Debate with Pentair Support (Power On without water flow is a NO NO)

[rheide]

Sorry for the long delay. I was hoping to figure it out on my own and then report back, but that didn't quite work out.
The video above is great, along with the other videos in that series.

As you will see, it is clearly not wired correctly.

I'm including all the photos I think are relevant.

Note: the network cables you see are being used by nodejs-poolController-dashPanel - but I've disconnected it while I work on this issue.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jimrahbe]

R,

The Pump/Filter relay is normally located in the upper left of the bank of relays.

It currently have no wires attached. This means one of two things...

1. They are not using the pump/filter relay
2. They have made a different relay the pump/filter relay.. (Because they are idiots.. )

The first thing you need to do, is to see which relay is connected to J8 (Pump/Filter port)

Let us know...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rheide]

R,

The Pump/Filter relay is normally located in the upper left of the bank of relays.

It currently have no wires attached. This means one of two things...

1. They are not using the pump/filter relay
2. They have made a different relay the pump/filter relay.. (Because they are idiots.. )

The first thing you need to do, is to see which relay is connected to J8 (Pump/Filter port)

Let us know...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim,
Thanks in advance.

J8 goes to Filter Pump relay (first one) and nothing is connected to the relay

J9 to AUX 2
J10 to AUX 1
J11 to AUX 5 - currently connected to
J13 to AUX 6

let me know if you need me to check anything else!

Thanks!

 

[Jimrahbe]

R,

Your SWCG transformer (The big one) appears to be wired directly to AC power, which is wrong..

You want to end up with the following:

The Violet and Black wires from the SWCG transformer are connected together with a wire nut
The White wire connects to the Pump/Filter relay Load 1 pin
The Yellow wire connects to the Pump/Filter relay Load 2 pin

One leg of your 240 volts (L1) goes to the Pump/Filter relay Line 1
The other leg of your 240 volts (L2) connects to the Pump/Filter relay Line 2

Once you have done this, the SWCG will only turn on when you are in the Pool or Spa modes

Please let me know if this does not make sense..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rheide]

To try and simplify things for myself, I disconnected our heater, air, blower, and lights just to get things out of the way. So here is what I’m left with. I think I followed your directions correctly.

I do have a Violet wire but it didn’t seem like it was going to the big transformer so I used the blue wire coming from the big transformer.

Thanks again!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Explosion risks are one factor for not having the IC powered on all the time but that is a high-risk/low-probability event. The bigger issue for Intellichlor’s is that all of the power switching and control logic components are built into the cell (under the membrane pad) and potted into place. These components get HOT, especially so if they are out in the sun, and so water flow is critical to keeping the components cooled as that is the only heat sink available. If you power the IC all the time, then there is power dissipation in the control components and they will heat up. Without water flow, they can get very hot and that will typically lead to premature failure of the cell. This is one reason why Pentair routes the transformer controls through the filter relay - so that water is always flowing through the cell.

 

[Jimrahbe]

R,

Running the cell with no water flow is like driving with your air bags shut off... You can drive thousands of miles without any problems at all.. But all it takes is one accident and you will be glad the air bags are there..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rheide]

Jim and Team,
Thanks so much for your guidance. I believe I have everything wired up the proper way now.
When the pump is off, the power to the SWG turns off.
When the pump is on, the power to the SWG turns on.

I'm driving with an airbag now!
Thanks again