Help check Pentair IntelliFlo-SVRS and PSL4 EasyTouch settings

[wavyphotons]

Hi folks,
Based on reading here and elsewhere, I've tried to setup my pentair screenlogic app config but wanted someone to double check and confirm a few things.

Photos of my equipment and settings are here : Pool equipment

Equipment/setup:
IntelliFlo pump with the SVRS option
PSL4 EasyTouch
Whisperflo pump - for waterfall
Gas heater

• Pool + spa connected (spillway) - pool water returns from spa and spills back into pool
• Waterfall
• In spa mode: spa water stays in spa
• Pool volume - about 20,000 gallon

Settings and questions:

• Electricity is cheaper during night and non-peak hours and since it’s winter (although we still get days with 70F in texas), I’ve set pool high to run at night and few small cycles of pool low during the day - total ~8 hours. In summer, I plan to run pool low during peak day/heat hours for total of about ~12-14 hours
  • Q: Need to figure out what’s the turnover rate (20,000 gallon) so we can set RPM and duration correctly.
• Based on my reading, I’ve set ‘pool low’ to ‘pool’ circuit and left ‘pool high’ as a feature/generic (vs the opposite).
• In spa mode, I disabled ‘spa manual heat’ since during freeze protection, it was turning on the heater!! I understand with this setting, if we want spa mode (heated spa), then I’ll need to go in the app and turn on ‘spa’ and then ‘heater’.
  • Note: In the past (with old settings) , sometimes the heater came on for a few mins and then stopped - if this happens again, we will investigate further. For now, we have increased pump RPM to 3000 for spa mode hoping that may help (at least it’ll heat it up faster).
  • We don’t have a side remote control - using app is fine.
• Q: In the ‘circuits needing high speed pump’, I’ve added ‘pool high’ and ‘pool low’ - should I add ‘spa’ here too ?
• Q: Since ‘pool high’ is a generic circuit, does it know to do the right thing (it’s not configurable so it depends on how the system is setup) - i.e. spillway + run pool pump on high speed.

Anything else I'm missing ? Thanks again!!

 

[Jimrahbe]

WP,

Keep in mind that the PSL4 is what we call a "Lite" version of the EasyTouch. It comes with a max of 4 Schedules which also include any egg-timers or run-once schedules.

The problem is that ScreenLogic will allow you to enter a billion schedules and it never tells you that anything more than four will not work.

Circuits come predefined inside the EasyTouch. Things like Spa, Pool, Aux are all Circuits. These can't be changed, you can just turn them on or off.

Circuit Names are just what you want to call a Circuit so you can remember what they do. You can call Circuits anything you want, it is just a name. Just like Jim is my name, but it does not make me do anything.

Circuit Functions can tell the EasyTouch that this Circuit is used in a special way. 95% of the time you should use Generic as the Circuit Function. A good example.. If you have Color changing LED lights, you need to set the Circuit Function to "IntelliBrite" so the EasyTouch knows how to control the lights.

Show me your Schedules and any egg-timers not at the default of 12 hours.

Spa heater set up2.png

• Jimrahbe
• Dec 16, 2022

Show me your Circuits.

Set up page 2.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• Jun 8, 2020

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wavyphotons]

Thanks! All my settings/schedule/config are here : Pool equipment (and my other questions are related to the photos as well). I have no egg timers set and have a total of 4 schedules.

Let me know if I should post photos here directly.

 

[Jimrahbe]

WP,

Everything looks ok, I just have a couple questions/suggestions..

To make the Spillway Circuit work correctly the Circuit Function must also be "Spillway". As it is, it does nothing. When you select Spillway, the Intake valve should stay or rotate so that it sucks water from the Pool and the Return valve should rotate so that it sends all the water back to the spa . You control the amount of spillover by the pump speed. You do not have a pump speed set for the Spillway Circuit. I am not at all sure you need it for anything as you can't run the Spillway Circuit all the time, as your pool returns would never work, and you have no schedules left to schedule it anyway.

You have the "Chlorinator Present" box checked, but you do not have a SWCG or Saltwater Chlorine Generator, which is what this box is for. If you uncheck the box, it will remove the SWCG page from your ScreenLogic display. Not a big deal.

Why in the world do you run your pump (Pool High) at 3450 RPM for 4 hours a day??? I can't think of any reason to run your pump that fast??? It would be cheaper to just run the pump at 1500 24/7, except when in the spa or using the waterfall. But again, up to you, just makes no logical sense to me.

Let us know how everything works.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wavyphotons]

Thank you so much Jim ! That's starting to make sense. I have figured some things out but have more questions

Re spillway: Hmm..I feel we do see water coming down spa just in 'pool' mode and I was told by a pool cleaning company that plumbing is in a way that return should be coming out of both pool and spa in 'pool' mode, but I'm not 100% sure and need to check again (it could just be air moving the water a little on spa wall, etc) . I do notice that in pool mode, both actuator valves are pointing one way, in spa mode, both point the other way and in 'spillway' mode (after I configured it per your suggestion), both point in opposite directions (facing each other), which does mean return is via spa only, but is is any way possible that some water is coming from spa return in pool mode (or if there's a way for me to verify easily since it's hard to tell visually) [happy to attach more photos of the pump / setup besides what's in the album] ?

Assuming only spillway causes return in spa, I really should be running pool pump most of the time in that mode since we add and test chemicals in the pool and we expect all that water is circulating in the spa vs having to test both separately, so after I configured it (at 1500 rpm) and ran it, the pump only runs for a few seconds every few minutes because the pump is showing dreaded 'srvs clean drain before restart' - reading this site, that's an issue w/ srvs pump and not much can be done about it ? Should I try running in lower rpm ? I don't get that error in 'pool' or 'spa' mode.

I've attached photos of the new setup to this post - spillway set to spillway circuit, pool low+high+spillway+spa added under 'circuits needing high speed pump, spillway set to 1500rpm , lowered pool high rpm, changed schedule to run pool low, pool high, waterfall and spillway [but this isn't ideal based on the info I mentioned below]

Re. chlorinator, we do have the rainbow automatic chlorine in-line feeder but ya that's not SWCG, so I can uncheck that box (and we don't put tablets in the chlorinator anymore due to CYA issues that we learned about on this site and had to fix - only planning to add tablets that during vacations, etc).

Re. pool high at 3450rpm - I lowered it for now, but ya I just need to figure out the turnover rate for 20,000 gallon pool so I figure out the right schedule.

Thanks again!

 

[Jimrahbe]

WP,

Let's talk Spa spillover..

Good builders install what is known as a "Make up line" which bypasses the Return valve and lets a little water continuously go to the Spa. This will make your spa spillover into the pool any time you are in the Pool mode. This is what I think you have...

Cheap pool builder just offset the Return valve forcing a little water to always go to the spa.

The above options are normally used when there is no automation system. With an automation system you can set up the "Spillway" mode so that it will only send water to the spa causing the spillover, when you want. When this system is used the Make up valve is normally turned off and the Return valve is no longer offset.



I believe that this is your make up line. It should have a valve that allows you to turn it on and off and the red arrow points to a check valve that prevents the spa from draining back into the pool.

Do you like the idea of the spa continuously spillover into your pool, except in when in the spa mode. If so, the spillover mode is just not needed.

The Spillover mode is or those people who do not want the spa to constantly spillover into the pool. This could be due to the noise, or the pH increase that can come from running the constant spillover. When using the spillway mode, it is normally scheduled for two or three times a day. (You have no extra schedules)

You will need to decide what works for you.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

the pump only runs for a few seconds every few minutes because the pump is showing dreaded 'srvs clean drain before restart'

WP,

I too have an SVRS IntelliFlo. the worst Pentair pump that has ever been made. Every other IntelliFlo pump is the Gold Standard of pool pumps, the SVRS version is the Brown Standard of pool pumps.

It is just one of the reasons that I run 24/7, so that I never have to restart the pump.

I like to give the example that if my next-door neighbor passes a little gas, my pump will shut off. It is not quite that bad, but close. If the pump senses any surge in water flow, it will shut the pump off. If I close the air relief valve on my filter too quickly, it will shut the pump off. If I turn on my waterfall when the water level in the pool is a little low, it will shut the pump. Running my pump 24/7 has almost eliminated these false alarms.

I know from working on another members pool/spa, that the valves rotating between the pool mode and the spa mode can cause the pump to go into the entrapment mode. The fix for that issue is to just to set ScreenLogic to turn off the pump while the valves move. (Check box in the set screens)

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

but ya I just need to figure out the turnover rate for 20,000 gallon pool so I figure out the right schedule.

WP,

Only if you also believe in Santa Claus..

The idea that you have to turnover X amount of pool water per day to prevent algae is a myth and just not true.

Your filter is not there to capture algae, it is there to capture all the junk the drops into your pool during the day. By the time algae shows up in your filter, you have already lost the algae war.

What keeps your pool clear, clean and sanitized is Chlorine. It is just as simple as that.

You only need to run your pool pump to...

1. Generate the amount of chlorine your pool needs if you have a SWCG or a Tab feeder.
2. Keep the surface water clean/skimmed like you want it.
3. Mix any added chemicals (Two hours max)

It is your pool and you can run it as may hours and at whatever speed you want. We don't care. We just want you to know it is not a "Requirement" for good pool management to worry about turnovers.

I run my pump 24/7 because I like making a little chlorine all the time (I have a SWCG) and I like skimming all the time. I do not have a spa or heater so I can run at about 1200 RPM, most of the time. Doing that 24/7 cost me less than $20 bucks a month.

I have three saltwater pools and they all have IntelliFlo pumps running mostly at 1200 RPM 24/7. It makes pool management so much easier for me.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

WP,

I kind of got lost, so If I have not answered all your questions, please just ask them again.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wavyphotons]

Thank you Jim !

Re. turnover rate
wow that's something new I learnt - this does mean we can run it less often and/or at lower setting. We learnt a lot about CYA, bleach, chlorine tabs from this site and mostly fixed out pool...but we'll see how we do in the summer

Re. pool spilling in spa
I think you are right about the make up line valve - i've attached photo of it from the other side and I can see spa filling up . For now, I won't schedule the 'spillway' circuit since I like pool circuit spilling in spa as it'll balance the chemicals - need to look into the increase in ph issue you mentioned.

Re. 'circuits needed high speed pump'
Question: What is this about - can't find much info .... for now to be safe, I've added pool low , pool high, spa and spillway to it.

Re. drain error
Thanks - i've turned on that setting - let's see how it works now - it sucks that app doesn't show any error so you have to be out there looking at the pump to know if something fails.

Re. pool high setting
Question: Since only 'pool low' is set to pool circuit and 'pool high' is set to 'generic' , i'm curious how does it know to do the right thing in 'pool high' - is it because generic basically is wired to the 'pool' circuit and all I'm doing differently is setting higher rpm and all other things are special anyways - spa, spillway, lights, etc

Re. *new* waterfall pump and leak
Question: Is there a proper way to only 'winterize/drain' the waterfall circuit and not use it ever while making sure pipes don't burst. I'm asking for a few reasons (NOTE: waterfall has it's separate whisperflo 1HP pump):
a) I just noticed there's a small leak either in the pump lid gasket or most likely the white pipe joint that's coming in the pump most likely (see attached pics) - can i fix these DIY - hopefully just as gasket (but i need to close the right valves and pray to santa) ? I'll also call Pentair when they open (and talking to a pool repair guy)
b) During freeze mode, waterfall runs the entire time - it's a 1HP pump, so not too bad, but I don't really care about the beauty of waterfall much anyways and much rather just turn it off
So I can remove it from schedule and turn off the 'run during freeze', but I need to somehow drain the pipes / properly winterize it ...

Thanks again ... I'm almost there!

 

[Jimrahbe]

WP,

Waterfall ideas.

You should be able to easily winterize just your waterfall plumbing.

Uncheck the on with freeze box for the waterfall Circuit in ScreenLogic
Turn off the breaker for the waterfall pump. If it does not have its own breaker, just make sure you do not manually turn it on.
Remove the two wingnut-looking drain plugs on the left side of the pump. Put them in the pump basket so you know where they are.
Open the two unions that are connected to the pump. Just to make sure that the input and output pipes drain.
Loosely put the pump lid back on.

There is no gasket on the leaking pipe. Once you open the union, you should be able to unscrew the fitting going into your waterfall pump and then clean up the threads, add Teflon tape, and screw it back in. When you have the fitting removed, inspect the pump side of the connection and make sure nothing is cracked.


Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wavyphotons]

Thanks! But do I need to close a valve somewhere to make sure water doesn't come to the waterfall pump?

 

[Jimrahbe]

WP,

Not unless your equipment is way below the level of your pool. Elevation wise, where is your equipment pad vs. the water level in your pool?

You have three red ball valves connected to your waterfall pump. One on the input side and two on the output side.

I would leave them open in the winter just to make sure any water would have a place to expand.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Question: Since only 'pool low' is set to pool circuit and 'pool high' is set to 'generic' , i'm curious how does it know to do the right thing in 'pool high' - is it because generic basically is wired to the 'pool' circuit and all I'm doing differently is setting higher rpm and all other things are special anyways - spa, spillway, lights, etc

WP,

In your schedule you turn off the Pool Low (Pool) and then turn on Pool High. Since Pool High (Feature 1) is just a name the pump will run at the assigned speed for that Name. But you will no longer be in the Pool Mode. Not sure it matters in your case, as you do not have a SWCG.

Look at the little LCD on the main panel and I bet is shows, AUTO and neither Pool nor Spa modes are on, when the Pool High Circuit is on.

Since the valves were in the Pool mode position before you switched to Pool High, the only thing that will change is the pump speed.

I suggest that you use the following schedule...

Pool Low (Pool) 8 am until 8 am. This will run your pump 24/7 at 1500 RPM. This is about 300 Watts per hour. Not much.

Pool High (Feature 1) 12:10 am until 4:10 am. At 2000 RPM.. When this come on the system will stay the pool mode and the pump will just speed up to 2000 RPM. This may help with skimming.

This is just a suggestion as it is your pool, and you should run it the way you want.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wavyphotons]

Not unless your equipment is way below the level of your pool. Elevation wise, where is your equipment pad vs. the water level in your pool?

gotcha - ya pad is a little higher than pool water level (few inches), so I should be good.

WP,

In your schedule you turn off the Pool Low (Pool) and then turn on Pool High. Since Pool High (Feature 1) is just a name the pump will run at the assigned speed for that Name. But you will no longer be in the Pool Mode. Not sure it matters in your case, as you do not have a SWCG.

Look at the little LCD on the main panel and I bet is shows, AUTO and neither Pool nor Spa modes are on, when the Pool High Circuit is on.

Since the valves were in the Pool mode position before you switched to Pool High, the only thing that will change is the pump speed.

I suggest that you use the following schedule...

Pool Low (Pool) 8 am until 8 am. This will run your pump 24/7 at 1500 RPM. This is about 300 Watts per hour. Not much.

Pool High (Feature 1) 12:10 am until 4:10 am. At 2000 RPM.. When this come on the system will stay the pool mode and the pump will just speed up to 2000 RPM. This may help with skimming.

This is just a suggestion as it is your pool, and you should run it the way you want.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Very interesting - thank you !

 

[wavyphotons]

Jim - you are amazing ! Thanks to you, I think I've finally managed to impress my wife at least for a few minutes

So I removed waterfall from freeze, features list and schedule, so nobody can turn it on.
I didn't see a breaker for it (I do have 3 relays in the easypanel - electronics, valves and relays, but I don't think that's the right thing to mess with, right?)

I removed the lid, wingnuts, drained the water and opened the union (there was no water in the intake or outake pipes).
Question: Should I leave the pipes + union open and gently touching (like I have in photo) or loosely close the union ? I'm thinking of leaving it open for any water/pressure to escape but maybe then bugs/dirt can get inside ?

I also put new teflon tape on the fitting, so we'll see in spring time if the waterfall leaks when I turn it on ... I used my plumbers crescent wrench but luckily it didn't do much damage and I was careful - I should probably get proper PVC wrench for future....

 

[Jimrahbe]

WP,

I would connect the unions by just a thread or two.. Just to keep things out, but loose enough for any air or water to get out.

I didn't see a breaker for it

WP,

I forgot you have an ET lite and it has no load center for breakers.

Where does the AC power the runs everything in the EasyTouch come from? Do you have a load center near your equipment pad, or does it all come from your main house panel?

As it is now, if someone accidently pushes the Aux 2 button while trying to turn on the lights it will power the pump up.. You can just unplug the relay coil wire going to the aux 2 relay. Drop the front panel down and you will see the back of the main circuit card. It will have connections for relays. Pump/Filter, then Aux 1 and the Aux 2. It is all low voltage, and you can't hurt anything, including yourself. Looks something like this..

AuxEx Plug.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Dec 13, 2021

Should be J10.


Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wavyphotons]

Good point .. for now I just put some tape on it since we never use the easy panel to control