- Jun 17, 2019
- 58
- Pool Size
- 18000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
So I've been following the IntelliCenter upgrade and advanced automation threads started by @MyAZPool (Ron), and have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade my Pentair ET8 system that was installed during the original pool build in 2006. My goal is primarily to take advantage of some of the new and expanded features, especially the remote access, but also because I love a challenge and the satisfaction that comes from these kinds of projects. Here's the current equipment that I'm working with on this project:
About two months ago, I ran into a snag as I was reading the online version of the upgrade kit's manual. There is a huge note in the manual with a photo that indicates the upgrade is not compatible with systems that have the SCG circuit breaker mounted to a small tab on the Load Center chassis LV compartment instead of on the bracket with the 3A and 5A circuit breakers.
I did some research, contacted Pentair, and was told that if I was comfortable with cutting that little tab off of the chassis, that the legacy upgrade kit would work. I was sold! But alas, NOBODY had the upgrade in stock. So the waiting began. Then about two weeks ago I was able to find it online (although not at PolyTec pools, which has become my favorite supplier BY FAR), and placed the order. It came in last week, so I started diving into the specifics of how the upgrade would proceed, and that's when the next snag hit.
The legacy upgrade kit does NOT include the bracket-mounted SCG 12A circuit breaker that would replace the 10A chassis-mounted breaker. That was easy enough to find for less than $10 including shipping as opposed to the $50+ if it comes in a Pentair bag (even though it doesn't have Pentair marked anywhere on it).
As I started thinking about "what else" might make Pentair say this upgrade kit isn't compatible with my version of the ET8, I went back and tried to find exactly what was different between the legacy and newer ET systems. What I found is that at some point after my system was installed in 2006, Pentair changed the Load Center from a two-bar, side-by-side breaker orientation to a fully vertical, one-bar orientation. That then led to the revelation that the way the SCG circuit board is mounted also changed. My system has that board mounted on the floor of the LV compartment, and the newer systems use an upgraded board that is mounted on the rear wall of the LV compartment just to the left of the circuit breaker bracket. While the recent rain here in Houston has kept me from verifying visually, my gut tells me that the new control panel would probably interfere with the floor mounted SCG circuit board, so that's why they just call it incompatible. Oh, and there's a new SCG transformer to boot as well.
Since I had already dropped $900 on the upgrade kit and ordered the SCG circuit breaker, I decided to see if I could upgrade the SCG circuit board and transformer to the newer units which in theory would make the upgrade compatible. A quick call to Pentair tech support verified that the old and new SCG transformers have the same rating and voltage taps, so no need to replace the transformer. The SCG cable between the bottom of the LV raceway and the SGC circuit board did not change, so I was good there. So that left just the SCG circuit board to replace. While the old board may work, from looking at the two boards online I don't think the old style board would be easy to mount on the back wall of the LV compartment. So another $235 part ordered, and I think I'm good to go, even if I have to drill into the chassis wall to mount the new board (I doubt the holes are there). BTW, I did consider just ordering a new Load Center, but that's out of stock everywhere as well. And I think I'd still need the SCG circuit board anyway.
IF we get some dry weather this weekend, and IF the circuit breaker and circuit board are delivered, then I'm going to try to do this upgrade this weekend. I'll also be bringing the panel up to code with the Siemens GFCI breakers for the main and waterfall pumps, and once I get the new panel configured and fully operational, I'll be installing a Raspberry Pi with a 7" touchscreen to take even further control of my system. Plus, the RPi and touchscreen will replace the existing ET8 indoor control panel since (1) I want a quick way for people in my house other than me to operate the pool, (2) NOBODY has the Pentair IntelliCenter panels in stock, and (3) the RPi solution, including the wall mount kit, is more than $250 less expensive!
I'll post a follow up as I make progress or hit any additional snags, and will post a final configuration parts lists and upgrade instructions once I'm successful in case anyone else has similar plans down the road.
Tracy
- EasyTouch 8 automation (This is considered a "legacy" system to Pentair with regards to the IntelliCenter upgrade path)
- ET8 indoor control panel
- IntelliFlo VS main pump (Just replaced after the Texas freeze)
- IntelliChlor IC40 SCG
- IntellipH pH controller
- WhisperFlo 1 1/2 hp waterfall pump
- Pentair 3/4 hp booster pump (currently not used since I have a Dolphin 30i robotic cleaner)
- MasterTemp heater
- Pool Tone LED lights (2 in the pool, 1 in the spa; replaced legacy SAM and SAL lights)
About two months ago, I ran into a snag as I was reading the online version of the upgrade kit's manual. There is a huge note in the manual with a photo that indicates the upgrade is not compatible with systems that have the SCG circuit breaker mounted to a small tab on the Load Center chassis LV compartment instead of on the bracket with the 3A and 5A circuit breakers.
I did some research, contacted Pentair, and was told that if I was comfortable with cutting that little tab off of the chassis, that the legacy upgrade kit would work. I was sold! But alas, NOBODY had the upgrade in stock. So the waiting began. Then about two weeks ago I was able to find it online (although not at PolyTec pools, which has become my favorite supplier BY FAR), and placed the order. It came in last week, so I started diving into the specifics of how the upgrade would proceed, and that's when the next snag hit.
The legacy upgrade kit does NOT include the bracket-mounted SCG 12A circuit breaker that would replace the 10A chassis-mounted breaker. That was easy enough to find for less than $10 including shipping as opposed to the $50+ if it comes in a Pentair bag (even though it doesn't have Pentair marked anywhere on it).
As I started thinking about "what else" might make Pentair say this upgrade kit isn't compatible with my version of the ET8, I went back and tried to find exactly what was different between the legacy and newer ET systems. What I found is that at some point after my system was installed in 2006, Pentair changed the Load Center from a two-bar, side-by-side breaker orientation to a fully vertical, one-bar orientation. That then led to the revelation that the way the SCG circuit board is mounted also changed. My system has that board mounted on the floor of the LV compartment, and the newer systems use an upgraded board that is mounted on the rear wall of the LV compartment just to the left of the circuit breaker bracket. While the recent rain here in Houston has kept me from verifying visually, my gut tells me that the new control panel would probably interfere with the floor mounted SCG circuit board, so that's why they just call it incompatible. Oh, and there's a new SCG transformer to boot as well.
Since I had already dropped $900 on the upgrade kit and ordered the SCG circuit breaker, I decided to see if I could upgrade the SCG circuit board and transformer to the newer units which in theory would make the upgrade compatible. A quick call to Pentair tech support verified that the old and new SCG transformers have the same rating and voltage taps, so no need to replace the transformer. The SCG cable between the bottom of the LV raceway and the SGC circuit board did not change, so I was good there. So that left just the SCG circuit board to replace. While the old board may work, from looking at the two boards online I don't think the old style board would be easy to mount on the back wall of the LV compartment. So another $235 part ordered, and I think I'm good to go, even if I have to drill into the chassis wall to mount the new board (I doubt the holes are there). BTW, I did consider just ordering a new Load Center, but that's out of stock everywhere as well. And I think I'd still need the SCG circuit board anyway.
IF we get some dry weather this weekend, and IF the circuit breaker and circuit board are delivered, then I'm going to try to do this upgrade this weekend. I'll also be bringing the panel up to code with the Siemens GFCI breakers for the main and waterfall pumps, and once I get the new panel configured and fully operational, I'll be installing a Raspberry Pi with a 7" touchscreen to take even further control of my system. Plus, the RPi and touchscreen will replace the existing ET8 indoor control panel since (1) I want a quick way for people in my house other than me to operate the pool, (2) NOBODY has the Pentair IntelliCenter panels in stock, and (3) the RPi solution, including the wall mount kit, is more than $250 less expensive!
I'll post a follow up as I make progress or hit any additional snags, and will post a final configuration parts lists and upgrade instructions once I'm successful in case anyone else has similar plans down the road.
Tracy
