Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

Pentair Automation Systems

IntelliCenter

IntelliCenter Quick Reference/Information Guide answers basic questions recently regarding IntelliCenter installation, configurations and standard operation.

IntelliCenter is Pentair's newest automation system that was released in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The IntelliCenter has 100 schedule/programs.

The IntelliCenter has integrated remote control by a PC, phone or tablet. IntelliCenter does not need optional ScreenLogic that is used on the EasyTouch and IntelliTouch systems.

Pentair IntelliCenter Review and Information covers user experiences with the system.

EasyTouch/IntelliTouch Upgrade to IntelliCenter

Pentair has the IntelliTouch/EasyTouch to IntelliCenter Upgrade Kit sku 522045.<ref?https://www.pentair.com/en/products/pool-spa-equipment/pool-automation/intellicenter-upgrade-kit/sku/522045.html</ref> This replaces the top panel with the IntelliCenter board.

This pool automation upgrade kit will bring your EasyTouch® or IntelliTouch® Control System up-to-date with all the features of the IntelliCenter Control System.

IntelliCenter Alternative Web Clients and Home Automation Integration

IntelliCenter Web Client and its Possible Alternatives and IntelliCenter Home Automation Integration and Control discuss member development in connecting to the IntelliCenter.

EasyTouch

There are two EasyTouch system configurations available; EasyTouch 8 (auxiliary circuits) and EasyTouch 4(auxiliary circuits). The EasyTouch system is factory configured to operate with a “shared” equipment systemor with a “single body” system. The EasyTouch system has 12 schedule/programs.

The EasyTouch Lite PL4/PSL4 is not recommended because only comes with 4 schedules/programs and only 1 or 2 feature circuits, no load center, etc. The PL4/PSL4 does not have a Load Center for circuit breakers and is a cheap intimation of the real thing.

The basic EasyTouch system will not control anything using your PC or phone. You must add ScreenLogc, which costs about $500.

ScreenLogic

ScrrenLogic is an optional component that enables remote control and programming of the EasyTouch from a PC, phone, or tablet.

With ScreenLogic EasyTouch talks to a "Protocol Adapter". The link between the ET and the Protocol adapter can be either a 4 wire cable OR the wireless link that is included in the kit. The plus side to hardwired is no wireless to screw with. The downside is that a nearby lightning strike can come in on the hardwire and take out the protocol adapter, a router and several Ethernet units connected to the router as happened to one member.

The Protocol Adapter speaks "Pentair" on one end and Ethernet on the other end.It is a "translator".

The ScreenLogic kit is P/N 522104.

Temperature Sensor

EasyTouch temp sensors is 520272.

Code 1 Error

Code 1 error means a self test had been initiated from a human @ the ICP, or at the controller, and is reporting an LCD display light problem. If you are getting a CODE 1 without initiating a self test, you may have bigger problem with the controller i.e. a stuck button or worse, a short somewhere on the board.

EasyTouch Versions 1 and 2

There are two versions of the EasyTouch.

Version 1 are EasyTouch boards shipped prior to 5/5/2008. They cannot be programmed with version 2.010 or higher. The flash memory on the older board is a MC9S12A64 1x16x64k device and doesn't have enough flash memory for the new firmware.

Version 2 of EasyTouch uses a C9S12A128 1x16x128k device with double the memory.

Wireless remotes are matched with the EasyTouch version. There are two styles of transceivers and the FCC ids on the back of the wireless controller will be either P4HEASYTOUCH (old version) or P4HEASYTOUCH2A (new version). You can't run the new version of the wireless controller on the old version of the outdoor transceiver, and vice versa.

The firmware version on an Easytouch 1 board is frozen in time at 1.060, whereas the Easytouch 2 version is 2.180 as of January, 2020. The latest firmware can be downloaded from the Pentair website if for no other reason than to check the release notes (in a "master readme.rtf" file) to see what fixes and enhancements have been added to each firmware revision.

Performing Firmware Updates on Pentair Controllers

The thread How to perform firmware upgrade on Pentair* controllers has a discussion on the equipment needed to update firmware in the EasyTouch.

Convert an Easytouch Lite PSL4 Indoor Controller to an Easytouch 8

A hack to Convert an Easytouch Lite PSL4 Indoor Controller to an Easytouch 8

Replacing a Failed AUX Circuit Relay Driver

If you have isolated an AUX circuit not turning on to the board it may be due to a blow driver chip. Help! My aux circuits (or valves) stopped working!! describes how to replace the ULN2803A relay driver chip.

Calibrating a Temperature Sensor

You can calibrate the air and water temperature sensors if they're a little bit off. If it was only a degree or two, I would do the recalibration. If it's way off, I would replace the sensor with part number 520272.

To calibrate the water, air and solar temperature sensors: MENU>SETTING>CALIBRATION>CALIBRATION

1. Press the Mode button on the control panel to place the system in “Service” manual mode.
2. Press the Filter Pump (F) button to switch on the pool/spa filter pump.
3. Place the thermometer in the spa or pool water. Take an accurate temperature reading. When calibrating the air sensor, place the thermometer next to the air sensor. The air sensor is normally located near or under the EasyTouch PL4/PSL4 Control System Power Center enclosure, not inside the enclosure. Take an accurate temperature reading in the shade.
4. Use the Up or Down buttons to raise or lower the water temperature to match the corresponding thermometer temperature reading.
5. After calibrating the water sensor, use the Right button to move to the “AIR” setting and repeat step 4 and repeat the procedure for the solar sensor. Ensure that the solar sensor is in the sun for accurate readings.
6. After calibrating all the sensors, press the Menu button to save the settings and to return to the Settings menu options. Press the button again to return to the main menu options or press again to return to the main screen.

Lo-T/Hi-T

Changing the name from Pool to Lo-Temp or Spa to High-Temp designates the system as a single body of water instead of a dual body with shared equipment.

This changes the logic (for example, freeze protection and switching from Spa to Pool).

Changing the name from Lo-Temp back to Pool designates the system as dual body with shared equipment and the valves for Pool and Spa should work again.

From the EasyTouch Installation Manual:

SPA (Hi-T) or POOL (LO-T) : Displays when the Spa/HI-T or Pool/LO-T button is pressed to rotate valve actuators and activate the filter pump and heater. This line on the screen is blank when no spa or pool function is active.

Note: Depending on the configuration of the PL4/PLS4 Control System, the screen displays SPA (shared equipment - EasyTouch PSL4 Control System), HI-T (single body of water - EasyTouch PL4 Control System), POOL (shared equipment), LO-T (single body of water system).

Indoor control panel.

Hi-Temp/Lo-Temp Controls for Single Body System For an EasyTouch PL4 Control System single body system, you have the option to control your pool and spa temperature settings using the Valves (V) button or the Spa (Hi-Temp) and Pool (Lo-Temp) button on the optional Indoor Control Panel.

Change the circuit name SPA to HI-TEMP and POOL to LO-TEMP so that the display shows the correct temperature controls for your single body system.

IntelliTouch

An IntelliTouch control system can include five (5) to 40 high voltage relays circuits that can be used to control any combination of pumps, lights, water features. A maximum of ten (10) relays can be housed in an IntelliTouch control system Load Center or Power Center.

Up to three (3) Load Centers or Power Centers can be connected to a main Load Center for a maximum of 40 relays. User-configurable circuits can be used to control equipment.

The “Feature Macro” circuits feature allows any number of circuits to be combined and controlled by a single button.

An optional IntelliTouch control system Dimmer Module (P/N 520406) can be installed for use to dim any high voltage incandescent light such as Pentair Amerlite® and Pentair SpaBrite® Lights. The dimmer module supports multiple lights from 100 watts up to 1,000 watts and installs in a standard relay location. Any number of dimmers (up to 10 maximum) may be used with a maximum combined load of 4,000 watt in a single Load Center.

ScreenLogic is an optional accessory that adds remote access by PC, phone, or tablet to the IntelliTouch.

Freeze Protection

There is a report in April 2020 by a member that Pentair changed the behavior of freeze protection in a recent version of his IntelliTouch.

Freeze protect mode worked fine for him for 2 years, then wasn’t working this spring. It would previously move the valve between the waterfall and the pool circulation every 15 minutes when the air temperature was below 36. After much trouble shooting and having the pool guys come look at it, they finally spoke to a Pentair rep who explained that the recent firmware update would no longer allow for the valve to be controlled by freeze protect mode. It had to be switched to assign the waterfall to the spa circuit (He did not have a spa).

If you have freeze protect mode set up you may need to confirm that it is still working after this firmware update.

IntelliConnect

IntelliConnect is an entry level automation system for simple pools. IntelliConnect can control Pentair IntelliFlo VS pumps, a Intellichlor SWG, up to 5 pool devices, operates almost any 2 on/off items through two 20-Amp, 2 HP relays, and works through an app for smart devices.

The IntelliConnect does not have a Load Center for circuit breakers like the EasyTouch and IntelliCenter can have. The Intelliconnect has separate high voltage and low voltage wiring compartments with 1/2-inch conduit knockouts. One knockout for incoming power to power the unit and one knockout for each relay and a webbed low voltage cable snap bushing.

The IntelliConnect can be powered by 120V or 240V AC.

The IntelliConnect only has a control panel on the box ar the equipment pad. It is controlled only by the e "app" which is just a web browser that needs to go through the the Link2O website to communicate with the control box by the pool. If the Pentair servers are down you lose the ability to communicate with your pool system.

In a May 2020 mini-review of the Intelliconnect a member said...

The website is clunky, slow and poorly designed, and simple tasks like starting or stopping the pump and SWG take multiple clicks.

The 4 Intelliflow presets can be modified (speed, duration, schedule) which is nice to be able to do remotely, but can be accomplished on the controller mounted to the pump as well.

For the last few weeks the Pentair server has been having major problems that are getting worse. I'm now asked to log in nearly every time I access Link2O, and it reports invalid username/password constantly. On the off chance it does accept my credentials (usually after 10+ attempts) the server takes 30+ seconds to display the homepage. Any requests take 30+ seconds to respond, and often error out or take me back to the login screen.

Pentair hasn't issued any website or firmware updates in over a year.

Compool

Compool systems are from the mid-1990's. Compool was bought by Pentair. Compool systems consists of the LX3800 outdoor panel and the CP3800 indoor control panel.

How to Upgrade Compool LX3800 to EasyTouch

Compool Upgrade to EasyTouch by Pentair Model 521107 will to change a Compool system into an EasyTouch.

This is one members experience upgrading his Compool LX3800 to the EasyTouch system:

The kit arrived Saturday. I prepped by shutting off power to the equipment pad at the main breaker. I was replacing an LX3800 controller board that stopped working well with my remote station with the new Pentair upgrade board. I was able to reuse my existing transformer (YMMV). 1 screw is all it takes to open the old panel. Opened it up, cleaned out the spiders, and was surprised it looked in pretty good shape...brand new even. Took a photo of the panel while it was still wired. Took some tape and a sharpie and labelled all of the wires. Referenced the new board schematic to see where the wires would go. Noticed that the heater wire was going to be a bit short as the location for those wires on the new board is nearer the top. Started carefully disconnecting. Once everything was disconnected, I removed the LX3800. Slid the new panel onto the hinge and started re-wiring. Most of the wires can be re-used and just snapped back into place. I did have to splice an extension onto the heater wire and you'll have to replace the temp sensors...not a big deal. For me this also required widening the hole in the PVC for the water temp sensor. Once everything was hooked back up, I turned on the juice and to my surprise everything just 'worked'. When does that ever happen with a DIY?

Start to finish, about 45 minutes. The hardest part was sliding the new panel onto the hinge as I had to temporarily take the transformer out to create a bit more clearance. I take that back... the hardest part was figuring out the programming because the manual is terrible. But still, that's not bad if you have experience with automation.

CP3800 Display is Intermittent

If the CP3800 panel display is intermittent then check the cable from the LX3800 to the CP3800.

How to Replace the CP3800 Battery

Turn power off and open the door in the picture, screw under handle. Carefully open and you will see the board. The battery is circular under a small clip.

Programming Compool to run 24 Hours a Day without Stopping

Set a second program (layer) to run during the time that the first program has it turned off.

Follow instructions on your right hand door. After you finish programming first layer by hitting the program button, hit it again, then hit the same aux you just programmed. Your new program should be displayed.

Now hit the same aux one more time. Now display should read PROG2. Go ahead and now program the aux to run in the time that the first program has the pump shut off, (start time and run time) . And of course, when you are done, hit the program button to exit programming.

ERR1 Error

ERR1 is a Compool error, and is the water temp sensor which should be located somewhere between the filter pump and the filter. ERR1 indicates that the system cannot "make sense" of the resistance the temp sensor is giving, OR the wire has become disconnected from the board (rats/mice).

Compool temp sensor is Compool: TS5L

Compool Outdoor Panel to Control Panel Connection

When the CP3800 indoor control panel buzzes or blinks on and off it could be a problem with the 6 wire telephone cable between the indoor panel and the outdoor cabinet. A critter could have chewed on the cable or a weed wacker could have nicked it.

There is a diagram on the inside door of the outside control box down near the bottom, on the sticker. The sticker is a picture of the pc board. it is there to show where things plug onto the board.

If you put both ends of the cable (the plugs) next to each other, the colored wire on the left of the plug should be in the same spot on both plugs. In other words, if there is a blue wire on the left of the plug, then the other plug should look identical.

4 Button Remote Not Working

The Compool 3000 series controllers have the ability to detect a problem with the 4 button remote, and disable it. However, this only applies to a button that is shorting one or more buttons to ground (not an open condition).

If the system receives a signal (contact) from the button(s) with a high frequency for 30 seconds (considered abnormal use), the system will disable the button and display the Error 5 fault.

When a repair is made (replacement) to the button, you need to also clear the lockout. In the lower corner of the indoor panel there is a button labeled disable spa side remote, or something to that effect.

This has a red LED above the button that illuminates when the remote is disabled. Make sure that your LED is NOT illuminated. If after this is done and the button is still not functioning, the board is the issue. This could be something as simple as a solider connection, to something more involved like a component on the board that has failed.

The remote reset button is on the internal remote under the programing buttons shield on the bottom right.

Accessories

iS4 Spa-Side Remote Control

The iS4 Spa-Side Control can be used with the Pentair® IntelliTouch®, EasyTouch® Control Systems and the Compool® CP series Control Systems to provide remote switching of four control circuits from the spa location. It is typically used for activating spa circulation and three auxiliary pieces of equipment (such as lights, jet pump, air blower, etc.). One iS4 spa-side control can be installed per control system. It is possible to install two iS4 remotes on a single control system, however, the two iS4 remotes will mirror each other in functionality.

Most of the time, the remotes are the problem, but the main board can also be a problem. The remote is nothing more than a few momentary buttons that pass a ground or +5 VDC through one of the buttons to an IC chip that responds. If the chip is bad, the buttons will not work. You can just use a jumper wire to see if the problem is the remote or the board. Another possible problem could be that you have lost the program/memory that tells the system what each button is supposed to do.

Here is the schematic for the Pentair remote.

Controlling Hayward Aquarite SWG with Pentair Automation

The Pentair EasyTouch, and probably any of the Pentair automation systems. can actually control the Aquarite. This allows the cells output percentage to be adjusted, turns the cell on and off with the pump, and if you have a spa you can set the cell to a much lower percentage automatically when in SPA mode.

The wiring diagram is to the right. Note that the colors do not match between the Hayward and Pentair wiring blocks.

Aquarite	Pentair
GREEN	BLK/GRD
YELLOW	GRN/-DT
BLACK	YELLOW/+DT
RED	RED/+15