Wiring IntelliFlo pump

Apr 12, 2011
21
This is going to sound like a dumb question.

I am looking to add a couple of solar panels to supplement ( mostly replace) my grid power to the pump. I also have the Easy Touch 8. First a little background on the solar set up and the issue the pump creates.


I will be using about 600 watts of solar with enphase micro inverters which will provide power to the pump. The inverters will back feed the grid with any excess power that pump is not using which is fine but i don't want it to ( another story for another time😄).

To do this with a dumb pump and or mechanical timer is straight forward. Solar wires go to the the load side of the relay/ switch and when the timer shuts off the micro inverter stops sending power as it needs to sense grid power to allow its power to flow.

The issue: As some of you already know, the intella flow is supposed to have power all the time, hence it is hooked to the line side of the easy touch relay. On my system there are also addtional wires coming off the pump relay which go to the heater but also to the transformer.

I could hook the solar to the line side ( which will isolate the micro inverter as intended) but I am not sure power would ultimately reduce the incoming grid needed when the pump is running which is the goal.

Obviously the Intella flow is intended to have power all the time. What happens if I hook it up on the load side of the relay and it does not?

I am ok with loosing the benefit of the variable speed if needed. Long way to go to get to the question, but I wanted folks to understand what I am trying to do. I have attached a picture just for kicks. Blue wires are from pump and breaker. Smaller yellow go to heater and and larger yellow and white wires go to the transformer.

Thanks for any input you have to offer!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3646.jpeg
    IMG_3646.jpeg
    434.2 KB · Views: 5
J,

You can wire your IntelliFlo to the load side of the Pump/Filter relay.. The down sides are..

1. You may get pump com errors, sometimes pump voltage errors..
2. If you go into the Service mode, the pump's display will be off, unless you push the "F" button.
3. The pump will only run in the Pool or Spa modes.

The world won't end, but technically it is wrong.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
I will add that cycling the pumps power daily is not good for the electronics in it and may affect its longevity. They are not built to be run that way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimrahbe
Thank you for the replies! I had another thought. What if I wire the solar panels to one of the other aux relays (call it aux 7 for clarity) load side an run another set of wires from the pump breaker to aux 7 line side and set aux 7 to operate at the same time as the filter pump? In theory I would supplement the filter breaker with solar and when aux 7 turns off the inverters won't see the grid.

Thoughts?
 
I get it, but it cycles every day from 1500 ish up to 2500ish for two hours while the cleaner is running around the bottom.

The electronics in the drive stay powered while the pump motor cycles off.
 
Thank you for the replies! I had another thought. What if I wire the solar panels to one of the other aux relays (call it aux 7 for clarity) load side an run another set of wires from the pump breaker to aux 7 line side and set aux 7 to operate at the same time as the filter pump? In theory I would supplement the filter breaker with solar and when aux 7 turns off the inverters won't see the grid.

Thoughts?

You need to use a DPDT relay to switch the pump power to come from either the CB or solar but not both.

Relay needs to have a 24V DC coil to plug into the EasyTouch and be rated for a 3HP motor load.
 
You need to use a DPDT relay to switch the pump power to come from either the CB or solar but not both.

Relay needs to have a 24V DC coil to plug into the EasyTouch and be rated for a 3HP motor load.
I think I am following you. The only reason I would use the second relay is so that the solar panel inverter would not see the grid after the relay opens or “shuts off” This video explains what I am trying to do, although in the video it is for an air conditioner. Let me know if this changes you thoughts on the second relay.
 
The solar panel inverter does not see the grid when using a DPDT relay.


Circuits99.com-1.jpg


Pump connects to A terminals

Solar connects to B terminals; Grid connects to C terminals - or the reverse.
 
Are you saying that I need the DPDT relay regardless of which pump (Variable speed vs fixed) I were to use ? From what I understand, I could hook up a standard pump to the load side of the relay on the left in the attached picture and everything would work as described in the video I attached.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3659.jpeg
    IMG_3659.jpeg
    337.9 KB · Views: 1

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Are you saying that I need the DPDT relay regardless of which pump (Variable speed vs fixed) I were to use ? From what I understand, I could hook up a standard pump to the load side of the relay on the left in the attached picture and everything would work as described in the video I attached.

I would not do a permanent electrical connection the way the video showed. The video was an interesting science experiment.

I have not researched all that was done but my spidey sense feels it has some safety issues and does not conform to NEC.
 
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.