Pentair IntelliFlo VS programming - at the pump or the Easy Touch panel?

[bertschb]

I'm a new pool owner and although I've spent a ton of time here and on YouTube watching many hours of videos on pool care and maintenance, there is one thing I haven't figured out yet. Do I program the Pentair IntelliFlo VS pump at the pump itself or at the Easy Touch control panel? Does one override the other? Since I'm new to this, it seems that if you have an Easy Touch (or IntelliCenter) system that you should ignore pump programming directly and do it all through the Easy Touch panel. Clearly I'm missing something because I see people programming both. Thoughts?

 

[mknauss]

Once the Intelliflo is connected to the ET via the RS485 cable, all functions are controlled via the ET. If you place the ET in Service Mode, you can then control the pump via its on board interface.

 

[bertschb]

OK, that makes perfect sense! Thanks Marty!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Brian,

Do you have ScreenLogic with your EasyTouch? Just to give you an idea of how pump speeds work, here are mine..

Basically, you can assign a pump speed for each Circuit where you want a specific speed.

Set up page 4.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• Apr 19, 2019

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[bertschb]

Do you have ScreenLogic with your EasyTouch?

Hi Jim

I'm not sure if I have the ScreenLogic system. We won't be moving into the house until Tuesday so I won't have a chance to look at the equipment more closely until later this week. How would I know if my system includes ScreenLogic?

Before I mess with the programming I plan to document the settings the PB used. I will then tweak it based on what folks here on TFP seem to use. I'll have a schedule for general filtration (~1,000rpm), chlorine generating with my SWG (~1,500rpm) and finally the in floor cleaning system (~2,500rpm).

I'm really tempted to upgrade the EasyTouch system to the IntelliCenter system. I watched a video on it and it seems pretty easy. I don't have a good reason to do this. I'm just a tech geek and being able to remotely monitor the pool is tempting. The pool has the ET remote but I'd like to monitor the system when we're away from the house.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Brian,

Is this a new pool? If your pool builder sold you a Pentair remote, then most likely you do not have ScreenLogic. ScreenLogic lets you control stuff from your PC or phone..

If you have a SWCG then in my opinion, it makes no sense at all to run the pump if you are not making chlorine, but that is up to you. I run my pump 24/7 because I like the idea of generating a little chlorine all the time and skimming all the time. But whatever works for you, works for me.

You can have both the Pentair Remote and ScreenLogic if you want..

I like ScreenLogic because it makes programming much more intuitive than the remote alone and you can do it via your PC so you can see everything at the same time.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[bertschb]

Jim-
We're buying a house that had a pool installed this summer. I understand ScreenLogic lets me control the pool via PC and that's why it appeals to me. If it costs quite a bit to add ScreenLogic, I will probably just upgrade the panel to IntelliCenter.

Time to start researching ScreenLogic. Just spent two hours reading a thread about optimizing in floor cleaning systems. My eyes are crossed.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Brian,

ScreenLogic costs about $500 bucks..

If the automation has yet to be installed, then upgrading to an IntelliCenter would make sense.. If the EasyTouch is already installed, it would not make a lot of sense to me. But then again, it is not my money.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[bertschb]

If you have a SWCG then in my opinion, it makes no sense at all to run the pump if you are not making chlorine...

This is something I need to think about because I think the pool water is too cold right now for the SWCG to operate. I'll find out on Tuesday when we take possession of the house. When I was at the house two weeks ago the water temp was 53 and the weather has cooled since then. If the SWCG isn't working, would I just run the pump while using my in floor cleaning system then leave it off the rest of the day?

 

[bertschb]

ScreenLogic costs about $500 bucks..

I don't think I'd spend $500 to add ScreenLogic to my EasyTouch system when I can upgrade to IntelliCenter for $1,000. I have the EasyTouch remote so I can fiddle with the pool from my living room but I'd rather be able to control it while away from home.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Brian,

My pump speed comment was of course about normal operation when the SWCG is working. Obviously, it does not matter in the winter when the SWCG is shut off.

In my case, I like constant skimming, and not having to worry about freeze protection, so my speeds do not change from summer to winter. There is no one answer here, just run your pump at whatever speeds make you happy.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Do I program the Pentair IntelliFlo VS pump at the pump itself or at the Easy Touch control panel? Does one override the other?

As mentioned above, the ET controls everything once the communication cable is connected. Except for one thing: priming. See my "D'oh" post here:

Double priming. D'oh!

I just realized I've been double priming my pump ever since I had my EasyTouch automation installed 2 years ago. My Pentair IntelliFlo VS pump has priming settings, and the ET has priming settings, and neither one overrides the other. They both run, first the pump's internal prime routine, then...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[bertschb]

Priming? I thought the IntelliFlo pumps had auto-priming although a family friend told me he always adds water to the filter bowl on his pump before closing the lid and starting the pump. Much to be learned for this newbie....

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Yes, the IntelliFlo is self-priming. But the ET also has a priming time setting, which should be set to 0 minutes or else it will run unnecessarily. This is one case where the ET should not be controlling the pump because the pump knows better.