Pentair Intelliflo3 VS Black & Decker Pump

[Bbp]

My 5 year old Intelliflo pump started leaking last year. It is now leaking worse and very corroded. I'm thinking from the salt water. I purchased the pump seal rebuilt kit. My pool service company is worried that something may break during repair due to the corrosion. I'm going to try it anyway, but would like to have made a decision on a replacement pump in case it doesn't go well.

I like the idea of WiFi with the Intelliflo, price is about $1600. B&D pump is about $1100. Also B&D is 5 years, which is a nice benefit. I'm not happy with the Intelliflo leaking after only a few years and not sure I want to give them anymore money.

Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Bbp,

Well.. First that is not an IntelliFlo3, which is a different and newer pump. That is most likely a standard IntelliFlo VS pump..

In my mind the problem is not the pump, but lack of maintenance. It appears the shaft seal is leaking. If this had been repaired when it first started to leak, you would not have the mess you have now.

It has nothing to do with the saltwater, but the fact that from time to time shaft seals can leak. As soon as any water shows up under the pump a new seal is required.

I agree that it makes the most sense to see if what you have can be repaired.

As a side note.. I have three IntelliFlo VS pumps like yours. They have all been running 24/7 for past 8 to 10 years and all of them operate the same today as they did when I bought them. If one of my IntelliFlo pumps failed today, it would be replaced with another IntelliFlo.

You obviously need to do what works out best for you..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Mark McLeroy]

Hi Bbp.
I was faced with the same decision last year. You mentioned Wifi. Do you have Pentair automation? If so, it's hard to go with something other than Pentair. There are work arounds (requiring additional equipment) to get some basic Wifi functionality from a non Pentair pump with Pentair automation. I have the Pentair Intellicenter, and the RS-485 communication that I can only get with a Pentair pump was too enticing for me to go with the Black and Decker. However, that was the tipping point for me. Had I not had Pentair Automation, I would have gone with the Black and Decker and lived with the limitations.

 

[Bbp]

Bbp,

Well.. First that is not an IntelliFlo3, which is a different and newer pump. That is most likely a standard IntelliFlo VS pump..

In my mind the problem is not the pump, but lack of maintenance. It appears the shaft seal is leaking. If this had been repaired when it first started to leak, you would not have the mess you have now.

It has nothing to do with the saltwater, but the fact that from time to time shaft seals can leak. As soon as any water shows up under the pump a new seal is required.

I agree that it makes the most sense to see if what you have can be repaired.

As a side note.. I have three IntelliFlo VS pumps like yours. They have all been running 24/7 for past 8 to 10 years and all of them operate the same today as they did when I bought them. If one of my IntelliFlo pumps failed today, it would be replaced with another IntelliFlo.

You obviously need to do what works out best for you..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi, yes I know the current one is not the 3. I am thinking of replacing the current pump with the 3 since it has wifi and will be easier to program. Agreed the seal should have been replaced right away. It wasn't and now here I am.

 

[Bbp]

Hi Bbp.
I was faced with the same decision last year. You mentioned Wifi. Do you have Pentair automation? If so, it's hard to go with something other than Pentair. There are work arounds (requiring additional equipment) to get some basic Wifi functionality from a non Pentair pump with Pentair automation. I have the Pentair Intellicenter, and the RS-485 communication that I can only get with a Pentair pump was too enticing for me to go with the Black and Decker. However, that was the tipping point for me. Had I not had Pentair Automation, I would have gone with the Black and Decker and lived with the limitations.

Hi Mark, I do not have any automation right now. I figured the new Intelliflo 3 would be a good way to get that built in to the pump. I could save some money with the B&D pump. I read some threads that mention the ability to add some automation to it, that would be another expense, so the pricing between the two gets closer. I'm getting close to the tipping point as you mentioned. Thanks for responding.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Bbp,

The IntelliFlo3 has an option for a relay card that can control your salt cell so that it is never on if the pump is not running. This card has two relays, so the other relay could be used for something else, if needed.

The IntelliFlo3 also has an app that allows you to easily set up speeds and run times. It does not have much of a control head, so not much you can do from the pump itself, but it does not need one as that is what the app is for.

The downside is the intial costs.. (As always..)

IntelliFlo3 VSF

Looks like you can now get the IntelliFlo3 with an operating control head, but not sure it is worth the extra money.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Bbp]

Bbp,

The IntelliFlo3 has an option for a relay card that can control your salt cell so that it is never on if the pump is not running. This card has two relays, so the other relay could be used for something else, if needed.

The IntelliFlo3 also has an app that allows you to easily set up speeds and run times. It does not have much of a control head, so not much you can do from the pump itself, but it does not need one as that is what the app is for.

The downside is the intial costs.. (As always..)

IntelliFlo3 VSF

Looks like you can now get the IntelliFlo3 with an operating control head, but not sure it is worth the extra money.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim, thanks for that. I didn't know about the relay card. Could the second one be used for a heat pump?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Could the second one be used for a heat pump?

Bbp,

It could certainly be used to 'control' a heat pump, but doubt it could be used to actually power the heat pump. It would depend on the current the heat pump needs to run.

One relay has a max of 5 amps and the other a max of 16 amp.. I would assume any heat pump would use much more current than 16 amps..

Also keep in mind that the IntelliFlo3 is not a direct drop in replacement for your current IntelliFlo. Some plumbing work will have to be done.

But then, unless your current pump is connected with pump unions, some plumbing work will have to be done no matter what.

Thanks,

Jim R.