IntelliCenter Circuits / Pump and Valve Associations

[MyAZPool]

There seems to be quite a bit of questions lately regarding IntelliCenter Feature Circuits and how to associate those circuits with Pump Speeds and/or Flows and Valve Actuator associations. In addition, questions regarding the creation and uses of Circuit Groups (macros) appears to be another "hot" topic lately.

These questions are mainly due to the shortfalls of Pentair IntelliCenter documentation.
Since I had some time on my hands and frankly was kind of bored , I started playing around with putting a video together that hopefully takes over where the Pentair documentation leaves off.

This video is NOT professional grade quality (I know that ), but its the best this rookie could do based on my experience. Hopefully I will get better at these as time goes along.
Anyway, I had a bit of fun with it and I hope it helps some of the newer IntelliCenter users.
r.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ron,

A video of a polar bear in a snow storm would be a step up over any of Pentair's documentation.

Although, it is starting to look more a more like a Pentair release by the moment...


Jim R.

 

[MyAZPool]

Ron,

A video of a polar bear in a snow storm would be a step up over any of Pentair's documentation.

Although, it is starting to look more a more like a Pentair release by the moment...


Jim R.

It's youtube that's giving me a hard time. And on top of it, I'm just getting my "feet wet" with the whole youtube publishing thing. "video still processing" LOL....

 

[Zaffor]

Just stumbled across this
Great post!!
Thanks Ron!!

 

[SlipperyPete]

There seems to be quite a bit of questions lately regarding IntelliCenter Feature Circuits and how to associate those circuits with Pump Speeds and/or Flows and Valve Actuator associations. In addition, questions regarding the creation and uses of Circuit Groups (macros) appears to be another "hot" topic lately.

Hi @MyAZPool - In your video, it appears that your standard pool pump speed is 20 GPM and all of your feature circuits are higher volume/speed than that. While I have been playing with my feature circuits. My PB had set my pool to 60 GPM. I was creating feature circuits to slow down my volume/speed. However, they don't seem to do anything. Am I supposed to set the "Pool" pump to a low settings and use the feature circuits only to speed it up? thanks.

 

[MyAZPool]

Hi @MyAZPool - In your video, it appears that your standard pool pump speed is 20 GPM and all of your feature circuits are higher volume/speed than that. While I have been playing with my feature circuits. My PB had set my pool to 60 GPM. I was creating feature circuits to slow down my volume/speed. However, they don't seem to do anything. Am I supposed to set the "Pool" pump to a low settings and use the feature circuits only to speed it up? thanks.

@SlipperyPete
I've learned that setting the "pool" speed as the lowest speed is good operating practice. Remember, "the highest speed always wins". So using another Feature Circuit (speed) to set the speed lower as you are attempting to do now, will not work as long as the pool body circuit is on.
Try setting pool as your lowest speed and then use another speed/Feature Circuit to speed it up to the speed you want..
I think you will find this method will work out much better for you..
Thanks..
r.

 

[scottts]

Very helpful. Thanks!

 

[SlipperyPete]

the highest speed always wins"

thanks @MyAZPool . That kinda what I was assuming. Thanks for the confirmation. If you'd prefer me to put this in a different thread, please say so.

What is the best practice for switching bt circuits and circuit groups? Prior to using this I only use the default spa and pool buttons on the app. It was nice that they knew to turn the other mode off. Now that I have the valves set up and I’m playing with different pump speeds and circuit groups, I’m learning the behavior of the ‘macros’. I’m doing some head scratching

Should I be completely cutting off my circuit group before turning on the next? A minute ago, I was in pool mode which is at 30 but I had a feature on that set the pump to 50gpm turned on too. When I turned on my Spa, the pump stayed in 50 gpm.

It would be nice to configure some “if this then that” with the macros. Am I correct to assume that I can't?

I’m trying to keep it simple at the moment. these are my circuit groups ...

• Deck Jets Only
  • Pool : on . (this is so I don't have to tap it on the home screen or it would switch to pool if I was on spa mode).
  • Pool 60 GPM : on . speed up the pump
  • Bubblers : off . In case they were on before
  • Deck Jets : on
• Bubblers Only
  • Pool : on . (this is so I don't have to tap it on the home screen, but I'm rethinking this).
  • Pool 50 GPM : on
  • Bubblers : on
  • Deck Jets : off
• Water Features
  • Pool : on . (this is so I don't have to tap it on the home screen, but I'm rethinking this).
  • Pool 75 GPM : on
  • Bubblers : on
  • Deck Jets : on

While setting things up, I noticed a couple of issues with what I'd like..

1. turning on one Circuit Group then another doesn't automatically turn off the first one. So if I turn on 'Deck Jets Only' then 'Bubblers Only', the pump would stay at 60 GPM and the first circuit group still shows as on. It appears I'd need to turn off the first one then turn on the second circuit group in order to have the screen be accurate. This creates a little bit of an issue...
2. Turning off each circuit group before the next one means my 'Pool' goes to off then right back on. I'd rather not cycle the pump like that if possible.
3. Another scenario would be switching from 'Water Features' to 'Bubblers where the pump would stay at 75 gpm presumably.

So I guess my question is... what is the best practice to do what I'm trying to accomplish? Or am I thinking too much outside the pentair box?

 

[MyAZPool]

@SlipperyPete
Okay, you're getting it but I should probably point out a couple of things which should clear up some misconceptions.

1. As far as the valves (Bubblers and Deck Jets). There are two positions. Home and 2nd position. When you make a "call" for that valve in the Circuit Group, it moves it from Home to 2nd position (the ON position).
There is no way to move the valve from the 2nd position to the Home position without turning off the Feature Circuit (Bubblers, Deck Jets). The simplest way to do that is to turn off the Circuit Group (Macro). In otherwords, those Feature Circuits are NOT like electronic switches that will turn off or on everytime you make a call for it.. If the valve is in the 2nd position and you make a call for that Feature Circuit again, it won't turn it off, the IntelliCenter will only think you want to turn it on (but of course, it's already on.)

2. There are two ways to execute a Circuit Group (macro). You can turn the Circuit Group on via the Web Client, mobile app or at the Outdoor Control Panel. Let's call these methods (manual.) If you execute the Circuit Group manually, then you will need to turn it off manually (in most cases), or unless the Egg Timer for that circuit expires.
Or you can execute the Circuit Group via a Schedule. If you execute the Circuit Group via a schedule, then the scheduling feature will turn off the Circuit Group at the predetermined time setup in the schedule.

3. If you want to keep it simple (and that would be my advice, especially as you are just starting out), then embed those Feature Circuits in the Macros' that you want to occur on a regular basis. Like everyday, once or twice a week, etc.

4. As far as schedules go, I would create a Circuit Group for anything that you normally want scheduled on a regular basis and always include either "Pool" or "Spa" body circuits (as the case may be) in the macro.

5. If you want to setup a Circuit Group that you only turn on manually (like bubblers or deck jets for a pool party etc.), no problem. I have several of those. Just set the egg timers for the Circuit Group to about the max that you think that you would want it on. Just remember though, to suspend the schedule of the cleaning functions for that time or right in the middle of your pool party, one of your cleaning/maintenance schedules might come on and change everything.

6. If your pool circuit is going right back on after you turn off a Circuit Group, then you have some overlapping schedules which you should not have. There is no better way to discombobulate things than having overlapping schedules. Ensure one schedule goes off before another one comes on.

If you want to post the various screen shots of your Circuits, Circuit Groups, Pump/Valve pages and Schedules (like below), we can take a look and possibly make some further recommendations for you.








Hopefully, I have answered many of your concerns here...
Thanks...
r.

 

[SlipperyPete]

thank again for all the info.

I found an old post from 14+ months ago which someone mentioned...

for all of the circuits that are controlled via a pump, the pump will defer to whichever circuit has the highest speed. If you are running a circuit that is defined by a flow rate, and not a pump speed, that is nested in with the others, it appears that the pump will only control to the pump speed.

That explains one issue I'm having. My pump speed isn't changing if I turn on the spa while another circuit group that controls the pump flow is also on. In living with the understanding that the "highest speed always wins", i didn't realize the caveat about flow vs. pump speed. My spa is set to 3400rpm and the other circuit groups are all set on GPM so I can control the amount of water coming out of the deck jets and the bubblers. The logic behind the SPA & rpm is to get as much flow as possible no matter what.

It now makes a little more sense knowing that is a VSF issue thanks to a @MyAZPool reply noting

Highest Flow » Lowest Flow » Highest Speed » Lowest Speed

I missed that before.

As for the circuit groups(macros), I think I'm putting all of that on hold. I have my intellicenter controls in my Home Assistant. I just started playing with node red. I've gotten it to work exactly like I want at the moment. The main goal to have buttons my wife could push when the kids were playing in the pool or when we want to sit outside and just listen to the bubblers. I don't think I'm ready to schedule all of these things b/c they happen at random times on random days.

Here is a screenshot of my HA dashboard and the node red flow that triggers when I toggle the deck jet or bubbler feature. I need to create some action for my 'Spa' button. When I press it, I want to make sure it turns off the other pump speeds.

 

[thataway61]

@SlipperyPete
Okay, you're getting it but I should probably point out a couple of things which should clear up some misconceptions.

1. As far as the valves (Bubblers and Deck Jets). There are two positions. Home and 2nd position. When you make a "call" for that valve in the Circuit Group, it moves it from Home to 2nd position (the ON position).
There is no way to move the valve from the 2nd position to the Home position without turning off the Feature Circuit (Bubblers, Deck Jets). The simplest way to do that is to turn off the Circuit Group (Macro). In otherwords, those Feature Circuits are NOT like electronic switches that will turn off or on everytime you make a call for it.. If the valve is in the 2nd position and you make a call for that Feature Circuit again, it won't turn it off, the IntelliCenter will only think you want to turn it on (but of course, it's already on.)

2. There are two ways to execute a Circuit Group (macro). You can turn the Circuit Group on via the Web Client, mobile app or at the Outdoor Control Panel. Let's call these methods (manual.) If you execute the Circuit Group manually, then you will need to turn it off manually (in most cases), or unless the Egg Timer for that circuit expires.
Or you can execute the Circuit Group via a Schedule. If you execute the Circuit Group via a schedule, then the scheduling feature will turn off the Circuit Group at the predetermined time setup in the schedule.

3. If you want to keep it simple (and that would be my advice, especially as you are just starting out), then embed those Feature Circuits in the Macros' that you want to occur on a regular basis. Like everyday, once or twice a week, etc.

4. As far as schedules go, I would create a Circuit Group for anything that you normally want scheduled on a regular basis and always include either "Pool" or "Spa" body circuits (as the case may be) in the macro.

5. If you want to setup a Circuit Group that you only turn on manually (like bubblers or deck jets for a pool party etc.), no problem. I have several of those. Just set the egg timers for the Circuit Group to about the max that you think that you would want it on. Just remember though, to suspend the schedule of the cleaning functions for that time or right in the middle of your pool party, one of your cleaning/maintenance schedules might come on and change everything.

6. If your pool circuit is going right back on after you turn off a Circuit Group, then you have some overlapping schedules which you should not have. There is no better way to discombobulate things than having overlapping schedules. Ensure one schedule goes off before another one comes on.

If you want to post the various screen shots of your Circuits, Circuit Groups, Pump/Valve pages and Schedules (like below), we can take a look and possibly make some further recommendations for you.

View attachment 340278 View attachment 340279

View attachment 340280 View attachment 340284

View attachment 340283


Hopefully, I have answered many of your concerns here...
Thanks...
r.

I need to hire someone in North Atlanta area that understands macros at this level. I have a retractable cover we just hooked and there is a card to lock out the water feature when the pool is covered. The present programming won’t do what I need and it leaves it where other family members can’t figure out what to do. Leaves will fall soon and freezing weather is coming. I need this thing set up to be fool proof and I’m not smart enough to do it. I hope it’s okay to parachute in with this comment and hope someone can point me to a Pentair programming wizard. The guy helping me doesn’t know macros.

 

[MyAZPool]

I need to hire someone in North Atlanta area that understands macros at this level. I have a retractable cover we just hooked and there is a card to lock out the water feature when the pool is covered. The present programming won’t do what I need and it leaves it where other family members can’t figure out what to do. Leaves will fall soon and freezing weather is coming. I need this thing set up to be fool proof and I’m not smart enough to do it. I hope it’s okay to parachute in with this comment and hope someone can point me to a Pentair programming wizard. The guy helping me doesn’t know macros.

@thataway61
1. Macros as they relate to IntelliCenter are not hard to understand at all and I have no doubt that you can do it.
2. Macros are nothing more that a series of commands (or instructions to IntelliCenter if you will), that you group together as a single command to accomplish a series of tasks automatically.
3. If you're smart enough to reply to a post here, then you're smart enough to create a macro in IntelliCenter.
4. Try watching this video link below. And then if you have further questions or need some additional help, you'll certainly be able to get it here on TFP.
r.

 

[MyAZPool]

@thataway61
Wait. hold up. I just noticed your signature. It states that you have an EasyTouch controller.
You can't do macros on an EasyTouch. Only an IntelliCenter or an IntelliTouch controller.
@Jimrahbe is an EasyTouch guru and maybe he can find some magic way for you to accomplish what you are trying to do. If in fact, your signature is correct.
r.

 

[Nateski]

This post looks like it might be just what I need. How do I get access to the Intellicenter Web Client Interface? I have my Intellicenter online. Is there a website url? The ability to do all this programming on my desktop computer would be GREAT!

 

[MyAZPool]

This post looks like it might be just what I need. How do I get access to the Intellicenter Web Client Interface? I have my Intellicenter online. Is there a website url? The ability to do all this programming on my desktop computer would be GREAT!

IntelliCenter

intellicenter2.com

 

[Nateski]

Thanks for the link. The original link didn't work. How do I set up a user account/password? Option not showing for me to set this up.

 

[MyAZPool]

Thanks for the link. The original link didn't work. How do I set up a user account/password? Option not showing for me to set this up.

Use the same user/password as you set up on the Outdoor Control Panel (OCP).

 

[Nateski]

I've tried that and it says 'user does not exist'. Confused...

 

[MyAZPool]

Here is the instructions just in case you missed something when setting up your account at the OCP. Go back through and ensure everything is copacetic.

Before you can login in to www.intellicenter2.com using the Web App, you need to add a new user account name and email address in the IntelliCenter Control System Outdoor Control Panel located in the main system Load Center.

Pentair User Portal/Add a New Account:
From the Home screen on the Outdoor Control Panel tap Settings > Pentair User Portal. Enable Web & Mobile Interface: Tap this button and select ON.
Add New Account: Enter the owner's information, email address, property name, password. The system will attempt to connect to the owner's account email address (via the Internet)

Connecting to your pool using the Web App: Go to www.intellicenter2.com and sign in using the pool owner's user email address. Select the your pool listed on the Installations screen to display the Home screen.

Pentair User Portal
Web and Mobile Interface: Tap to access the Web and Mobile Interface screen. The default setting for Web Interface is ON. This enables the Web App and Mobile Interface which allows local network and Internet communications to your home network. To disable Web based and mobile interface, set to OFF.
Note: For the IntelliCenter Control System to connect to the Web requires connection of the Wireless Bridge Transceiver Antenna to the Outdoor main circuit board or a hardwire Cat 5/6 ethernet connection. For installation instructions, see the IntelliCenter Control System Installation and User's Guide.

Login to Existing Account: (www.intellicenter2.com):
Enter email address and password. The system will attempt to connect to the owner's account email address via the Internet connection.

Update Owner Information:
Edit owner information: Property Name, Name of Owner, Address, City, State, Zip Code, County, Time Zone, Phone Number, E-Mail. Location information is populated when entered in General > Location , Date & Time.

View Connection Information:
View server connection information: Last messages received, total number of server connects.

 

[MyAZPool]

@Nateski
One important note. Ensure that the "Web and Mobile Interface", is set to the default setting of ON.
r.