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Iph system does not measure pH. Works similarly to IC. You set a percent, and it doses once per hour. The % setting determines for how long it injects. That's it. Pentair was very careful about how the two work together. I really like that. SWGs are generally placed last in the system. You definitely don't want acid pumping into an active SWG. Those two elements mixed together produce a highly toxic substance (can't remember which, but bad). So if you were DIYing something together (like Stenner and IC), I think you have to work around this issue, via timers. Plus, the IpH relies on the IC's flow sensor, so that it doesn't pump acid into your pipes when there is no flow to the pool. Very nice feature.
So that's all the kudos Pentair gets. The IpH has it's own stand-alone controller, and is not controlled, or even configurable through the ET, nor ScreenLogic! Which really sucks. That could easily be so, but I half-suspect that in doing so they think they would compromise their IntelliChem product's market share. I believe the IntelliChem is fully controlled by ET. Bummer they did it that way. ($$$$$$$)
I looked at the IntelliChem, but ruled it out for several reasons.
- It's expensive.
- It's another complication.
- It's more electronics in an anti-electronics environment (water, temp, salt, etc)
- And, reportedly (here), it doesn't work all that great.
It's supposed to both test and dose your pool. It uses ORP for chlorine and a probe for pH, and both are problematic. ORP doesn't measure FC. It somehow tries to "convert" what it is measuring to how much chlorine is in the water, and doses accordingly. But it doesn't do that all that well (from what I've read here). And a pH probe needs to be calibrated periodically to function well. Further, ORP does not function well (or at all?) with a CYA of over 30, so what does one do about TFP protocols that call for a CYA of 70+ when there is an SWG? (I have no idea). I think the IntelliChem was more designed for chlorine injection, which it does, but they "bolted on" the SWG compatibility for those that really wanted it (conveniently ignoring, or unaware, of this CYA issue).
Bottom line, I realized that the IntelliChem was not reliable enough to "set it and forget it." That, to be prudent, you'd still need to test your water periodically to make sure it was working as expected. What is periodically? Seems once a week would be prudent. Which is all I have to test with my IC/IpH setup! So why spring for another $1000 gizmo?!? That was my conclusion.
Granted, the Iph and IC also introduce more electronics than I like at my pad, and they both require periodic maintenance (SWG cell inspections/cleanings and IpH parts inspections and replacements, due to acid wear). So the two systems are not so far apart in that regard. Stenner solutions, I'm sure, have similar requirements.
But overall, the amount of work the two save me far outweigh the other considerations and I can whole-heartedly recommend them, especially if you have a Pentair automation controller. But regardless of how you add chemicals, no system will eliminate daily attention to your pool.
Oh, the IpH requires the presence of an IC, it cannot be installed without one. The IC plugs into the IpH, then the IpH plugs into the IC's transformer (whether that transformer is inside the ET, or in it's own box). The two will work without an ET, just fine. Just as the IC can. But with the IpH in that setup, you get the finer controls for the IC that the ET provides: specifically, a stand-alone IC can only meter out 10%, 20%, etc. With the ET, or the IpH, you get the finer 1% increment adjustments.
And finally, whew!, the ET's control over the IC remains when the IpH is in the loop, only the IpH cannot be controlled with the ET.
