Pentair Intellicenter - All lights stopped working

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DustyPool

Member
Feb 17, 2025
11
Fallbrook, CA
Pool Size
16000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hello All

New here. I've used the site a few times in the past just reading threads to resolve an issue or gain knowledge, but this time I didn't find an answer to my problem. So, here goes nothing.

A few weeks ago we noticed that our pool, spa, and landscape lights weren't turning on during their scheduled hours. Tried to troubleshoot myself to no avail and gave up. Finally asked our pool guy if he could take a look. He just left and wasn't able to fix the problem (wanted to troubleshoot with Pentair, but they are closed for the holiday). He did test what he could though and we found that there is power at the breaker, power at the GFCI, the board sends signal to the relays, the relays cycle (you can hear them switch), but power at the relays is low (I'm not sure what it is supposed to be at the relay? I assume 120?). He said he is going to get a relay to test and then troubleshoot with Pentair. The relays seem unlikely too me since all 3 stopped working at the same time. Just wanted to see if anyone has come across something like this or if anyone had a deeper knowledge of how the Pentair system works. Thanks in advance for any advice!
 
Welcome to TFP.

Details help us help you.

How many relays are the lights wired to? What are the light groups?

How many light transformers?

Show us pictures of the IntelliCenter load center with the panel open showing the relays, circuit breakers and wiring.

Power at the relays is low? How low? What is the measured voltage?

Was voltage measured at the transformer output?

What model number lights do you have?

We have knowledge of how the Pentair system works. We do not have knowledge about how your system was installed and wired.
 
ajw22 said:
Welcome to TFP.

Details help us help you.

How many relays are the lights wired to? What are the light groups?

How many light transformers?

Show us pictures of the IntelliCenter load center with the panel open showing the relays, circuit breakers and wiring.

Power at the relays is low? How low? What is the measured voltage?

Was voltage measured at the transformer output?

What model number lights do you have?

We have knowledge of how the Pentair system works. We do not have knowledge about how your system was installed and wired.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply! I'll try to give you as much info as I can! I have to admit I wasn't paying super close attention when he was getting readings at all the locations, I could just hear him saying "we have power here" or "hmm I'm getting a low reading at the relay". I know that doesn't do much for you lol, but here's what I can answer. See below for pictures and responses to your questions.

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How many relays are the lights wired to? What are the light groups? Lights are wired to 3 relays. Groups are Pool lights, Spa light, and Landscape lights.

How many light transformers? There are 2 light transformers.

Show us pictures of the IntelliCenter load center with the panel open showing the relays, circuit breakers and wiring. See pictures and let me know if you need something more specific.

Power at the relays is low? How low? What is the measured voltage? As I said above, I wasn't right there paying close attention when he was getting his readings. I had just walked out of the house to go talk to him at that point.

Was voltage measured at the transformer output? Yes, he checked and said it was good.

What model number lights do you have? Not sure. I'll have to look and see what I can find.
 
Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it to take your own voltage measurements?
 
ajw22 said:
Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it to take your own voltage measurements?
Click to expand...
I don't unfortunately. I do know how to use one, just don't own one. I do know that he checked all the connections for the lights inside the panel and in the black box to the left of the panel and everything was good. Only thing that got a different reading was at the relays (which I don't know if they are supposed to get a lower reading?)
 
DustyPool said:
Only thing that got a different reading was at the relays (which I don't know if they are supposed to get a lower reading?)
Click to expand...

I have no idea what that means.

Especially when you say voltage out of the transformers was good.

2 transformers with 3 light relays would imply two light groups are low voltage and one is 120 volts. Need to know the specific lights we are dealing with.
 
ajw22 said:
I have no idea what that means.

Especially when you say voltage out of the transformers was good.

2 transformers with 3 light relays would imply two light groups are low voltage and one is 120 volts. Need to know the specific lights we are dealing with.
Click to expand...
I'll see if I can find our paperwork with the specific light models. We have 3 lights in the pool. 2 of the bigger intellibrite color lights and 1 of the microbrite color lights. The spa has 1 of the intellibrite color lights. The landscape lights are low voltage for sure. Again, I'll try to find our paperwork and get specific model numbers.
 
What firmware level is your IntelliCenter.

Show us the setup for each light AUX relay. What is the circuit function set to?
 

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Yup.

How do you turn on the Spa light if Show as feature is not checked to show the control on your Feature page?

Your landscape lights are white only?
 
It doesn't show up in the features section, but it is in the lights section. I've always wondered why it didn't show up next to the other lights in features.

Correct, landscape lights are white only.
 
DustyPool said:
It doesn't show up in the features section, but it is in the lights section. I've always wondered why it didn't show up next to the other lights in features.
Click to expand...
Check that box to put it in the Features.
 
DustyPool said:
And yes, lights have worked normally since the pool was installed almost a year ago. Just started happening a few weeks ago.
Click to expand...
If you can hear the relays activating, it sure sounds like a gfci problem. Are you comfortable temporarily bypassing the gfci receptacle to test the lights? TBH, the Line terminals are typically on the bottom of the GFCI receptacles and yours are not at the bottom, id be inclined to confirm its installed correctly as you could have dropped the neutral side of the receptacle only which could make the voltage test low with a multimeter
 
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Ahultin said:
If you can hear the relays activating, it sure sounds like a gfci problem.
Click to expand...
It is said voltage output at the transformers was checked and was good which would rule out the GFCI.

Although I agree with you it sounds like a power to the lights problem.

A competent technician with a voltmeter should be able to diagnose the problem.
 

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