Any benefit to having a Pentair heater vs Raypak with Intellicenter automation?

[dougm36]

Looking to change out my heater when I install a new Intellicenter i5PS. Is there any Intellicenter automation connectivity benefits to having the Pentair vs Raypak ?

Thanks

 

[guinness]

See post below

MasterTemp vs Raypak and IntelliCenter

Hi All, I’m partial towards the Raypak 406k BTU heater over the MasterTemp 400 mostly owing to simpler design of the unit making it a little easier/cheaper to repair. From my TFP reading, I see the MasterTemp does connect to the IntelliCenter automation but not through the RS-485 COM port. It...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[dougm36]

Thanks

 

[1poolman1]

Looking to change out my heater when I install a new Intellicenter i5PS. Is there any Intellicenter automation connectivity benefits to having the Pentair vs Raypak ?

Thanks

RayPak and Pentair make very good products. The advantage I have always seen to the RayPak is the simplicity of the heater (not including the new Avia) and the cost of repairs when they are needed (and they are at some point in a heater's life). Intellicenter is supposed to communicate directly with newer Pentair heaters, but I haven't seen any of those installations. Generally, you set the heater (regardless of brand) to its highest temp setting (104) and walk away. The automation will allow it to turn on and off. Simple, easy to diagnose if there is a problem. Troublefree.

 

[Poolbreh]

Raypak won’t honor warranty work if you install an atmospheric heater. It would have to be their new Avia heater which just came out the beginning of this year. Everything in San Diego needs to be lownox.

 

[guinness]

Everything in San Diego needs to be lownox.

Is that statewide or at the county level?

 

[Poolbreh]

I believe it’s county as of now. Finding any information on it is difficult.

 

[1poolman1]

Raypak won’t honor warranty work if you install an atmospheric heater. It would have to be their new Avia heater which just came out the beginning of this year. Everything in San Diego needs to be lownox.

Good catch. Didn't notice the location.

 

[ajw22]

Much has changed with the Pentair MasterTemp since that thread. This year Pentair introduced the “Connected” version of the MasterTemp heater. It uses the RS-485 comm link to communicate status and errors to the IntelliCenter. Read Pentair MasterTemp Heaters - Further Reading

If you have the IntelliCenter the Connected MasterTemp will be a much smarter heater then a RayPak.

 

[1poolman1]

Is that statewide or at the county level?

Its on a county level. Sacramento County has some of the worst air in the State during Summer and it is not required here.