upgrading intermatic timer

[JuYuHu]

We built a very basic pool 4 years ago, no spa, about 20k gallons in size, single speed pump, with heater (pentair 400k), using an intermatic timer.

We are interested in upgrading to a more automated control and are not sure where to start. Just one that is digital and easy to program, nothing fancy.

Please advise on what we would need to purchase to have installed... interested in the Pentair line, maybe intelliconnect or EasyTouch? Have no idea what the cost is, but really just a simple, more automated digital control would work for us.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Do you have any valves you want to control via automation?

Do you plan on upgrading your pump to a variable speed? Most here would highly recommend a VS pump. It will greatly reduce energy costs and allow more control over runtimes and flow.

 

[JuYuHu]

No valves... and prob not ready to upgrade to a variable speed yet. I just would like to not have to go to my intermatic panel and manually adjust the start/stop pins every time, lol.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

There are many more costly options, but the Pentair IntelliConnect will give you control over your pump, heater, and other on/off devices (SWG/lights). It will not allow control of automated valves. If you decide to upgrade to a VS pump in the future, the IntelliConnect will provide external control over IntelliFlo pumps. The IntelliConnect does not work with Alexa or Google Home for voice control.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

If you don't need heater control, you could install a WiFi timer/switch to control the pump via an app.

 

[JuYuHu]

If you don't need heater control, you could install a WiFi timer/switch to control the pump via an app.

What would I need to purchase... is it the system and remote for IntelliConnect? And where is the best place to buy this... a pool supply company? I didn't see anything on Amazon. Thanks for any advice... we literally are clueless.
Adding on.. if we do the wifi timer/switch above, what do you recommend? I'm guessing this is a completely different product from teh Pentair line?

 

[Major_in_MS]

Look at this timer on Amazon. I replaced my old analog intermatic timer with this one a few years ago. I can program it to turn my pump and heater on and off on a set schedule. And you set a cooldown timer to leave the pump running for a bit after the heater gets turned off. It goes in the same housing your old intermatic timer is in.

Edit to add: If you use 120volt you can have three circuits controlled, if your pump is 240volt then you can control one 240 volt and one 120 volt circuit, so you lose one circuit.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

If you're happy with automated pump control only, the Dewenwils Outdoor Smart Wi-Fi Outlet Box will work. I installed one over three years ago to control a waterfall pump and later rewired to operate a spa blower. Amazon reviews are mixed, but I've had no issues with it and other forum members report the same. It was previously sold as the Wion 50054. @chiefwej did a nice write up on low budget automation using the Wion box. You would need a good WiFi signal at the equipment pad. Wiring is as simple as the Intermatic box. Depending on your skills and comfort with electrical work, you may need an electrician to help you out. There's always plenty of folks to help you out around here.

As for the IntelliConnect, shop around your local pool stores for the best price with installation included. You could shop and buy online and find an electrician to install it.

 

[JuYuHu]

Thank you all! I appreciate the help!

 

[spool20]

If you're happy with automated pump control only, the Dewenwils Outdoor Smart Wi-Fi Outlet Box will work. I installed one over three years ago to control a waterfall pump and later rewired to operate a spa blower. Amazon reviews are mixed, but I've had no issues with it and other forum members report the same. It was previously sold as the Wion 50054. @chiefwej did a nice write up on low budget automation using the Wion box. You would need a good WiFi signal at the equipment pad. Wiring is as simple as the Intermatic box. Depending on your skills and comfort with electrical work, you may need an electrician to help you out. There's always plenty of folks to help you out around here.

As for the IntelliConnect, shop around your local pool stores for the best price with installation included. You could shop and buy online and find an electrician to install it.

I just installed the Dewenwils box on my pool. It was a straightforward swap with my old Intermatic. It is it's own wifi so I have to switch to that network on my phone to make changes in the app and I can't make changes over the internet but within the app it simple and easy to use/program. I can also turn the switch on/off with the app as well as the timer/event settings. Once I make any changes I want I just switch my phone back to my home wifi network for internet and go about business as usual. I'm happy with it for the price I paid for it on amazon.

 

[JuYuHu]

Look at this timer on Amazon. I replaced my old analog intermatic timer with this one a few years ago. I can program it to turn my pump and heater on and off on a set schedule. And you set a cooldown timer to leave the pump running for a bit after the heater gets turned off. It goes in the same housing your old intermatic timer is in.

Edit to add: If you use 120volt you can have three circuits controlled, if your pump is 240volt then you can control one 240 volt and one 120 volt circuit, so you lose one circuit.

This may be a newbie question... my current controller box only has two intermatic timers for my pump and cleaner. The heater panel is on the heater itself. Can I still somehow connect the heater to be controlled by this timer device?

 

[Major_in_MS]

This may be a newbie question... my current controller box only has two intermatic timers for my pump and cleaner. The heater panel is on the heater itself. Can I still somehow connect the heater to be controlled by this timer device?

My digital intermatic timer has three 120v circuits, or one 240v circuit and one 120v circuit. I have my pump and salt cell on the one 240v circuit together and the heater control on the 120v circuit. When the timer reaches the pump cutoff time, it turns off the heater circuit and enters a 15 minute cooldown mode to keep the pump running long enough to make sure the heater cools down, then it shuts the pump and SWCG off.

 

[JuYuHu]

My digital intermatic timer has three 120v circuits, or one 240v circuit and one 120v circuit. I have my pump and salt cell on the one 240v circuit together and the heater control on the 120v circuit. When the timer reaches the pump cutoff time, it turns off the heater circuit and enters a 15 minute cooldown mode to keep the pump running long enough to make sure the heater cools down, then it shuts the pump and SWCG off.

So do you think there has to be some major rewiring by an electrician to bring over the heater circuits to the panel or is it already there, just not connected b/c I only had two circuits?

 

[Major_in_MS]

So do you think there has to be some major rewiring by an electrician to bring over the heater circuits to the panel or is it already there, just not connected b/c I only had two circuits?

Hard to answer that question not knowing your level of electrical knowledge. If you would feel comfortable running a circuit for a clothes dryer and working behind the safety cover of your breaker box then you can probably do it yourself like I did.
But, the fact that you are actually asking that question leads me to believe that you should probably call an electrician and let them do the rewiring work for you.

 

[JuYuHu]

If you're happy with automated pump control only, the Dewenwils Outdoor Smart Wi-Fi Outlet Box will work. I installed one over three years ago to control a waterfall pump and later rewired to operate a spa blower. Amazon reviews are mixed, but I've had no issues with it and other forum members report the same. It was previously sold as the Wion 50054. @chiefwej did a nice write up on low budget automation using the Wion box. You would need a good WiFi signal at the equipment pad. Wiring is as simple as the Intermatic box. Depending on your skills and comfort with electrical work, you may need an electrician to help you out. There's always plenty of folks to help you out around here.

As for the IntelliConnect, shop around your local pool stores for the best price with installation included. You could shop and buy online and find an electrician to install it.

We definitely would need a pool tech or electrician to replace the outlet box.. have absolutely no experience with electrical wiring. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Major_in_MS]

pool tech or electrician to replace the outlet box

The pool tech would probably have to hire an electrician as a sub-contractor to actually come do the work and you would end up paying more. Best to just call an electrician directly.

Hint on finding a good and reasonable electrician. Call your local fire department and ask if any of the firemen are electricians on the side. Because of the work schedule in the fire service (24hours on/48hours off), almost all firemen have a second profession. I know this because I am a retired firefighter. On my department we had two electricians, one plumber, a general contractor, a cattleman, several RNs, a Farrier, a home painter, a finish carpenter..... the list goes on and on.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

So do you think there has to be some major rewiring by an electrician to bring over the heater circuits to the panel or is it already there, just not connected b/c I only had two circuits?

For IntelliConnect, the heater would be hooked up to the box via a low voltage line connected to the heater's "fireman's" switch. The heater would stay connected to the current power supply. A temp probe would have to be installed and connected to the unit.

You should be able to connect both pumps to the IntelliConnect.

 

[JuYuHu]

Hard to answer that question not knowing your level of electrical knowledge. If you would feel comfortable running a circuit for a clothes dryer and working behind the safety cover of your breaker box then you can probably do it yourself like I did.
But, the fact that you are actually asking that question leads me to believe that you should probably call an electrician and let them do the rewiring work for you.

The pool tech would probably have to hire an electrician as a sub-contractor to actually come do the work and you would end up paying more. Best to just call an electrician directly.

Hint on finding a good and reasonable electrician. Call your local fire department and ask if any of the firemen are electricians on the side. Because of the work schedule in the fire service (24hours on/48hours off), almost all firemen have a second profession. I know this because I am a retired firefighter. On my department we had two electricians, one plumber, a general contractor, a cattleman, several RNs, a Farrier, a home painter, a finish carpenter..... the list goes on and on.

Lol, yes we def need an electrician. Thanks for the tip above... great info all around!