Automation or not?? Pool Remodel

What does he have now? A mechanical time clock?
Does he want the feature to use an app on his phone or via PC?
If he has a spa now - how does he move from Pool to Spa mode and visa versa?

As you know the IntelliCenter will automate the Pool/Spa mode changes, schedule the pump and lights and SWCG.
The new Pentair pumps can run their own schedule without automation but then you still lack the capability for automation of lights and landscaping and pool/spa mode changes.

Suggest to list out the desires and see what fits.
As you are aware - it is important have the automation, pump and SWCG from the same mfg. to have a seemless interface. There are less expensive automation systems that you can find on the forum but they may require more technical knowledge of the software.

I'm with Jim, but I've never lived a life without pool automation, and I recognize how much simpler managing the pool is with it. especially with a heater (and chiller).

For me, this time of year is great because of the fluctuations in temp, I can plan to have my pool warming up a couple of degrees to get in later and never leave my seat, or decide I want the lights on if I am already in the pool, etc.

If I notice a little haze on the surface during the day, I can set the system to skim mode to clear it up all without having to walk to the panel to do so.

Zaffor said:

The easy touch seems similar but without the touchscreen interface. Maybe he can save a little money going this route?

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The EasyTouch is a 20+ year old system that Pentair has declared obsolete and is no longer selling. Decide if you want to suggest to your friend a system the manufacter has declared obsolete.

Zaffor said:

Pentair seems to have a pump now that has some type of controls in it. Seems to be some relays to control maybe SWG and a light?

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The Pentair Intelliflo3 and IntelliPro3 can have an optional IO Board with two relays. So you can control two things connected to the relays through the Pentair Home app.

Zaffor said:

Lights color/schedule - SWG - pool pump (which could be programmed on the pump itself). He wants to add landscape ligjts which he could control via automation and a separate transformer. The heat pump if he adds would be controllable via automation as well.

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More then two things he wants to control are listed above.

Hey guys/gals. My name is Chris and I am the friend that the OP was originally talking about. In reality it’s not my house that is redoing the pool but my brothers. I am his GC. Construction is by no means his forte (he’s a finance guy) lol so I take lead on stuff like this.

Update: I’m trying to post a few pictures from my phone to help provide context but keeps saying files are too large. Anyone know the size limit so I can try and resize

Welcome to TFP Chris. Now you should get your brother on here.

I think 5MB. Turn off HDR on the camera app.

I'd probably skip automation unless:
-You've got an integrated spa that you would like to switch on automatically an hour or so before you need it.
-You are regularly away from the pool for days at a time and would like to remotely control the SWG (ie super-chlorinate after a big storm has blown through).

I suppose there is some utility in automating a pool heater, but remember that you aren't really heating an entire pool "on demand", especially with a heat pump.

With a pool heater and a variable speed pump, you want the ability to have the pump go to a higher speed for heating and a lower speed when not heating.

For non-heating speed, maybe 15 to 20 gpm and for heating, maybe 30 to 40 gpm depending on the heater.

The difference in pump power use can be 5 to 6 times as much for twice the speed.

I'm an automation nut, which colors any opinion I have about this topic. But I would not own a pool without automation. I have what would be considered a simple pool (no spa, no water features), but I use the heck out of my EasyTouch (ET). It makes my life easier every day, multiple times a day. In addition to the Pentair VS pump and IC40 SWG, my ET schedules my pool cleaner (a suction-side vac) and my solar heater (include one or both of those on the list of things to control). I also have a gas heater, which the ET can handle along with the solar heater. If the pool owner has plans for controlling pool lighting, landscape lighting and a fire feature, in addition to everything else, then an IntelliCenter could handle all of that, too (don't buy an ET, it's dead tech).

Regarding alternate home automation to share these tasks, that's what I do. My pool light, landscape lighting, bug zapper, fountain, and other gizmos are on my home automation controller, not my pool automation controller. But even with that "split," I still max out what my ET can do. And while home automation could theoretically handle most if not all of the pool automation, I would never trust it to do so. I can't speak to the IntelliCenter, but the ET's age has one big plus: experience! It virtually never fails to do what it is supposed to do. I cannot say the same for my home automation system. I would never trust it to maintain the scheduling of a pool pump and SWG, and run valves, etc. Those are "mission critical" tasks that, IMO, can't be trusted to a home automation system. Pool and landscape lighting is fine. So what if they skip coming on or turning off on time. But coordinating an SWG with pump flow is not a simple thing, and if not done perfectly, every single time without fail, can become a dangerous hazard. I wouldn't even trust a mechanical timer with that task.

I also have an indoor control panel for my ET, which I use every day. I use it more than my phone interface. I think the IntelliCenter has a web interface, that would probably work well via an iPad bolted to an interior wall (I have one of those, too, for my home automation). I don't carry my phone around with me when I'm home, so the interior wall control is very handy for me. Being able to monitor my pool, and fire up the high-speed skimming or vac, or check on the solar heater, etc, without having to go out to the pool pad or sit at a computer in my office or find my phone, is really convenient.

Is pool automation expensive? I guess so, but so is a pool. So is a house. Why not include as much convenience as possible? A nice stove is expensive. So is a refrigerator. But I wouldn't even think of owning a home without appliances. I consider both my home automation and pool automation systems just two more really nice appliances. And now that I have both, I wouldn't want to do without either any more than I'd want to do without a dishwasher or a washer and dryer.