Upgrading single speed pump & SolarTouch

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pxt

Member
Nov 28, 2020
6
Sacramento, CA
Current setup:
14k gallon pool, Pentair SolarTouch with roof solar, Jandy 0.75HP FloPro pump, clock style pump timer. Currently the solar sensor has an open lead on the roof which I have not climbed up to fix, so the automation doesn't work. I manually divert the valve if the kids want some warmer water in the pool.

I would like to upgrade to a variable speed pump for energy savings and quieter operation. It seems the current Pentair pumps are no longer compatible with the SolarTouch so I possibly have to just scrap that part of the system? What is the current/recommended upgrade path here? Can I get something that will work with the solar diverter? From my research it looks like I would need to remove or bypass the clock timer with any VS pump. I'm new to this and having trouble understanding exactly which components need to be upgraded along with the pump.
 
Welcome to TFP.

Pentair Intellipro3 VSF and SolarTouch

Hi, I had Pentair Intellipro (first version) for many years and SolarTouch for solar heater. Both systems communicated with each other over RS485 link. My Intellipro broke last week and I replaced that with Intellipro3. This version of pump does now work with my SolarTouch via RS485. I also...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

If you have Intellipro3 with Firmware 1.04 or higher, it works with SolarTouch. However, condition is that SolarTouch also needs to be on latest firmware version (i think 2.3)
 
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Thanks. Is Intellipro3 still available as a current model though? I can't find it for sale online anywhere.

My SolarTouch is at v2.2 and it looks like the upgrade is feasible but requires a hardware programmer. (Finding a Windows laptop would be my biggest challenge as a Mac user!)
 
pxt said:
Thanks. Is Intellipro3 still available as a current model though? I can't find it for sale online anywhere.

My SolarTouch is at v2.2 and it looks like the upgrade is feasible but requires a hardware programmer. (Finding a Windows laptop would be my biggest challenge as a Mac user!)
Click to expand...
IntelliPro3 is a TradeGrade Pentair product only sold through authorized dealers and not online.
 
pxt said:
Ok, but Pentair's site doesn't list ANY dealers for that model.
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I never said Pentair makes it easy to do business with them. Pentair is not focused on the retail customer.

Contact your local pool stores and inquire if they sell Pentair equipment.

www.pentair.com

IntelliPro3® VSF Pool Pump

The IntelliPro3 VSF pool pump auto-regulating flow technology increases efficiency and energy savings. All for an effortless pool experience.
www.pentair.com www.pentair.com
 
pxt said:
As of late last year, IntelliFlo3 doesn't seem compatible with the SolarTouch though.
Pentair SunTouch with IntelliFlo3 VSF
Click to expand...
Use the Solar Touch as just a solar controller (which you're not doing now, anyway), and allow the pump to run at a speed that will satisfy the solar panels during the "solar hours" usually about 11:00AM - 5:00PM. That way you can get any pump you wish.

Before there was so much integration of pumps and various controls, that's what we did (still do if there is no auto solar control). If you do get the solar control to work and do it this way, you will only have to turn it off and re-set the pump program (if you wish) for non-solar months. That's probably what you have been doing already. Some of my customers prefer that I don't change any settings so that they know what is going on with their pool.

No one, that I am aware of, ever complained that it was too complicated or that the pump and control no longer communicate. That's why this blog exists, to answer the question, "Why isn't this working with that?" It is extremely helpful, but why not eliminate the problem before it comes up. And they were always happy with the warmth of the water.
 
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ajw22 said:
I never said Pentair makes it easy to do business with them. Pentair is not focused on the retail customer.

Contact your local pool stores and inquire if they sell Pentair equipment.

www.pentair.com

IntelliPro3® VSF Pool Pump

The IntelliPro3 VSF pool pump auto-regulating flow technology increases efficiency and energy savings. All for an effortless pool experience.
www.pentair.com www.pentair.com
Click to expand...

Ok, so here's where I ended up:
- Fixed the solar sensor the roof. Luckily the broken connection was right near the edge of my roof so I was able to get to it without having to climb completely up there.
- Got my local pool store to install the IntelliPro3 VSF. They provided wiring for the Solartouch connection but didn't hook it up for some reason. That was easy to correct.
- Tracked down an XP laptop and PIC programmer to update the Solartouch to v2.3.

Everything seems good with the automation at first glance - IntelliPro3 is flashing the magenta light showing automation connected, and the Solartouch also recognizes the pump is connected. Success so far. It warmed up enough today to get the roof sensor at least +3 degrees above pool temp so the pump should have kicked on but I'm seeing a Pump Com Lost message on the SolarTouch. The Pentair app shows the pump has software version 1.02.00, so perhaps this needs to be upgraded? How do I get the 1.04 upgrade mentioned by @ajw22 above?

Also how do I ensure that the pump runs a schedule on cooler days? We keep the pool open year round and I'll need at least some run time daily to circulate. The Pentair app doesn't seem to let me kick off a manual schedule due to Automation being connected.
 

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pxt said:
The Pentair app shows the pump has software version 1.02.00, so perhaps this needs to be upgraded? How do I get the 1.04 upgrade mentioned by @ajw22 above?
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Click to expand...
Call Pentair Support. I think they can push a firmware update to the Intelliflo3 through the Pentair HOME APP.
 
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Pentair was able to update me over the air to v1.05. They said that no release notes are available for what this version does but it seems to communicate with the Solartouch and I can also manually override in the app! Success :)
 
pxt said:
Pentair was able to update me over the air to v1.05. They said that no release notes are available for what this version does but it seems to communicate with the Solartouch and I can also manually override in the app! Success :)
Click to expand...
Glad we could help you sort it out.

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