Pentair Wireless Controller 4 or 8?

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K

Kit

Bronze Supporter
Mar 10, 2016
377
Medford, Oregon
I have an Easy Touch 4 control panel. I want to replace the faulty SpaSide 4-button controller with either a Pentair #520546 (4-button) or #520547 (8-button). I assume that both controllers will work with my system. If I opt for the 8-button controller, which other pool functions can I add? Sorry if this sounds remedial. Thanks.
 
You will likely find it cheaper to install ScreenLogic. And for a few more dollars, to upgrade to an Intellicenter. Both are wireless systems that you can communicate via an app on a phone or tablet.
 
The ScreenLogic is attractive. However, my wife would prefer to not take her cell phone to the spa. The Easy Touch wireless controller would allow us to control the spa from the house. And, we could take the unit to the spa.
 
Get a low cost tablet with a waterproof cover.

Up to you. Just be prepared for high cost and limited function.
 
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Kit said:
The ScreenLogic is attractive. However, my wife would prefer to not take her cell phone to the spa. The Easy Touch wireless controller would allow us to control the spa from the house. And, we could take the unit to the spa.
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Easy Touch wireless control is listed as water resistant. I have two customers who would disagree. Would likely be cheaper to replace a cell phone that was dropped into a pool than that control.
 
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Truth be known, the ScreenLogic would be my choice. Whether my wife takes the wireless remote or her cell phone poolside seems the same. If she is concerned about keeping her cell phone by the pool, a small, clear waterproof bag (that allows her to access the app) should allay her concern.

If I opt for the ScreenLogic, I probably have a few questions about installation & adequate wifi signals. But I will address that in a separate post. Thank you for your recommendations.
 
If you only have an ET4 panel then you only need the 4 button wireless remote. I have an ET8 panel with an 8-button remote. I have had it for over 10 years and it has worked FLAWLESSLY the entire time. I keep it indoors near the side door by the pool. I can easily turn on and off any function on my pool including the spa. No WiFi, no downtime, no stupid connection issues. Just old school RF wireless that actually WORKS 99.99999% of the time … the 0.00001% is when the batteries need to be changed which is like once every few years in my case.
 
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After a lot of consideration of the pros & cons of both the ScreenLogic & the EasyTouch wireless controller, I have reversed course & am now leaning toward the EasyTouch controller. One last question (for now anyway): For those of you who have experience with the EasyTouch controller, do you have any suggestions regarding set-up? Although I assume the set-up is relatively straight-forward, sometimes experience can offer some time-saving tips. Thank you so much!
 

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It’s wireless RF so it’s mainly line of sight connectivity for the antenna. If your home has a lot of metal in the wall between you and the antenna, you could see reduced connectivity. I suggest making sure the placement of the antenna is done in such a way as to take into account where you plan to stand and use the remote. Sure it works well outdoors and pool-side. But you want to make sure that you have a solid connection at some point inside the house as well.

Other than that, keep the remote indoors as much as possible and out of the heat and sun. My remote lives in a shelf near the side kitchen door that faces our pool. It rarely goes outside and I never leave it outside. It is “water resistant” but keeping inside means it will last a long time. Be gentle with the membrane pad buttons. Over time, if you’re hard on them, they will crack and break just like any membrane touch pad.
 
Well, I finally got around to ordering the Pentair EasyTouch Wireless Controller (#520546). My SpaSide was becoming unreliable. Although I have not received the wireles controller yet, I am assuming that set-up & programing instructions will be included. I mention this since I thought I would get a head start by downloading & reading the manual from the Pentair website. I want to program the buttons on the wireless controller exactly the same as on my SpaSide. I didn't have any luck since Pentair's website is not easy to navigate. If anyone has a link to the manual, I would truly appreciate it. Thank you so much.
 
I ordered the 4-button unit.

A curious question: The installation instructions recommend locating the transceiver antenna a minimum of 10 feet from the "load center" (which I assume is the outdoor control panel) to avoid any possible interference. However, I have seen installations where the antenna is actually mounted on the side of the outdoor control panel. If mounting on the side of the outdoor control panel does not create an interference problem, that would be most convenient for me. If no one has any actual experience with this issue, I will err on the side of caution & mount the antenna away from the control panel.

Thank you.
 
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My antenna is mounted on a wall around the corner from the panel. Probably a good 50 linear feet away. No issues with interference.

I have seen what you are talking about with the antenna on the panel itself so it seems like it can be done. You might as well try it that way but then just leave yourself enough 4-wire cable to move it. Should know right away if it’s an issue.
 
Well, I installed the EasyTouch Wireless Controller. Everything seems to work just fine. I was pleased to see that I was able to automatically upload all of the data & settings from the outdoor EasyTouch control panel. The only remaining task will be to assign specific functions to the 3 Aux buttons. I want to select the same 3 functions that were assigned to my now-disabled SpaSide. Hope fully that won't be too confusing.

One question: I apparently assumed that there was a supplied bracket to mount the wireless controller on a wall. Since the controller did not come with any mounting hardware, I would appreciate any thoughts some of you might have. Thank you so much.
 
Kit said:
Well, I installed the EasyTouch Wireless Controller. Everything seems to work just fine. I was pleased to see that I was able to automatically upload all of the data & settings from the outdoor EasyTouch control panel. The only remaining task will be to assign specific functions to the 3 Aux buttons. I want to select the same 3 functions that were assigned to my now-disabled SpaSide. Hope fully that won't be too confusing.

One question: I apparently assumed that there was a supplied bracket to mount the wireless controller on a wall. Since the controller did not come with any mounting hardware, I would appreciate any thoughts some of you might have. Thank you so much.
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Glad the installation went well.

Honestly, there is no bracket. I have a small shelf/ledge by the side door that also has hooks on it to hang stuff. That's where the kids goggles are, sunscreen, my simple K-1004 test kit ... and my EasyTouch remote. It's not mounted to anything, just sits on the shelf. I suppose I could be handy and come up with some creation of wood that would act like a wall mount, but it's not that big a deal to me. You could also find some of the "heavy duty" velcro style 3M Command Strips and use those to mount it to a wall (although I hate those things for long term mounting - the adhesive eventually bonds irreversibly to paint and you are left with a nice mark on the wall).
 

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