Pentair Intellicenter Question

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rob.mwpropane

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In The Industry
Jun 9, 2015
213
Baldwin, Maryland
Good day all! It's almost time to open the pool and I try to add a little something new every year. This year might be automation. Call me lazy, but I would love to be able to be coming home and fire up the pool heater for the spa instead of waiting the 30 minutes for it to fire, not to mention turning the valves by hand, etc.

Truth be told, Intellicenter is probably overkill, but we might go with a full underground at some point and I have built everything in anticipation of that happening. VS pump

I'm not sure what's in my sig, but I have a 13K or so AGP and a 1800 gallon swim spa connected to the same system. I was using a cheap intex SWG but that crapped out last year, so I'd like to replace with an IC unit. My question is would an IC40 be too big for the system? I would have preferred an IC20, but I don't see the Intellicenter sold that way.

I'm leaning towards i5PSIC40 unless anyone steers me in a different direction? Is the i85PSIC40 the same with a few extra relays which could always be added later if needed?

Thanks!!!
 
rob.mwpropane said:
Good day all! It's almost time to open the pool and I try to add a little something new every year. This year might be automation. Call me lazy, but I would love to be able to be coming home and fire up the pool heater for the spa instead of waiting the 30 minutes for it to fire, not to mention turning the valves by hand, etc.

Truth be told, Intellicenter is probably overkill, but we might go with a full underground at some point and I have built everything in anticipation of that happening. VS pump

I'm not sure what's in my sig, but I have a 13K or so AGP and a 1800 gallon swim spa connected to the same system. I was using a cheap intex SWG but that crapped out last year, so I'd like to replace with an IC unit. My question is would an IC40 be too big for the system? I would have preferred an IC20, but I don't see the Intellicenter sold that way.

I'm leaning towards i5PSIC40 unless anyone steers me in a different direction? Is the i85PSIC40 the same with a few extra relays which could always be added later if needed?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
3 more relays yes, but a different daughter card as well.
r.
 
MyAZPool said:
3 more relays yes, but a different daughter card as well.
r.
Click to expand...

So what does the daughter card do, just allow everything to communicate with the relays? Just curious. I would assume you can purchase at a later date.

I can't find them separate, does anyone know what the cost would be or is?

Any comments on an IC40 being overkill for such a small system. From my understanding it can be controlled in 1% increments.
 
IC40 would be appropriate. You want at least double the volume, so the IC20 would probably be too small since you over the 10k point.

Relays can be added pretty easily.
Installation manual on Pentair site has part numbers for all the daughter boards and relays.
www.pentair.com

IntelliCenter® and IntelliCenter Lite Pool Control Systems

The IntelliCenter Pool Automation system works with the IntelliCenter2 app to put total pool control right in the palm of your hand.
www.pentair.com www.pentair.com

If you decide to add more relays, you will need a daughter card also to control the extra relays as the base configuration only controls 5 relays.
 
This is the relay on Amazon (I think this is the non-Pentair version, but Omron is the OEM I believe)

Omron G7L-2A-BUBJ-CB DC24 General Purpose Relay With Test Button, Class B Insulation, Screw Terminal, Upper Bracket Mounting, Double Pole Single Throw Normally Open Contacts, 79 mA Rated Load Current, 24 VDC Rated Load Voltage: Electronic Relays: Ama

Omron G7L-2A-BUBJ-CB DC24 General Purpose Relay With Test Button, Class B Insulation, Screw Terminal, Upper Bracket Mounting, Double Pole Single Throw Normally Open Contacts, 79 mA Rated Load Current, 24 VDC Rated Load Voltage: Electronic Relays: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com

Indicates 25A.

Update 2:
Ignore again what I posted before.

I would have @MyAZPool provide daughter board details as he has way more knowledge on this...I cannot find the upgrade package either...
 
Last edited:
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rob.mwpropane
rob.mwpropane said:
Does anyone know the amperage limit on the relays? I'd like to connect my swim spa to it, but that's a 50amp circuit.
Click to expand...
Some references indicate that the relays are 20 amps. But the OmRon relay indicates 25 amps on the relay itself (I just took a look). Maybe Pentair derated them. Not really sure.
rob.mwpropane said:
I can't find the standalone price on the daughter card.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't buy just a stand alone daughter card. They are very expensive when purchased a la carte.
If you think that you need 8 relays (now or in the future), purchase the i8PSIC40 now (much less expensive going this route).
If you only need the 5 relay kit, it will still come with a daughter card (because it is the PS model), but will only support 5 relays and not 8.

Here is further information regarding the models and how they differ from one another and also a lot of information regarding the relays, daughter cards and everything else "IntelliCenter".

IntelliCenter Quick Reference/Information Guide

Preface - As the new Pentair IntelliCenter Automation Control System moves further into the mainstream of pool automation, there appears to be an increase in the amount of just basic questions recently regarding IntelliCenter installation, configurations and standard operation. Most of these...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
Take care.
r.
 
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rob.mwpropane said:
Thanks.

Do you know of any tricks to use a relay for a larger breaker. I might be able to wire in an ice cube relay as a simple on and off maybe. I just didn't know if they had an of the shelf solution.

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

You can definitely control another contactor/relay that could handle the 50A load. You didn't indicate whether your spa was 120V or 240V, so just need to make sure you get a contactor that can handle what you need.

Ryan
 
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rmontgomery said:
yep, I updated to delete the link and point to someone smarter :)

I caught it after posting...sorry about that
Click to expand...
:p Sorry about that. Our posts got crossed real-time.
Smarter? No way. Too much time on my hands? lol.... Maybe.
Stay safe and thanks!!
r.
 
Lol...the comedic relief is 1/2 the reason I come here!

My spa is a barefoot spa SS15, 240V. I will throw this out there though, I don't use the heating element which I know is a large draw. I have a closed loop tied in underneath to the pool equipment to use the 400K pool heater as opposed to electric.
 
rob.mwpropane said:
Lol...the comedic relief is 1/2 the reason I come here!

My spa is a barefoot spa SS15, 240V. I will throw this out there though, I don't use the heating element which I know is a large draw. I have a closed loop tied in underneath to the pool equipment to use the 400K pool heater as opposed to electric.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I would measure the current used when you have it on (not the heater) to determine actual current draw of the blower motor, etc. If you are going to use wiring,etc that does not support the heater in the spa, then I would make sure and disable that functionality in the spa so it doesn't accidentally get turned on. Also make sure the breaker you install is sized to the wire used and relay contacts.
 
rmontgomery said:
Interesting. I would measure the current used when you have it on (not the heater) to determine actual current draw of the blower motor, etc. If you are going to use wiring,etc that does not support the heater in the spa, then I would make sure and disable that functionality in the spa so it doesn't accidentally get turned on. Also make sure the breaker you install is sized to the wire used and relay contacts.
Click to expand...

It is unique for sure. I have removed the contacts from the heating element on the inside of the spa. When I want to use the spa I go outside and turn the breaker to the spa on (so the water can start circulating) and the switch to the heater on. Withing 30 min or so the spa is up to temp and ready. I have a 50 amp GFI breaker installed as per Balboa's recommendation for the control panel in the spa.

It doesn't have a blower (just venturi's), but it does have 5 pumps...I know 3 of which are 12 amps each. The other 2 are 2 speed and I believe are 2 / 12 amps for low / high. I'm not an electrician, so I'm not sure how it can all add to more than 50amps even before the heater is turned on, but that's how my main e box is inside also....200 amp service, but more than 200amps...

The next time I have it apart I'll measure the current.

Do you have a recommendation for which relay to get that could work inline with the Pentair relay? MAybe something like this?
shop.theelectricbrewery.com

80 amp SSR, 12V DC input, 240V AC output

SSRs must be used with an appropriately sized heat sink. We find that most heat sinks sold with SSRs are undersized. The cooler the SSR runs, the longer it will last. Make sure to use a thin layer heat sink compound between the SSR and the heat sink. Included in our Electric Brewery Control...
shop.theelectricbrewery.com shop.theelectricbrewery.com
 
rob.mwpropane said:
It is unique for sure. I have removed the contacts from the heating element on the inside of the spa. When I want to use the spa I go outside and turn the breaker to the spa on (so the water can start circulating) and the switch to the heater on. Withing 30 min or so the spa is up to temp and ready. I have a 50 amp GFI breaker installed as per Balboa's recommendation for the control panel in the spa.

It doesn't have a blower (just venturi's), but it does have 5 pumps...I know 3 of which are 12 amps each. The other 2 are 2 speed and I believe are 2 / 12 amps for low / high. I'm not an electrician, so I'm not sure how it can all add to more than 50amps even before the heater is turned on, but that's how my main e box is inside also....200 amp service, but more than 200amps...

The next time I have it apart I'll measure the current.

Do you have a recommendation for which relay to get that could work inline with the Pentair relay? MAybe something like this?
shop.theelectricbrewery.com

80 amp SSR, 12V DC input, 240V AC output

SSRs must be used with an appropriately sized heat sink. We find that most heat sinks sold with SSRs are undersized. The cooler the SSR runs, the longer it will last. Make sure to use a thin layer heat sink compound between the SSR and the heat sink. Included in our Electric Brewery Control...
shop.theelectricbrewery.com shop.theelectricbrewery.com
Click to expand...

That SSR is DC controlled, so you would have to either provide DC through the Pentair relay or control a AC/DC transformer with the Pentair relay if that makes sense. I also assume you will need a 3 phase relay, not just a relay that can handle 240VAC.

Ryan
 
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