SoCal Rock Pool

I bleed Pentair so I'm a little biased. Screenlogic will only work with Pentair products and I assume you are talking about IAquaLink with is meant for Jandy (Zodiac) products.

Is your pool existing or are you in the middle of a build?
 
I bleed Pentair so I'm a little biased. Screenlogic will only work with Pentair products and I assume you are talking about IAquaLink with is meant for Jandy (Zodiac) products.

Is your pool existing or are you in the middle of a build?
Oops, typo, yes I meant IAquaLink. This is for a new pool build, so all options are on the table. I plan to use an IntelliFlo pump for certain. I understand if I use IntelliChlor SWG that I will want to use an Easytouch controller. I had a pool builder recommend pentair equipment except for the controller, stating that IAquaLink was better. I like what I've read about Pentair and really looking for advice on how well ScreenLogic works...especially the iPhone/iPad app. Is it easy for wife to control lights, spa, etc or will I get tech support calls when I'm out of town?
 
I can't recommend screenlogic enough. My wife can run anything on the pool without issue. You can download the app to your phone (it has a demo mode) so you can see the interface and what it can do.

IAquaLink will not work with Pentair automation. If you are set on an intelliflo, then you need to stay with Pentair automation, lights and swg. The filter and heater can be any brand (I suggest Raypak 406A for the heater).

I am very happy with my Pentair equipment and have installed similar setups on many other pools without issue.
 
I can't recommend screenlogic enough. My wife can run anything on the pool without issue. You can download the app to your phone (it has a demo mode) so you can see the interface and what it can do.

IAquaLink will not work with Pentair automation. If you are set on an intelliflo, then you need to stay with Pentair automation, lights and swg. The filter and heater can be any brand (I suggest Raypak 406A for the heater).

I am very happy with my Pentair equipment and have installed similar setups on many other pools without issue.
I'll download it and check it out. The Jandy controller Aqualink RS actually does work with the Intelliflo pump. I looked at a pool that used the Aqualink RS with the Intelliflo pump. You are correct that it is does not work well with other non-Pentair equipment. I like the Raypak suggestion, I think I'll go that route. There seems to be a lot more proponents of Pentair Easy Touch on here...so I'm leaning that direction. Are you using the Easy Touch 4 or 8? I don't think I really need the additional 4 relays.
 
Are you using the Easy Touch 4 or 8? I don't think I really need the additional 4 relays.

I have an ET-8 panel and I have 3 (maybe 4) unused relays....but I have lots of plans to use them someday. I think the incremental cost difference between the two is small enough that I would reconsider the 8 over the 4....it is far better to have a few too many relays that go unused rather than wishing you just had one more...

FYI - The ET-4 and ET-8 in reality only have 3 and 7 relays, respectively. One relay is dedicated to your filter pump and so, honestly, should not be included in the relay count...but that's Marketing-101 for you....
 
I have an ET-8 panel and I have 3 (maybe 4) unused relays....but I have lots of plans to use them someday. I think the incremental cost difference between the two is small enough that I would reconsider the 8 over the 4....it is far better to have a few too many relays that go unused rather than wishing you just had one more...

FYI - The ET-4 and ET-8 in reality only have 3 and 7 relays, respectively. One relay is dedicated to your filter pump and so, honestly, should not be included in the relay count...but that's Marketing-101 for you....

Well said...There is some trickery that can be done for added relays but if you are going to go to that extreme, then the IntelliTouch is a better choice.

IAquaLink will work with some Pentair equipment but it would kind of be like running PC software on a Mac...it can be done but often doesn't work well, has glitches and requires several workarounds as compared to a program that was written and designed for use on a Mac.

If you go with Pentair, stick with their automation and if you go with Jandy, use their automation. Neither is a bad choice and both are pretty equal all things considered. I've really been impressed with the Versa-Plumb system Jandy is offering and their integrated heater bypass on their heaters. With that said, I'd take a Raypak 406 over the MasterTemp or Jandy heater any day (and wish I would have).
 
Just you some wife perspective. We have ScreenLogic and I love it! As the wife and not a techy person it's super simple and easy to use. I can control everything from my phone but also from the computer if I choose to.

We also have ET-8. I think if you have a lot of features to your pool, it's very beneficial.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Well said...There is some trickery that can be done for added relays but if you are going to go to that extreme, then the IntelliTouch is a better choice.

IAquaLink will work with some Pentair equipment but it would kind of be like running PC software on a Mac...it can be done but often doesn't work well, has glitches and requires several workarounds as compared to a program that was written and designed for use on a Mac.

If you go with Pentair, stick with their automation and if you go with Jandy, use their automation. Neither is a bad choice and both are pretty equal all things considered. I've really been impressed with the Versa-Plumb system Jandy is offering and their integrated heater bypass on their heaters. With that said, I'd take a Raypak 406 over the MasterTemp or Jandy heater any day (and wish I would have).

One of the options I'm looking at is the Easy Touch PSL4 (522355). I realize this is a lower cost version of the Easy Touch line and more limited, but the price is almost too good to pass up. You can find this for $800 which includes Screen Logic 2, along with 2 valve actuators. It does not include a breaker panel. From what I've read the biggest limitation is only 4 schedules and 2 feature circuits. One thing to note is from reading it looks like comparing # of Jandy aux circuits/relays vs. Pentair is not a fair comparison. The Pentair has feature circuits in addition to relays. I believe on the Jandy if I wanted to have a spa spill over (which simply changes the intake/return valves) then it uses one of the aux circuits even though I'm not using a relay. On ET I can assign that as a feature circuit and not use any of the aux/relays.
 

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I don't recommend that unit. For $1800 you can get the ET8, IC60, transformer, and valve actuators. Why limit yourself?
I believe you also need to purchase the Screen Logic 2 interface for another $370, so you are looking at $2,170. So in this case I think the PSL4 only saves about $370 which I agree is somewhat marginal. I'm not sure I'm going with a SWG (will decide after making coping choice)...so in the non-SWG case the savings is > $500. I tried to think about what I would control and how many different programs and pump speeds are needed (being limited to 4 pump speeds and 4 programs does suck). Would you look at my thinking below and shot holes in it? It seems I can't have 3 independent light circuits and a blower, but I plan to try to run without a blower.

CircuitFunctionProgramPump speedComment
spaManualSpeed 1spa jets cranking
poolProgram 1Speed 2pool filtration
Aux 1Spa LightsProgram 2N/A
Aux 2Pool LightsProgram 2N/A
Aux 3Landscape lights or blowerProgram 2N/A
Feature circuit 1spa spill overProgram 3Speed 3spa circulation
Feature circuit 2
Valve Actuator - Aux AwaterfallManualSpeed 4water feature
Valve Actuator - Aux B
 
That should meet your needs for now.

The trouble is to add a swg will cost $$$$ down the road and I'm sure you'll want to as that's what most people end up doing anyway. The 500 saved on the swg won't later buy you an ic60. You'll also need a transformer and wiring kit.
 
That should meet your needs for now.

The trouble is to add a swg will cost $$$$ down the road and I'm sure you'll want to as that's what most people end up doing anyway. The 500 saved on the swg won't later buy you an ic60. You'll also need a transformer and wiring kit.
I really want a SWG in which case I'll go with the big boy...just need to convince the wife to pick a friendly coping. I really want to get this build started, but too many options design wise.
 
Even more important... Every single pool in the world is a salt water pool. Salt gets blamed for so many issues but in reality it's the overall water chemistry that is at fault.

Nearly everything you add to your water will increase the salt (more specifically chloride) concentration. This includes chlorine, acid (almost pure chloride), CYA, calcium, etc.

Pick a coping style you like and choose to understand and maintain your water chemistry correctly.
 

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