Nothing has been provided on this and I haven't thought to ask. I guess I just figured I don't really have a say as things will get connected the way they usually do.
I feel like I hired a PB for expertise in something! Hahaha...
New Build - Control Panel
- Thread starter NYinATX
- Start date
I feel like I hired a PB for expertise in something! Hahaha...
- Jan 7, 2012
- 2,122
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
It's your pool and your money. You have the final say. Be directive if necessary.
PBs will generally do things the cheapest and easiest way possible. They're not looking out for your best interests.
You have a lot of say as it is your money and you have to live with the outcome. The PB does provide his expertise in project planning, pool design and hiring subcontractors if he does not have in-house capabilities. He should provide you a plumbing plan that shows all the suction and return pipes plus a basic layout of the equipment pad. The plumber will have some freedom to make it all fit, but you can input what you want such as using diverter valves rather than ball valves, asking for a heater by-pass, removing the chlorinator, etc.I guess I just figured I don't really have a say as things will get connected the way they usually do.
I was partially kidding on what I get a say on... I literally know zero about how the pool equipment should be laid out so I was just going to trust on that. I do know that my skimmers are independently plumbed and we have 5 returns on a loop throughout the pool. I will definitely make sure that the plumber uses pentair diverter valves. All of our equipment listed is Pentair, so I can't imagine it would be an issue.
You listed a heater by-pass. What is that needed for?
And thank you and @pjt (and everyone else) for all of the 1st hand knowledge - I've already made a big change going with SWG and am excited for it! Now it's just a matter of them being able to provide the IC60 vs the IC40 (we're working through it, but since we just under 15K gallons, PB says IC40 is ample. I read that IC60 has a better lifespan so figured I should just go for that)
While it is not mandatory, it can be very useful down the road to isolate your heater if needed - like for the freeze in Feb. '21. The plumber can put it in easily if he is aware to do it The only extra cost is a diverter valve and a check valve.
See Heater Bypass - Further Reading
If the PB will provide you a basic schematic of the equipment pad plumbing design, we can help guide you on what to be watchful of. You will be doing the maintenance in the future, thus will need to understand what flows where and why. It may be overwhelming now but will become easier going forward.
The good thing about the Pentair IC60 and IC40 is that they are completely interchangeable - so if you can only acquire the IC40 now, then you can always upgrade to the IC60 when you have to replace the cell in 6-7 years from now. As you state, the IC40 will meet the minimum requirements but the IC60 is better and the price increase is minor for the value received.
- Jan 7, 2012
- 2,122
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
It also improves the hydraulic efficiency of your system when you're not using the heater. You're able to run your pump at a lower RPM, which saves you money.
You'll love the SWG. The IC40 would work fine for you. However, the IC60 would provide a longer service life for a small additional cost.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,079
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You should be getting the new model "connected" MasterTemp 400K gas heater that automatically controls the heater bypass.
Your builder should install AUTOMATIC BY-PASS VALVE KIT (P/N 462048)FOR MASTERTEMP® AND MAX-E-THERM® POOL AND SPA HEATERS
When the heater has a call for heat it will open the bypass and when the heater stops heating it will automatically close the bypass.
Getting the connected heater is another reason you should get the IntelliCenter and not the EasyTouch. The connected heater can connect to the IntelliCenter with the RS-485 comm line and send errors and status to be displayed on the IntelliCenter. If you have the ET all that will be displayed on the heater control panel and you will need to go to the equipment pad to see the heater status or errors.
