Confused about IntelliCenter personality cards

[shagymoe]

I want to buy an Intellicenter system but am unsure which one. I have a pool and a spa that share the same pump, filter and heat pump. I have a single intake valve and a single return valve. It seems I need the i5PS to toggle between pool mode and spa mode but I don't really understand why. The main board has "valve A" and "valve B", so why would I need an expansion card with "intake" and "return"?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moe,

The A and B ports are not used for the Intake and Return valves. The Intake and Return ports operate differently, program wise, then Valves A and B.

Pentair IntelliCenter i5PS Kit - Pool and Spa with Load Center

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[shagymoe]

That's what I thought but don't fully understand why a valve controller couldn't control any valve.

So if I wanted to control more valves than just intake and return, like to toggle between skimmer and main drain, I'd need the i8PS, correct? I saw there is a possibility of an expansion card, so could you do an i5PS + expansion card and achieve the same thing if you didn't need more relays?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moe,

I thought that the stock iPS5 came with an expansion card and 5 relays??? Is that not true?

Let's see what Allen has to say... Calling @ajw22

The reason that you can't use the A and B valves for the Intake and Return valves is because the system is programmed to move them based upon being in the spa mode or pool mode, or the spillway mode. A and B valve ports could move the valves, but they would not work in unison with what pool mode you were in.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Depends if he is talking about buying the iPS5 bundle with Intellivalrs and IC40 or a la carte.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moe,

It appears to me that the iP5, does not come with a personality card because it does not have to switch between the Pool mode and Spa mode.

It appears the iPS5 comes with a personality card that has the Intake and Return valve connections that allow you to switch between the Pool and Spa modes.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[shagymoe]

I have the opportunity to buy a 521906 (includes salt cell, salt transformer, 5 relays, 2 actuators) that is missing the personality card. So, I can add a i5ps/i8ps/i10ps...whichever I want.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moe,

I have an EasyTouch and have said somethings that might not be correct when talking about the new IntelliCenter.

It appears the i5PS Personality kit is made up of an i5P Motherboard plus an i5PS daughter card.

Is the IntelliCenter you are buying missing both the Motherboard and the daughter card or just the daughter card?

Sorry for any confusion, I'm here to learn also..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I have the opportunity to buy a 521906 (includes salt cell, salt transformer, 5 relays, 2 actuators) that is missing the personality card. So, I can add a i5ps/i8ps/i10ps...whichever I want.

So the Intellicenter you can get only has the board on the right, not the personality card on the left (i10PS card shown on the left).

Should just be able to get any one of the personality cards if that is the case. The panel you would get only has 5 relays but if you have to buy a personality card anyway, I would lean towards getting the i10PS and buying 5 more relays from Mouser or Allied Electric and making it a 10 relay panel.

Any of the panels with a personality card 5, 8, or 10, will control the intake/return valves, and valves A and B. You don't need to upsize in order to get the additional valve controls.

The 2 actuators that are bundled with the panel would be used for intake/return, and you would need to add additional actuators as desired.

As Jim alluded to above, the Intake/Return valve connections are pre-programmed for certain operations, and cannot be modified. This includes rotating in unison between pool/spa intake/returns, and when spillway is selected, moving the return valve to the right position. Valve A and B ports are assignable to other actuator functions such as water feature, heater bypass, etc.

You could certainly take the responsibility of programming A and B as intake and return valves, but you would need to ensure you did it correctly and I doubt Pentair would be of much support in the event you needed assistance with that.

--Jeff

 

[Turbo1Ton]

You could certainly take the responsibility of programming A and B as intake and return valves, but you would need to ensure you did it correctly and I doubt Pentair would be of much support in the event you needed assistance with that.

I should have added, I'm not certain how you would be able to do this. I think @MyAZPool may have done this because he wanted more control of something.

--Jeff

 

[MyAZPool]

@shagymoe
1. You are correct. With a pool and spa AND provided that you will not require more than 4 AUX Circuits, you will require an IntelliCenter i5PS.
2. Next, in order to determine which model # or "kit" that you need, you will have to determine if you want an IntelliChlor salt system bundled with it (it's recommended).
3. The model # without an IntelliChlor is: 521907, IntelliCenter System Load Center i5PS. Includes Load Center and two IntelliValves (also recommended).
4. The model # with an IntelliChlor is: 521906, IntelliCenter System Load Center i5PS, IC40. Includes Load Center, IC40 and two IntelliValves.

To answer your questions regarding the main board (mothercard) and personality or "daughter" cards, here we go.
1. Every IntelliCenter comes minimum with the i5P mothercard. Period. This is all one would need if they just had a pool only (one body of water) AND do NOT require more than 4 AUX Circuits (Power Relays).

2. Those with a pool AND spa (such as yourself), will need a daughter card to go along with the mothercard. The daughter card provides two capabilities. The first is that it allows valve switching from pool to spa for both Intake (suction) and return. The other is that it MAY allow for additional AUX Circuits depending on which daughter card is required..
The i5PS daughter card allows for body of water (pool/spa) switching but has NO additional AUX Circuits.
The i8PS daughter card allows for body of water (pool/spa) switching and has 3 additional AUX Circuits.
The i10PS daughter card allows for body of water (pool/spa) switching and has 5 additional AUX Circuits.

3. So, you see that the reason there are valve plugs for Intake and Return on the daughter cards is those are designed for folks with two bodies of water (pool/spa). The reason those valve plugs are not on the i5P mothercard is because the i5P mothercard by itself (without a daughter card) is for those folks with just one body of water (pool) only.

4. So like I said in the beginning, because you have a pool AND spa and if you DO NOT have a need for more than 4 additional AUX Circuits (power relays), then you will need the i5PS - which will come with the mother card (i5P) and the daughter card (i5PS).


i5P mother card - All IntelliCenter's have this card. This is all one would need if they only had one body of water (pool) only.


i5PS daughter card - Notice on this card that there are no additional AUX circuits but does allow for two bodies of water (pool AND spa).


i10PS daughter card - The difference here is that the i10PS daughter card has 5 additional AUX Circuits.


I hope this helps to clarify all this a bit for you..
You can find this information along with other additional IntelliCenter information here - IntelliCenter Quick Reference/Information Guide

r.

 

[MyAZPool]

I should have added, I'm not certain how you would be able to do this. I think @MyAZPool may have done this because he wanted more control of something.

--Jeff

Jeff, yea something like that.

I don't use the RETURN or INTAKE valve actuator plugs located on my i10PS daughter card. I wanted to be able to control the INTAKE (suction) and RETURN valve actuators without having to switch to spa mode. Mainly because my spa is NOT a "spillover" spa.
Instead my Valve-A is my P/S Suction valve and Valve-B is my P/S Return valve.
That way I can actuate those valves independent of when I am in pool mode or spa mode.

The main reason is that allows me to set up other "Circuit Groups" (macros) to control those valves without having to be in SPA mode. For instance when I am using the suction-side cleaner port in my pool to vacuum my spa. I would not be able to do that if I were in SPA mode.

 

[shagymoe]

Thanks for all the detailed info everyone, much appreciated!

I have some more learning to do.

 

[shagymoe]

To answer a few questions:

• Yes, it does have the i5P motherboard and the IntelliChlor SCG circuit board.
• It does not have the optional Serial COM Port Expansion Board
• It does have the IC-40, the Control System transformer, the salt power supply transformer, two Intellivalves, wifi antenna and water temp probe.
• My spa does have spillover into the pool
• My intake consists of skimmer, pool and spa
• My return consists of pool and spa
• The pool return is a jandy floor cleaning system

Essentially, I think I'd like to be able to do the following with automated valves:

1. Switch from pool to spa mode (Which I'm assuming just means the intake and return valves switch between the two)
2. Adjust the percentage of skimmer versus pool on the intake side so I can have a few hours of strong skimming in the morning while in pool mode
3. Run in spillover mode for an hour / day to filter and chlorinate the spa regularly

I'll be installing a heater bypass but I don't see much of a reason to use an actuator for that valve.

 

[MyAZPool]

To answer a few questions:

• Yes, it does have the i5P motherboard and the IntelliChlor SCG circuit board.
• It does not have the optional Serial COM Port Expansion Board
• It does have the IC-40, the Control System transformer, the salt power supply transformer, two Intellivalves, wifi antenna and water temp probe.
• My spa does have spillover into the pool
• My intake consists of skimmer, pool and spa
• My return consists of pool and spa
• The pool return is a jandy floor cleaning system

Essentially, I think I'd like to be able to do the following with automated valves:

1. Switch from pool to spa mode (Which I'm assuming just means the intake and return valves switch between the two)
2. Adjust the percentage of skimmer versus pool on the intake side so I can have a few hours of strong skimming in the morning while in pool mode
3. Run in spillover mode for an hour / day to filter and chlorinate the spa regularly

I'll be installing a heater bypass but I don't see much of a reason to use an actuator for that valve.

@shagymoe
Based on this additional information, I envision your pad setup something like this.

If this is the case, AND you absolutely want to automate those 3 valves where the IntelliValve actuators are depicted, then you'll either need...
1. IntelliCenter i5PS Personality Card Circuit Board (521936Z) OR
2. IntelliCenter Valve Expansion Module (522038Z)

Right now, you only have the ability to automate two valves. Either of those two circuit boards listed above will give you the ability to automate additional valves.
Having said that, if your going to include one of those two circuit boards, then you might as well spring for one more IntelliValve and automate the heater bypass valve as well.
That way you tap or click one button and all the applicable valves move to the spa settings, the heater turns on and you're good-to-go.
r.

 

[shagymoe]

then you'll either need...
1. IntelliCenter i5PS Personality Card Circuit Board (521936Z) OR
2. IntelliCenter Valve Expansion Module (522038Z)

Is it possible to use the expansion module without a i5PS/i8PS/i10PS? I thought it had to be the first card connected to the motherboard.

Right now, you only have the ability to automate two valves.

So, theoretically, it's possible for me to connect my 2 Intellivalves to A and B and program them to achieve basically the same outcomes as "pool" and "spa" mode? (I understand that I wouldn't be able to use the app's built-in pool and spa modes.)

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I'll be installing a heater bypass but I don't see much of a reason to use an actuator for that valve.

I would highly recommend automating this valve, as the internal heater circuit/bit in the Intellicenter can be used to activate this with any call for heat.

Since you will have a SWCG, with the flow bypassing the heater, you can reduce your pump speed to very low speeds, ~1100 rpm or so, to prove the flow switch in the IC40. If you have the heater in line, you will need to increase the flow to overcome the resistance through the heater, on my setup this was around 1600 rpm.

May not be a big deal if you aren't planning on running 24/7, but I do so that I can keep producing chlorine all day.

--Jeff

 

[MyAZPool]

Is it possible to use the expansion module without a i5PS/i8PS/i10PS? I thought it had to be the first card connected to the motherboard

Is it possible to use the Valve Expansion Module without a daughter card? Yes

So, theoretically, it's possible for me to connect my 2 Intellivalves to A and B and program them to achieve basically the same outcomes as "pool" and "spa" mode? (I understand that I wouldn't be able to use the app's built-in pool and spa modes.)

Yes, correct.

 

[MyAZPool]

I would highly recommend automating this valve, as the internal heater circuit/bit in the Intellicenter can be used to activate this with any call for heat.

Since you will have a SWCG, with the flow bypassing the heater, you can reduce your pump speed to very low speeds, ~1100 rpm or so, to prove the flow switch in the IC40. If you have the heater in line, you will need to increase the flow to overcome the resistance through the heater, on my setup this was around 1600 rpm.

May not be a big deal if you aren't planning on running 24/7, but I do so that I can keep producing chlorine all day.

--Jeff

Jeff, I agree.... All good points.