Pentair intelliflo3 VSF Pump known issue.

[sizzlechest]

I bought the above pump model# 011076 to replace an older SVRS pump that still ran fine but was old. After installing, I could not get the pump to start. I was able to connect the pump to the phone app but no matter what, I couldn't "enable" the pump and neither could the app. I did a factory reset which they claim is in the manuals but it isn't (to do it, hold all 3 buttons about 5 seconds until all the lights blink). That was no fix. After calling support it turns out that some batches of pump left the factory with bad drive units. The units think they are a 1.5hp pump and not a 3hp pump. Luckily, Pentair support knew the issue and is arranging a new drive unit to be sent to me under warranty. I hope it fixes the issue. Otherwise, the pump seems to be pretty awesome. It negates needing Intellitouch a little bit because of the phone app feature and wifi/bluetooth connectivity. It seems firmware updates can be done as well. Pentair Home app isn't horrible either.

To verify if you have an affected pump, connect the pump to the Hentair home app on your phone and do the following:
Select Devices
Select your IntelliFlo/Pro3 VSF pump
Select the gear icon in the upper right
Select Product Overview
Look at the line that says "Model"
If you see it listing as a 1.5hp pump, you have an affected pump. (Call Pentair for a warranty replacement)

 

[Jimrahbe]

S,

Doesn't that pump have an RS-485 connection? Why would you not connect it to the IntelliTouch?

Kind of like having two remotes for the same TV???

(Not that has anything to do with the issue you are having...)

The standard IntelliFlo VS pump comes with an RS-485 cable. Does the new IntelliFlo3 come with an RS-485 cable?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[sizzlechest]

S,

Doesn't that pump have an RS-485 connection? Why would you not connect it to the IntelliTouch?

Kind of like having two remotes for the same TV???

(Not that has anything to do with the issue you are having...)

The standard IntelliFlo VS pump comes with an RS-485 cable. Does the new IntelliFlo3 come with an RS-485 cable?

Thanks,

Jim R.

It does have the 485 and I do have it connected to the Intellitouch. The problem was that with the bad board the Intellitouch couldn’t run the pump. Using the app and the WiFi allows setting to be managed outside what Intellitouch can do. In fact, it may be a better way to go as it simplifies some of the equipment on the pad. The new pump did NOT come with a cable since phone apps seem to be the direction mfrs are going towards. I cut the round plug end of the old cable and stripped the wires to connect to the 485 terminals on the new IF3 pump…

 

[guinness]

I'm glad they got rid of the expensive proprietary cable, now all you need is 2 conductor wire that can be easily obtained (which incidentally is how other pump manufacturers like Jandy did it).