Pentair Mastertemp 400 connecting Intellivalve bypass actuator

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Z

zargnut

Member
Jul 2, 2024
5
Baltimore, MD
Pool Size
27000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hi,

I have an Easytouch 8 system from 2008. There is a Mastertemp 400 (460737) (and a ThermoFlo heat pump) plumbed in series.. The Propane Mastertemp heater is set to heat when in Spa mode. The Mastertemp Heater is controlled using the two-wire Fireman's Switch with the wire running to the easy touch control panel.

I first tried connecting the intellivalve (521485) to the new Mastertemp circuit board (461105) that I purchased to work with the intellivalve actuator. When you click the Easytouch VALVE switch to SPA/HEATER, it triggers the heater to turn on, and the bypass intellivalve also turns on...but when you click the VALVE button again from SPA --> POOL, it turns off the FIREMAN switch, the Heater LCD goes dark, and the power to the INTELLIVALVE also goes off.. so it never re-enters bypass.

I tried connecting the intellivalve directly to the easytouch AUX VALVE A.. and this actually works well to keep BYPASS open on POOL, and closes BYPASS on SPA setting.. But as soon as you click the Easytouch VALVE button from SPA --> POOL, it opens the bypass.. this doesn't allow time for the heat exchanger to cool off, and essentially immediately stops water flow through the heater. I looked at the EasyTouch delay options.. but based on how I have configured it, neither the COOLDOWN DELAY or the VALVES DELAY seem to assist with this issue.

Can anyone please advise the proper way to link the intellivalve actuator on a bypass valve to delay opening for 5-10 min after I switch the easytouch main valves from SPA back to POOL to ensure the heater has adequate time to cool off before bypassing?
 
Thank you! I am still a bit confused..

Instead those with a IntelliCenter have moved the bypass valve actuator wire to the Intellicenter board and tied it into the heater circuit. It bypasses immediately when the Intellicenter is no longer calling for heat. The IntelliCenter Users Guide says "Heaters manufactured by Pentair Water Pool and Spa do not require this cool-down period and do not need the delay to be set up." Additionally, the Pentair Installation Instructions for the Automatic Bypass Valve instructs the bypass valve yo be set to not fully close when bypassed.

But then later it says..

Heater Cooldown​

Pentair MasterTemp Installation Manuals used to say the filter pump should run continuously when the heater is on, and for at least 5 minutes after the heater turns off. Any switches in the pump circuit (including circuit breakers) that can disconnect the pump must also disconnect the heater.
A time clock controlling the filter pump used to have a low-voltage Fireman’s Switch that switches off the heater at least 15 minutes before shutting off the pump.
As of Rev P in 2020 Pentair now discuss a 1 minute cool down period for the Bypass Valve. See page 47 of the Installation Manual

I would honestly feel better if I could add a delay before the AUX A valve opens the bypass actuator... How is the cooldown delay supposed to work on an Easytouch? Is there anyway to apply that to the AUX A valve?
 
Your understanding is all correct. Pentair has been all over the map about the need for a cooldown delay for the MasterTemp. I view the IntelliCenter manual as the most current guidance saying "Heaters manufactured by Pentair Water Pool and Spa do not require this cool-down period and do not need the delay to be set up." Additionally, the Pentair Installation Instructions for the Automatic Bypass Valve instructs the bypass valve to be set to not fully close when bypassed.

That is what you should do - set the bypass valve to be partially open when the heater is bypassed. Your get the same benefit of greater flow if the bypass valve is fully closed to the heater or partially open. Watch the filter PSI gauge as you close the valve to the heater. You will see the PSI drop before the valve is completely closed and not a significant drop from there to full closure. That is the point to set the valve when bypassed..
 
I talked with a tech who advised me to ditch the two wire connection and I rewired it for RS-485 connections and replaced the fireman switch jumper.. now the valve works fine with delay.. but having issues getting the easytouch to recognize and control the heater.. I can't find any comm settings on the easytouch menus? any ideas?

The heater is now independent of the EasyTouch spa settings.

I am really hoping my EasyTouch 8 circa 2008 has firmware update which supports master temp comm control??

Else I am back to spending another 3 hours to pull wire a third time :-(.
 
The EasyTouch does not support RS-485 control of the MasterTemp. Only the IntelliCenter does.

Go back to the fireman switch on the MasterTemp and put the bypass valve on the EasyTouch. That is the only way it will work properly.

Pentair techs do not understand their own equipment as well as we do. We have hands on with them, they don't.
 
Final..
1) Rewired fireman switch to easytouch 2-wire terminal
2) Rewired intellivalve actuator to AUX A valve
3) Settings -> VALVES -> AUX A -> SPA
4) Calibrated intellivalve bypass to remain partially open to heater, to retain some flow for cooling. Titrated to 2 psi above full bypass pressure.

Here is video of the setup in action. Let me know if I messed anything up :)

photos.app.goo.gl

New video by Dan L

photos.app.goo.gl photos.app.goo.gl

Thanks for your help.
dan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply