Assistance in 24hour pump schedule

[lostwarriorhere]

Hello All,

I am the happy owner of a new pool. Thankfully, it was completed quickly, taking only four months. However, I have some concerns. My pool builder is one of those old-timers who still believes in the old ways. On the other hand, I've been reading a lot and want to run my pool 24 hours a day at different speeds to save money during peak hours and maintain a cleaner pool (it’s very clean).

On my own, I arranged for the pool company to service my pool for six months. I do not want to be responsible if the pool’s chemistry damages something, as I want to keep my warranty intact.

Now, to the question at hand: I have an EasyTouch2 8, a WhisperFlo VST, and an IntelliChlor SWG IC40. The pump does not have a cable on the side, and in my app, I have no speed control. I have to adjust the speed physically on the pump. I’ve been reading a lot about controlling the pump via the EasyTouch, but I am not set up to do so.

I understand that I need to install a GPM flow meter, but do I also need a data cable on the pump wired into the panel?

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
Please read
Pool Care Basics

Asking @Jimrahbe to review this and give advice.

 

[Newdude]

I understand that I need to install a GPM flow meter, but do I also need a data cable on the pump wired into the panel?

You don't need a flow meter. RPMs effectively tell you the same thing. Think MPH and KPH, your actual speed is the same and simply just how you look at it whether 60mph or 96.6kmh.

The flow meter will let you know that the flow decreased slightly as the filter gets dirty, but the rest of us just start with 100 more RPMs than needed to cover the difference.

Some folks want to geek out with new toys. If that's the case, by all means, we are 'enthusiasts' here and get that. But it's a want, not a need.

 

[Jimrahbe]

I understand that I need to install a GPM flow meter,

Lost,

Why would you think that?? There is almost no reason you would need a flow meter.

If you want the EasyTouch to control your pump speeds, there MUST be a cable between the com port at the pump and the com port in the EasyTouch.

You would need Pentair cable P/N 356324z, and would just plug the cable into the pump and connect just the Yellow and Green wires to J20 (com port) inside the EasyTouch.

Old fashioned or not, only an idiot would install your pump without connecting it to the EasyTouch.

I suspect there is other stuff that will also have to be fixed.. My guess is that your pump is connected to the load side of the EasyTouch's Pump/Filter relay, which is wrong, and I also suspect that your IC40 may be wired wrong..

Show me several pics of the inside of your EasyTouch so I can see the relays and circuit breaker..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[1poolman1]

Hello All,

I am the happy owner of a new pool. Thankfully, it was completed quickly, taking only four months. However, I have some concerns. My pool builder is one of those old-timers who still believes in the old ways. On the other hand, I've been reading a lot and want to run my pool 24 hours a day at different speeds to save money during peak hours and maintain a cleaner pool (it’s very clean).

On my own, I arranged for the pool company to service my pool for six months. I do not want to be responsible if the pool’s chemistry damages something, as I want to keep my warranty intact.

Now, to the question at hand: I have an EasyTouch2 8, a WhisperFlo VST, and an IntelliChlor SWG IC40. The pump does not have a cable on the side, and in my app, I have no speed control. I have to adjust the speed physically on the pump. I’ve been reading a lot about controlling the pump via the EasyTouch, but I am not set up to do so.

I understand that I need to install a GPM flow meter, but do I also need a data cable on the pump wired into the panel?

Why any builder would install a VSP and automation but not the communication cable is a mystery. Yes, you need the cable. They are a $50-$60 item online (used to be over $100.00).
You do not need a flow meter unless you want to drive yourself crazy trying to set flows that will constantly change as the filter get dirtier. They were designed for use on commercial pools where flow rates are regulated and must be able to be seen on an inspection by the agency in charge.

 

[lostwarriorhere]

Hello @Jimrahbe thank you for taking the time and looking at this. Here are the pictures you asked about.

As for the flow meter, I thought you would needed to calibrate The correct RPM usage to get gallons per minute. I have more reading to do on the RPMs and gallons per minute side.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Lost,

I suggest that you just forget about GPM all together..

You just never need to actually determine your GPM, in real life..

Well, I was half right...

Your pool builder did indeed, wire the IC40 to the load side of the pump relay like he was required to do.. The pump/filter relay is the one in the upper left of the cabinet..

But, because did not connect your pump to the RS-485 com port, he also wired it to the load side of the pump filter relay which is not correct for a VS pump..

This is what you need to do...

After you get the com cable connected to J20, then you need to connect your VS pump to constant AC power. To do that you just need to move two wires. Looking at the Pump/Filter relay you will see a white wire and a yellow wire connected to the load side connections. At these same connections are a black wire and a red wires.. Just move the black wire one connection to the left and then move the red wire one connection to the left.

When done you will have two black wires on the first pin, just the yellow wire on the 2nd pin, two red wires on the 3rd pin, and just the white wire on the 4th pin..

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[lostwarriorhere]

Thank you @Jimrahbe,
I ordered the cable and I will check back when the cable arrives.

 

[lostwarriorhere]

Okay its all connected, next thing for me is to find out how to set the schedules and setup the system

 

[Jimrahbe]

Lost,

You can change things later, but to start off we need to get your pump running..

1. Schedule Pool from 8 am until 8 am.. This will run the pump 24/7 (for now)
2. Make sure your pump "Type" is VS
3. You need to set a pump speed for the Pool circuit.. If you have no heater set it to 1400 and if you have a heater set it to 2000 (Again, just for now)

If your EasyTouch is controlling your pump, if you do the above three steps, then your pump should be running.

Please let me know how things work or if you have any questions. If you need help setting up the EasyTouch, just let me know..

Do you have ScreenLogic on your PC??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[lostwarriorhere]

Hello Jim,

Yes, I have the ScreenLogic and I have configured my Intelliflo for different speed based on certain conditions like a waterfall( deck jets), pool heater, spa model etc )

I found my lowest RPM for my salt gen to work is 1800 RPM and overflow 2500 rpm ( when water spill over from the spa into the pool fast)

I am guessing now i have to figures the min amount of time i need to run the SWG per day to maintain good chlorine levels

 

[Jimrahbe]

Lost,

In my mind there is just no reason to run the pump if you are not making chlorine..

Based on that, the slowest speed you ever want to run is the speed that turns on your SWCG. This should be your Pool speed.

Then schedule Pool to be on the entire time you want the pump to run each day..

I run my pump 24/7, at 1200 RPM, most of the time..

The SWCG will not work unless you are in the pool mode. As an example.. if you turn on just "lowest Salt" the cell will not get any power..

When the pump sees two or more speeds at the same time, it will always run the fastest one..

Instead of trying to schedule the SWCG run time, you should just adjust the cell's output..

Sounds like you just about got it..

Did you still have any questions??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[lostwarriorhere]

Thank you for all your help, I got things dialed in.