RS-485 Cable From Pump to iChlor Power Center

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kennyg555

In The Industry
Nov 9, 2023
4
St. Petersburg, FL
Has anyone tried to connect a Pentair Superflo VST pump directly to an iChlor Power Center using an RS-485 cable. Page 18 of the iChlor Installation and User’s Guide describes this as a “stand alone mode” to monitor the pump and only generate chlorine if the pump is running. No need for an automation system.
 
Welcome to TFP.

The SmartSense Flow Detection requires the PC100 Power Center and an Intelliflo VS pump. When the PC100 and the IntelliFlo Pump are connected together with a RS-485 connection the iChlor will only generate chlorine when the pump is running. In this standalone mode no timer or automation is needed to control the iChlor power.

SmartSense will not work with SuperFlo VS, VST, or other Pentair VS pumps.

You can check with Pentair to see if there are any updates to make it work with the VST pump.
 
Thanks ajw22,
As you noted, the user’s guide only mentions the Intelliflo pump. I read elsewhere that it works with some Superflo pumps manufactured after a certain date.
I called Pentair customer support and the person I spoke to said that it will work with the Superflo VST pump - she did not mention anything about a manufacturing date (mine is 04/17/2022).
I am hoping to confirm what she said before I purchase the RS-485 cable.
Do you know of anyone who has actually tried it?
Thanks again.
 
 
Thanks for you input JamesW,
That is a nice looking system. I think it’s more than I need. More than I want to spend. If the $60 cable won’t work I’ll probably just put a timer on the iChlor or a current sensing relay like those mentioned elsewhere on this sight.
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
 
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kennyg555 said:
Thanks for you input JamesW,
That is a nice looking system. I think it’s more than I need. More than I want to spend. If the $60 cable won’t work I’ll probably just put a timer on the iChlor or a current sensing relay like those mentioned elsewhere on this sight.
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Click to expand...
did it work?
Also trying to figure out what is the easiest way to sync iChlor and SuperFlo pump
 
Well, I got sidetracked onto other priorities. I did talk to a different person at Pentair that said the cable will not work. In the meantime I am running the pump 24 hours a day, mostly at such a low speed that the iChlor won’t run due to lack of sufficient flow. I’ve used a manual timer before with a different pool. I found that you still need to keep an eye on things after a power outage. When the power comes back on, the pump and the timer controlling the iChlor may be out of sync. I’m planning to go with the current sensing relay. Unfortunately, the one mentioned on this site seems to be no longer available. Hopefully, someone will recommend one that is available and reasonably priced.
 
kennyg555 said:
Well, I got sidetracked onto other priorities. I did talk to a different person at Pentair that said the cable will not work. In the meantime I am running the pump 24 hours a day, mostly at such a low speed that the iChlor won’t run due to lack of sufficient flow. I’ve used a manual timer before with a different pool. I found that you still need to keep an eye on things after a power outage. When the power comes back on, the pump and the timer controlling the iChlor may be out of sync. I’m planning to go with the current sensing relay. Unfortunately, the one mentioned on this site seems to be no longer available. Hopefully, someone will recommend one that is available and reasonably priced.
Click to expand...
I just called Pentair and the said the cable may work. It did not sound confident though, maybe they don't want to support it for some reason

I would say it worth a shot to try for $50
 

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