Pentair: EasyTouch vs. IntelliTouch

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M

MrBobC

0
Jun 14, 2018
30
Binghamton, NY
Hello All!

Did some research by using the search bar for folks looking at the EasyTouch and IntelliTouch, but feel like each situation is different, so going to post anyway. Doing an upgrade on the pool as follows:

Hayward 1HP Superpump -> Pentair Intelliflo VSF 011056
Hayward 210T Sand -> Pentair Quad DE 100
New Intellichlor IC60

Only runs a pool, no spa. One light inside the pool. Have a waterslide if that matters. Plan to add solar maybe next year and possibly a heat pump as well. Will eventually build a pool house that will have some external lighting.

I want to ensure I get the right (future-proof) automation. What other pieces of information do people need to help me with a recommendation on the parts? Pretty sure the ScreenLogic will be included in this, just not sure about which system/personality kit.

Thank You!
 
Bob,

I recommend this package... https://sunplay.com/collections/pentair-easytouch-control-systems/products/pentair-easy-touch-control-system-521150

This is an ET8 that has a built-in SWCG power supply and comes with an IC60 salt cell and two actuators. Since you have no spa you might not need the actuators, but you might use one to control the water to the slide. This is a "dual" body of water unit, so it can control both a pool and a spa, but that will work just fine in your pool..

You can get a "pool only" ET with an IC40 which is big enough for your pool in your location for a few dollars less... https://sunplay.com/collections/pentair-easytouch-control-systems/products/pentair-easy-touch-control-system-520705

Both of these units have 8 relays... You can get a cheaper ET with only 4 relays, but that really limits what you can control in the future..

If you want to be able to control the EasyTouch using your PC, Phone, or tablet you will need ScreenLogic2... See this.. https://sunplay.com/collections/pentair-easytouch-control-systems/products/pentair-screenlogic-interface-and-wireless-522104

If you have any questions, just start asking...

Thanks,

Jim R.

- - - Updated - - -

The IntelliTouch is normally used for very complex pools with a lot of pumps and water features...
 
You'll need an actuator for your solar. I don't have a spa, but my ET is the "spa" version. I make good use of the spa features, for some trick programming. You won't be sorry to have an "8" or a "spa" model. You will be sorry (as I am) to buy one that you quickly outgrow...
 
Bob,

Do you already have the Power Center that goes along with the cell? How old is it?

The 520703 does not have the built-in SWCG power supply... this just means that you will have two boxes on the wall, not a major issue..

If you buy the ET 8 you will have plenty of options for future growth, so you do not "need" the Pool and Spa unit... The single body unit (Pool only) will work fine.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Yes, the "spa" unit would be overkill. But here's what I'm doing with it. I have an IntelliChlor and an Intelliph that rely on the schedule of the "pool" mode to supply the proper amounts of chlorine and acid each day. I don't mess with that. My solar runs during that same, 7-hour period, 7:00AM to 3:00PM. But sometimes I want more heat, longer in the day, say... in anticipation of some night swimming. I can't turn on "pool" mode after 3:00PM because that would fire up the IntelliChlor and the Intelliph and mess with both of those levels. But a "spa enabled" ET can have a separate setting for the IntelliChlor in "spa" mode, which I set to zero output (which also sets the Intelliph to zero output). So when I need more solar, I just flip on SPA mode to get it, without affecting FC or pH levels. I use this quite often.

In the winter I have another use for SPA mode, which has to do with freeze mode. So I use the spa features of my ET year-round. I'm not saying I would spend a whole lot extra for those capabilities, but I would spend some.
 
Mr Bob,

Dirk and Jim got you pretty well squared away with an EasyTouch but I just wanted to expand on the ET vs Intellitouch aspect... I have an Intellitouch (it came with the house) and for my setup it's not worth the extra cost. I've got a pool, intelliflo pump, aquarite swg (not connected to my intellitouch), pool light, yard light, waterfall and a high pressure cleaner thingy.

The Intellitouch is of course the premium line and lets you add a ton more relays (40?), and program some macros so you can turn on more than one function with a single button. Great features in theory but I'll never use them.

The Intellitouch Indoor Controller has a large graphic display vs the EasyTouch's 4 line character display... the IntelliTouch lets you have multiple screens of 10 functions each so you can control more than the ET, but it doesn't matter to me because I only need 6 functions. Many folks skip indoor controllers altogether and just use Screenlogic.

You can't program the Intellitouch unless you have an Indoor controller, a MobileTouch, or a Screenlogic... so I like that the "albeit simpler" ET display is right there on the outdoor controller.

Intellitouch replacement parts are a lot more expensive, whether you buy them new or used. You can get a used EasyTouch 8 outdoor board on eBay for 150 bucks, but a used Intellitouch mainboard + personality board is twice that or more. An Intellitouch Indoor Controller is also double the cost of an EasyTouch indoor controller.

I'd sum up by saying if my Intellitouch ever fails I'd replace it with an EasyTouch.

Good luck with your build!
 
Jim,

I do have the Power Center, manufacture date in April 2017.

Dirk,

That's an interesting way of using the system. I guess I could say I didn't know what I didn't know, so knowing that what you've done is something I might like to do, I'll take that into consideration before purchase. It's likely the automation piece will come next season, while the pool/pump/filter/SWG will be this season (since I have all of those already).
 

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Hey Bob,
The main panel (Load Center or Power Center) for the EasyTouch is designed to be installed outside... it's about as weather tight as the average breaker box that you'd put on the side of your house.

The screenlogic transceiver card that's housed in the little oval plastic shell is also designed for an outdoor installation.

I would not install an easy touch indoor controller or the screenlogic protocol adapter outside.

Hope that helps
 
I installed the ScreenLogic Protocol Adapter inside, right next to my router's ethernet switch, then hardwired it in. Ethernet cable to the switch, and a four-conductor wire to the ET, which is installed outside. I don't like wireless, and it's not necessary to use if you can run the cable. ETs are designed to be outside, right next to all your equipment. Because of all the connections between your ET and the various components it controls, it would not be practical to have it very far away from the equipment pad.

I also use a Pentair Indoor Control Panel, which is in essence like having all the ET's controls (buttons and digital readout) duplicated at an indoor location. The function of this unit has been replaced by ScreenLogic, which makes use of your smart phone or a computer to present an interface. The Indoor Control Panel (along with a couple of other "remote" controls) is old school and all that was available prior to ScreenLogic, but I find it handier sometimes than ScreenLogic. Like when I want to have a quick look at the equipment status, or pool or outdoor temperature. I have it mounted next to my HVAC thermostat. I can initiate a few modes (cleaner, skimmer, filter, spa and light) faster with that than I can trying to find my phone or computer and loading up an app.

Not suggesting you look into that, just sharing. I take some ribbing for even owning the thing, let alone using it. But I like having the extra options it provides me. Mine is hardwired into the same four-conductor wire that connects my ScreenLogic adaptor to the ET, so installation was easy. I like having both, if I could have only one, it would be ScreenLogic, hands down.
 
+1 to Dirk for having the indoor controller... they're even more useful if you have complicated programming because they act as a backup of sorts (same goes for intellitouch units). If your program isn't complicated you can of course just redo it at the outdoor panel or with screenlogic.

Here's how the "backup" works... when a new (or cleared) indoor controller is connected and powered up, it will recognize that it is blank and download the outdoor program to sync both units. Any subsequent programming changes are pushed to both units. If you outdoor board fails, you just swap in a new board and on power up it will recognize that the units are out of sync (because now the outdoor unit is blank)... this time it asks whether you want to keep the indoor or outdoor unit's programming, so selecting "indoor" will restore your stuff.
 
ogdento, it's you and me against the world, brother! ;)

Very interesting info about the backup the Indoor Control Panel provides. I had just assumed the ICP was sending and receiving data in real time, like a dumb terminal, I didn't know it actually stored and synced data.

What do you have to say about that, all you ICP detractors!?! (You know who you are, you ScreenLogic Lovers!!) ;)

PS. You and me might have to have a chat sometime about upgrading my PSL4 to something that isn't a "lite" version... I need more pump speeds and schedules... (For another thread.)
 
That made me laugh out loud!

I don't have a screenlogic yet myself. I definitely want one, but because it's cool - not because I really need it. I'll find a dead one to fix :)

Tom
 
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