Intellicenter heater automation

[shagymoe]

Can someone please confirm if it is possible to create schedules where the heater is on or off? It doesn't seem possible to me. I think the only way I can achieve this is by creating groups where the valve to my heater is open or closed an the heat setting is always on. Maybe this is ok but every time a different schedule starts, the heater will start until it realizes there is no flow and then stop. I imagine this is not great for the life of the heater. I really don't understand why there isn't a "heat on" setting for circuit groups or features.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moe,

I just converted from an EasyTouch to the IntelliCenter, so not yet up to speed on exactly how the IntelliCenter works.. But, you could schedule the EasyTouch to run so that the heater would come on and change temps based on schedules.. I would 'assume' you can do the same with the IntelliCenter.

I don't have a heater, but I'll see what I can dig up..

Let's see if one of our IntelliCenter experts can come to your rescue in the mean time.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moe,

Tell me the schedule you want to run..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

I think the only way I can achieve this is by creating groups where the valve to my heater is open or closed an the heat setting is always on.

What valve does your heater have?

How is your Gulfstream Heat Pump connected to the IntelliCenter?

For every schedule, you can specify the heat source and temperature.

 

[ajw22]

 

[shagymoe]

@ajw22 Thank you! I somehow overlooked the "Heat Source" setting in schedules. @Jimrahbe thank you for responding as well. For future reference, here's what it looks like in the web interface:

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[shagymoe]

I can only select the heat source for a schedule if the circuit is the spa.

 

[ajw22]

Is Pool & Skim a Feature Circuit or a Circuit Group?

 

[shagymoe]

Is Pool & Skim a Feature Circuit or a Circuit Group?

A circuit group. I don't see how I can configure the schedules I want if heat source is limited to feature circuits in a schedule. Hmmm....

 

[ajw22]

A circuit group. I don't see how I can configure the schedules I want if heat source is limited to feature circuits in a schedule. Hmmm....

Tell Pentair about your feature request, and maybe you will see it in a few years.

There are many configurations the Pentair designers never imagined.

 

[ajw22]

A circuit group. I don't see how I can configure the schedules I want if heat source is limited to feature circuits in a schedule. Hmmm....

So you want a heat setting in the Circuit Group that will override any heat setting in the underlying circuits in that group.

That means the IntelliCenter needs to keep track if a circuit is being run directly or through a Circuit Group. It can become confusing to the user to understand which heat setting is being used.

These are some of the complexities the designers need to consider.

 

[Ahultin]

I can only select the heat source for a schedule if the circuit is the spa.

sounds like you only have the heat source associated with spa, not pool and spa

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moe,

Why do you need a special "Pool and Skim" group circuit at all??

When I tried setting up the heater operation, I had one schedule for Pool and another schedule for Spa and they both worked..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[shagymoe]

Maybe I just don't understand how to use Aux Circuits, Feature Circuits and Circuit Groups correctly. Eg. How would I set up the following scenarios such that the heat can be set:
Technically having the Heater Bypass set to On isn't necessary but maybe it prolongs the life of the heater. Mainly I have it for when the heater needs replacing or servicing.

 

[ajw22]

Is your heater Affiliated Body set to Pool/Spa or just Spa?

 

[shagymoe]

Is your heater Affiliated Body set to Pool/Spa or just Spa?

Pool/Spa

 

[ajw22]

Maybe I just don't understand how to use Aux Circuits, Feature Circuits and Circuit Groups correctly. Eg. How would I set up the following scenarios such that the heat can be set:
View attachment 633363Technically having the Heater Bypass set to On isn't necessary but maybe it prolongs the life of the heater. Mainly I have it for when the heater needs replacing or servicing.

Let's discuss a few things...

Pentair actuators can only have two positions. You show four positions for the Intake Valve. How do you intend to do that?

You cannot directly program and control the position of pool/spa intake and return actuators. They are only controlled by selecting POOL, SPA or SPILLWAY modes.

You select the circuit, the actuator moves the valves automatically, the heater is set to the circuit setting, and the VS pump speed is set to the circuit speed.

I think you are making the programming more complicated than it needs to be.

My POOL mode runs 24/7 at 1400 RPM normally, and for POOL + SKIM, I just schedule a feature circuit to increase the speed to 2400 RPM, which gets my skimmer working hard.

There is no reason to change your skimmer/MD balance. Set it to what works best and leave it there. Typically, around 80% skimmer/20% MD works well.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Moe,

How many actuators do you have???

Show us several pics of your equipment pad.. so we can see all the valves, automatic or automated.

Like Allen, it sounds to me like you are just making things very difficult on your self.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Is your heater bypass actuator assigned to your Gas Heater circuit so it opens and closes automatically when heat is called for by the IntelliCenter?

Show us your valve assignment page.

 

[shagymoe]

@ajw22 @Jimrahbe I'm sure you're both right that I'm making this too complicated. I need to review what you posted and think about it a bit, I've just been super busy with work. Here's my pad config: