IntelliTouch i9+3 Rev B detected as IntelliCenter over RS-485

[mKnight86]

I’m trying to connect nodejs-poolController to an existing Pentair IntelliTouch i9+3 system over RS-485.

Hardware:

• Pentair IntelliTouch i9+3
• Board part number: 520074
• Board revision: Rev B
• COM terminal labels: GND / -DT / +DT / +15
• USB RS-485 adapter connected to +DT and -DT only
• The board photo confirms “System i9+3” on the PCB

Software:

• nodejs-poolController 9.0.0
• Git commit: fb67a2d
• Windows
• Serial port: COM4
• Serial settings: 9600 8N1
• mock=false
• netConnect=false

Problem:
njsPC detects the controller as IntelliCenter even though the board is IntelliTouch i9+3.

Startup log:
Starting Pool System undefined
Listening for any installed OCPs
RESETTING DATA -- Controller type changed from undefined to intellicenter
Found Controller Board IntelliCenter, awaiting installed modules.

Observed state:

• controllerType: intellicenter
• model: Unknown
• only one Pool circuit detected
• no valves, schedules, aux relays, pumps, or IntelliTouch i9+3 configuration discovered

Example received packet:
255,0,255,165,18,19,16,110,2,0,0,1,74

What I’ve tried:

• Confirmed COM4 opens successfully at 9600 8N1
• Confirmed mock=false and netConnect=false
• Deleted/rebuilt the data folder
• Confirmed the board is IntelliTouch i9+3 Rev B / part 520074
• Verified valid Pentair-style traffic is being received

Question:
Is there a way to force detection as IntelliTouch/i9+3, or does this look like an auto-detection issue that needs a replay capture?

Attached reply capture and board photo. Board is old, around 2006 I believe.

packetLog(2026-05-01_10-33-46).log

[mKnight86]

I also tested v8 in a separate folder. Same behavior.

v8 details:

• git commit: e97e4ff
• COM4 opens successfully at 9600 8N1
• Startup immediately changes from undefined to intellicenter

Relevant v8 startup:
Starting Pool System undefined
Listening for any installed OCPs
RESETTING DATA -- Controller type changed from undefined to intellicenter
Found Controller Board IntelliCenter, awaiting installed modules.

First repeated valid broadcast packet:
[165,18,15,16,2,29]
payload:
[13,34,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,32,0,0,0,0,254,254,0,0,84,0,1,0,0,4,0,70,91,0,2]

So this does not appear to be v9-specific.

[mKnight86]

Update: I patched the detection condition locally and it now works.

After removing the IntelliCenter detection condition:
(model2 === 2 && model1 == 0)

njsPC now detects:
controllerType: intellitouch
model: IntelliTouch i9+3

It discovered my real circuits:
Spa, Slide, Jets, Air Blower, Pool Light, Pool, Spa Light, AUX 6, AUX 7

It also discovered valves:
Valve A, Valve B, Intake, Return

So for my IntelliTouch i9+3 Rev B / part 520074, model bytes [0,2] should not be classified as IntelliCenter. I have fully tested all functions, and it is working great! I would like to see this patched in the codebase so when I do pulls, I get code that will work with my system.

Thanks!!

[tagyoureit]

Good catch! Thanks. Pushed up a fix to differentiate the models.

[mKnight86]

My pleasure, and thank you for all the hard work on this!