Intellicenter Users - Freeze Protection warning

[Turbo1Ton]

Ok, I am not sure if this is across all Intellicenter systems or if it is just mine, but it appears that if there is a power interruption to the control system power, the freeze protection on the AUX circuits turns off.

The feature circuits do not lose the freeze protection, so any circuit in there, stays operating.

Well, I happened to check on the intellicenter this morning while at work, and I noticed that the freeze protection was not on. So I turned the freeze protection back on.

Shortly after I get a call at work from my wife saying the pool equipment was making funny noises. Have her check the pump basket because the web client says 3450 RPM and 0 flow. There is barely any water in it. Tell her to throw the breakers.

I rushed home (8 minutes away) and restarted everything. System started up in pool mode. Everything was fine. Because she had thrown the breakers, the freeze protection was back off. I came inside, and brought up the Intellicenter web client, and selected freeze protection again. Low and behold, about 15 minutes later, I get a no flow alert from my IC40 and the pump is trying to prime again. I killed the breaker and sat there thinking about what could be going wrong. It finally dawned on me that we had a power flash this morning around 6:30. If the freeze protection was turned off then, and I turned it back on about 2 hours later, because the pump lost prime, that the spa suction had to be the issue and is likely freezing/frozen. Got the system started again in pool mode. Got the heat gun and warmed the spa suction pipe up for a while. Reset my suction line actuator so it would always pull a trickle from the spa and pool. This should keep the line from freezing, even if the freeze protection gets turned off again.


TLDR; Check your freeze protection settings often on your Intellicenter as a power interruption seems to turn off the freeze protection to the AUX circuits.

--Jeff

 

[JJ_Tex]

Interesting. Mine just goes from Pool to Spa mode, but I did notice one time that it was only doing spa and not cycling between the 2 bodies. It was barely freezing so I didnt really worry about it, but I checked and the Pool circuit has freeze protection unchecked. I assumed I unchecked the box when I was messing around with the app, but maybe it was due to a power outage resetting it. Something to watch out for and glad you found it.

 

[Dirk]

@MyAZPool?

 

[MyAZPool]

Ok, I am not sure if this is across all Intellicenter systems or if it is just mine, but it appears that if there is a power interruption to the control system power, the freeze protection on the AUX circuits turns off.

The feature circuits do not lose the freeze protection, so any circuit in there, stays operating.

Well, I happened to check on the intellicenter this morning while at work, and I noticed that the freeze protection was not on. So I turned the freeze protection back on.

Shortly after I get a call at work from my wife saying the pool equipment was making funny noises. Have her check the pump basket because the web client says 3450 RPM and 0 flow. There is barely any water in it. Tell her to throw the breakers.

I rushed home (8 minutes away) and restarted everything. System started up in pool mode. Everything was fine. Because she had thrown the breakers, the freeze protection was back off. I came inside, and brought up the Intellicenter web client, and selected freeze protection again. Low and behold, about 15 minutes later, I get a no flow alert from my IC40 and the pump is trying to prime again. I killed the breaker and sat there thinking about what could be going wrong. It finally dawned on me that we had a power flash this morning around 6:30. If the freeze protection was turned off then, and I turned it back on about 2 hours later, because the pump lost prime, that the spa suction had to be the issue and is likely freezing/frozen. Got the system started again in pool mode. Got the heat gun and warmed the spa suction pipe up for a while. Reset my suction line actuator so it would always pull a trickle from the spa and pool. This should keep the line from freezing, even if the freeze protection gets turned off again.


TLDR; Check your freeze protection settings often on your Intellicenter as a power interruption seems to turn off the freeze protection to the AUX circuits.

--Jeff

Jeff, good advice!!! Thanks the info. I've never experienced anything like that but only because I don't mess with freeze protection.
I would let Pentair know about this anomaly.
Very interesting. Thanks again!!
r.

 

[DB-Cooper]

For what it’s worth, I just found that if I reboot my panel both Pool and Spa freeze protection goes off. The AUX circuits/water features do not. This is really a bad bug. This problem still exists 18 months later.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

For what it’s worth, I just found that if I reboot my panel both Pool and Spa freeze protection goes off. The AUX circuits/water features do not. This is really a bad bug. This problem still exists 18 months later.

Yeah, I really have no clue how they missed this one. I am terrified of this ever since I found it in winter of 2020/2021, when my spa suction froze up because it turned off after a power event. Fortunately I caught it in time and was able to thaw it out before any damage was done.

Great reminder for all Intellicenter users to make sure to check/double check/triple check freeze protection settings if you have any power events or apparently reboot the system.

--Jeff

 

[Dirk]

Unbelievable that this is still happening! More phone calls to Pentair would be in order. Squeaky wheel and all that...

 

[MyAZPool]

Already relayed to the Product Manager - Apps and UX
It will be on their radar.
r.

 

[MyAZPool]

Hi all.
I have a question from Pentair regarding this issue. If folks can provide any insight to this question, it may help them to sort it out.

"Do any users who have experienced this, recall if the app used to show if the IntelliCenter was in freeze protection mode with a message at the top of the screen, similar to how it is on the outside control panel?"

Thanks...
r..

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Hi all.
I have a question from Pentair regarding this issue. If folks can provide any insight to this question, it may help them to sort it out.

"Do any users who have experienced this, recall if the app used to show if the IntelliCenter was in freeze protection mode with a message at the top of the screen, similar to how it is on the outside control panel?"

Thanks...
r..

I think the question is asking is "did the app/web client show that freeze protection was on, when the power event toggled off freeze protection?"

I don't ever look at the OCP, so I wouldn't know what it said at the time. And since it has happened, I don't pay attention to what the app says, I am too busy going back in and making sure that the freeze protection gets toggled back on.

I am not certain I will be home during a freeze protection event when I will have time to trip the power and reset, until after Christmas. I would be happy to do this and answer the above question, but will be next week.

--Jeff

 

[Turbo1Ton]

@MyAZPool

Nevermind... I'm a moron.

I forced a freeze protect event by changing the air temp sensor calibration.

- Threw the breaker in the main panel, to simulate a power event to the Intellicenter.
- Waited 1 minute to let caps bleed down
- turned breaker back on
- returned to web client on my laptop and refreshed
- Freeze Protect active message is at the top of the screen



- Below is screenshot of the Circuit settings.





You will see that only the pool and spa circuits freeze protection are turned off. My features pump, and all my feature circuits still have the freeze protect turned on. I can't advise if this is functioning at the moment, as I winterize my water features (wall waterfalls, deck jets, and bubblers) but have freeze protect for late October and early March/April when we can still get dips overnight. I would assume though that this would still be functioning as all the circuits on the features pump are showing turned on.

My main pool pump comes back on, since I have the IFCS (cleaner) circuit freeze protection on, so freeze protection for the pool is not compromised, however it will not cycle between the spa, since it has turned off freeze protect on the spa circuit.

Please feel free to send any/all of the above to Pentair for their use/information.

Let me know what else you might need to see.

--Jeff

 

[MyAZPool]

I think the question is asking is "did the app/web client show that freeze protection was on, when the power event toggled off freeze protection?"

I don't ever look at the OCP, so I wouldn't know what it said at the time. And since it has happened, I don't pay attention to what the app says, I am too busy going back in and making sure that the freeze protection gets toggled back on.

I am not certain I will be home during a freeze protection event when I will have time to trip the power and reset, until after Christmas. I would be happy to do this and answer the above question, but will be next week.

--Jeff

Hi Jeff...
That's great info and has been passed along.
I'm guessing feedback of this type with regards to this bug, the better understanding they will have to fix it. My understanding is that this issue has already been pushed to the "Automation / IoT" team as well.
Maybe if it doesn't take too much research and or vetting, possibly they can include it in the next firmware update (V2.006) coming soon.
Thanks much and happy holidays...
r.

 

[MyAZPool]

@Turbo1Ton
Jeff...
Is it possible to send over some screenshots from the mobile app while doing this test as well?
Thanks..
r.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

@MyAZPool

Here are a handful of screenshots from the iOS app as I performed the same test again. Not sure what exactly is needed.

Nowhere in the app does it say freeze protect is active, even after I turned freeze protect back on for both pool and spa circuits.

If there is a photo of a specific menu or other information that is needed, please let me know.







--Jeff

 

[MyAZPool]

@Turbo1Ton
That's great Jeff. Thanks.
I'll get that passed along as well. I'll let ya know if I hear something.
Also, I made special note to the fact that nowhere in the mobile app does it indicate that freeze protection is active.
r.

 

[MyAZPool]

Hi all...
I received the following message from Pentair. This information is direct from the Pentair Engineering Team.

They advise that any IntelliCenter user who is experiencing this issue, please send the following information to them asap.
1. Please have them export the config (via Advanced System Configuration --> Import/Export --> Export System Configuration --> Export to USB )
2. Also, we need to know what version of IntelliCenter Firmware they are currently running, when they noticed this issue.

Transfer this file (attachment) to an email and email the file and information directly to: [email protected]
Recommend that you place the following in the subject line: IntelliCenter Freeze Protection issue
The more folks that can reply to this request, the better understanding their team may have in attempting to solve this issue.
Thanks..
Have a safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
r.

 

[PdInc]

I don’t know the why’s or how’s, but I’ve always had freeze protection “ON” for pool and spa in the Intellicenter that was installed this summer. Woke up yesterday to 7º temps here in Texas and the pump and lines were frozen - freeze protection was not enabled!

Tented the equipment and left a heat gun blowing for a few hours and was able to get the Intelliflo pump started, but realized the NEW Intellichlor is cracked and leaking. Not sure what else has been damaged, but Dang I’m ******.

 

[Dirk]

I don’t know the why’s or how’s, but I’ve always had freeze protection “ON” for pool and spa in the Intellicenter that was installed this summer. Woke up yesterday to 7º temps here in Texas and the pump and lines were frozen - freeze protection was not enabled!

Tented the equipment and left a heat gun blowing for a few hours and was able to get the Intelliflo pump started, but realized the NEW Intellichlor is cracked and leaking. Not sure what else has been damaged, but Dang I’m ******.

It'll be interesting to see what Pentair is made of. I'd submit the SWG for a warranty replacement and cite this thread, which is complete with one of their engineer's email address, to show Pentair is well aware of this issue, and see what they say.

Meanwhile, @Leebo, is there some way to leverage the TFP database to send an email message warning about this issue to everyone that has listed an IntelliCenter in their profile or signature? (Something Pentair should have done!)

If that is something TFP might be willing to get into, part of the challenge will be how the unit is listed. For example, my pal @tomas21 doesn't include the word "IntelliCenter" in his signature, only the model number: "i10PS." Something you might want to correct, Tomas.

Alternately, has this thread reached "featured" status? If not, can it be tagged so?

 

[PdInc]

It'll be interesting to see what Pentair is made of. I'd submit the SWG for a warranty replacement and cite this thread,

Great minds think alike, I already sent an email to the address listed above and referenced this thread.
We’ll see.

 

[DB-Cooper]

My pool appears to have survived, but I had a number of issues with Freeze Protection. Exacerbated by the fact that I'm skiing in Tahoe, 1500 miles away from my home. Besides what I reported earlier that if you reboot the system or have a power failure, freeze protection defaults to "Off". Fortunately, we didn't lose power, but I did observe the following two issues/glitches:

1. If a pool or spa circuit is ALREADY running prior to freeze protection turning on (like via schedule), I noticed that the system never rotates between spa and pool, it just stays on the initial mode despite saying freeze protection. If you turn the mode that is running off, it'll flip to the other one (and say Freeze Protection), but again it won't rotate at the 15 minute interval. This became a major issue for me, and I was able to resolve it by manipulating my temperatures to get out of freeze protection, then turn all modes off, then revert the temperature back, freeze protection then activates and rotates appropriately. I spent hours farting with it before trying that trick and seeing it work perfectly, until...

2. I don't know what happened, but my system was working fine for 1.5 days, rotating between pool and spa. I woke up Saturday morning and saw that my spa temperature was 4 degrees warmer than my pool. That shouldn't be! I looked in the temperature history and noticed my spa mode hadn't ran in over 15 hours. I had a near heart attack. I manually turned the spa mode on and prayed (1500 miles away). Amazingly, it fired right up with no issue. I guess my tent and heat lamp paid off. I then took it out of freeze protection by over-writing the temperature, turning everything off and then fixing the temperature. It continued to rotate for another day before falling out of freeze protection appropriately when the weather warmed sufficiently. I'm baffled by this one. I keep checking my app every few hours to make sure it's rotating.

This is truly unacceptable, I hope Pentair stands up and warrants defective equipment caused by their crappy automation. I've had a horrible customer service experience with them on my Globrites, demanding I removed them and take pictures of serials in the middle of winter, despite sending videos and doing their bizarre resync procedure. I'm really disappointed in how they're handling that case. I held Pentair in high regard, but I really do not anymore.