pumps, heaters, valve actuators, IntelliChlor, IntellipH, IntelliChem and remotes. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Please be specific with regards to your topic. And more importantly, please keep it constructive. Throwing "rocks" at these folks will get us nowhere. ;)

Thanks...
r.
 
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Wishlist:
Give me control over the intellivalves! I have 2 that would be great to have at least 3 position control and in a fairies and unicorns world full granular control via the app.
I would love to be able to access intelliph control through the app
 
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  • Fix the mobile app. At least for Android, you have to force close then restart the app to see the actual status of your system.
  • Fix the web interface (intellicenter2.com). The dashboard doesn't populate data (such as salt level and circuit status) until the other tabs are selected.
  • Fix the RS-485 problems introduced by 2.006
  • Reorder the OCP "Settings" menu (and sub-menus) so the most frequently used selections are listed first.
  • Have the system backup all settings automatically (or prompt the user) before initiating a firmware update.
  • Fix the solar temperature sensor (or dummy resistor) requirement for heat pump automation.
 
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colonelkirby said:
Rapid cycling of circuits on freeze protect. That is, temp hits 35, circuit triggers and within seconds, if not millis, temp registers 36 and circuit cycles off. Rinse-repeat.
Click to expand...
To further elaborate on this, mine was doing this last week and the temp displayed on the app never dropped below 36. So it seems as if freeze protect is turning on based on an apparent 1/10th degree change, say 36 to 35.9, and the temp probe is just fluctuating between there. Almost like someone forgot to set the hysteresis properly.

EDIT - This is using FW 2.006. I have not rolled back due to that is the only issue I am experiencing, and the freeze protect not turning off on a power cycle is important to me.

--Jeff
 
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General:
  • Firmware documentation for all products IntelliFlo, IntelliChem, IntelliCenter, MasterTemp. I understand that not all are upgradable, but we should know what is fixed or improved with each update. Preferably, known issues are also documented.
  • Improve answers to questions on Pentair.com. Most of the time the answers are “call Pentair”. I think you might be better off with an FAQ and a chat option. FYI Microsoft office chat is not live but you post a question and someone responds in, typically, a few days. You get an email and then you can respond via the chat. BTW, the feedback channel through the IntelliCenter2 iPhone app is very good. They are direct and responsive.
  • While the direct Pentair customer is more the pool builder community, the end user / consumers do talk and share perspectives with others looking to either build pools, upgrade or adjust their setup. Pentair should look to build a relationship with consumers directly. That does not mean to sell products direct to consumer or to change their warranty policy, but to nurture the consumer relationship. Pentair is already ahead of their competition with IntelliCenter this would take them to a new level.
  • Improved documentation e.g. MasterTemp installation manual referred to features on the Connected MasterTemp at a time when such a unit was not available. Products that can connect to the IntelliCenter don’t refer to IntelliCenter, but to EasyTouch or IntelliTouch e.g. IntelliChem, IntelliPH, IntelliLevel, IntelliBrite documentation.
MasterTemp
  • Fix bug that results in auto bypass not reengaging after cooldown when bypass IntelliValve is connected to the new Connected MasterTemp control board. Any update to this would be much appreciated (My biggest and most pressing ask. IntelliFlo uses about half the energy when bypass is active). It does not seem to be solved with 2.006 and I can't get clarity if the new Connected MasterTemp control board firmware (1.1 I believe) is needed to solve this - I've been advised that to get the new MasterTemp firmware, a new control board is needed. Firmware upgrades are not possible. (Case TS02311514 opened with Pentair - Advised that issue has been reproduced internally and this is an IntelliCenter bug).
  • Provide guidance on water flow through heater for optimal pool/spa heating.
IntelliChem:
  • ORP probe and setting options to trigger sanitation dispensing does not work well. Too many times the pool is highly over or under chlorinated (I clean the probes as directed monthly). As a pool owner one is better off using the SWG percentages and adjust as needed. Would it be possible to Improved calculations for SWG trigger? May be ORP probe milliVolts + water temp + UV index (I would leave it to the experts to come up with a better formula). It is connected to IntelliCenter, (that is connected to the internet), so may be IntelliCenter can provide guidance to IntelliChem or together they can simply better determine when to call for chlorine. PH Probe works very well!
  • Any firmware updates planned? Nothing since 1.080 in ~2018.
IntelliValve:
  • Multiple stop points. We have been waiting a very long time for this function and the reason this valve was purchased. It has been described as “reserved for future use with future automation systems” since 2015. Please make this a priority.
  • Improved IntelliValve unit quality. I have 8 purchased in the last 2 years. 2 have had to be replaced. Anecdotal for sure, but I see others have the same challenge.
IntelliCenter:
  • Improved release management
    • Release Notes. Be open on the improvements for a particular release. It does not help us to see a list of JIRA backlog numbers for the enhancements in a particular release. Give us a 1-2 sentence description for each of the enhancements and/or bug fixes applied. Just seeing a list of numbers is great for the internal engineers but it is published to the End User who then has no information on the improvements. No point to hiding the details as we eventually cobble it together through forums. Rather share, be more open and your user community will be more appreciative.
    • Have a more open public testing cycle. It is very easy to switch from one release to another or revert back. Take advantage of a willing consumer base to enhance testing. Clearly after 2.006 something like this is needed. There are simply to many configuration setup options for Pentair to test them all and testing is highly resource intensive. Look at the Apple model for iPhone/iPad iOS public beta testing.
  • iPhone App: provide a warning of expected freezing temperatures and remind pool owner to prepare.
  • iPhone App: send a notification when freeze mode activated or deactivated.
  • Improved documentation / videos on IntelliCenter programming
  • Ability to perform firmware updates on RS-485 connected devices via IntelliCenter. Complex enhancement for sure.
  • Apple HomeKit integration I.e. integrate pool features/lighting with Apple Home App scenes.
  • Apple Siri integration.
  • The more frequent IntelliCenter2 iPhone App updates are much appreciated.
IntelliLevel:
  • Include a section for IntelliLevel status within IntelliCenter2 App. Allow to reset IntelliLevel from within IntelliCenter2 App.

Thanks for the opportunity to provide feedback. Hopefully the above is seen as constructive and supportive, with the intent to simply help improve the solutions provided by Pentair.
 
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Maintain an archive of prior versions of all Pentair product manuals.

Example is IntelliCenter Installation Manual currently on Pentair website is P/N 522989 Rev. G 8/2020. Pentair makes wiring, board, and connector changes and a Manual sometimes is not accurate for the product the customer has installed.

I have seen references to Version 2 of the IntelliCenter board. I have an early model IC and are never sure if the current manual shows what I have.

Pentair MasterTemp is one of the worst for product improvements and changing manuals but customer cannot go back and refer to the manual for the version they have installed.

It is commendable that Pentair does rolling product improvements and manual updates. Prior versions need to be made available to service the installed based with various versions.
 
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ALCON,
Thanks so much for the great comments, suggestions, and the "good" as well. Especially @TonyR68 and @ajw22. These are outstanding...
Please keep em coming. I'm hoping something good will come out of this.
Thanks again...
r.
 
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TonyR68 said:
MasterTemp
  • Fix bug that results in auto bypass not reengaging after cooldown when bypass IntelliValve is connected to the new Connected MasterTemp control board. Any update to this would be much appreciated (My biggest and most pressing ask. IntelliFlo uses about half the energy when bypass is active). It does not seem to be solved with 2.006 and I can't get clarity if the new Connected MasterTemp control board firmware (1.1 I believe) is needed to solve this - I've been advised that to get the new MasterTemp firmware, a new control board is needed. Firmware upgrades are not possible.
  • Provide guidance on water flow through heater for optimal pool/spa heating.
Click to expand...
🤦‍♂️ I forgot all about this one as after going round and round with support I just bought a valve expansion card and setup the heater bypass from the panel instead of the heater. Pentair would NOT cover this cost even though the heater bypass, that I bought an intellivalve, all the pertinent valves and paid the pb to setup, did not work. I don't see them sending out a replacement board for the MT, albeit that is what should be done if that's the solution. My guess is the number of people with the newer mastetermp and an auto heater bypass is insignificant (especially given the number of pool "professionals" that just set vsp pumps to max and leave). The vsp energyusage difference in bypass is significant.
 
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Ahultin said:
🤦‍♂️ I forgot all about this one as after going round and round with support I just bought a valve expansion card and setup the heater bypass from the panel instead of the heater. Pentair would NOT cover this cost even though the heater bypass, that I bought an intellivalve, all the pertinent valves and paid the pb to setup, did not work. I don't see them sending out a replacement board for the MT, albeit that is what should be done if that's the solution. My guess is the number of people with the newer mastetermp and an auto heater bypass is insignificant (especially given the number of pool "professionals" that just set vsp pumps to max and leave). The vsp energyusage difference in bypass is significant.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm not gonna be happy about that, since I upgraded my MT board and fenwal to the new version already.

--Jeff
 
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My top 3 hit list is:
- Freeze protection getting unchecked
- IntelliValves working intelligently
- App connectivity

Thanks for doing this, but it is odd to me for them to come to your house. Are you doing some sort of hands on demonstration on your own equipment? Hopefully they are at least bringing you lunch/drinks for the meeting.
 
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JJ_Tex said:
My top 3 hit list is:
- Freeze protection getting unchecked
- IntelliValves working intelligently
- App connectivity

Thanks for doing this, but it is odd to me for them to come to your house. Are you doing some sort of hands on demonstration on your own equipment? Hopefully they are at least bringing you lunch/drinks for the meeting.
Click to expand...
@JJ_Tex
Thanks. Can you provide a little bit more detail regarding the "app connectivity" that you refered to? (what you are experiencing exactly)

I really don't care about lunch or anything. What I do care about is that we attempt to foster a constructive relationship with the decision-makers that can positively and ultimately influence the IntelliCenter features/software etc., that we may benefit from.

Yea, they just wanted to meet up somewhere face-to-face, but it was my suggestion to meet at my home. They are my guests, so I don't expect anything. I was thinking that a "hands-on" demo of what is good and what is bad, in my opinion is much more effective than just talking about it in a round-table type setting or a VTC environment.

Thanks again!
r.
 
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MyAZPool said:
Thanks. Can you provide a little bit more detail regarding the "app connectivity" that you refered to? (what you are experiencing exactly)
Click to expand...

For me, it is a couple of annoying things that fall under "app connectivity"
  • In general, when I pull up the app I have about a 50/50 shot of it connecting to my IntelliCenter successfully. Closing the app and retrying usually does the trick.
  • When making a change (switching to spa mode, turning on the lights, heater, etc.) I also have about a 50% success rate and always verify my change visually or re-login to make sure it actually did what I asked.
  • If I try to do too many things in one login, I will usually get an error stating"IntelliCenter is not responding. Logoff or wait?"
If it matters, my router is about 15 feet away from the control panel (through a brick wall) and I had the warranty company swap out the Engenius receiver for the the Wireless Link and saw marginal improvement from that last year.
 
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Might want to ask if the demise of IntelliValves rumor is true. I’m told they are failing at an alarming rate and Pentair is replacing warrantied valves with the previous, reliable version.

Both mine were swapped out today, under warranty.
 
I had 2 replaced that failed in November. I aas told due to supply chain issues they where being replaced with standard valves and would swapped to intllevalves at earliest availability. I got the call about a week ago that the tech received the intellivalves and is coming to install this week
 
PdInc said:
Interesting.
Pentair sent the tech to replace a single failing valve and he replaced both with the CVA-24Ts.
Click to expand...
As I paid more for the intellivalves, I wouldn't accept that. I'd equate that to having a car dealer warranty replacing my power windows with a crank because they are more reliable 🤔
 
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