I posted yesterday Pentair Motor replacement & control Q but did a bunch of research, I need to replace the 1HP full rated 1.65 S.F. motor for my Pentair WFE-4 WhisperFlo pump.
I've ordered the Century VGreen 1.65HP variable speed motor model EPM16SQ which is the almond version of the ECM16SQU. My math shows the motor replacement should have a payback (versus the single speed) in a year or so, but going to a full IntelliFlo pump replacement would not pay back within a say 5 year lifespan.
I'm curious about programming the VGreen with my Pentair EasyTouch4 controller.
Right now with single speed pump, controller is just turning on/off the 240v relay so it's power on/off to the motor. What I'd LIKE is to have the ability to run different programs in Spa or Spillway mode vs. Auto Pool filter mode - I'd like full rpm in Spa and Spillway mode without down-stepping rpm over time, but for pool filter mode, after the prime is done then run it in reduced rpm mode, perhaps with a step-down over time.
I see two ways to program it according to the VGreen User Manual. (also attached), which for some reason has a totally different and less-straightforward control panel, UI and programming model than the VGreen 85 or 270, at least according to these docs that I got from the Regal/Century Website (manual links on right hand panel)
1) (the easy way that I know how to do) is to run motor at full speed for 60 (or 120 minutes, only seems to take full hour durations) and then step down, perhaps to a slightly lower rpm after 60 minutes, then 60 minutes later do it to say half rpm, which should use about 1/4 the current / kwh.
2) (that I don't know how to do with the EasyTouch) is use the digital inputs on the motor, looks like holding +12v low on pins 1-4 (or using 24vAC +-20%) on pins 1-4, allows it to go directly into programs 1 through 4, so I could have different programs for Pool vs. Spa and Spillway (I can use Spa for Spillway). What I don't know how to do is both wire and program the EasyTouch controller with relays to do what I want. However, the manual is confusing. Figure 4 on Page 11 shows 5 pins on the 'digital connecter' (pins 1-4 plus ground) that I can use 13-30vac or 9-30vdc to set the pump into program modes 1 through 3 (or override). The picture in Figure 5 shows a header to the right that I assume is the 5-pin, and the actual RS485 digital connector in the middle, so I assume that Figure 4 refers to the 5-pin pushing header on the right, that I'd push in say 18awg wire? And all that's necessary is to have a replay hold power (ac or ac) to one of the 4 pins, and the appropriate pin always goes into the program (ie. program 1 for pin 1, program 2 for pin 2)? I get that, but not sure how to program or wire the EasyTouch 4 to do that with a couple of output relays, if there are spares (mine is the stock EasyTouch 4 with dual spa/pool control from a single motor w intake and output candy valves)
Also 3) Some mystery (to me) way using the RS485 true digital controller, no idea how to do this, even if I added the (as I plan to) protocol converter (not wireless, plan to hardwire it since it's close to ethernet) so that I can program the EasyTouch from my PC and use the smartphone app.
Has anyone successfully done this (#2 or #3), or something similar, to allow the EasyTouch to operate the variable speed aspects of the VGreen motor?
I've ordered the Century VGreen 1.65HP variable speed motor model EPM16SQ which is the almond version of the ECM16SQU. My math shows the motor replacement should have a payback (versus the single speed) in a year or so, but going to a full IntelliFlo pump replacement would not pay back within a say 5 year lifespan.
I'm curious about programming the VGreen with my Pentair EasyTouch4 controller.
Right now with single speed pump, controller is just turning on/off the 240v relay so it's power on/off to the motor. What I'd LIKE is to have the ability to run different programs in Spa or Spillway mode vs. Auto Pool filter mode - I'd like full rpm in Spa and Spillway mode without down-stepping rpm over time, but for pool filter mode, after the prime is done then run it in reduced rpm mode, perhaps with a step-down over time.
I see two ways to program it according to the VGreen User Manual. (also attached), which for some reason has a totally different and less-straightforward control panel, UI and programming model than the VGreen 85 or 270, at least according to these docs that I got from the Regal/Century Website (manual links on right hand panel)
1) (the easy way that I know how to do) is to run motor at full speed for 60 (or 120 minutes, only seems to take full hour durations) and then step down, perhaps to a slightly lower rpm after 60 minutes, then 60 minutes later do it to say half rpm, which should use about 1/4 the current / kwh.
2) (that I don't know how to do with the EasyTouch) is use the digital inputs on the motor, looks like holding +12v low on pins 1-4 (or using 24vAC +-20%) on pins 1-4, allows it to go directly into programs 1 through 4, so I could have different programs for Pool vs. Spa and Spillway (I can use Spa for Spillway). What I don't know how to do is both wire and program the EasyTouch controller with relays to do what I want. However, the manual is confusing. Figure 4 on Page 11 shows 5 pins on the 'digital connecter' (pins 1-4 plus ground) that I can use 13-30vac or 9-30vdc to set the pump into program modes 1 through 3 (or override). The picture in Figure 5 shows a header to the right that I assume is the 5-pin, and the actual RS485 digital connector in the middle, so I assume that Figure 4 refers to the 5-pin pushing header on the right, that I'd push in say 18awg wire? And all that's necessary is to have a replay hold power (ac or ac) to one of the 4 pins, and the appropriate pin always goes into the program (ie. program 1 for pin 1, program 2 for pin 2)? I get that, but not sure how to program or wire the EasyTouch 4 to do that with a couple of output relays, if there are spares (mine is the stock EasyTouch 4 with dual spa/pool control from a single motor w intake and output candy valves)
Also 3) Some mystery (to me) way using the RS485 true digital controller, no idea how to do this, even if I added the (as I plan to) protocol converter (not wireless, plan to hardwire it since it's close to ethernet) so that I can program the EasyTouch from my PC and use the smartphone app.
Has anyone successfully done this (#2 or #3), or something similar, to allow the EasyTouch to operate the variable speed aspects of the VGreen motor?