Pool pad automation/monitoring

[uraceulose]

Only accessories are gas heater, IC60 SWCG, vsf pump, light, one intellivalve for heater bypass. Pump needs to ramp up for heater but other than that it just runs 24/7/365 at 20 gpm.

I’m open to just putting the light on a separate WiFi switch.

 

[Jimrahbe]

u,

The IntelliConnect does not have the ability to control valves..

Other than that it 'should' work... But, I have no direct IntelliConnect experience...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Only accessories are gas heater, IC60 SWCG, vsf pump, light, one intellivalve for heater bypass. Pump needs to ramp up for heater but other than that it just runs 24/7/365 at 20 gpm.

I’m open to just putting the light on a separate WiFi switch.

Donnie, this was discussed back in August with you in post #60.

 

[uraceulose]

IntelliConnect will not work for you.

You need 3 relays for the SWG, booster pump, and lights. The IntelliConnect only has two relays.

And the Intelliconnect will not work with pH dosing equipment.

For Pentair you need the IntelliCenter Lite.

Thanks again Allen. I couldn’t find this exact post but knew you went over it.

I converted to a robot vacuum so I won’t need the booster pump and I was thinking that the SWCG doesn’t actually need one of the aux relays and I could share the RS485 port with the pump/SWCG?

Then can I use the other relay to operate one intellivalve? I would only need to program it to stop at 2 set points.

If not, I’ll use one relay for the lights, tie in the RS485 wires for the pump & SWCG on one port and it should leave me one open relay and one open 485 port on the intelliconnect ?

 

[uraceulose]

If the valve cannot be controlled at all via the intelliconnect, I’ll just manually flip that valve until I figure out how to program the valve using a relay/wifi switch

 

[uraceulose]

And after more experience/research…for me, the value in PH control is in having the sensor more than the dosing.
I’d like to work towards adding an atlas probe like Kato did and have the ability to monitor ph even if it’s in an app separate from pentair home.

 

[ajw22]

I was thinking that the SWCG doesn’t actually need one of the aux relays

Why do you think that?

and I could share the RS485 port with the pump/SWCG?

Share the RS-485 port for what purpose?

Then can I use the other relay to operate one intellivalve? I would only need to program it to stop at 2 set points.

You cannot control an actuator using a high voltage relay without other circuitry.

All an IntelliValve supports is 2 set points. It is not Intelli.

Valve Actuators - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

If not, I’ll use one relay for the lights, tie in the RS485 wires for the pump & SWCG on one port and it should leave me one open relay and one open 485 port on the intelliconnect ?

You can do whatever within the IntelliConnect limitations.

If the valve cannot be controlled at all via the intelliconnect, I’ll just manually flip that valve until I figure out how to program the valve using a relay/wifi switch

Why do all these kludges instead of just getting the IntelliCenter Lite that can handle it all?

 

[uraceulose]

The IntelliConnect has a dedicated "heater" port, dedicated "temp" port, and it seems 2 dedicated RS485 ports?

I don't know if those RS485 ports are the actual relay ports but if they are...my thought was that I could use the same port to trigger the pump and the SWCG which would leave me one more to use for lights if I can not figure out how to make the IntelliValve work using the RS485 port/relay connection on the IntelliConnect.

The Intellicenter is about $1500 more and will require more labor to install. By ditching the pressure side pool cleaner for a robot, it removed one need on my end for another relay/trigger and I believe I can still use the pressure side pool cleaner in a pinch by retaining my aquaswitch box/intermatic timer and IntelliComm box to ramp up the pump but if not...I'll just plan on always having a robot vacuum from here forward.

I don't see much benefit if I can automate the valve in some way. Even if I cannot find a way to automate the IntelliValve...I don't think it's worth the $ and labor with no spa, waterfalls, landscape lights, pool cleaners running off the pump or dosing pumps.

 

[ajw22]

I don't know if those RS485 ports are the actual relay ports but if they are

They are not.

...my thought was that I could use the same port to trigger the pump and the SWCG

You cannot.

which would leave me one more to use for lights if I can not figure out how to make the IntelliValve work using the RS485 port/relay connection on the IntelliConnect.

I suggest you read up on what the RS-485 communications does an does not do if you intend to tinker with it.

The Intellicenter is about $1500 more and will require more labor to install.

It takes the same labor to connect the same devices to an IntelliConnect or IntelliCenter.

You will end up spending money on other bits you need to make your pool work with the IntelliConnect.

I believe I can still use the pressure side pool cleaner in a pinch by retaining my aquaswitch box/intermatic timer and IntelliComm box to ramp up the pump but if not...I'll just plan on always having a robot vacuum from here forward.

You got a lot to figure out.

I don't see much benefit if I can automate the valve in some way. Even if I cannot find a way to automate the IntelliValve...I don't think it's worth the $ and labor with no spa, waterfalls, landscape lights, pool cleaners running off the pump or dosing pumps.

Good luck with your tinkering.

 

[uraceulose]

This is where I came up with the shared ports..

Post #29 IntelliConnect Operating Problems

and post #31.

The op states that we can share the ports and has been doing it successfully.

I have a line on a brand new IntelliConnect in the box for $260 shipped.

$20 for a smart wifi light switch might be necessary. $32 for temp sensor.

Best deal I can find on an IntelliCenter is about $1800 shipped.

That should be my total parts cost.

In order to change to an intellicenter...I'll be re wiring every breaker in the box in addition to the controls and the only gain SEEMS TO BE...ability to control the valve (and I still can only control 2 positions)..

I'd rather figure out the valve later as I won't even be using the heater for 4-5 months so it'll just be bypassed. After using the robot vacuum, it's hard for me to go back to coiling up the hose so the robot skimmer doesn't get tangled and the robot vacuum picks up about double what the pressure side cleaner did on a good day.

I've got a decent idea how that RS-485 port functions now...what I was referring to is that even if I was left without a light relay by using the heater and pressure side booster or figuring out a way to get the IntelliConnect to trigger the IntelliValve in the 2 pre set positions...I'd still be able to just wire the pool light right on to a normal smart wifi light switch and have complete control from my phone for what our pool offers.

The only feature that I want that I can't add seems to be the IntelliValve. If I can figure out any type of relay/wifi switch or even get the Rasberry Pi coding/wiring figured out...it would allow me to add the automatic bypass/flow heater valve at a later date.

 

[ajw22]

Connecting the pump and Intellichlor to the same RS-485 port is fine. You can put two wires under each screw.

Connecting the IntelliChlor to the RS-485 does not give flow control and turning of the cell on and off when the pump is running. For safety the Intellichlor power center needs to be wired through a reaya on the IOboard.

 

[uraceulose]

Copy that. Thank you sir! So run the IC to the rs485 port and share that one with the pump.

Then leave pump powered off the junction box where it’s currently powered but move the connection from the IC60 power center where it ties in to the power for the pump over to one of 2 relays on the intelliconnect?

That will still leave me heater control and one more relay for either lights or trying to figure out the intellivalve ?

 

[ajw22]

That will still leave me heater control and one more relay for either lights or trying to figure out the intellivalve ?

Yup.

 

[uraceulose]

Connecting the pump and Intellichlor to the same RS-485 port is fine. You can put two wires under each screw.

Connecting the IntelliChlor to the RS-485 does not give flow control and turning of the cell on and off when the pump is running. For safety the Intellichlor power center needs to be wired through a reaya on the IOboard.

I'm also a little confused here...I saw a screen shot on here of a forum member who had the 0-100% in 1% increments via the Pentair Home App. So I am assuming that I will gain more control of my SWCG than the current, 0,2,4,6,8,10,20,40,60,80,100% or OFF?

I know it will control the SWCG as far as turning it on/off when a VSF pump turns on/off but I did not know I needed to separate the power and use up one of the 2 available relays in order for that to function as intended.

 

[uraceulose]

4 minutes 15 seconds into this video from Pentair...it shows the dial as if it can be stopped anywhere from 0-100%

 

[uraceulose]

IntelliConnect - Additional relay?

#27 says 120/240?

www.troublefreepool.com

Post #36 you helped this thread and this is why I was thinking no relay required..

 

[ajw22]

I'm also a little confused here...I saw a screen shot on here of a forum member who had the 0-100% in 1% increments via the Pentair Home App. So I am assuming that I will gain more control of my SWCG than the current, 0,2,4,6,8,10,20,40,60,80,100% or OFF?

That is correct.

I know it will control the SWCG as far as turning it on/off when a VSF pump turns on/off but I did not know I needed to separate the power and use up one of the 2 available relays in order for that to function as intended.

My bad. I haven’t looked at the manual recently to refresh my memory.

 

[uraceulose]

No worries! Thank you so much for all of the help you provide on here sir

Donnie

 

[ajw22]

For the Intelliconnect to control the Intellichlor or iChlor settings, you must also have a separate temperature sensor installed.

 

[uraceulose]

Yes sir. Just the Pentair sensor to the heater port on the IntelliConnect.

Should also allow heater control