IC40 install

Dapdo

0
Bronze Supporter
Jul 15, 2018
97
Vineland, NJ
PB wants 1800 to install IC40. We have the Easy Touch with the built in generator. I checked the unit and it has the plug on the bottom left and the breaker switch for intellichlor inside. This seems like gouging based on the cost of the unit online. Currently the pool is being built, pump, filter not yet plumbed - sitting on the pad in boxes.
Are the intellichlor units basically plug and play with the EasyTouch (comes with SKU kit 520593)? Basically trying to find out if I can do this myself.
 
As long as you’re comfortable with doing PVC plumbing work, then yes, they can be installed DIY.....

BUT, if you self-install, you’ll only get a 60-day warranty then you’re on your own if there are any problems. If your PB installs three pieces of new Pentair equipment, then you typically can get a 3 year warranty. Otherwise a professional install on one piece of Pentair equipment gets you a 1-year warranty.
 
They want $1,800 just for labor to install the IC40?

That doesn't make any sense. They have to mount the box and do the plumbing anyway.

What extra are they doing to justify the extra charge?
 
D,

Here is the unit you have.. P/N 520953... Pentair Easy Touch Control Control System with IC40 Chlorine Generator 520593

As you can see it comes with a cell... What is the Pool Builder charging you for it?

Assume he used the cell somewhere else.. You can buy just the cell... See this ... Pentair Intellichlor IC40 Salt Chlorinator Cell 520555

If you are paying for the 520953 you should get the cell that comes with it.. If that can't be done for some reason, then tell him you will buy the cell and he can install it..

You need to summon up the energy and talk with this guy and work out this issue before it becomes OBE (Overcome by Events...)

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
So it looks like they are charging $1000 for the easy touch 4 with screen logic 2 installed. The ic40 is $1800 on top of that including install and salt. I’m not looking to be a pain in his rear. He “upgraded” us from an intellibrite light to 4 color change globrites when he saw how close our neighbors are.
I figure I’ll just diy it and take the chances w the warranty.
 
Is the equipment pad plumbing done yet?

Make sure the plumber gives you a straight run where the cell will be placed. Even better, buy the cell and give it to the plumber with $20 and ask him to glue in the unions. It is little extra work for him.
 
The ic40 is $1800 on top of that including install and salt.

Including the salt adds to the cost. Let’s unbundle this ...

- Cell costs $900 retail. PB is going to charge you retail not internet prices.
- Install is an hour extra of work - $100
- Salt is $15-$20/40 lb bag delivered. How many gallons is your pool? Lets say you need 20 bags. $400
- I don't know what startup services are included in your deal. Now he needs to send someone out after water is in for 30 days to dump 20 bags of salt in pool, brush it in, let it dissolve for 24 hours, then come back and turn on cell, and maybe make adjustments for chlorine output. 3-4 hours @ $100/hour

I have $1,800 there.

So what do you really want to buy from him? Talk to him about him installing the cell and you doing all the startup with the salt. Cell + basic hookup should be around $1,000.
 
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The primary reason is no warranty. Pentair will give you a 30 day warranty if you buy something on the internet and install it yourself. If it breaks you have to troubleshoot it or repair it or replace it or send it in for analysis. If you buy 3 Pentair items (pump, filter, swg or automation) and have them installed by your PB you will get a 3 year warranty and your PB will come out and troubleshoot or repair or replace that also includes the extra work your PB will have to do if something breaks.
 
Not sure what others have experienced with Pentair, but as a point of comparison...

I had an entire pentair system installed 4 years ago. So far, under the 3 year "complete system" warranty, I have had easy touch mother board, one globrite, intelliflow controller and screenlogic protocol adapter replaced. Easily $1500 in parts alone assuming internet prices and I did all the work myself.

I am a huge proponent of DIY, but I am super happy I had the PB install all of this and fix it all under the 3 year warranty.
 
Not sure what others have experienced with Pentair, but as a point of comparison...

Yup, I’m the total opposite experience - had all Pentair equipment installed in 2013 with the full-system 3 year warranty and never had to activate it. All of my equipment worked well beyond the 3 year warranty.

I will make two observation -

1. Pool LED lighting, like landscape LED lighting, is highly variable and depends a lot on the manufacturer. We see lots of complaints about Pentair LED pool lights on here and my experience with landscape LED is that it’s like Russian Roulette - you never know when the bulbs will die. I’ve had bulbs last 5+ years and bulbs blow out in less than a season. Even though I can’t do fancy light shows with my pool, my old school halogen lights work every time and they are still going strong some 6 years later....

2. Your equipment failures seem to be digitally related. Do you get a lot of lightening or brown-outs in your area? If you don’t already have one, I would suggest you install a surge protector on your ET panel so that your equipment is protected from power surges. I have one on mine as it’s cheap insurance (about $100) against potentially high cost damage caused by lightening.
 
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