New Guy - Intellicenter vs. Jandy

[guinness]

It was suggested to me by the guy who works for the pool contractor to install the Pentair Intellicenter i8PS although I was shocked by his "do it on the side" price.

Based on your current setup you could buy the IntelliCenter i8PS Kit for about $2700 to replace your Aqualink panel.

My current Aqualink uses 7 aux connections - 1x for each of the 2 infinity spillover VSF pumps, 1 x for the booster VSF pump, 1x for each of pool, spa and bahama lights and 1x for the air blower.

As it stands you would only be using 4 relays. The IntelliCenter supports up to 16 IntelliFlo pumps using RS-485 cables.

 

[JSam]

Based on your current setup you could buy the IntelliCenter i8PS Kit for about $2700 to replace your Aqualink panel.


As it stands you would only be using 4 relays. The IntelliCenter supports up to 16 IntelliFlo pumps using RS-485 cables.

Got it. Just curious. My salt cell is a brand new IC40. About 1.4x my pool size. I'm not using it yet as I wanted to better understand the Chemtrol/water chemistry before adding the extra variable. Should I be using the IC60 (I thunk guys have recommended 2x)? If I buy the IntelliCenter i8PS Kit but not with salt am I only excluding the external salt cell? Meaning the electronics to control a preexisting salt cell are incorporated into all systems?

Thank you for your help!

 

[JSam]

I have to say what I know of the AquaLink and given your equipment it isn't even a close match to control it. If I were you I would either replace it with IntelliCenter or do a Nixie setup for more power and automation. Bummer that the Rol-a-Chem is a closed system. Being able to see the tank and chemistry levels from the interface is pretty handy. Especially for days like today when it is raining from the ground up and I know I need to fill the acid tank.

I was advised that the Chemtrol is "more reliable". It's on me. I wish I would've found TFP a year ago? I like your user interface/display. You can't see it but on top of the filter on the right I have the "poor man's" interface - ring camera on top with a pan/tilt mount! Photos attached. Had to improvise.

 

[JSam]

Respect on the equipment and installation. Looks beautiful. I can't offer advice, only commiseration. We inherited a Jandy iAquaLink installation. I take every opportunity to gripe about the software , so am with you 100% on that topic. The user interface has all the hallmarks of a code base long untouched and so poorly done that no one is willing to take on updates. Otherwise it would be a matter of a few $10k for them to engineer a reasonable user interface instead of that kludge of a 90's throwback they call an app. What a shame. The controls back end is solid even though it's based on old tech that can't be patched except by replacing ROM chips.

I would encourage you to look at this real roll-your-own approach, but alas I don't think it's up-to-date enough to work with your pumps.

You're conclusion same as mine. Coupled with surprise when I first started using.

 

[ajw22]

Got it. Just curious. My salt cell is a brand new IC40. About 1.4x my pool size. I'm not using it yet as I wanted to better understand the Chemtrol/water chemistry before adding the extra variable. Should I be using the IC60 (I thunk guys have recommended 2x)?

Your IC40 will be adequate. You will need to run it at a higher % output than the IC60 and the IC40 will not last as long as the IC60. Use the IC40 and when it is depleted replace it with an IC60.

If I buy the IntelliCenter i8PS Kit but not with salt am I only excluding the external salt cell? Meaning the electronics to control a preexisting salt cell are incorporated into all systems?

No, The IntelliCenter without the salt cell does not have the IntelliChlor Power Center built into the Load Center cabinet. Right now you should have a separate IntelliChlor Power Center box to power your IC40. You don't need that separate Power Center box if you get the Load Center with the IntelliChlor included.

I would get the IntelliCenter with the IC60. You can sell your IntelliChlor Power Center box that you will no longer need. Save the IC60 cell to use in a few years when your IC40 is depleted. Your IC40 will probably last around 3 years.

 

[JSam]

Your IC40 will be adequate. You will need to run it at a higher % output than the IC60 and the IV40 will not last as long as the IC60. Use the IC40 and when it is depleted replace it with an IC60.



No, The IntelliCenter without the salt cell does not have the IntelliChlor Power Center built into the Load Center cabinet. Right now you should have a separate IntelliChlor Power Center box to power your IC40. You don't need that separate Power Center box if you get the Load Center with the IntelliChlor included.

I would get the IntelliCenter with the IC60. You can sell your IntelliChlor Power Center box that you will no longer need. Save the IC60 cell to use in a few years when your IC40 is depleted. Your IC40 will probably last around 3 years.

Thanks Allen. Appreciate the straight advice. Yes, I have a shiny new tan Pentair box mounted to the back wall. Will got the route you suggest now just need to research who to get it from.

 

[JSam]

Thanks for all of the help/feedback. Ordered everything. Now for the execution. Hopefully a December project.