Intellicenter preview

[dianedebuda]

Trying to figure out what equipment I want; whether it'll be DIY or installed is TBD - dependent on availability, warranty & price.

What I'd be controlling:
pump
filter
solar
SWG
5 seat jets in pool
lights

For Pentair, looking at:
Pentair Intelliflow VS 3 HP
Pentair Intellicenter i5PSIC60 Kit

I don't think I need the i8, but...

From my current point of knowledge, not sure about programming for multiple valves.
Before I dive into more detailed research, will I be able to program as a single setting for:
pump+filter
pump+filter+swg (low)
pump+filter+swg (high)
pump+filter+solar+swg (low)
pump+filter+solar+swg (high)
pump+filter+solar+jets+swg (low)
pump+filter+jets+swg (low)

Not asking HOW to do, just IF it can be done at this point - before getting deep into the IntelliCenter Quick Reference/Information Guide, etc.

 

[Jimrahbe]

D,

You have a misunderstanding of how Pentair automation works..

You don't schedule the pump or filter... Basically you schedule the system to be in the Pool mode or the Spa mode.

You generally schedule what Pentair calls "Circuits".. Other than your IntelliFlo, if you want to control something that requires 120 or 240 volts to work, then that requires a relay.. For example.. to turn on a light you will need a relay. If you have five lights and you want to control them independently, you will need five relays.. If you want them to all come on at once and be the same color, then one relay will work. If you have a spa blower motor it will require a relay. If you want a pad light, it will need a relay, etc, etc.

The i5PSIC60 comes with 5 relays, but one of them, the pump/filter relay, must be used to control the SWCG.

You can also schedule valves, which controls where water flows.. Your standard IntelliCenter comes with four valve drivers.. Two of them must be used to switch between the pool and spa modes.. That leaves you with two that you can use as you wish.. If you need more than two, you will have to add additional valve drivers..

You can make your IntelliFlo pump run at any speed you want via a serial cable, so no relays are needed for this.

Do you plan to have a spa? I believe that the IntelliCenter you list is for a Pool and Spa system.

When you say 5 "jets" in the pool are these in addition to the normal pool returns or ???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[dianedebuda]

I was afraid my semantics were going to bite here. And my concept is a bit fuzzy; that's what prompted the post.

As I understand, you normally program pump/filter/solar based on time/temp schedules. I have a single pool light which shouldn't be a problem.

What I'm getting confused about is if there's the ability to have a "push button" situation that overrides the schedule. I have a pool (no spa), but have 5 spa-type jets in the pool that I can turn on instead of the returns (separate pipes for returns/jets). I want to be able to "push button" these jets. I suspect that I could use the spa scenerio to switch from return lines to the jet lines (which auto lowers chlorine output IIRC), but the pump speed needs to vary depending on if the solar is on or off. So in essence, my "push button" would have dependencies. So can my "push button" for the jets be done with Intellicenter just by defining them as a Spa with it's own pump/filter/solar schedule?

Hopefully this is clearer. Been working too much with swamp water so everything is muddy.

I chose the Pool/Spa package because it has 2 actuators: one for the jets & one for the solar. Wrong?

 

[Jimrahbe]

I chose the Pool/Spa package because it has 2 actuators: one for the jets & one for the solar. Wrong?

No, having both the pool and spa mode will not hurt anything..

If you can Schedule something you can also turn it on or off using a button or icon.

In general, the IntelliCenter should be able to do all the things you want..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[dianedebuda]

Thanks. Just posting about it & your questions have helped clear what my goals should be. Had been looking at a Hayward AquaPlus that jimmythegreek had suggested, but by the time I add in all the wireless stuff & actuators, suspect cost isn't going to be that different from this Pentair.

Back to my regularly scheduled thread: Prepping for reviving out of service pool

 

[dianedebuda]

I've read the manuals and think I have it figured out, but would like confirmation. jimmythegreek has been helping me, but he says he hasn't done much with Pentair. My in-pool spa jets seem to be unusual and the solar component makes it more complicated. kimkats suggested that I keep all my stuff in a single thread, but I haven't heard from any Pentair folks there.

post #60 in my Prepping thread