Com link error between IC20 and Easytouch After Intelliph dispenses acid

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mknauss said:
What rate does the Stenner pump put the dilute acid into the line? At 20 gpm, you have 2 ft/s velocity in 2"pipe. I cannot imagine the acid is not dramatically diluted in that flow stream based on how fast the Stenner can pump the fluid into the line.
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Perhaps it is diluted but I’m just not a huge fan of acid injection. It’s too fraught with danger in my opinion. I dump 40oz of muriatic acid into my deep end once every 7-10 days. 40oz into 10,000+ gallons is safe for me. Ounces in a few gallons is not.

I’m not the best person to ask because I don’t like acid injectors to begin with.
 
I have thought about putting in a tank for it, but have resisted as I only need to bother when we leave and so far my brother can add acid when needed.
 
mknauss said:
What rate does the Stenner pump put the dilute acid into the line? At 20 gpm, you have 2 ft/s velocity in 2"pipe. I cannot imagine the acid is not dramatically diluted in that flow stream based on how fast the Stenner can pump the fluid into the line.
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The intelliph is limited to injecting .0666666 (repeating) oz per second (total 4oz/min). Unless the end user would modify the tube size in an effort to increase output.
 
bakrsdzn said:
If that’s the case how do I turn off the cell while pump is running? Trying to mimic IPh behavior.
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If a relay is available to control the IC then you wire from LOAD screws of the filter pump relay to LINE screws of the IC relay. Then connect IC power to LOAD screws of IC relay.

Then IC will be off when pump is off and the IC can be separately turned off.
 
ajw22 said:
If a relay is available to control the IC then you wire from LOAD screws of the filter pump relay to LINE screws of the IC relay. Then connect IC power to LOAD screws of IC relay.

Then IC will be off when pump is off and the IC can be separately turned off.
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Exactly.
 
Nothing comes to mind as a good reason not to put the injector after the IC. And as everyone seems equally stumped why Pentair wants it before the IC, I say try it after and eliminate the whole issue of trying to mimic the IpH behavior in that way. That would greatly simplify the scheduling, and only cost one relay. If you have available schedules, then inject acid a few times a day, instead of just once, and bob's-yer-uncle. You'll have year-round acid injection, and bye-bye IpH controller issues. (See Marty? I come around eventually!! ;) )

Now just decide if you want to mimic the flow switch safety mechanism or not, and if you want to go with a buck converter or just wing it with the available output voltage of the Power Center, and you're on your way.

Upgrading to ET8 is still optional. Sorry, I don't know how many schedules you get with ET4 vs ET8. You can find their manuals online and figure that out. But you're bumping up against the limits of your ET4 as is, so maybe just get'er done and you'll be able to have everything automated (without losing your feature valve automation).
 
Alright got something of plan...
1. Will get Stenner Pump. My IPh pump is old, probably 5 years, and I don't want to route it through the SWCG power cell. Here's the one I was thinking of: https://www.amazon.com/Stenner-Pump-85mhp17-Peristaltic-Adjustable/dp/B015OJ74W8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2Q0D9SS68OSIN&keywords=Steiner+pump&qid=1658584811&sprefix=steiner+pump,aps,95&sr=8-3

Does this pump hold up well to the elements? Is it possible/recommended to mount it on the IPH tank?

2. Will get a saddle clamp to tee into 2" PVC downstream of salt cell. Will connect 1/4" tubing and check valve to 1/2" FNPT in tee. Old tee I will just put a plug in. I could maybe fit a tee and not do a saddle between elbow downstream of SWCG and chlorine feeder.

3. Will wire Stenner Pump to open relay in ET. Will use 4th relay to operate Stenner pump. Currently actuated valve is in 4th aux button. Will take that off an operate by hand until/unless I do step 4. Also, will just provide high voltage power to 4th relay by piggybacking off pump relay. That will be my flow safety.

4. I want to either integrate a raspberry pi and get actuated valve automation back, or learn to solder and convert ET4 to ET8.
 

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bakrsdzn said:
Currently actuated valve is in 4th aux button. Will take that off an operate by hand until/unless I do step 4.
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You do not need a relay for an actuated valve. I posted that earlier. The ET has two user defined valve slots.

Now if you do not have Screenlogic or a remote, making it actuate can be a chore.
 
That is why I said if you do not have Screenlogic or a remote, actuating the valve is a chore. I assume you do not have Screenlogic?
 

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OK -- Screenlogic is the system you attach to the ET to control the system from an app on your phone or via computer.
 
No idea what that is.
You can sometimes find the Pentair Protocol Adapter on eBay. You need that and a wireless bridge to install Screenlogic.
 
Is the valve actuator you wasn’t to automate 24VAC? If so, there’s ways to grab power on the low voltage side and use it with a relay to build your own relay that’s tied to one of the 12VDC relays …
 
bakrsdzn said:
1. Will get Stenner Pump. My IPh pump is old, probably 5 years, and I don't want to route it through the SWCG power cell. Here's the one I was thinking of: https://www.amazon.com/Stenner-Pump-85mhp17-Peristaltic-Adjustable/dp/B015OJ74W8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2Q0D9SS68OSIN&keywords=Steiner+pump&qid=1658584811&sprefix=steiner+pump,aps,95&sr=8-3

Does this pump hold up well to the elements? Is it possible/recommended to mount it on the IPH tank?
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Not sure what prompted that decision, but looks like it'll work. Though $360 could be put toward ScreenLogic instead. Once you start using it, you'll wonder how you got along without it. Personally, I'd just use the existing acid pump, and replace it if and when you need to. It might already be a Stenner pump (depending on the age and model of your IpH). If you don't want to tie into the Power Center, you could run the IpH pump from a 120VAC-to-24VDC converter, which will be considerably cheaper. That could be mounted inside your ET, and then leave the IpH as is, nice and neat and compact. Your existing pump consists of the motor and the pump tube and the rotating wheels. That pump tube is a consumable part and needs to be replaced every year or two. It gets chewed up by the acid. That might be all you need to make that old pump like new again.

bakrsdzn said:
2. Will get a saddle clamp to tee into 2" PVC downstream of salt cell. Will connect 1/4" tubing and check valve to 1/2" FNPT in tee. Old tee I will just put a plug in. I could maybe fit a tee and not do a saddle between elbow downstream of SWCG and chlorine feeder.
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Saddle clamp should work fine. I prefer the tee, because the saddle clamp relies on a chunck of rubber, if I remember correctly, and I prefer threads over that type of seal, especially outside in the sun and heat.

bakrsdzn said:
3. Will wire Stenner Pump to open relay in ET. Will use 4th relay to operate Stenner pump. Currently actuated valve is in 4th aux button. Will take that off an operate by hand until/unless I do step 4. Also, will just provide high voltage power to 4th relay by piggybacking off pump relay. That will be my flow safety.
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Perfect. But as mentioned, you'll be able to keep the valve automated, especially if you go with ScreenLogic.

bakrsdzn said:
4. I want to either integrate a raspberry pi and get actuated valve automation back, or learn to solder and convert ET4 to ET8.
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I don't know anything about raspberry pi. If it's anything like raspberry pie, then I'm in! If you're into custom DIY electronic gizmos, I suspect you'd be able to do some amazing things with the pi. Others here certainly have. If you're more of a plug-n-play type, then go with the ET8 conversion. I did the conversion, and already had ScreenLogic, and I'm mostly happy with that setup. The ScreenLogic app's interface is OK. ScreenLogic on a Mac computer sucks, and won't run on Apple's current OS, as it is still 32-bit software. I have it on an old Mac. Pentair hasn't given any indication it will ever get updated for Mac. If you're on Windows, it's probably fine (I wouldn't know).

I've seen screen shots of what someone here has done with pi and Pentair (I think that was @rstrouse), and was blown away. Quite envious, in fact. But I have my hands full with my current crop of home automation and pool automation and I'm not inspired to go down that path just yet. I'd be happy to volunteer rstrouse's help if you want to look into it. I'm generous in that way! ;)
 
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Your IpH tank has two ports. The one in use feeds the pump. The other one, on the right, is a vent. It allows air in and out of the tank as the acid level changes and as the air expands and contracts. The air exiting that port contains acid fumes, which can cause corrosion on surrounding metal, even stainless steel. That port is designed to accept a 1/4" tube (same as the other port). You might want to run a tube from that port to some area well away from your pool equipment, and as far from anything else metal as you can get (window frames, downspouts, fence hardware, etc). Point the end downward, so that it doesn't trap rain.
 
Mine is getting close to five years old and going strong. I recently replaced the pump tube, first time, and realized I had let that go way too long. Like I said, every year or two would be prudent. If you never have, do it now. Other than that, it's running fine, and is a replaceable part should it ever poop out. Order ScreenLogic instead. You'll love it.
 
Dirk said:
Mine is getting close to five years old and going strong. I recently replaced the pump tube, first time, and realized I had let that go way too long. Like I said, every year or two would be prudent. If you never have, do it now. Other than that, it's running fine, and is a replaceable part should it ever poop out. Order ScreenLogic instead. You'll love it.
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I do have a Mac so if Pentair isn’t updating their software to 64 bit that’s a bummer. Can I go purely with iOS? Do I need a computer?
 

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