I have a Pentair Intelliflo VS 3hp pump and an IC40 chlorinator / power center. The pump is connected to wifi and all is working well. I see that both of these devices have an RS485 port. Will they talk if I connect them together via RS485, or do I need an additional control system?
Seems a shame to add an Intelliconnect that has all the same wifi bits the pump already has for just these two devices.
What really will I gain if I make the jump to an automation system?
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Tom
A simple pool only requires a simple system. But,
if you want more control, you will have to spend a few thousand dollars. There are hundreds of thousands (probably millions) of pools in peoples' yards that are controlled by a simple timer or two, maybe another for a booster-pump type cleaner, a light switch for the pool light, that work just fine.
There are more, now that the laws have changed, that have only one timer (for the SWG), maybe another for a booster-pump type cleaner, and a VSP with its built-in control.
Every time I installed a completely new automation system, I made sure that the customer knew from the start that what is a fun toy at first is not always as much fun in practical use.
Some needed it as the pool was built by builders that had no sense of what it takes to use it and they were very thankful.
Some had buyers' remorse after realizing they didn't use the spa as much as they though they would.
No one ever, after they had the pool for a while, put one on a single body of water, simple pool, though there are systems that have been made for those for decades. The cost outweighed the benefit.
