Easy Touch 4 (maybe)

BPKlein

Bronze Supporter
Jun 4, 2016
120
Lake Dallas, Texas
Hello,

Yesterday I had a question about wiring up variable speed pump with a SWCG. (all of those were answered) But the discussion led me down a path of curiosity. Curiosity about cost and complication of a basic automation system. Basic because my pool is a single body of water (no spa) and only two pumps. (main and cleaner) I don’t have any water features to turn on and off, and the switch for the one pool light is on the other side of the yard. So, I wouldn’t need it controlled.

I was already going to replace my single speed pump with a variable speed anyway. So that got me to looking at an EasyTouch. The EasyTouch 4PSC-IC40 specifically. They aren’t as expensive as I had originally thought. Plus I can recoup some cost from selling my current SWCG.

Here are are the questions....

Install myself? I have a pretty good basic understanding of mechanical/electrical stuff.
Can the IC40 be upgraded to an IC60 cell?
Do I only need 2 relays? One for each pump. No lights or water features.
Can the housing get rained on? My pad and electrical are away from the house.

Thank You,
Bryan
 
Install myself? I have a pretty good basic understanding of mechanical/electrical stuff.
Can the IC40 be upgraded to an IC60 cell?
Do I only need 2 relays? One for each pump. No lights or water features.
Can the housing get rained on? My pad and electrical are away from the house.

Thank You,
Bryan

Sure you can install yourself but find out if the warranty will still be valid. Manufacturers sometimes limit the warranty if not installed by a licensed person.

The IC40 is good up to 40,000 gals. You say your pool is 33,000 so you should be OK. Yes you can switch the 40 out for a 60 if you really wanted to.

Yes you would want two relays, one for each pump.

Yes the housing is water proof and can sit in the middle of your yard if need be. I've seen them not attached to the house and they are fine.
 
For a pool in Texas a minimum of 2X your pool volume for the SWCG rating is recommended. The IC 40 would need to be run nearly 24 hours per day from May to Sept. And a high bather load or flock of birds hitting your pool could put you on the wrong side of the [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA] quickly.

I have seen the package ET - SWCG units for sale with the IC60. May have to call.

Right on the warranty. Pentair is pretty much always a short warranty for DIY. If you bundle ET with SWCG and VS, installed by Pro, you can get a 3 year warranty.


Take care.
 
Bryan,

Adding an EasyTouch is a pretty easy DIY project... Pentair manuals are written in "Pentair" so it helps to have a site like this one for any questions..

Depending on where your equipment pad is located, easy access to some items, like a pool light, can be difficult if you have to go under 20 feet of deck..

EasyTouch units come as a package, so you can't really upgrade from an IC40 to an IC60.. For a 33K pool, in the Dallas area, the IC40 would work, but you would have to run it 24/7 at about 80% output in the summer. Not as bad as it sounds, as running the IntelliFlo to generate chlorine, 24/7, only costs about $20 bucks a month.

The single body ET4 with IC40, costs about $1,150... The IC60 appears to come only with the dual body ET8, and costs about $1,800. Even if you buy a simple ET and add an external IC60, you will still end up spending $1800...Sigh!!!


The IntelliFlo, when attached to an EasyTouch, does not use a relay. It is controlled by a serial cable. All single speed pumps, like your cleaner pump will need a relay. The SWCG will need a relay.

The Enclosures are water tight and are made to be outside in the open.

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.
 
Thanks,

Yes, I would NEED the IC60. The unit I have now produces more chlorine than the IC60, and it needs to run 14-15 hours a day in the summer.

Is EasyTouch capable of turning off and on another brand of SWCG? In other words, can the relay be used just as an on/off switch?

There is an online retailer that is always recommended by TF staff, but I can’t remember who it is. INYO maybe?

Bryan
 
Bryan,

Yes, the ET can control the on/off of any salt cell.

Basically, the Pump/Filter relay only applies power to the cell's power supply, when the main pump is being told to run.

All other SWCG functions would have to be done manually at the SWCG's control panel.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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