Is Pentair IntelliChem effective

[Trivegas]

We're in the process of getting pool bids and one builder has recommended Intellichem and swears by it. This will be the first pool I've owned so I'm a rookie when it comes to pool maintenance and would appreciate some level of automation.
In theory the product sounds great and I wouldn't mind paying extra money for it if it really works. Builder makes it sound like it keeps the pool constantly in perfect balance.

I'm not looking for a magic bullet and don't expect that I would never need to do some manual testing, but I would like if it generally kept things pretty well balanced and I didn't need to test/maintain daily.
So, does it work like the builder leads me to believe?

In case it matters, our pool/spa will be in-ground/gunite and somewhere in the range of 14-17k gallons? I live in Las Vegas, NV

 

[mknauss]

No.

The Intellichem uses a pH and ORP probe. Both are problematic and fail often. ORP is how it monitors chlorine. The problem is, you cannot have CYA above 30 ppm in your water for it to work. No way that works here in Nevada. Our sun on the pool surface eats the chlorine in your water if you do not maintain at least 50 ppm CYA if using liquid chlorine and I keep mine at 80 ppm with a SWCG.

You can use a system to add acid and/or liquid chlorine. But you are just setting it to add a set amount each day. You adjust that amount as necessary based on your testing. With time it becomes fairly consistent and thus adjustments are not that frequent.

 

[Shekkie]

I'm not looking for a magic bullet and don't expect that I would never need to do some manual testing, but I would like if it generally kept things pretty well balanced and I didn't need to test/maintain daily.

One thing to mention is that once you get to know your pool you really don't have to test daily and maintenance becomes pretty routine. I'd be surprised if I spend 15 minutes a week testing/maintenance aside from skimming/brushing/cleaning skimmers.