- Jun 8, 2020
- 590
- Pool Size
- 14060
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
My PB spec'ed an EasyTouch 8, but since we have a simple build, we asked to change to an EasyTouch 4 to save $700. Now I'm wondering if I should change the controller to something which will scale for future additions, or possibly downgrade even more and reallocate those funds to something else, then swap out the controller myself in the future if needed .... and I would greatly appreciate some help thinking through this.
Our pool design is simple ... 31' x 20' - 470sq/ft pool, VS IntelliFlo pump, 3 GloBrite lights, and a waterfall. No spa, no heater, no SWG, and the waterfall will be run off the pool pump. So really, only 3 functions at time of install.
For sanitation, I am planning to use the inline chlorinator with pucks during the curing phase. After the pebbletek plaster has cured and the CYA, CH and PH have stabilized, I plan to switch over to liquid chlorine with a HASA Liquidator.
I have plans to add landscape lighting, a speaker system, and a television as DIY projects, and am wondering if I should go with an IntelliCenter, or IntelliTouch, to be able to integrate these items into a single control solution.
Are there any other typical items I am not thinking of I should also plan for?
The PB pricing is, of course, much higher than I get get this stuff myself, and I don't mind paying for the expertise, installation, warranty, etc ... But I am a very capable DIY kind of guy, and am now wondering if I should just have the PB install an IntelliConnect as a very cost effective option, and then I can swap it out down the road for an IntelliCenter, or IntelliTouch, when I add the other items.
It seems the PB is pretty much doubling the cost of the controllers, and then providing me a discount on the whole pool afterward. So financially, I think this might make sense ... but then again, I'm new to this and don't quite have a full understanding of all the differences between the control solutions.
Does the installation of one over the other preclude me from being able to easily change over in the future? For example, controlling the waterfall ... I think this is just a standard valve with an actuator, which is then operated by the control solution. Do all of these options allow for partial open/close of the valve so we can control the flow? Or would the IntelliConnect only allow for on/off control of the waterfall but not control over the flow rate?
Would the IntelliConnect even work to control my setup (VS pump, waterfall feature, GloBrite lights) and allow scheduling pump on/off times and run speeds?
I also can't tell if all of these control solutions will allow control over the GloBrite light colors. For example, the EasyTouch documentation states it integrates with IntelliBrite lights, but doesn't mention the GloBrites ... although my PB says it will control them. But will it just control on/off and not color selection?
Considering the cost difference between the "IntelliConnect" solution vs. the "EasyTouch with ScreenLogic and an actuator (for the waterfall)" solution ... I'm also wondering if I should just go with the cheaper option for now, and use the saved funds to install a separate VS pump for the waterfall instead of having it operate off of the pool pump. So adjusting the speed of a dedicated VS pump to control flow rate, instead of partially opening a valve tied into the pool pump. With my limited understanding, the only benefit I can see to doing that would be if we want to run the waterfall without running the pool pump.
Our pool design is simple ... 31' x 20' - 470sq/ft pool, VS IntelliFlo pump, 3 GloBrite lights, and a waterfall. No spa, no heater, no SWG, and the waterfall will be run off the pool pump. So really, only 3 functions at time of install.
For sanitation, I am planning to use the inline chlorinator with pucks during the curing phase. After the pebbletek plaster has cured and the CYA, CH and PH have stabilized, I plan to switch over to liquid chlorine with a HASA Liquidator.
I have plans to add landscape lighting, a speaker system, and a television as DIY projects, and am wondering if I should go with an IntelliCenter, or IntelliTouch, to be able to integrate these items into a single control solution.
Are there any other typical items I am not thinking of I should also plan for?
The PB pricing is, of course, much higher than I get get this stuff myself, and I don't mind paying for the expertise, installation, warranty, etc ... But I am a very capable DIY kind of guy, and am now wondering if I should just have the PB install an IntelliConnect as a very cost effective option, and then I can swap it out down the road for an IntelliCenter, or IntelliTouch, when I add the other items.
It seems the PB is pretty much doubling the cost of the controllers, and then providing me a discount on the whole pool afterward. So financially, I think this might make sense ... but then again, I'm new to this and don't quite have a full understanding of all the differences between the control solutions.
Does the installation of one over the other preclude me from being able to easily change over in the future? For example, controlling the waterfall ... I think this is just a standard valve with an actuator, which is then operated by the control solution. Do all of these options allow for partial open/close of the valve so we can control the flow? Or would the IntelliConnect only allow for on/off control of the waterfall but not control over the flow rate?
Would the IntelliConnect even work to control my setup (VS pump, waterfall feature, GloBrite lights) and allow scheduling pump on/off times and run speeds?
I also can't tell if all of these control solutions will allow control over the GloBrite light colors. For example, the EasyTouch documentation states it integrates with IntelliBrite lights, but doesn't mention the GloBrites ... although my PB says it will control them. But will it just control on/off and not color selection?
Considering the cost difference between the "IntelliConnect" solution vs. the "EasyTouch with ScreenLogic and an actuator (for the waterfall)" solution ... I'm also wondering if I should just go with the cheaper option for now, and use the saved funds to install a separate VS pump for the waterfall instead of having it operate off of the pool pump. So adjusting the speed of a dedicated VS pump to control flow rate, instead of partially opening a valve tied into the pool pump. With my limited understanding, the only benefit I can see to doing that would be if we want to run the waterfall without running the pool pump.