IntelliCenter Initial Impressions / Not Working Well

pjt

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Jan 7, 2012
2,122
The Woodlands, TX
Pool Size
21000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
My IntelliCenter is up and running, but I can't hide my disappointment. It struggles performing fundamental tasks, such as maintaining communication with my IntelliFlo pump. I frequently get a "VS Communication Lost" message.

The IntelliCenter app doesn't work well at all. I have to close and restart the app every time I want to use it, otherwise it won't accurately show the status of my equipment.

I can't believe this is the flagship automation product for Pentair.
 
Something is not right. Are all of the issues with the app? If so, how is your wifi at the intellicenter box?

If the communication with the intelliflo pump and Intellicenter is not working, that would be an issue (assuming your pool circuit is active and you are not in service mode).
 
pjt,

My guess is that the idiots that installed your IntelliCenter wired your IntelliFlo pump into the automation's pump/filter relay.. This is just flat out wrong.. The IntelliFlo should get constant AC power..

Show me a pic of the relays and circuit breakers inside the IntelliCenter.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
pjt,

Ok, they are not complete idiots.. They are using the Aux 2 relay spot as the Pump/Filter relay, but that will work as long as that relay is plugged into the pump/filter relay connection on the main card. I personally like following the layout that is on the inside of the door and not just making stuff up.

The relay appears to be wired correctly as the pink wires are on the line side of the relay.. I "assume" that the pink wires go to the IntelliFlo. I'd want to double check that the coil wire from the relay in the middle is plugged into the Pump/Filter relay connection the main board.

The only other thing that could cause an intermittent loss of com with the IntelliFlo is that maybe one of the com connections is not tight. I'd tighten them all.

Loss of com is not a known problem with the IntelliCenter and it should never happen.. Something is wrong.. I have three IntelliFlo pumps and none of them have ever had a loss of com condition.

Since your pool is so new, I would have your pool builder have a Pentair tech come out and see what they can find.

Do you get the loss of com failure at any particular time? Right after the pump fires up, or maybe right after it is shut off ??

What does your basic pump schedule?

Keep in mind that if you go into the Service mode, the pump will no longer be connected to the com port.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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pjt,

Ok, they are not complete idiots.. They are using the Aux 2 relay spot as the Pump/Filter relay, but that will work as long as that relay is plugged into the pump/filter relay connection on the main card. I personally like following the layout that is on the inside of the door and not just making stuff up.

The relay appears to be wired correctly as the pink wires are on the line side of the relay.. I "assume" that the pink wires go to the IntelliFlo. I'd want to double check that the coil wire from the relay in the middle is plugged into the Pump/Filter relay connection the main board.

The only other thing that could cause an intermittent loss of com with the IntelliFlo is that maybe one of the com connections is not tight. I'd tighten them all.

Loss of com is not a known problem with the IntelliCenter and it should never happen.. Something is wrong.. I have three IntelliFlo pumps and none of them have ever had a loss of com condition.

Since your pool is so new, I would have your pool builder have a Pentair tech come out and see what they can find.

Do you get the loss of com failure at any particular time? Right after the pump fires up, or maybe right after it is shut off ??

What does your basic pump schedule?

Keep in mind that if you go into the Service mode, the pump will no longer be connected to the com port.

Thanks,

Jim R.

The pink wires go to the IntelliFlo. I reseated the connector on the pump and it's secure.

Pump is running 24/7.

The "Communication Lost" alert appears when I try to send commands to the pump, such as changing the rpm. After resetting the Intellicenter, the pump primed and then shut off, displaying the alert. After a while, it decided to clear the alert start working without any intervention. Maybe it was just an anomaly this morning. :unsure:
 
That version should work except the remote schedule change functions. I agree with Jim, the most likely cause of this error would be a bad connection of the RS 485 cable on either end. So I was sort of grasping at straws. Probably best since it's new to call the builder. I've not heard of this issue before. The only other thing I can think of is to check to be sure no other wires in the com port circuit are loose or improperly connected including the small board in the back of the panel. Com port devices are daisy-chained so a bad connection on any connector could cause this error. Any chance the low voltage signal wire is in the HV conduit or wrapped around it somewhere?

Chris
 
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Everything is working OK today. I'm hoping yesterday was just a fluke. Looking forward to upgrading the firmware.
 

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Back to not working. Since everything else is working correctly (lights, relays, etc.), is it possible there's a problem with the pump?

The pump begins its prime cycle:

IMG_20201112_203957.jpg

Around 45 seconds into the priming, it transitions to this:

IMG_20201112_202039.jpg

IMG_20201112_202022.jpg

The panel on the pump:

IMG_20201112_211828.jpg

At the end of the prime cycle, the pump turns off. Very frustrating.
 
pjt,

The pump's display says "Display not active" , just like your pic, when the pump is being controlled by the automation.. It appears to me the pump thinks that it is talking with your IntelliCenter.

You said above that the pump is running 24/7, so why is it priming?

Has your pool builder had a Pentair tech come out yet??

I have no idea what the problem is, but it could be the pump, but I am not sure it is an actual communications issue.

Did you look at both sides of the com cable where it connects to the pump?

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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I second getting a Pentair tech out. The pool hasn't been turned over to you by your PB yet, I would bug them daily about getting someone out. Definitely not a normal thing.

--Jeff
 
pjt,

You said above that the pump is running 24/7, so why is it priming?

Has your pool builder had a Pentair tech come out yet??

Did you look at both sides of the com cable where it connects to the pump?

It stops running (and displays the "Communication Lost" alert) when you try to change the rpm. If I reboot or cycle the power to system, the pump primes.

PB has not had Pentair out yet. I'll call them today.

For the cable, am I looking for something specific or just obvious problems (corrosion, dirt, bent pin, etc.)?
 
Solved!

The problem was with the IntelliFlo pump settings. Since the pump was losing communication towards the end of the priming cycle, I thought this section of the manual might be related:

20.jpg
Sure enough, after I disabled priming on the pump control panel, everything is working as it should. You would think Pentair's top-tier automation and pump would talk with each other seamlessly without having to dive into the manual and pump menu settings. :rolleyes:
 
pjt,

To be honest, you are the first person to report that issue. I have three IntelliFlo pump, none of them have the priming disabled, and in a total of 20 years of operation I have never had that failure... Something is wrong somewhere, but it appears you have found away around the problem..

Good job.. :thumleft:

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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The thing is, the pump is smarter than the automation when it comes to priming. It can detect that it has prime; automation just primes for a time and assumes it has succeeded. IMHO, you would be better served by performing priming in the pump and disabling priming in the automation. I wrote about this here:

 
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Makes sense. I am going to have to check into this. I know my water features pump primes unnecessarily, so I'll bet this would fix it. My pool pump I run 24/7 so unless I shut down to clean the leaf cannister, it never has to re-prime.

Thanks RJS!

--Jeff
 

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