Using an Intelliflo pump with and AquaLogic or ProLogic Control System

Even the newest versions of the Hayward / Goldline AquaLogic controller (2.85) are not setup to select different speeds on the Intelliflo Pump.

It is possible, however, to get the two to work together using the first generation Pentair IntelliComm.

Programing the Pump:

First, set up four distinct speeds on the pump. This is straight forward on the old style 4 X 160. If using a newer menu driven pump set up the speeds in the External Control menu.

Strategy for setting up the speeds:

When using a variable speed pump with a control system, be aware that the controller will often call for more than one speed at a time. The IntelliComm resolves such conflicts by switching to the highest speed number (1-4). Depending upon how these are set, this may or may not actually be a faster speed. Indeed, in once case (if you follow my strategy below), it will not be a faster speed.

Speed 1 will be your default speed that comes on when the pump is turned on. Set this speed to an appropriate rate to operate the automatic pool cleaner (if one is present).

Speed 2 will be your low/economy speed. If both speed 1 and 2 are activated at the same time, the pump will run at the slower speed 2.

Speed 3 will be used to ensure that your heater has adequate flow should the heater come on while the pump is running in low speed (speed 2). If both speed 2 and 3 are activated at the same time, the pump will run at the faster speed 3.

Speed 4 will be used for the spa jets. This will ramp up the pump speed to its highest setting.

Programming the Controller

Setting up your time clocks:

When you set your timers, you will set the filter pump for the total time that you want the pump to run. This should be about 12 hours (8am-8pm).

Within those hours, you will set a time to run the low speed. You could go into the Configuration Menu and set it up as a two speed pump and use auxiliary 1 or 2, but I will assume that those are already being used for other things and are thus not available. The better alternative is to use Valve 3. I recommend programming Valve 3 to operate the low speed during the middle of the day. (I recommend 10am-7pm.)  This way the pump only runs on high for 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. During the peak usage of mid-day, the pump runs on low for 9 hours. Running the pump on low for 9 hours will use about the same amount of energy that it would to run it on high for 1 hour, but by running it on low, you have continuous filtration and chlorination when the sun is up and algae growth is more active. The longer run time for your chlorinator prevents dips and spikes in your chlorine level.

Wiring the IntelliComm

Wire the 240v power supply for the variable speed pump directly to a breaker. You do not want to use the filter pump relay for this. (It will be used to activate speed 1).

Power the IntelliComm with 110v (terminals 1&2). I recommend using the same breaker that powers the Aqualogic board.

Rewire the high voltage side of the filter pump relay to send 110v to terminals 3&4 of the IntelliComm. This will call for speed 1 (high speed).

Plug a valve actuator cord into the Valve 3 socket. Connect the black wire to terminal 5. Connect either the red wire or white wire to terminal 6. Use whichever one has power when Valve 3 is activated. This will activate your speed 2 (low speed).

Inside the heater connect one conductor or a two conductor thermostat cord to the low voltage ground side of the transformer and the other conductor to a place that has 24vac when the heater calls for heat. Connect this thermostat wire to terminals 7&8 of the IntelliComm. This will activate speed 3 (heater speed).

Splice into the wire going to either the suction valve or the return valve. If you would like to ensure a strong waterfall if the spillover feature is active, then splice into the wire for the return valve. Again, as before, you will connect the black wire to terminal 9 and connect either the red or white (whichever has power when the spa is on) to terminal 10. This will activate speed 4 (spa jets).

Finally, attach the yellow wire on the variable speed pump cord to terminal 11 and the green wire to terminal 12. Plug the other end of this cord into the data socket on the variable speed pump.

Using the system

Once it is programmed, you can forget that it has different speeds. Just use it as usual and the pump will switch to the appropriate speed without the user having to think about it.