Is the Pentair EasyTouch a good controller?

[skamp]

My pool builder is planning on using the Pentair EasyTouch 8 with IntelliChlor. Is this a good controller? Thanks!

Steve

[26theone]

My PB is also planning to use the easytouch 4 system with the intellichlor swcg. My PB is basically using all Pentair products. I believe the easytouch line is a bit cheaper in cost than the newer Pentair intellitouch system. The 8 way system will be great for all your water features, etc. I have not heard pros/cons against other controllers.

The handheld controller itself does seem a little big for what it does but thats not a big concern to me.

[skamp]

My PB is also planning to use the easytouch 4 system with the intellichlor swcg. My PB is basically using all Pentair products. I believe the easytouch line is a bit cheaper in cost than the newer Pentair intellitouch system. The 8 way system will be great for all your water features, etc. I have not heard pros/cons against other controllers.

The handheld controller itself does seem a little big for what it does but thats not a big concern to me.

It seems like a good system but wanted to hear some feedback. My PB says they used Aqua Link and Goldline in the past but moved to the EasyTouch for cost and less problems. They said they would do the Aqua Link RS8 for the same price if I wanted it so I didn't question there response. There are a lot of decisions and I want to make sure I am making good ones. I don't mind spending a little more up front if it will make my pool better. I hate getting something that is just ok only to have problems later. Thanks!

Steve

[quinch]

Jandy Jandy Jandy.

That is all.

[skamp]

Jandy Jandy Jandy.

That is all.

I guess you like the Jandy then? :D I am going to talk with my PB tomorrow. I think he said they would do the RS8 PDA with the PureLink for the same price as the EasyTouch with the IntelliChlor. If this is the case I may do that.

Steve

[mas985]

It seems like a good system but wanted to hear some feedback. My PB says they used Aqua Link and Goldline in the past but moved to the EasyTouch for cost and less problems. They said they would do the Aqua Link RS8 for the same price if I wanted it so I didn't question there response. There are a lot of decisions and I want to make sure I am making good ones. I don't mind spending a little more up front if it will make my pool better. I hate getting something that is just ok only to have problems later. Thanks!

Steve

I am surprised at the PBs comment. If you add the cost of the SWG, last I checked, the Goldline unit is much less in cost. The Aqualogic is an equipment controller with a SWG support included but the EasyTouch requires a separate SWG controller. Make sure the price of both units includes the SWG before doing a comparison. Also, I have had no problems with the Aqualogic.

[skamp]

I am surprised at the PBs comment. If you add the cost of the SWG, last I checked, the Goldline unit is much less in cost. The Aqualogic is an equipment controller with a SWG support included but the EasyTouch requires a separate SWG controller. Make sure the price of both units includes the SWG before doing a comparison. Also, I have had no problems with the Aqualogic.

They said they would allow me the Jandy RS8 PDA with SWG (PureLink). There is a Pentair EasyTouch model that includes the IntelliChlor SWG. I am waiting for a callback. Will all things equal would the Pentair EasyTouch or the Jandy AquaLink RS8 PDA be a better choice? Thanks!

Steve

[waterbear]

I know nothing of the Pentair unit but I have heard some negative feedback on the Jandy SWG last year. I don't know if Jandy has ironed out the bugs or not yet. I have a Goldline Aqualogic PS-8 myself and am more than happy with the unit. I have also been told by 2 different pool contractors that the Goldline valve acutators are more dependable than either the Jandy or Compool (Pentair) ones. (Conversations took place where I work and had nothing to do with my pool so I tend to believe them!) Since the actuators are interchangable as long as the voltages are the same (I believe Goldline only makes 24v ones) you can always change them out if you have problems with them and they are 24v.

[huskyrider]

I wouldn't hesitate for one second in picking the Jandy PDA PS8/Purelink over the Easy Touch/IC40. Just make sure that the electrician moves your antenna away from the equipments power center.

I disagree that the Aqualogic is more affordable, the last time (first of this year) I did a price comparison on controllers the Intellitouch and Aqualink One Touch controllers came in the highest. The Easy Touch, Jandy PDA, and Aqualogic came in very close to each other.

waterbear, the problem Jandy had with their salt system last year was on the stand alone Aquapure systems. The Purelink power centers didn't experience this problem. It was a bad batch of computer chips from an outside vendor that they purchase raw materials from.

See ya,
Kelly

[Peter155]

I am having my pool re-modeled now. My PB is using all Pentair products, EasyTouch 4, Intellichlor IC20, IntelliBrite(2 pool lights, 1 spa light) and I already had a 2 speed whisperflo 1.5 hp. This is the second pool I've owned, but I've never had a pool built. The whole remodel got started when I had to replace my Hayward Northstar 1 hp pump (I let the guy in the pool store talk me into buying a 1 hp Northstar instead of a 1.5 hp Whisperflo 5 years ago when I replaced a 1.5 hp pump, don't recall what brand).
Everybody I know that has a Whisperflo pump has had nothing but good luck. So I naturally went with the Whisperflo when I replaced my pump. When we decided to do the re-model I was happy when my PB chose all Pentair products. I wanted the IC40 chlorinator but my PB assures me the IC20 is sufficient for my 18,000 gal pool. Normally I would agree, but I live in the desert and we are over 100 degrees everyday from mid May through September. But he says he'll replace the IC20 with an IC40 if I'm not getting enough chlorine. In reading the literature that came with the EasyTouch 4, I can't think of anything that it can't control from the remote. The re-model isn't done yet, but I will keep you informed of any problems after start-up. Should be done in another week.

[skamp]

I am having my pool re-modeled now. My PB is using all Pentair products, EasyTouch 4, Intellichlor IC20, IntelliBrite(2 pool lights, 1 spa light) and I already had a 2 speed whisperflo 1.5 hp. This is the second pool I've owned, but I've never had a pool built. The whole remodel got started when I had to replace my Hayward Northstar 1 hp pump (I let the guy in the pool store talk me into buying a 1 hp Northstar instead of a 1.5 hp Whisperflo 5 years ago when I replaced a 1.5 hp pump, don't recall what brand).
Everybody I know that has a Whisperflo pump has had nothing but good luck. So I naturally went with the Whisperflo when I replaced my pump. When we decided to do the re-model I was happy when my PB chose all Pentair products. I wanted the IC40 chlorinator but my PB assures me the IC20 is sufficient for my 18,000 gal pool. Normally I would agree, but I live in the desert and we are over 100 degrees everyday from mid May through September. But he says he'll replace the IC20 with an IC40 if I'm not getting enough chlorine. In reading the literature that came with the EasyTouch 4, I can't think of anything that it can't control from the remote. The re-model isn't done yet, but I will keep you informed of any problems after start-up. Should be done in another week.


Get the IC40. I have a 18,500 gallon pool and at 50% it is just enough.

Steve

[Peter155]

Get the IC40. I have a 18,500 gallon pool and at 50% it is just enough.

Steve

Steve

My PB just finished the re-model Friday. I am running my IC20 at 55% and it seems to be okay. My water temp right now is only 81. What kind of water temperature do you get in the summer? How long have you had your IC40? Do you supplement with liquid chlorine? Do you use the IC40's shock feature to shock your pool or do you use regular pool shock? Thanks for any info.
Pete

[skamp]

Steve

My PB just finished the re-model Friday. I am running my IC20 at 55% and it seems to be okay. My water temp right now is only 81. What kind of water temperature do you get in the summer? How long have you had your IC40? Do you supplement with liquid chlorine? Do you use the IC40's shock feature to shock your pool or do you use regular pool shock? Thanks for any info.
Pete

I have had mine since 3/2007. I live in Houston so my water is pretty warm (92+) in the summer. What chlorine levels do you plan on running? I run about 3-4ppm with 50 ppm of stablizer. I have only shocked once and I used the super chlorinate feature from the IC20. How well the IC40 will work for you also depends on your runtime. I have a 2HP pump for 18,500 gallons (somehwhat overkill) but only run 6-8 hours a day (half at night to load the chlorine with none getting used from the sun). This gives me 2+ turnovers a day and can maintain my chlorine in the summer with the IC40 set to 40-50%.

Steve