Pentair Intelliflo VS clock forgets time of day at power loss - two solutions

[mdjak1]

So I understand that my 6 year old Pentair Intelliflo VS clock forgets time of day at power loss and the Pentair solution is to spend $800 for a new drive kit 356879Z. Really disappointing that Pentair hasn't figured out a way to make the power backup for the clock replaceable. No one should have to spend $800 to replace a battery. And on top of it, no one seems to have the Pentair part in stock.

Should I bother to do this or should I just put in a new, lower cost pump such as a 2hp or 3hp Blue Torrent?

Frankly, I don't think I need the full 3hp. Our pump is literally below the lowest point of our pool, so it never needs to be primed. We do however, have solar heating panels on our roof. But the Pentair easily pumps the water up there at 2000 rpm.

 

[HermanTX]

Is this a major problem that you lose power routinely? Do you have an automation system or a time clock?
Is there really a need to change out a pump if it is working fine with the exception of some clock issues.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Instead of replacing the drive, you could control the pump via external automation. Two relatively less-costly option are Pentair's IntelliSync (about $200) and IntelliConnect (about $400). Each would give you app/phone control.

 

[mdjak1]

TLR I've fixed/bypassed the pump clock issue by fixing our SunTouch. So technically I did follow the advice of the two previous posters.

We are in FL so power outages in the summer aren't uncommon.

For the last 6years, we did have a SunTouch that controlled the pump, the salt system and the solar. However, we recently had a neighborhood lightning strike and for some reason the SunTouch no longer controlled the pump. The other functions of the SunTouch worked. And I knew the pump was capable of controlling itself. So I figured that I would just turn on the SunTouch and the pump at the same time but with their own clocks. Everything worked fine going with that method. Then a few days later we had a power outage. The next morning, I noticed the pump hadn't come on. However, the SunTouch turned on and the salt cell was on but without flow. I figured that might not be good for the salt cell. Especially if we were to go away and the pump was running on a different time than the SunTouch.

When we had the original issue I contacted Pentair and they weren't sure if the reason the SunTouch no longer controlled the pump because of the SunTouch, the RS-485 cable or the pump drive. So first I replaced the RS-485 cable but that didn't fix the problem.

I was lucky to find on eBay a "used" SunTouch from a pool store that seems to have used it as a display unit. I was able to buy it for $100. Fortunately, the seller took a photo of the inside of the unit and the control board part number matched the control board part number in my unit. Only his was 2 years newer. Today I received the SunTouch and swapped the control board into my SunTouch. I programmed the SunTouch and looked at the pump's display. I was very happy that it now reads; Display Not Active. Thus the SunTouch should now control the pump and even if the pump loses power, it won't effect the clock.

 

[HermanTX]

The next morning, I noticed the pump hadn't come on. However, the SunTouch turned on and the salt cell was on but without flow. I figured that might not be good for the salt cell. Especially if we were to go away and the pump was running on a different time than the SunTouch.

That causes a major hazard. Your SWCG should only come on with the pump running. Does it have a flow sensor to tell it that?
The SWCG can explode due to build up of chlorine hydrogen gas inside of it. Ensure your pump and the SWCG can only go on or off at the same time and also verify if you have a working flow sensor for the SWCG. That way if the pump fails for some reason, the SWCG will not turn on because of no flow.

 

[ajw22]

The SWCG can explode due to build up of chlorine hydrogen gas inside of it.

FIFY

 

[mdjak1]

That causes a major hazard. Your SWCG should only come on with the pump running. Does it have a flow sensor to tell it that?
The SWCG can explode due to build up of chlorine hydrogen gas inside of it. Ensure your pump and the SWCG can only go on or off at the same time and also verify if you have a working flow sensor for the SWCG. That way if the pump fails for some reason, the SWCG will not turn on because of no flow.

Yes, the salt cell does have a flow sensor. Hopefully it does prevent the cell (Intellichlor IC40) from working when there is insufficient flow.