jkusmier Posted September 28, 2010 Report Share Posted September 28, 2010 I noticed yesterday that my 3 season-old, 1.5HP Pentair SuperFlo occasionally turns off, then re-starts during it programmed run time in auto mode (I have an EasyTouch control panel). I can't say how long it has been cycling but I've noticed it twice in the last 90 mins or so. The pump re-started within a minute or so on both occasions. I have no idea what's causing this, but I'm confident that somebody here can diagnose the problem, and offer a rough estimate on the cost of repair. I was planning on upgrading to a variable speed pump but not this soon! As always, I would greatly appreciate any insight. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quantumchromodynamics Posted September 28, 2010 Report Share Posted September 28, 2010 It sounds like the pump might be overheating. When the pump overheats, the thermal overload turns the pump off. Once the pump cools, it will turn back on. What does the motor label say for S.F (Service Factor) and Amps? Check the voltage and current while the pump is operating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted September 28, 2010 Report Share Posted September 28, 2010 When you have some time, put the Easytouch into service mode, and turn on the pump in question (manually) and see if the problem persists. This will rule out if the pump is turning itself off, or if the controller was doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quantumchromodynamics Posted September 28, 2010 Report Share Posted September 28, 2010 If the motor is overheating, the paint and label on the motor will usually begin to discolor. The motor should feel hot, but not super hot. When the pump is running, you should be able to feel air blowing out of the slots near the bottom of the back of the motor. If the fan has broken, then you won't feel any air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted September 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2010 I'll see if fan is working and try running in service mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted September 28, 2010 Report Share Posted September 28, 2010 The pump re-started within a minute or so on both occasions. Don't think it's the thermal on the motor tripping. It has been my experience that the thermal takes longer (than a minute or so) to reset. More like 15-20 min. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted September 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Motor does not seem excessively hot to the touch, no abnormal smells or sounds, and is exhausting air out of ventilation slots in back. I've ruled out backpressure or air in the returns. I switched to service mode per Pool Clown's suggestion and did not notice it cycling - so I may have some comm error in my panel (which is frustrating since I had another comm error last year and had the IC 40 controller replaced under warranty, which has since expired). I'll probably spend a bit more time troubleshooting it before I close early next month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 If it runs fine in service mode, then you need to clear the e-prompt. Only bugger with that is that you need to start from scratch i.e. daily programming, aux labels, etc. Like when you first installed the controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted September 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 If it runs fine in service mode, then you need to clear the e-prompt. Only bugger with that is that you need to start from scratch i.e. daily programming, aux labels, etc. Like when you first installed the controller. Well hell, Pool Clown, I'll do that on any day, and twice on Sunday. I'll go one further and close the breaker on the whole panel and equipment pad and re-start. I'll re-program pump run time and leave the rest for opening next spring. Thanks, I'll let you know if it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 It's definitely a fault in the EasyTouch control panel. I have been running the pump in service mode w/o any problem. I've found several threads elsewhere regarding pump cycling with regard to EasyTouch panels. The bad news is that they seem to be associated w/ the freeze protection feature. The good news is that the symptoms reported are identical to those I'm experiencing - it cycles every hour or less, and the pump re-starts within 30 seconds. I have not yet had the time to re-boot the panel but will do so when I close, probably this weekend as the water temp is now at 64F and continues to drop. Hopefully it's a permanent fix and I don't need a new firmware upload. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 You have said "re boot" twice now. A simple turning off of the breaker and back on isn't what i mean. You need to clear the e-prompt. It's a little more involved than just cycling the breaker. Look in your manual, and if you can't find the section, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 Sorry Pool Clown, inartful choice of words. I cleared the EEPROM after work today - before doing so, I noticed the FRZ appeared on the display alongside the air and water temp readings, indicating freeze protection had become enabled. What troubles me is that while overnight temps have dropped low enough the past 2-3 nights to activate freeze protection, they never dipped below 43F when I first noticed the problem. Also, the cell indicator LED on my IntelliChlor was red today, indicating low temperature (which I believe is ~52F for the IC), although the EasyTouch indicated water temp was 62F. I'm beginning to wonder if I have a faulty board or if the fault reported w/ freeze protection on the EasyTouch involves a larger problem. Set to AUTO after erasing EEPROM and pump is cycling again. Kind of pi$$ed that I'm experiencing this problem after having the boards in the EasyTouch replaced last year. I know the new boards had upgraded firmware compared to the old boards - apparently it has some bugs. Wonder how much it will cost for a local rep come out and upgrade my firmware. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 Didn't something like this happen to you last year??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 A different problem - my EasyTouch wasn't communicating w/ my IC and I was unable to fine-tune output on my IC (thread is here). Thanks for the feedback - and you never really answered my question from the prior thread! I'll call Pentair tomorrow but plan to close in the next week. Kind of surprised with the classic fall temps here in StL after such a hot, hot summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 and you never really answered my question from the prior thread! It was the one resistor vs. three resistors in the Intellichlor pwr box. You have probably since seen couple of posts regarding it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Ah yes, I remember now. Anyway, I ran a diagnostic on both the EasyTouch and the chlorinator earlier this evening - no errors. I just sent an e-mail to the Pentair service rep who helped me w/ the IntelliChor issue last June. My pool was constructed and became operational in late September 2007, and am praying that they will still honor my 3-year warranty since 1) I first noticed the problem in late September, 2) have 7 pieces of Pentair equipment and 3) the problem involves an EasyTouch board that was replaced under warranty last year. We shall see. I suspect a broader problem, since the problem first occurred (and the freeze protection feature activated) when the overnight temps were no lower than 43F and 2) my IC40 is indicating low temps (52F I believe) but my EasyTouch and in-pool thermometer indicate 62F and 63F, respectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Did you clear the e-prompt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Yeah, I erased the EEPROM - twice - to no avail. Just received a response from the Pentair service rep, he placed a work order w/ the same local builder that came out last summer. They are honoring the warranty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Cool. Maybe you will get a board that will last a little longer this time. Or a little more firmer firmware Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 The local service tech flashed the firmware this afternoon and is installing a new IntelliChlor cell tomorrow. Thank you, Pentair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Curious, is he replacing a ver 2.0 cell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 How can one tell, besides grabbing my strap wrenches and disconnecting the cell from the unions so I can turn it over? It's the new look cell w/ the much brighter aqua-colored LED's. Per the user manual, the part number(P/N) of my new IC40 is 520555. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 The 1.9's had three salt level lights, red, green, and yellow, and the 2.0's only have two, red and green. OR you can loosen the two unions that should be only HAND TIGHT, and turn it over and look for the sticker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 My old cell was c. 2007 - he replaced it w/ a ver. 2.0 cell, as you described. He called me this afternoon to tell me he'd replaced the cell, although I already knew that. I told him I'd been candid w/ Pentair about my warranty expiring last month, and he replied that Pentair's customer service was the reason why they use Pentair equipment exclusively. I asked him what I owed him, and he said nothing, Pentair is covering it and if not he didn't care. Needless to say, I'll be calling him for any and all service problems from now on, warranty or not. I'm stoked. Not looking forward to closing next weekend, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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