Lightning Strike knocks out pool equipment + more inside

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Around me any work runs about $1,000/day from a Pool Contractor.

Installing an IntelliFlo pump and replacing an Aqualink with an IntelliCenter takes about 3 days of work. Maybe 2 long days if the guy is experienced with IntelliCenter installs.

Has the guy who gave you the quote looked at your Aqualink and reviewed the way it is setup and what difficulties he may run into? I replaced my Aqualink with an IntelliCenter and it took me a good 3 days of work. You will find my thread on the issues I had at....

Replacing an Aqualink with an IntelliCenter

This thread is for me to work out what I do in upgrading my 20 year old pool equipment. Jandy RS8 automation, 1.5HP SS Pentair pump, Pentair Mastertemp 400 NG heater, IC40 SWG, typical pool/spa combo with spa spillover, Pentair JVA actuators on suctions & return Jandy valves, 1HP pump for spa...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

So $4,000 in parts plus some profit on that equipment + 3 days @ $1,000/day = $7000 not far from your $8,000 quote.

Does your IntelliCenter quote include new GFCI CBs? You should replace your CBs unless they are fairly new.

You should provide pump unions to be used with your Intelliflo pump...

Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com
 
Last edited:
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They are doing a bait and switch with you if they are quoting you IntelliFlo pump and IntelliCenter at their prices and then substituting WhisperFlo VST and EasyTouch with ScreenLogic at the higher price.
 
Hmmm. I found a post about the difference between easy touch vs intellicon

Automation - EasyTouch vs IntelliConnect

I've just ordered a Pentair IntelliFlo VSF pump (11056) to replace my failing single speed pump. At the same time, I've been considering switching over from Chlorine to a SWG like the Pentair IC40 and adding an automation option to control all this. For the automation options, I was quoted the...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
ajw22 said:
They are doing a bait and switch with you if they are quoting you IntelliFlo pump and IntelliCenter at their prices and then substituting WhisperFlo VST and EasyTouch with ScreenLogic at the higher price.
Click to expand...
That's what I'm wondering!
I found on the TFP:
For Pentair automation you have the following options:
  • IntelliConnect (basic)
  • EasyTouch w/ Screenlogic (older)
  • IntelliCenter (newest)
 
getalegup said:
Hmmm. I found a post about the difference between easy touch vs intellicon

Automation - EasyTouch vs IntelliConnect

I've just ordered a Pentair IntelliFlo VSF pump (11056) to replace my failing single speed pump. At the same time, I've been considering switching over from Chlorine to a SWG like the Pentair IC40 and adding an automation option to control all this. For the automation options, I was quoted the...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...

An IntelliConnect will not work with all the equipment you have in your signature.

Do not get confused between the IntelliConnect and the IntelliCenter. They are two very different systems.
 
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ajw22 said:
An IntelliConnect will not work with all the equipment you have in your signature.

Do not get confused between the IntelliConnect and the IntelliCenter. They are two very different systems.
Click to expand...
Right!
The point is to replace the pump and control panel first. They should work with our existing Polaris cleaner/booster and Hayward single cartridge filter.
Later we would upgrade to a bigger filter as the one we have is undersized.
Still later we would upgrade the cleaner once we figure out how best to handle our leaf/flower/acorn seasons!
 
The quotes say "Intelliflo" for the pump and Intellicenter I5PS.
Your comparison chart would make me question the exact model they intend to install because on the phone he mentioned WhisperFlo and ScreenLogic. I thought that someone on here would see through this if something were questionable.
 
Your signature says - Indoor Jandy AquaLink RS6, Jandy Aqualink RS Spalink RS8 Function Spa Side Remote.

If you want an Indoor control panel and a spa control panel with the IntelliCenter you will need to add Pentair versions to your buy and installation.

I installed an IntelliCenter Indoor Control Panel in place of my Jandy All Button Control Panel and the wire is reusable so you don't have to pull new wire.

I have a 4 button spa side Jandy remote that I was able to make work with the IntelliCenter but I don't think your 8 button Jandy spalink will work.
 
Installers who have not done many IntelliCenter installs get confused and think ScreenLogic is required with it.

So you can give them the benefit of the doubt and say they are just confused and inexperienced. You will probably pay for their inexperience and need to watch the decisions they are making for you.
 

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ajw22 said:
Around me any work runs about $1,000/day from a Pool Contractor.

Installing an IntelliFlo pump and replacing an Aqualink with an IntelliCenter takes about 3 days of work. Maybe 2 long days if the guy is experienced with IntelliCenter installs.
Click to expand...
Wow! 3 days for self professional installation? I will ask. I assumed it was a single day install. Maybe I'm assuming too much here.
ajw22 said:
Has the guy who gave you the quote looked at your Aqualink and reviewed the way it is setup and what difficulties he may run into? I replaced my Aqualink with an IntelliCenter and it took me a good 3 days of work. You will find my thread on the issues I had at....
Click to expand...
He looked at out controller after the lightning surge and gave us the quote a few days later.
ajw22 said:

Replacing an Aqualink with an IntelliCenter

This thread is for me to work out what I do in upgrading my 20 year old pool equipment. Jandy RS8 automation, 1.5HP SS Pentair pump, Pentair Mastertemp 400 NG heater, IC40 SWG, typical pool/spa combo with spa spillover, Pentair JVA actuators on suctions & return Jandy valves, 1HP pump for spa...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

So $4,000 in parts plus some profit on that equipment + 3 days @ $1,000/day = $7000 not far from your $8,000 quote.

Does your IntelliCenter quote include new GFCI CBs? You should replace your CBs unless they are fairly new.
Click to expand...
I'll have to ask
ajw22 said:
You should provide pump unions to be used with your Intelliflo pump...

Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
Wow! 3 days for self professional installation? I will ask. I assumed it was a single day install. Maybe I'm assuming too much here.

He looked at out controller after the lightning surge and gave us the quote a few days later.
 
Jimrahbe said:
Get,

Most members here don't find that to be true. I doubt you read on TFP, that it does.

Cheap stone will be affected by pool water, whether is it a saltwater pool or not.

Saltwater pools have the same pH range that non-saltwater pools have 7.2 to 7.8.

I have three saltwater pools and have had zero problems. That said, I do not have limestone and have no actual experience with it.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
I stand corrected! Thanks!

One of my friends installs w/ saltwater has the cheaper stone that is flaking off. It must be the cheaper stone.

Sorry for the mistake.
 
Not to muddy the water, but consider getting a competing quote for a Hayward OmniPL system w/ a TriStar VSP. They are comparable systems but you might get better pricing.
 
getalegup said:
Wow! 3 days for self professional installation? I will ask. I assumed it was a single day install. Maybe I'm assuming too much here.
Click to expand...

It can be a long day by two people. But that is effectively 3 man days.

It also depends how clean they do the install. A sloppy install can be thrown on the wall faster.

Takes an hour or so to unbox everything and examine it and make sure there is no damage.

Installing the pump is an hour or two.

All the existing wiring in the Aqualink needs to be figured out and labeled before it is disconnected.

CBs have to be mounted in the IntelliCenter and wired internally.

Wires may not reach the IntelliCenter box locations and need to be spliced.

Once the IntelliCenter is live the setup programming can take an hour or more.

Not having seen your current setup I can't judge if it will be simple or difficult. If the guy looked at it I would think he factored what he saw into his quote.
 
gingrbredman said:
Any idea what the lead time is for the parts? Intelliflo pumps and Intellicenters are not easy to come by these days.
Click to expand...
Great question. Pool Guy said he isn't sure about the availability of the cable that connects the IntelliFlo3 to the IntelliCenter. So, yeah, this is a good question.
gingrbredman said:
As for pricing, you can calculate the percent markup, but have to make the decision if that is worth it to you, and what someone else quotes as well. Would probably get more than one. Looks like you are moving away from the Jandy to Pentair, will the valves all be tied in to the Intellicenter too?
Click to expand...
This is our first quote. We can look at other pool companies that also qualify us for a $300 rebate from the city. I'm not 100% convinced the extended warranty is worth it but I've had 2 lightning strikes near my house to destroy electronics. Coincidence? IDK. We are considering getting whole house surge protection installed on our main panel.
gingrbredman said:
There really isn't such a thing as the wrong coping for a SWCG. Lower quality flagstone can have issues weather you use a SWCG to chlorinate the pool, or liquid chlorine. In no time, the use of pucks will add salt to the water (and a LOT of CYA or CH), and so will the use of muriatic acid, which you probably use because of the waterfalls. A lot of "chlorine pools" that just take liquid chlorine can have the same salinity as a SW pool in time. What is to blame for the flagstone falling apart then? It is not the way you generate the chlorine, it is the coping that is the issue, the environment, and not the device producing chlorine.


Not sure what the SWCG has to do with acidity. No matter how you chlorinate the pool, you will need to control the PH and TA. Pucks have their own issues with PH and TA as well, so that is not unique to a salt water pool.
Click to expand...
This is just a reflection of my lack of knowledge. I should have said pH but apparently there is more to the issue like the type of coping, etc. I'm still learning and don't want to screw up an expensive purchase like this.

Thanks for replying! I appreciate it!
 
Jimrahbe said:
Get,

Here is a good site to buy and to use as a reference..


Your cost to buy an IntelliFlo3 is $1,800.
Your cost to buy an IntelliCenter i5PS (no salt) is $2,260

Free shipping and no tax.

You are making a big mistake not going with a saltwater pool, but that is for another thread. :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Okay, now I'm a bit confused. I see you posted on one of these posts. I'm in Central Texas. I am not an expert but we have been told not to mix Saltwater generator with limestone. What keeps you from being convinced? I would love the convenience we would gain over the BBB method we are currently using by upgrading wit SWG. I've heard it so many times. IDK. I just don't want to problems associated with having to replace my coping and waterfall.

Google search results

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
Get,

The main problem I have is that almost everything is second or third hand. I've been told, or my brother's boss' pool.. etc.

I want to see some proof. Some scientific reasoning as to why it would happen.

I have a rent house pool where we installed flagstone coping but was warned by the contractor not to use saltwater. The pool was a standard tablet fed chlorine pool for about 3 years before I converted it to a saltwater pool. During those 3 years, as a standard chlorine pool, the flagstone continually shed thin layer of sand. You could easily pick out the bad stones from the good stones, often right next to one another. Fast forward to now and things are exactly the same. The flagstone still sheds, the bad stones are still bad, and the good stones are still good. The amount of shedding has not changed at all. The point is that the saltwater has made zero difference. The problem is the quality of the stone.

Really that is the overall problem. How would you or anyone else know the "quality" of their stone. I see your dilemma, as who would want to go with saltwater not knowing for sure that their pool would not be damaged.

Another thing is that saltwater is blamed for almost every owner induced failure, no matter what it is . If it failed, it has to be because of that evil saltwater. It could not possible be me, the owner, it has to that saltwater.

I can only go by my experience, and I have had zero failures on three saltwater pools here in the DFW area. If I built 10 more pools, they would all be saltwater pools.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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ajw22 said:
Around me any work runs about $1,000/day from a Pool Contractor.

Installing an IntelliFlo pump and replacing an Aqualink with an IntelliCenter takes about 3 days of work. Maybe 2 long days if the guy is experienced with IntelliCenter installs.

Has the guy who gave you the quote looked at your Aqualink and reviewed the way it is setup and what difficulties he may run into? I replaced my Aqualink with an IntelliCenter and it took me a good 3 days of work. You will find my thread on the issues I had at....

Replacing an Aqualink with an IntelliCenter

This thread is for me to work out what I do in upgrading my 20 year old pool equipment. Jandy RS8 automation, 1.5HP SS Pentair pump, Pentair Mastertemp 400 NG heater, IC40 SWG, typical pool/spa combo with spa spillover, Pentair JVA actuators on suctions & return Jandy valves, 1HP pump for spa...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
Wow! This is a very similar upgrade to mine! I have manual valves leading from each skimmer and bottom intakes. And, I don't have a heater or SWG to wire. This a a very thorough step-by-step post! Thanks!
ajw22 said:
So $4,000 in parts plus some profit on that equipment + 3 days @ $1,000/day = $7000 not far from your $8,000 quote.

Does your IntelliCenter quote include new GFCI CBs? You should replace your CBs unless they are fairly new.

You should provide pump unions to be used with your Intelliflo pump...

Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
 

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