Plug-in power cord for Intelliflo?

[MostlyCanuck]

My Pentair IntelliFlo VSF is hardwired to Intellicenter.

Is it possible to disconnect that electrical connection and use a power cord instead to plug it into a regular 120V outlet?

Scenario I had in mind: pool is not winterized, prolonged winter power outage with freezing temps and had to keep the pump running for circulation... in that case it would be easy to plug the pump into a portable generator 120V outlet and run it from there...

Would this work?!

 

[mknauss]

No the pump is 220v. And needs to be hard wired to a GFCI breaker.

 

[MostlyCanuck]

No the pump is 220v. And needs to be hard wired to a GFCI breaker.

too bad. I thought the pump could be switched between 120 and 220. thx Marty

 

[Newdude]

Get a bigger generator with an outdoor hookup. Feed 220V to the house and run the pool circuit and a few select others. The breaker panel gets a dedicated circuit and lockout switch.
My outlet is on the other side of the breaker panel wall. For $200 (?) In parts it's worth it's weight in gold if your panel has some space available. If you're already full, use tandem breakers to free up 2 slots for the generator circuit. It won't ever draw any amps, only add them.

Comvince yourself to do it to protect your baby. (The pool) if you get the fridge, some heat and maybe even the internet working too, well that's just gravy.

It's not perfect. My 7k generator will only do so much, but I can pick and choose at that time which rooms (or legs) will work and adjust if need be.

 

[MostlyCanuck]

Great suggestion! I already have that actually but mine is a 30AMP transfer switch that controls a few critical circuits in the home - which do not include the pool equipment pad. The latter, in my case, is controlled through Intellicenter load centre, which is a separate 30AMP subpanel.. so I can't just add this as a new additional circuit to the transfer switch. Your setup is better than mine as you have a larger transfer switch capable of controlling more circuits and amperage it seems. Given I already have the system in place, I'm not going to rebuild it just in the off chance that I need to power the pool pump during an outage... but if I were to build it from scratch today, I would do as you did for sure.

I do have a single speed Superflo, too, which is dual 120/240V and although it's meant to be hardwired it could be plugged into a 120V GFCI outlet if need be I think? A power cord like this one below should be fine for that I imagine:

Pinfox 6ft 12 Gauge 3 Prong Heavy Duty Replacement Power Supply Cord Cable 110V 115V 120V Pigtail for Appliance, NEMA 5-15 Plug US SJT 12AWG (12/3)

If I had to, I could quickly detach unions and swap Intelliflo with Superflo and use that to circulate the pool...

Anything wrong with this idea?

 

[wireform]

That's not a transfer switch in the picture. That's the regular circuit breaker panel with a interlocking mechanism for plug in generator use. You chose the circuits you want up to the total the generator can handle.

 

[Newdude]

I do have a single speed Superflo, too, which is dual 120/240V and although it's meant to be hardwired it could be plugged into a 120V GFCI outlet if need

How is the pump currently wired ? If it's 220V you'd have to reconfigure it each time which isnt difficult but also not ideal at 2 am when you realize the power went out.

Also, IIRC pumps need to be twist lock when using plugs, so you'd need an appropriate outlet on the house and intellicenter.

 

[MostlyCanuck]

How is the pump currently wired ? If it's 220V you'd have to reconfigure it each time which isnt difficult but also not ideal at 2 am when you realize the power went out.

Also, IIRC pumps need to be twist lock when using plugs, so you'd need an appropriate outlet on the house and intellicenter.

The twist lock requirement - I am assuming it is code/safety thing for plug-in pumps? Would the Superflo work fine with a power cord like the one I linked above, if needed as for short-term emergency use? The Superflo I have is an unused old one I have in storage, so could easily set it to 120V and keep it permanently attached to the 120V power cord to plug into generator as needed. I'm just trying to understand if it would function properly with a cord like that..

 

[Newdude]

The twist lock requirement - I am assuming it is code/safety thing for plug-in pumps?

Yeah. The codes protect the safety of the many from the idiocy of the few.

Would the Superflo work fine with a power cord like the one I linked above,

In theory It would if the GA was correct for the amps you needed. However we cannot recommend being unsafe. Codes don't care about 'this one time in an emergency'

The Superflo I have is an unused old one I have in storage, so could easily set it to 120V and keep it permanently attached to the 120V power cord to plug into generator as needed

Gotcha. Pull out the existing pump (still hardwired), smack the other pump in its place and plug it in. In that case I don't see why you couldn't safely do it with a few extra parts. If using an existing home circuit, that one would need a GCCI breaker and a twist lock outlet/ plug for the pump (preferably close as to not have a long extension cord).

Most 120v outlets on newer generators are GFCI already (while the 220v usually aren't) so that would be satisfied already. Some have 120V lock outlets and the others could be upgraded with a new outlet.

I *believe* it can be done safely and up to code. Hang tight in case anyone points out any flaws in my thinking.

 

[MostlyCanuck]

Yeah. The codes protect the safety of the many from the idiocy of the few.

In theory It would if the GA was correct for the amps you needed. However we cannot recommend being unsafe. Codes don't care about 'this one time in an emergency'

Gotcha. Pull out the existing pump (still hardwired), smack the other pump in its place and plug it in. In that case I don't see why you couldn't safely do it with a few extra parts. If using an existing home circuit, that one would need a GCCI breaker and a twist lock outlet/ plug for the pump (preferably close as to not have a long extension cord).

Most 120v outlets on newer generators are GFCI already (while the 220v usually aren't) so that would be satisfied already. Some have 120V lock outlets and the others could be upgraded with a new outlet.

I *believe* it can be done safely and up to code. Hang tight in case anyone points out any flaws in my thinking.

that's what I thought. I think as a short-term backup solution in case of outage and using mostly spares I already have, this makes sense personally.... but yes I get that it doesn't meet code specs and one should be aware.

thx for sharing your thoughts on this.

 

[Newdude]

but yes I get that it doesn't meet code specs and one should be aware.

Keep in mind, if ever needed it will probably be during a wet storm of some kind and Murphys law says it will be dark and frigid. Pretty much the worst possible scenario for fumbling and fiddling. For a few $$ in parts, I'd want it done right/safe.