Pentair Intellicenter does not start Ultratemp Heat Pump

[WSTyng]

Pentair Intellicenter panel (521906). Ultratemp Heat Pump set in Remote Mode "Relay". Always has been this way. Heat pump was running fine, then stopped even though the Intellicenter display shows it is heating. Noticed the temp sensor wire was broken, fixed it and it shows temp on display but still will not start heat pump at set point. To check existing wire, ran temp wire from heat pump control board to intellicenter control board but heat pump still doesn't work. Replaced the control panel on heat pump. Heat pump still won't run. On the heat pump menu, switched Remote Mode from "Relay" to "Off" and the heat pump immediately started heating. Switching back to "Relay" shuts off the heat pump. Is this a intellicenter circuit board problem or should I test/replace one of the relays? How should I test the relay to see if it is the problem? How can I test the circuit board to see if it is the problem?
Thanks in advance

 

[ajw22]

Noticed the temp sensor wire was broken, fixed it and it shows temp on display but still will not start heat pump at set point.

Which temperature sensor did you fix? There are three temperature sensors in the IntelliCenter - air, water, solar and one in the UltraTemp.

Is this a intellicenter circuit board problem or should I test/replace one of the relays?

The heater relay on the IntelliCenter board is not replaceable.

How should I test the relay to see if it is the problem? How can I test the circuit board to see if it is the problem?

Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it?

If so, check for continuity at the heater relay on the IntelliCenter PCB with wires disconnected from the relay. The relay should be open when heat is OFF and closed when the IntelliCenter is commanding heat.

Also check the continuity at both ends of the cable from the UltraTemp to the IntelliCenter.

Does the heater control in the IntelliCenter show it as Heat Pump or UltraTemp?

Why wasn't the UltraTemp connected to the IntelliCenter using RS-485?

 

[WSTyng]

Which temperature sensor did you fix? There are three temperature sensors in the IntelliCenter - air, water, solar and one in the UltraTemp.

The temp sensor cable fixed was the water sensor cable.

Does the heater control in the IntelliCenter show it as Heat Pump or UltraTemp?

Heater control at the Intellicenter shows as Heat Pump, not Ultratemp.

Also check the continuity at both ends of the cable from the UltraTemp to the IntelliCenter.

Continuity check - I ran a new wire from the Heat Pump circuit board to the Intellicenter circuit board and connected the wires to the circuit boards there was no change. Also inspected the existing wires very carefully (because of the broken temp senso wire) and it was intact.

Why wasn't the UltraTemp connected to the IntelliCenter using RS-485?

Have no idea why the Ultratemp was connected the way it was, that was how the pool company set it up. It has worked fine since November 2019. Can the connection type be changed with the existing equipment?

Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it?

Just so I do things the right way, the Heat Pump relay is on the Intellicenter PCB and is the small black cube attached to the PCB? I had thought the relay would be one of the 5 large relay's on the panel box. I have a multi-meter, and will check the PCB relay. Thanks for your guidance, I needed to know what to test. I'll provide an update on test results.

 

[ajw22]

The temp sensor cable fixed was the water sensor cable.

Does your IntelliCenter have a sensor connected to the solar temperature?

Heater control at the Intellicenter shows as Heat Pump, not Ultratemp.

Good. That is correct for the relay connection.

Have no idea why the Ultratemp was connected the way it was, that was how the pool company set it up. It has worked fine since November 2019. Can the connection type be changed with the existing equipment?

Check that you have the RS-485 connector on the UltraTemp. If you do then yes.

Just so I do things the right way, the Heat Pump relay is on the Intellicenter PCB and is the small black cube attached to the PCB?

Correct. On the corner of the PCB.

I had thought the relay would be one of the 5 large relay's on the panel box.

Those are high voltage relays. The PCB has low voltage relays for the heater and actuators.

I have a multi-meter, and will check the PCB relay. Thanks for your guidance, I needed to know what to test. I'll provide an update on test results.

Great.

 

[WSTyng]

Sorry for the delay, too much going on. Checked the relay on the control panel PCB. Disconnected the wires. Turned off the heat pump, relay shows open. Turned on the heat pump the relay still shows open. As a test I touched the two wires that were attached to the relay together and the heat pump tuned on. Looks like the relay is bad. Can I change over to RS-485 and still control the heat pump with the control panel? This relay is attached to the PCB so it looks like I would have to replace the PCB?

 

[WSTyng]

One additional note. The heat pump circuit board has an RS-485 connector.

 

[ajw22]

Can I change over to RS-485 and still control the heat pump with the control panel?

Yes.

You need to delete your Heat Pump in the IntelliCenter and configure it as UltraTemp for RS-485 control. Read Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

This relay is attached to the PCB so it looks like I would have to replace the PCB?

Yes, the IntelliCenter PCB would need top be replaced. Cost is about $1,000 for the board.

 

[WSTyng]

I was afraid of the price. With your help I deleted the heat pump and added the Ultratemp. I was able to re-wire the connection to RS-485. Just turned everything back on and the heat pump was engage by the intellicenter settings! Thanks again for all the guidance.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks again for all the guidance.

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