Intellicenter setup

[4x4tx]

@Jimrahbe and others,

I just got my intellicenter up and running. This is how it is setup as of right now, in looking at these schedules, in my climate of Houston Tx, what would be the suggestions for run times and rpms for my equipment.

My pool is 17,500 gallons with a spillover basin for the infinity edge. How long does that pump need to run daily? Right now its running as much as the regular pump. With the way the pool sits, the south wind keeps the water from spilling over much..its more of a dribble here and there unless I really crank up the pumps.

 

[4x4tx]

And how accurate this reading?

 

[4x4tx]

Nobody?

Something else on the app...when I look at pools..there is a slider that I dont know what that does but it appears to turn off and on my salt cell? What does it mean for the spa?

 

[ajw22]

And how accurate this reading?

View attachment 424584

Which reading are you asking about?

The salt level is not very accurate. A temperature sensor on the flow switch that is off will cause the salt level to be off. You should never believe what the cell tells you the salt level is. Always check using your salt test kit.

 

[4x4tx]

Which reading are you asking about?

The salt level is not very accurate. A temperature sensor on the flow switch that is off will cause the salt level to be off. You should never believe what the cell tells you the salt level is. Always check using your salt test kit.

@ajw22 Yes the salt level and thats what I figured.

This is the slider I was talking about.

And about run times...these are the specs on my pool according to designers program in gallons:
16384 gallons in the pool
943 gallons spa
653 gallons in the spillover

The spa flows over into the pool and the pool can dribble over into the spillover or if I turn on the secondary pump it will push it over faster .

On the main pump, is low speed for 8 hours a day sufficient and then 3 -4 hours at high speed?

I feel like the secondary pump could be ran much less than the primary. I want to run the pool to what it needs to no more than that.

 

[ajw22]

The spa flows over into the pool and the pool can dribble over into the spillover or if I turn on the secondary pump it will push it over faster .

What is the secondary pump for?

On the main pump, is low speed for 8 hours a day sufficient and then 3 -4 hours at high speed?

Running your IC40 at 50% for 12 hours will generate 2.3 ppm of FC/day in your 18,000 gallon pool.

In TX your daily chlorine consumption is 3 to 4 ppm/day.

Running 8 hours at 100% will give you 3 ppm of FC.

Running 10 hours at 100% will give you 4 ppm of FC.

So that is the range of your minimum pump runtime.

I feel like the secondary pump could be ran much less than the primary. I want to run the pool to what it needs to no more than that.

I don't understand your primary pump versus secondary pump.

 

[4x4tx]

Ok thanks.

@ajw22 the secondary pump is only for the infinity edge basin. It can either circulate within itself, i can split it between the pool and basin or I can push it all into the pool and the "return" is over the infinity edge back into the basin.

If I had the secondary pump turned off and the pool spilled over enough from the wind it would eventually over fill and spill into the yard.

 

[ajw22]

Do you run the secondary pump without the filter pump?

Does the Intellichlor cell have flow when the secondary pump is running?

 

[4x4tx]

@ajw22

Yes you can run the secondary pump without the filter pump.

No secondary pump does not run through the intellichlor cell from what I can tell.

And like I mentioned, if i turn that slider off, the intellichlor turns off even with the filter pump which I didnt know would happen.

 

[ajw22]

So you need to run your filter pump for the SWG run time needed to generate the chlorine you need.

Make sure you have sufficient SWG % generation and run time for your chlorine needs.

 

[4x4tx]

So you need to run your filter pump for the SWG run time needed to generate the chlorine you need.

Make sure you have sufficient SWG % generation and run time for your chlorine needs.

@ajw22 here are a couple of pics to better visualize

 

[4x4tx]

What is the secondary pump for?



Running your IC40 at 50% for 12 hours will generate 2.3 ppm of FC/day in your 18,000 gallon pool.

In TX your daily chlorine consumption is 3 to 4 ppm/day.

Running 8 hours at 100% will give you 3 ppm of FC.

Running 10 hours at 100% will give you 4 ppm of FC.

So that is the range of your minimum pump runtime.




I don't understand your primary pump versus secondary pump.

So 10 hours a day on the main pump at 100% and then anytime with a lower speed? Does it matter during daylight vs nighttime?

Secondary pump just enough to to turn it over?

 

[ajw22]

So 10 hours a day on the main pump at 100% and then anytime with a lower speed?

As long as the lower speed is enough to engage the cell flow switch it counts for your SWG time.

I don't see any reason to be running your filter pump and not generating chlorine.

You said you wanted to run your filter pump the minimum time necessary.

I run my pump 24/7 at 1700 rpm and am generating chlorine 24/7.

Does it matter during daylight vs nighttime?

Nope.

Secondary pump just enough to to turn it over?

Run your secondary pump whatever your catch basin needs.

It doesn't do filtering, heating, or chlorine generation.

 

[4x4tx]

As long as the lower speed is enough to engage the cell flow switch it counts for your SWG time.

I don't see any reason to be running your filter pump and not generating chlorine.

You said you wanted to run your filter pump the minimum time necessary.

I run my pump 24/7 at 1700 rpm and am generating chlorine 24/7.



Nope.



Run your secondary pump whatever your catch basin needs.

It doesn't do filtering, heating, or chlorine generation.what iin

What is the math on what speed is needed to run 24/7 at low speed to generate 4FC?

Does that use less electricity than 10hours on full power?

Maybe i should clarify I want to be the most efficient with electric use that gets the job done with both pumps. So if 24/7 at 50% works and is better on electricity than I’m fine with that

 

[ajw22]

What is the math on what speed is needed to run 24/7 at low speed to generate 4FC?

Does that use less electricity than 10hours on full power?

Maybe i should clarify I want to be the most efficient with electric use that gets the job done with both pumps. So if 24/7 at 50% works and is better on electricity than I’m fine with that

You need to determine the lowest speed your pump runs at that turns off the flow light on the cell. Then add 200 rpm to it. That is the lowest pump speed and electrical use to generate chlorine.

Then if you have a VSF pump look at the watts at that RPM.

Running that speed for 10 hours is your most efficient pump use.

Now that low speed may not give you the best skimming so some folks run a higher speed for 2 hours or so of skimming. Again you have to find what works best for your pool.

 

[4x4tx]

You need to determine the lowest speed your pump runs at that turns off the flow light on the cell. Then add 200 rpm to it. That is the lowest pump speed and electrical use to generate chlorine.

Then if you have a VSF pump look at the watts at that RPM.

Running that speed for 10 hours is your most efficient pump use.

Now that low speed may not give you the best skimming so some folks run a higher speed for 2 hours or so of skimming. Again you have to find what works best for your pool.

Ok like you, my minimum was 1500 rpm before the cell turned off....so i kept it at 1700 for 24/7 but also a ran a pump high program in the middle of that for 2 hours for skimming purposes. at 1700 my watts reading is 248.

Does running it 24/7 shorten the life span of the pump or is that better for it?

On the secondary pump, i feel like I need to run it enough to keep algae from growing in it but dont feel like I need to run it 24/7 even at low speed. At low 800rpm it only reads 17 watts though.

 

[ajw22]

Does running it 24/7 shorten the life span of the pump or is that better for it?

I believe it is better for it. Equipment do not like thermal cycles. Thermal cycles add a lot of wear to mechanical and electrical equipment. Nothing in the pump wears out due to running. I believe sitting idle rusting and thermal cycles create more wear then running. YMMV.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Does running it 24/7 shorten the life span of the pump or is that better for it?

4.

I too believe that running the pump 24/7 is better for it. I say that with absolutely no proof that is true.

That said, I am running a personal test with my three pools. They all have 3 HP IntelliFlo pumps that have been running 24/7 since they were installed. One pump is over 10 years old, one is over 8 years old, and the pump at my house is over 7 years old.

Assuming the pumps die before me, TFP members will be the first to know.. OK, the second to know.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[4x4tx]

Ok thanks I will leave running 24/7.

Another question, is the pool math log links not working? I need some help with my numbers but cant get the link to post.

My current numbers

FC 3.5
PH 8.0
TA 70
CH 275
CYA 40
Salt 4000
Temp 91
CSI .14

Looks like I need to get PH down and TA not any lower. CH also needs to come up? CYA is also low for a SWG correct? I can create a new post for this if I need to.

 

[ajw22]

Just lower your pH from 8 to around 7.6. Your TA will not move much.

What is the CH of your fill water? I think you are in a high CH area and your CH will rise over time as you replace evaporation. No rush in raising your CH then.

Youc an use 30 ppm more of SYA to around 70-80 in your area.