Upgrading mixed matched components

[Asdtaz]

Greeting Everyone,
Long time lurker. This is the summer I finally get my pool equipment to function properly. We moved into a new house in 2019 with 2007 pool and it has the following: attached pool/spa with spillover (28K gal), intellitouch i7 with indoor controller P/N 520138 and spa-side i4 remote controlling: Hayward Tristar 3206, 5 valve actuators, 2 fountains, Paramount in-floor cleaning system, Pentair Master Temp 400 heater, spa blowers, Autopilot RC 35/22 Pool Pilot Nano SWG, pool light, spa light and Hayward C4030 cartridge filter.

My question is to automate pump speed for different pool functions which is a better choice the Intelliflo VS 011028 or Intelliflo VSF 011056? I know this has been asked in different threads but I haven’t seen opinions posted based on the floor cleaning system and existing intellitouch i7 automation. My desire is for the pump to increase speed daily for 30 min to maximize the IFCS and for increased speed when using the spa. The majority of the run time would be low speed daily for appropriate turnover. The question becomes moot if there is a way for the Intellitouch to control the existing pump.

Will I need to upgrade to ScreenLogic 2 to complete the programming portion or will my current indoor controller P/N 520138 be adequate?

The resolution of my situation falls on me. I have contacted 5 different companies in my area 50 mile radius only 1 actually came to the house after describing the situation and desired results over the phone. The others either declined or no showed the appointment. The one that actually showed up took notes collected a service call fee and called me several days later to say he wasn’t interested in completing the work.

Everyone thank you in advance for your feedback I look forward to hearing your opinions.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

My question is to automate pump speed for different pool functions which is a better choice the Intelliflo VS 011028 or Intelliflo VSF 011056?

The 011028 VS and 011056 VSF are the same pumps except for different software in the drive that adds a flow function to the 011056. It seems the 011056 is less expensive and more readily available then the 011028 pump. Buy whichever one you can get at a good price.

I know this has been asked in different threads but I haven’t seen opinions posted based on the floor cleaning system and existing intellitouch i7 automation.

I think the IFCS requires higher RPMS and flow to operate effectively. That eliminates much of the VS pump benefits. How it will work with your system depends how it was setup and whether you have returns separate from the infloor cleaning returns.

The question becomes moot if there is a way for the Intellitouch to control the existing pump.

I don't think the IntelliTouch can control the VS of the Tristar Vs pump.

Will I need to upgrade to ScreenLogic 2 to complete the programming portion or will my current indoor controller P/N 520138 be adequate?

I think Screenlogic makes programming easier. @Jimrahbe may have thoughts on that.

The resolution of my situation falls on me. I have contacted 5 different companies in my area 50 mile radius only 1 actually came to the house after describing the situation and desired results over the phone. The others either declined or no showed the appointment. The one that actually showed up took notes collected a service call fee and called me several days later to say he wasn’t interested in completing the work.

What is the location of Poolhelp1? Knowing your location

<<--- here let's use help you better.

 

[Asdtaz]

AWJ

thanks for the feedback I updated key profile features.

WRT the IFCS I only want to use that function for 30 min daily, hence the need for VS/VF control I would like the same capability when using the spa, (up RPM/Vol when cleaning or using the spa) and revert to reduced flow for efficiency during the rest of a normal daily cycle.

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

In the perfect world all your equipment would have been from the same brand.. Being the same brand would have made it easy for the automation to control the pump and the SWCG.

But.. it is what it is.

How old is the IntelliTouch? Can you tell what Firmware it is running..

Does your current VS pump have an RS-485 port?

There is a slight chance that your IntelliTouch can control your current pump, but I assume if it could be controlled, it would already be controlled.

What was your original pump??

There is no requirement to upgrade to ScreenLogic, but it does make programming and scheduling about 10 x easier.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Asdtaz]

Jim,
Glad you chimed in from lurking on the site prior to posting you have great insight.

SWCG is running fine.

Intellitouch i7 original to pool circa 2008, not sure how to find out firmware version. Is that information available from the indoor controller?
Yes, Hayward Tristar 3206 has RS-485 port

No idea, this is the pump when we moved in

Screen Logic upgrade can be accomplished if that will assist me in programming the system. We live in the lightning capital of of the US. With screen logic is it totally wireless to the house? I can’t have a wired path to the house b/c the home automation is too susceptible to damage.

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

Use your remote and go into Menu, then Diagnostics, then Software Rev..

I'd also like you to go into Menu, then Settings, then see if you have "IntelliFlo".. If so, select IntelliFlo and see what it shows when you do.

Several years ago, it appears that the big 3, Pentair, Jandy and Hayward, had a deal to control each others equipment. Over time this has fallen apart and none of the new Software includes this option. Now, it just depends on the luck of the draw as to whether the two brands will fully work together.

Let's get Tom to chime in.. Calling @ogdento .. When did they switch from IntelliFlo 4 to the newer IntelliFlo that has 8 speeds?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Asdtaz]

J
Here are my choice from the indoor controller, see pics.
#1 main screen
#2 Menu option
#3 Setup choice
#4 Advanced choice

I’m not seeing a diagnostics choice

 

[Asdtaz]

J,

here is the equipment set up screenshots

 

[Asdtaz]

J,

here is the firmware version. Had to google to find how to access It

 

[ogdento]

Hey guys, I don't know when the switch happened for the pumps.

I took a look in the firmware release notes and didn't see anything about controlling Hayward pumps either. Danfoss makes the pentair pump controls, not sure who makes Hayward's... But even if it is danfoss I guess it doesn't mean they use the same commands. There are some vsf fixes in the latest 1.190 fw, but it doesn't say what they are

 

[Jimrahbe]

Tom,

Does it appear that the OP's unit is the older kind that can't be updated or is it the newer kind that can be updated with new F/W???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ogdento]

Hey Jim,
The OP's intellitouch can be updated to the latest 1.190 firmware

The issue you're thinking about only applies to the Easytouch... the Intellitouch hardware has only seen minor changes - and they've always used the same micro with 128k flash for the indoor and outdoor controllers (the Mobiletouch 2 remote has always had a 256k chip).

The first Easytouch, the Easytouch "1" had a 64k flash, but they switched to the 128k chip for the Easytouch "2". That's why Easytouch 2.x firmware won't fit on an ET 1. Everything else on the ET 1 and 2 boards is the same... so if you've got enough patience, soldering skill, and a 128k chip you can swap em. (This also applies to ET indoor controllers and wireless remotes).

So it's:
Intellitouch (indoor/outdoor/mobiletouch 1) - always 128k flash
Easytouch 1 (indoor/outdoor/wireless) - 64k flash
Easytouch 2 (indoor/outdoor/wireless) - 128k flash

-Tom

 

[Jimrahbe]

Tom,

Thanks... I was thinking about the EasyTouch... No upgrade issue..

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

To get back to your issue... Please take a look at your current pump.. It obviously has an input for AC power.. But tell me if it also has an RS-485 data cable that runs between the pump's control panel and the IntelliTouch.. I doubt it, but you never know..

If this were my system I'd be thinking about how I could fully use the IntelliTouch... I would buy an IntelliFlo style pump (either the 011028 or the 011056) and that would allow you to use the automation to change pump speeds based upon what mode your pool was in.. Later, when your SWCG dies, I'd replace it with an IntelliChlor.. Then you could control the SWCG from your automation. And, along the way, I'd add ScreenLogic so you could control things from your PC, tablet, or phone. You could get pages like this..

Schedules1.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• Mar 8, 2021

Lights page.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• Aug 11, 2019

Spa page.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• May 28, 2019

ScreenLogic Spillover button

View media item 1962

Chlorinator tab.PNG

• Jimrahbe
• Jun 22, 2017
• 1

You might want to check out PolyTec...

Pentair IntelliFlo Variable Speed Pool Pump

Pentair ScreenLogic2 Connection and Wireless Kit

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Asdtaz]

Thanks everyone for the responses.

J,
Pump has no cable presently in place it is running off the onboard timer control. The picture is for 4 speed relay control I haven’t gotten to that stage of wiring yet.

WRT pumps thoughts on 011028 vs 011056?

I like the output for screen logic much better than the indoor controller

firmware update would take place via screen logic interface?

 

[ajw22]

WRT pumps thoughts on 011028 vs 011056?

The 011028 VS and 011056 VSF are the same pumps except for different software in the drive that adds a flow function to the 011056. It seems the 011056 is less expensive and more readily available then the 011028 pump. Buy whichever one you can get at a good price.

 

[Asdtaz]

Ajw
are there any reliability issues wrt the mother board and software differences with one vs the other? We live in a lightning sensitive area.

 

[ajw22]

Ajw
are there any reliability issues wrt the mother board and software differences with one vs the other? We live in a lightning sensitive area.

Nope, hardware is identical.

Install a surge suppressor in your IntelliTouch panel...

Electrical Surge Protection - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Asdtaz]

Ajw,
Best price is the target. Why does it appear the 011056 is slightly less expensive? What does the EC prefix mean on EC-011028?

 

[mknauss]

What does the EC prefix mean on EC-011028?

E-Commerce. Equates to a 1 year warranty.