Aquarite vs Pentair Intellichlor IC40. For Intellitouch system

[hulla]

I am going to upgrade my system from pucks to a swg.

I have a Pentair Intellitouch System i7+3. I got quotes for the IC40 but have found that the Aquarite should work with the Intellitouch too. Seems to be a little cheaper, and the replacement cells are much cheaper too.

Which unit would you get? Or is there another that would work for me that is better?


pool info: 20000gallon gunite.

[Mountain_Man]

I went with the AquaRite for the reasons you cited. Lower first cost, lower cell replacement cost and the ability to work w/my IntelliTouch controller. I like Pentair products in general but didn’t see the benefit to having the electronics in the cell. You end up paying for that every time a cell needs replacement.

I do find that on occasion the AquaRite will stop talking with the IntelliTouch and I have to turn off and reinitialize the SWG interface at the IntelliTouch indoor control panel. All the SWG status characteristics look OK but in order to raise or lower the chlorine production percentage I have to go through the above process.

[hulla]

So you only have to reboot it if you want to raise or lower chlorine production percentages? How exactly do you reboot it?

[Mountain_Man]

I find that disabling then re-enabling the SWG interface at the IntelliTouch indoor panel is all that is required to resolve the issue. I haven’t devoted much time to troubleshooting since it is a relatively minor annoyance and it doesn’t happen all of the time. I really only noticed it recently as my chlorine requirements have been rising with the higher summer temperatures which has required me to tweak my chlorine production upward.

[mshumack]

I use the IntelliChlor. I got the IC40 with power pack for $775. I just looked on e-bay. There is a new IC40 with power for $499 (the average seems to be around $700). I don't know what the other brands are selling for.
Whatever you go with, get the largest size cell. That way you can run the cell at a lower output and it will last longer.
Good Luck

[bradjo]

.....snip.....
I have a Pentair Intellitouch System i7+3. I got quotes for the IC40 but have found that the Aquarite should work with the Intellitouch too. ........

We have an i7 as well and we have a Goldline Aquarite cell and controller slaved and since we were owner/builders and doing our own electrical I spoke with the Intellitouch rep in our area about this. What he told me was that since we have the older software Goldline will run but later software revisions are 'less' compatible. So he said it was dependent upon your software revision.

I translated that to Intellitouch chose to become incompatible with other models after their cell became available. But I'm not in the industry and this is just what one rep said privately to me so take it with a few ppm of salt LOL
Jo

[hulla]

Just ordered the IC40 with power center from ebay for $715 shipped. The guy who is going to install it said he spoke with the Pentair rep about compatibility with Aquarite. Sounds like the rep was pushing hard for me getting the IC40. Said something about it being "self cleaning". And something about having to reprogram the intellitouch to make it likely work with aquarite.

On a side note. Some guy on ebay is selling an IC50 (cell only). Maybe its a prototype?

[bradjo]

......snip........ Said something about it being "self cleaning".

You know there's 'self-cleaning' and then there's 'self-cleaning'. Essentially the IC-40 manual states you are to remove the cell and inspect/acid was as neccessary every two months. Here's the manual: http://www.pentairpool.com/misc/owne...lor_Owners.pdf

I'm quoting from page 9, "scale, it is recommended that every two months the cell be removed and inspected for scale formation and/or debris." Then it gives the acid wash procedure.

It does have a 'self-clean' feature but you still must at least inspect and possibly maintain it.

.............snip.........Some guy on ebay is selling an IC50 (cell only). Maybe its a prototype?

Could be but scams do abound on eBay so I'd be very careful. Now I'm not against eBay matter of fact I've bought and sold on it since it's inception so just be careful and enjoy your pool!

Oops just wanted to add I think you bought the right cell. I think a pentair part will be compatible and if not Pentair can't keep passing you off to anyone else, sort of the OS/Software maker shuffle.
Jo