Pentair IntelliFlo Pumps

Pentair IntelliFlo Pumps

IntelliFlo is Pentair's family of variable speed (VS) pumps that connect to Pentair Automation Systems using a RS-485 data communication cable. When connected to an automation system the pump is controlled by the automation system and the display on the pump display "DISPLAY NOT ACTIVE'. Otherwise the IntelliFlo pump is controlled by its control panel on the top rear of the pump.

The IntelliFlo and IntelliPro pumps and others in the October 2022 Pump Line are the only VS pump that can be fully controlled by Pentair Automation Systems. The IntelliPro pumps have Sta-Rite pump form factor and are drop in replacements for them.

The IntelliFlo control panel has 8 programmable speed settings and built-in timer. Four speed settings are accessible by buttons on the control panel and four speed settings are used for scheduled speeds.

Note that the Intelliflo3 pump is not compatible with the SolarTouch controller until Pentair releases a firmware update for the pump.

2023 Pentair Pump Catalog

The 2023 Pentair Pump Parts Catalog shows the parts commonality across the product line.

Models

• There are now five IntelliFlo3 models:
  • IntelliFlo3 VSF 3HP- 011075- new for 2022 is replacing the 011056 VSF pump. Controlled by Pentair automation, Pentair Home App, or optional touchscreen controller. The Intelliflo3 includes pump unions for 1.5", 2", & 2.5" PVC. A special RS-485 cable is not required.
  • IntelliFlo3 VSF 3HP w/Relay Board - 011076 - IO Board adds 2 relays and wireless control of the pump for simple automation
  • IntelliFlo3 VSF 3HP with Touchscreen - 011077
  • IntelliFlo3 VSF 3HP with Relay Board & Touchscreen - 011078
  • Intelliflo3 VSF 1.5HP - 011065
• IntelliFloXF VS - 022055 - Discontinued - this is a drop-in replacement for WhisperFlo® pump and optional riser ba
• IntelliFlo VF - 011012 - Discontinued
• IntelliFlo 011013 - Discontinued - 4 speed pump with no control panel that must be controlled by automation.
• IntelliFlo VS - 011018 - Discontinued - basic VS pump
• IntelliFlo VS - 011028 - Discontinued - replaced the 011028 - It has a new rotatable keypad for easy access and has an optional wall mount kit that’s sold separately. It has has 2" plumbing
• IntelliFlo VST - 011055 - Discontinued - replaced by 011056
• IntelliFlo VSF - 011056 - Discontinued - allows the pump to be set to maintain a speed or a flow in GPM. The pump will automatically increase pump speed to maintain the set flow.
• IntelliFlo VS+SVRS - 011057 - The IntelliFlo VS+SVRS pump features a system that automatically shuts off when it detects drain blockage. This variable speed pool pump features a system that automatically shuts off when it detects drain blockage, providing an important layer of protection against entrapment. This pump is NOT RECOMMENDED unless required by local regulation. The SVRS feature is too sensitive to minor fluctuations and can find your pump shut off with no notice.
• 022055 is discontinued and it is superseded by 022056
• IntelliFloXF VSF - 022056 - Discontinued -same as 022055 with flow control

If you need a higher flow and HP pump Pentair has the 5HP 022035 WhisperFloXF VS Commercial Pool Pump

October 2022 Pentair Pump Lineup

Pentair will no longer be accepting new orders for previous generations of IntelliFlo and IntelliPro VS and VSF products starting October 3, 2022. The VS +SVRS pool pumps currently in production will remain available for order. Starting October 3, Pentair will increase supply capacity of existing models and will reduce quarterly restrictions to allow increased order quantities for the IntelliFlo3, IntelliPro3, and WhisperFlo VST products.

The pumps staying:

• IntelliFlo3 (011075)
• IntelliFlo3 With Relay Board (011076)
• IntelliFlo3 with Touchscreen (011077)
• IntelliFlo3 with Relay Board and Touchscreen (011078)
• IntelliFlo3 VSF 1.65 HP (011065)
• IntelliFlo VS+SVRS (011057) - never recommended by TFP
• WhisperFloXF VS (022035)
• WhisperFlo VST (011533)
• SuperFlo VST (342002)
• IntelliPro3 (013075)
• IntelliPro3 With I/O Board (013076)
• IntelliPro VS+SVRS (013002)
• Max-E-ProXF VS (023035)
• SuperMax VS (343001)

The pumps getting discontinued:

• IntelliFloXF VSF (022056)
• IntelliProXF VSF (023056)
• IntelliPro VSF (013004)
• IntelliFlo VSF (011056)
• IntelliFlo i1 VS (011059)
• IntelliFlo i2 VS (011060)

Pentair IntelliFlo versus Sta-Rite IntelliPro Pumps

The IntelliFlow and IntelliPro are different pumps.

• The Intelliflow is the oldest design (originally a Purex WhisperFlow) that has stood the test of time for at least 25+ years. The only real change is the the lid.
• The IntelliPro is based on the Max-E-Pro, a slightly improved on version (just the lid and connections) of a design (Max-E-Glass 2) that is about the same age.

Both are excellent, high-head, pumps that use the same motor (different color). While the Sta-Rite may seem more complicated, it is actually easier to service when the time comes. The band-clamp is easier to remove than 6 bolts. Also, for some reason, a seal leak seems to cause more problems with a WhisperFlow's sealplate than a Sta-Rite.

The IntelliFlo is Pentair almond color and the IntelliPro is Sta-Rite black color.

Pentair has owned Sta-Rite for almost 20 years.

Pentair IntelliFlo3 011075 versus IntelliFlo 011056 Pumps

Both pumps are compatible with Pentair Automation Systems.

The 011075 is newer and supposed to be a bit more efficient. Although newer is not necessarily better and you will not see any difference in efficiency between the two pumps.

The key difference between the 011056 and the 011075 is the controls. The 011056 has a full featured control panel. The 011075 is controlled by an app when not under control of your ET or you can buy an optional touchscreen control panel. The 011077 is the 011075 with the Touchscreen at a lower price then bought individually.

I prefer a control panel on the pump. I don't want to be required to have my phone to control it in SERVICE mode. And if I have my wife or housekeeper need to do something on the pump they will not likely have the app. If you have any pool service worker they may not have app access to control your pump in SERVICE mode. And if the pump does not run and you can't get the app connected to control it will be tough figuring out what the problem is. These are all the reasons I will not get a pump without a control panel.

I would prefer getting the 011077 with the Touchscreen or if I got the 011075 I would add the Optional Touchscreen Controller (Almond - P/N 356159z, Black - P/N 356348z)

The 011075 manual says:

Depending on your particular setup, fault codes will display on one or more of the user interfaces:'

• Pentair Home App
• Automation System Interface
• Optional Touchscreen Controller (Almond - P/N 356159z, Black - P/N 356348z)

Pentair PA220GF GFCI Circuit Breaker for VS Pumps

Harmonics from the variable frequency drive can cause false GFCI trips. Pentair PA220GF is a 20A 240V GFCI breaker that GFCI trips at 6ma. The PA220GF is supposed to be less sensitive to false GCFI trips from VS pumps.

The PA220GF is a relabeled Siemens CB (QF220AP) although some say Pentair may have additional quality control and selects breakers less susceptible to false GFCI trips.

IntelliFlo Pump Out-of_Date Firmware Warning

IntelliFlo firmware V3.03 & V3.04 in 011028 or 011056 pumps or IntelliFlo3 pumps can cause intermittent RS-485 connection problems. We have had threads on members having these problems with their pumps.

If you have an affected pump you will need to call Pentair to send someone to update the pump firmware (3.03/3.04 were troublesome).

According to this Pentair TSB this applies to all IntelliFlo2 pumps and not just the 011056 pump.

If you have a Intelliflo3 pump (011075, 011076, 011077) you should be able to initiate a firmware update thru the Pentair home app with the IntelliCenter in service mode.

Intelliflo VSF Losing RS-485 Connection to Automation

In December 2023 a Pentair warranty technician posted that the firmware 3.04 and 3.03 on the Intelliflos were given a different chip set on the RS-485 part of the drive due to Covid shortages and they have a bug where they kick the pump off every 30 or so days.

The fix is to call Pentair and ask them to send someone to Flash your pump drive through the com port via flash drive. However because there were hundreds if not thousands of these pumps sold and Pentair stupidly only having two flash drives left to use the wait time can be annoying.

The temporary fix is to reboot the system by flipping the power off for a few mins and unplug the com wire from pump end via the round connector then plug back in. It will reboot until it happends again.

IntelliFlo VSF Pump Factory Reset

These are the steps to do a factory reset of the Pentair Intelliflo VSF pump:

1. Disconnect RS-485 cable, but leave power on.
2. On the keypad/display go to the screen that shows the Firmware, which is under Devices, ie. "2.11-VSF" on it.
3. Push all 4 preset buttons, labelled 1, 2, 3, 4 at the same time. You will see a screen that says something like, "Backdoor reset? 0000."
4. Push Select button.
5. Push up arrow. Backdoor reset will change to "0001."
6. Push Save button.
7. Turn off pump via the breaker, and leave it off for at least 3 minutes (according to a Pentair guy).
8. Turn it back on.
9. Reconnect RS-485 cable.

IntelliFlo VS+SVRS to VSF Upgrade

A member bought a SVRS pump that never worked because the pump site elevation over the pool is higher than SVRS vacuum trigger can tolerate. Based on the parts catalog he removed SVRS drive # 356910Z and replaced with VSF drive #356880Z keeping the old keypad. Cost was $530 without the keypad.

Unions

Most Pentair IntelliFlo pumps do not come with unions. Some other Pentair pumps do include unions.

All of the equipment should be connected with unions for cost savings over time, and for repairs to occur without cutting the pipes. The extra cost up front will prove useful the first time a repair is needed.

For Pentair pumps look for "2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK"

Pump Drive

The pump drive (VFD) is the control panel and electronics that control the variable speed motor. The drive connects to the motor using 3 wires. The motor is a 3 phase motor. The VFD converts the incoming single phase 240V AC to DC and then it generates a "digital" AC 3-phase output with the correct frequency based on the motor speed setting.

The drive is not repairable and the motor cannot be hot wired to 240V AC without a functional drive.

The drive is an expensive component and based on the cost of the drive vs. the whole pump, you should consider buying a new pump versus the drive separately.

IntelliFlo Losing Clock when Power is Lost

The IntelliFlo should retain its clock settings if power is lost for up to 96 hours. If the capacitor that powers the clock fails the Intelliflo's clock resets to midnight if the power is lost for more than a few seconds.

Pentair customer service confirmed it should retain the time for 96 hours, and stated that if it wasn't, something was wrong with "the capacitor that holds the time." The only thing that could fix this is "replacing the drive," which they didn't recommend because "it's as expensive as the whole pump."

Members who have examined the drive say it is all potted and no components are accessible.

RS-485 Connection

The communications cable is Pentair Intelliflo 50ft Communication Cable P/N 350122. It is a black cable.

The pump only uses two of the four wires...

• The Com port pin 2 green wire goes to the pump connector pin 6.
• The Com port pin 3 yellow wire goes to the pump connector pin 7.

When the automation panel is controlling the pump the pump display will show Display Not Active.

If you cannot get the RS-485 COMM link to work check that the connector under the pump display did not come loose.

Intellicom 2 Automation Adapter for IntelliFlo Pumps

The Intellicomm 2 is an adapter that takes four discrete inputs and converts them into a serial command to the Intelliflo. Normally these inputs would come from 4 relays inside a non-Pentair automation system. But, manually pushing 4 individual switches should accomplish the same thing. Four pre-set speeds would be set up on the Intelliflo control panel and then selected by one of the four manual switches.

IntelliFlo Bonding Lug

IntelliFlo pumps have a odd bonding lug with a longer arm since they connect to the pump screw under the rear cover. These lugs can rust out after a few years. Pentair does not have them in their parts catalog or sell them.

The replacement is Panduit CO35-36SL-QY or if not available CD70-14SL-QY or CD35-36SL-QY. There are multiple sources for them online.

Pentair Intelliflo rebuild/restoration

A member documented his rebuilding of an Pentair IntelliFlo pump (PN: 011018) from 2014 here --> https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/pentair-intelliflo-rebuild-restoration.236845/post-2073191

He disassembled the motor, cleaned it and repainted it.

Pentair Intelliflo resets its clock when the power goes off

If within warranty then make a warranty claim.

Pentair customer service says it should retain the time for 96 hours, and if not, something is wrong with "the capacitor that holds the time." The only thing that can fix this is "replacing the drive," which is expensive. A new drive runs around $600.

Connecting Pentair IntelliFlo Pump to Jandy Aqualink

You need an Aqualink board with at least REV O to control VS pumps.

The pump should wired directly from the breaker. If you aren't confident in high voltage wiring use an electrician.

StaRite and Pentair will tell you to buy an Intellicom II Adapter (a mere $150 "translator") but YOU DON'T NEED it. Page 18 of the Aqualink RS Install Manual, Section 3.3.4 details the pin and wiring configuration needed to connect the Pentair/StaRite control wire to the RS-485 Connector. Connect the Yellow to Pin 2 and Green to Pin 3.

Follow the iAqualink directions to get it connected to your wifi network. Power up the control board only and allow iAqualink to connect to wifi. All three LED's should be lit. Using the iAqualink Inerface, after you have set up you user account and added your pool, proceed to Menu>System Setup>VSP Setup. Click Pump/Model (#1) and select Intelliflo VS (the flo and pro are the same). If you have a VF I assume this same wiring configuration will work; the difference is you should select Intelliflo VF at this time. Click application and select Filtration. Click Speed Setup>Select your pump>Next - you can now program 8 DIFFERENT speeds with custom labels. You can program to your heart's content. The Jandy Manual for iAqualink is very useful in setting up your system.