Getting to the end of the build and now I’ve been thrown another curve.

[redhead33]

Hi everybody, I’m surviving the pool build. The cage went up yesterday which is my favorite part. I love the cage. But here’s the question of the day. I got an email from the pool people saying they wanted to replace the Pentair super max variable speed pump with Pentair IntelliPro 3 and somehow the light will be controlled through an app on my phone as well as the pool pump! So what happens if my Internet goes out because I have lousy cellular service. is that only for any kind of updates? Otherwise, my phone Bluetooth would control it I guess. Oh another brain busting thing I don’t need.. the question is which is better ? IntelliPro 3 or supermax? Thanks

 

[HermanTX]

The IntelliPro 3 is made by Stat-Rite which is another brand under Pentair. it appears to be based on the Pentair IntelliFlo 3 which is an excellent pump.
How were you going to control the SuperMax pump? Was the light set up to be just a manual switch?
Do you have any automation?
Pentair has their own app for control and the IntelliPro3 plus 2 other devices such as the light can be controlled via the app.

 

[redhead33]

The IntelliPro 3 is made by Stat-Rite which is another brand under Pentair. it appears to be based on the Pentair IntelliFlo 3 which is an excellent pump.
How were you going to control the SuperMax pump? Was the light set up to be just a manual switch?
Do you have any automation?
Pentair has their own app for control and the IntelliPro3 plus 2 other devices such as the light can be controlled via the app.

You know they don’t tell me much and I’m trying to get them to answer such questions but they’re proposing the Intel pro three with no light switch for the pool light so I guess that means I would have to control it via the app. I guess the super maxes have some kind of a digital panel and on this form I actually read where somebody had one that broke like after a year. So that’s not a good advertisement for the super max with the digital panel.. although I am more than capable of doing all the Internet related stuff that doesn’t mean I think it’s a great idea. So what happens if you don’t have the Internet? What happens if you don’t have a smart phone? I have all of that, but I want that to be a mandate for the rest of my life? Not really. The other thing is I live in Florida, where there are a lot of old people and if I sell my house, I’m not sure everybody would want to deal with an app from their phone. Not everybody wants a smart house or a smart TV or a smart phone that’s my misgiving.

 

[Lake Placid]

What happens if you don’t have a smart phone? I have all of that, but I want that to be a mandate for the rest of my life? Not really. The other thing is I live in Florida, where there are a lot of old people and if I sell my house, I’m not sure everybody would want to deal with an app from their phone. Not everybody wants a smart house or a smart TV or a smart phone that’s my misgiving.

Did they spec an Intellipro3 with touchscreen? If so everything can also be controlled at the pump.

 

[HermanTX]

You know they don’t tell me much and I’m trying to get them to answer such questions but they’re proposing the Intel pro three with no light switch for the pool light so I guess that means I would have to control it via the app. I guess the super maxes have some kind of a digital panel and on this form I actually read where somebody had one that broke like after a year. So that’s not a good advertisement for the super max with the digital panel.. although I am more than capable of doing all the Internet related stuff that doesn’t mean I think it’s a great idea. So what happens if you don’t have the Internet? What happens if you don’t have a smart phone? I have all of that, but I want that to be a mandate for the rest of my life? Not really. The other thing is I live in Florida, where there are a lot of old people and if I sell my house, I’m not sure everybody would want to deal with an app from their phone. Not everybody wants a smart house or a smart TV or a smart phone that’s my misgiving.

when you get a reply let us know what they say. Unfortunately we all have to brace the new world of IoT. Not everyone does or can - that was evident when COVID hit and classrooms moved solely online. It really showed the true issues we face.
Ensure you have the touchscreen for the pump as that allows for manual control. I would ask that the light be put on a switch if that is feasible. Seems like it should be.

 

[sktn77a]

Well, your equipment, including your phone, will probably connected to your home network (wifi). So you shouldn't need internet or cellular or bluetooth. But you'll need to confirm with your builder.

 

[Michael1]

Well, your equipment, including your phone, will probably connected to your home network (wifi). So you shouldn't need internet or cellular or bluetooth. But you'll need to confirm with your builder.

Most home automation systems connect to a cloud server so you would need internet. You would also need outdoor Wifi if the controllers for these devices are outside.

 

[tommelton]

Most home automation systems connect to a cloud server so you would need internet. You would also need outdoor Wifi if the controllers for these devices are outside.

This is exactly what Hayward automation does. The control system (for me - OmniPL) connects to Hayward's site, and the app connects to the Hayward site. If Hayward site is down, no app control or display. Have to walk to the control panel.

 

[sktn77a]

Hmm........ That's interesting. Not something I would want to be bothered with!

 

[redhead33]

Well, your equipment, including your phone, will probably connected to your home network (wifi). So you shouldn't need internet or cellular or bluetooth. But you'll need to confirm with your builder.

Wi-Fi is the Internet . But how they explained it to me as once it set up as long as I have Bluetooth I can communicate with the system, even if the Wi-Fi is out. Of course, Wi-Fi or the Internet, which is the same thing it would be required for any updates to the app that’s gonna be running the system. Maybe I should just buy an old house with an old pool. Lol. I remember when everybody was freaking out about Y2K. I made sure I had a gas stove and propane because I wanted to coffee in the morning. Haven’t been around for a while. I still had my old percolator coffee pot for the stove.

 

[redhead33]

when you get a reply let us know what they say. Unfortunately we all have to brace the new world of IoT. Not everyone does or can - that was evident when COVID hit and classrooms moved solely online. It really showed the true issues we face.
Ensure you have the touchscreen for the pump as that allows for manual control. I would ask that the light be put on a switch if that is feasible. Seems like it should be.

Basically, they said I could have a light switch, but it would be on the outside of the house and it would have a pipe running up the wall, which wasn’t very appealing to me. Although I have pipes running up the wall from the pool equipment to go up into the soffit and then down into my breaker boxes (this house has two) somehow. None of this stuff is quite as easy when you have a concrete block house. You can’t just easily drill through the outside wall into the interior of the house. They can barely drill into the concrete to get a screw in. so getting back to what they said they said as long as I have Bluetooth on my phone, which I do, that’s how it will communicate with the pool equipment apparently how the app works is it a Pentair app for the programming of the pump, but you can integrate two more separate things into that app and one of them is the light. Good thing I’m fairly tech savvy and have a smart phone. But I live in a community of older people and I don’t know if everybody could handle this level of technology. But I guess this is gonna be another thing that the pool maintenance guys can charge people to program stuff for them. I want a pool where I don’t have to call anybody for anything. But I can handle it. My husband is not tech savvy at all.

 

[ajw22]

Let's talk specifically about the IntelliPro3 pump being proposed to you and not get distracted about other equipment capabilities.

The IntelliPro3 can be controlled four ways:

• WiFi connection through the Pentair HOME app.
• Bluetooth connection locally to the pump through the Pentair HOME app. You just need to be close to the pump as Bluetooth does not have long range.
• Optional touchscreen panel, which I recommend you get, so your husband and anyone else who may need to control things is not dependent on being setup with a phone and app..
• Connection to Pentair automation systems which it sounds like you will not have.

The IntelliPro3 can have an optional IO Board which can control two devices through a 16 amp and 5 amp relay. Either of those relays can be used to control your light(s). Any of the controls above will control the relays.

Get the IntelliPro3 over the Supermax. It is a stronger pump with more capabilities.

 

[redhead33]

My husband does nothing and is not tech savvy. I do the pool maintenance as well as being the one who does all the tech related issues in the house. I have an online business for the past 20+ years so I am very familiar with apps, smart phones, Bluetooth, etc., etc.. I’m not concerned about my ability to do all of these things. I’m concerned about more things to have trouble with and more things to break. Although I am more than capable of dealing with these things I’m also the type that had a gas stove with an old-fashioned coffee pot when Y2K was looming. Lol. Thank you for your information.

 

[redhead33]

Let's talk specifically about the IntelliPro3 pump being proposed to you and not get distracted about other equipment capabilities.

The IntelliPro3 can be controlled four ways:

• WiFi connection through the Pentair HOME app.
• Bluetooth connection locally to the pump through the Pentair HOME app. You just need to be close to the pump as Bluetooth does not have long range.
• Optional touchscreen panel, which I recommend you get, so your husband and anyone else who may need to control things is not dependent on being setup with a phone and app..
• Connection to Pentair automation systems which it sounds like you will not have.

The IntelliPro3 can have an optional IO Board which can control two devices through a 16 amp and 5 amp relay. Either of those relays can be used to control your light(s). Any of the controls above will control the relays.

Get the IntelliPro3 over the Supermax. It is a stronger pump with more capabilities.

I did get it after reading the manual which I was able to do by going to the Pentair website prior to making my decision. I will be able to control the lights through the IO board, and one other device which I don’t have anyway at the moment. So my only remaining problem is the electrician doesn’t want to go up into a hot attic to complete the install. Maybe I can find a small woman to go in there