@mzuniga
The only way that I know to do what I think you are attempting to do is to connect your heater power leads through a relay. This will allow you to set an egg timer to the heater as I have done. In other words, the use of an individual IntelliCenter aux power relay to control power to a standard pool/spa heater.
This is an IntelliCenter Optional Installation method / Non-Standard Practice of what I call "Jumpering Relays".
Below, I will attempt to detail this method which goes
above and beyond the typical installations that are usually common among IntelliCenter installations.
“Jumpering” Relays: Some users of the IntelliCenter (and other automation systems as well), use a non-standard method that I will refer to as a “
jumpered” relay. It should be noted that the IntelliCenter must have enough extra or spare relays in order to employ this non-standard method.
This method was first employed by users of the Pentair EasyTouch and IntelliTouch automation systems which is where I first noticed this type of non-standard installation method. This installation method allows for the line-side of a secondary relay to be energized
ONLY when the following two conditions exist.
1. The primary relay (i.e. the
Filter Pump Relay) is activated through the control system, thus energizing the load-side of the primary relay and,
2. The secondary or “jumpered” relay (AUX) circuit is also activated through the control system, thus energizing the line-side of the secondary relay.
This method of “jumpering” relays is not a requirement in most cases and is only used when a user desires added control over the
On/Off function of various pool equipment or accessories, when that pool equipment requires that the pool pump circuit is first energized.
Caution: Care and understanding of this principle must be used with this or any other type of non-standard installation as wiring relays together
incorrectly, can cause serious damage to equipment and should only be attempted when a user is experienced with this type of installation and thoroughly understands what they are doing.
Some users (including myself) use this method for example in order to maintain additional control over when power is delivered to their heater (
On), through the use of a separate relay specifically devoted to the IntelliChlor and/or IntellipH or in this case a typical heater. I also use this method for more control over when power is delivered to the IntelliChlor transformer.
However, this secondary AUX (jumpered) relay can NOT be energized by only activating its circuit. The Filter Pump circuit must be first activated which will then deliver power to the line-side of the AUX relay and then allow the load-side of the AUX relay to be energized.
NOTE: When utilizing a Pentair IntelliFlo Pump as the filter pump, it is important to note that if the IntelliFlo pump power is wired correctly, then the activation of the Filter Pump Relay is NOT what delivers power to the pump.
The IntelliFlo pump should be wired HOT at all times either by wiring it to the
LINE side of the filter pump relay or directly to the breaker (either method will deliver the same result).
By activating the Filter Pump circuit, it activates the pump motor via the properly connected pump control cable. But by doing so, it also energizes the
LOAD side of the Filter Pump Relay.
This then essentially delivers power then to the
LINE side of the heater relay when this non-standard installation method is utilized and thus, just ensures that the pump motor is running before the
LOAD side of the heater relay can be energized through its associated feature circuit.
This method allows a user to completely control when power is delivered to the heater (through this separate circuit), so long as the filter pump relay is first energized.
The procedure to implement this non-standard installation method requires that the user connect “jumper” leads from the
LOAD side of the Filter Pump relay to the
LINE side of this "jumpered" AUX relay and then connect the heater to the
LINE side of this second relay as illustrated below.
Then the user can create individual Circuit Groups that utilize the heater. The user can then schedule those Circuit Groups as applicable.
Now, I am the first to admit that heater control for most standard heaters is typically accomplished through the 24Vac low-voltage contacts on the IntelliCenter motherboard (J2), wired to the heaters’ On/Off "fireman's" switch. And this
IS the typical method for wiring and controlling a standard heater through the IntelliCenter Control System and should be used by those IntelliCenter users that do not have additional spare power relays installed in their IntelliCenter Load Center.
However, this typical and standard installation method also means that there is always 240Vac power that is constantly being delivered to the heater terminal block and there is a very small possibility that the pressure switch could fail or accidentally get activated which would mean that the heater could be activated when water is not flowing through the heater.
I never really thought about this fact and the possibility of limiting when power is delivered to the heater by use of a power relay (I’m not that smart). Credit goes to
@bdavis466 for thinking about this issue and devising a method on how to correct it. (See the following posts for related information.)
Pentair IntelliCenter Review and Information
Pentair IntelliCenter Review and Information
Now that heater power is controlled via a "jumpered" relay, an Aux Circuit name can be established. I call mine "Heater Relay" (not very original, I'll admit
).
Then a Circuit Group can be created such as I have done. Anytime I want to use the spa, I just execute the Circuit Group and the following is accomplished.
1. Heater Bypass Valve opened.
2. Pool/Spa Suction Valve moved to spa position.
3. Pool/Spa Return Valve moved to spa position.
4. Spa Circuit activated.
5. Line Side of the Heater Relay energized (power to the heater).
As you can see in the illustration below, my Circuit Group (aptly named "Relax") has an Egg Timer set for 4 hours. That way, if too many adult bevs are consumed while in the spa, then all 3 of the applicable valves are returned to normal, spa circuit is deactivated and power is removed from the heater after 4 hours.
Or for those of us fortunate enough to employ nodejs-poolController-Dashpanel as yourself, here ya go....
Hope this helps and I hope you have at least one spare power relay left in that big i10D.
r...
