This installation guide is for connecting a Intermatic PE153ME Digital Timer for use with a
2-speed motor and optional Polaris Pump
DISCLAIMER: Read and understand all of page 4 of the PE153ME instruction manual before replacing the timer. If you are not sure about how to connect this timer or
are afraid to connect the timer yourself - contact an electrician. Safety First!
Changing from a single speed motor to a 2-speed motor REQUIRES either adding a second timer to control both of the motor speeds or by installing a PE153ME digital timer.
There are two different timer combinations that can be used to control a 2-speed motor for a pool pump.
The first method uses a exsisting T104 timer (220v ) or equivalent timer. This timer will be used to control the low-speed of the motor. Then adding a second timer, a T106 timer (220v) or equivalent timer to control the high-speed of the motor.
The second method is what we are covering here in this guide. It involves removing the T104 timer and replacing it with an PE153ME digital timer that will control high speed, low-speed of the motor and a (optional) pump/motor. This guide includes connecting a Polaris booster pump too.
Read the Intermatic installation manual first. This will give you a understanding of the timer. Intermatic seems to lack the ability to give a adequate description as to
correctly connect the timer for this set-up and can be confusing.
1) Incoming 220v
2) Incoming 220v, Pool Pump motor, Polaris pump Motor (3 wires)
3) Jumper connected to terminal 1
4) High speed from motor
5) Jumper connected to terminal 3
6) Low speed from motor
Polaris Pump
7) Jumper connected to terminal 5
8) Common wire to Polaris motor
Double check all your jumper wires and connections.
All good? If in doubt look at the picture above.
Turn power ON and the digital timer should be flashing 12:00.
Since this is for a 2-speed motor and optional Polaris booster pump you will need to make sure it is in Mode 4. It comes in Mode 1. Your timer will not work correctly in Mode Setting 1.
Use the up and down buttons to change it from Mode 1 to Mode 4.
Press ENTER
Now verify that the timer says Mode 4.
Good your set.
I set the low-speed, high-speed and Polaris pump times in order BEFORE setting the timer to the correct time of day.
Why?
Because your most likely going to be setting this timer up during one of the run cycles. I would rather not have the pump(s) running while I’m initially setting up the timer.
I like to set the low-speed run time first because the high-speed run time can only run inside the low speed time run window.
Example
Low speed – 8:00am - 8:00pm
High speed – 11:00am-1:00pm
Polaris – 11:00am – 1:00pmNote:
2) Press PROG until you see Load 2 (low speed) Event 1 only. If you see Event 2 press PROG again until you get back to Load 2 Event 1. Using the up and down buttons set the start time then press ENTER.
3)Then set the end or stop time and press ENTER.
4) Low speed time is now set.
5)Press PROG until you get to Load1 Event 1 (high-speed).
Then set the end or stop time and press ENTER. High speed time is now set.
Using the up and down buttons set the start time then press ENTER.
Then set the end or stop time and press ENTER. Polaris time is now set.
IF you make any mistake you can start again by pressing the PROG twice.Note:
Press PROG until you see Clock and on the left side of the display of the flashing 12:00 you should see am or pm.
Using the up and down buttons set the start time then press ENTER.
(Look to side of the flashing 12:00 numbers displayed while setting for am or pm run times) Then set the end or stop time and press ENTER. Timer Clock is now set.
At this time most likely the pump will come on because you’re setting the timer up during one of the run cycles and it will be on either High or Low-speed.
You’re done!
High Speed on/off – Circuit 1
Low Speed on/off – Circuit 2
Polaris on/off – Circuit 3 (If you press this during a low speed cycle the timer will switch to high speed while it’s on).
My hope in presenting this information is to make connecting this digital timer easier to install.
DISCLAIMER: If you are not sure about how to connect this timer or are afraid to connect the timer yourself - contact an Electrician. Safety First!
Changing from a single speed motor to a 2-speed motor REQUIRES either adding a second timer to control both of the motor speeds or by installing a PE153ME digital timer.
You can not use a T101 (120v) timer with a T106 timer (220v)
There are two different timer combinations that can be used to control a 2-speed motor for a pool pump.
The first method uses a exsisting T104 timer (220v ) or equivalent timer. This timer will be used to control the low-speed of the motor. Then adding a second timer, a T106 timer (220v) or equivalent timer to control the high-speed of the motor.
The second method is what we are covering here in this guide. It involves removing the T104 timer and replacing it with an PE153ME digital timer that will control high speed, low-speed of the motor and a (optional) pump/motor. This guide includes connecting a Polaris booster pump too.
The Intermatic PE153ME is a 3-circuit digital timer and can be used for a variety of purposes. This guide will cover connecting the wiring from the motor to the
timer in Mode 4 (pump high, pump low and cleaner pump) only.
For other applications refer to the installation manual.
This takes in account that you have already replaced the motor and seal with a new
2-speed motor and seal and have run the wiring from the motor to the timer box.
These are the steps you will need to follow to replace the exsisting T104 (220v) timer with the PE153ME timer.
Note: (all references to circuit 3 for this connection is this installation guide is in reference to connecting a Polaris booster pump. Circuit 3 could be used for water features, garden, fountain or landscape applications. Circuit 3 can also be wired for 120v. This connection is NOT covered in this guide.)
Read the Intermatic installation manual first. This will give you a understanding of the timer. Intermatic seems to lack the ability to give a adequate description as to
correctly connect the timer for this set-up and can be confusing.
The following instructions will help you out and hopefully not get you frustrated.
PE153ME Wiring Connections
Study the picture (above) to see proper connections for a 3-circuit connection in Mode 4.
Verify that the push-pin jumper is set to 220v on the back of the timer.
It should be set at 220v from the factory.
Make sure ALL power is OFF before connecting the timer! Remove the all wiring from all the terminals of the T104 or equivalent timer. Then press the spring at the top of the box and pull the timer towards you and out of the timer box.PE153ME Timer Terminal Connections
Wiring Connection Breakdown by Terminal
1) Incoming 220v
2) Incoming 220v, Pool Pump motor, Polaris pump Motor (3 wires)
3) Jumper connected to terminal 1
4) High speed from motor
5) Jumper connected to terminal 3
6) Low speed from motor
Polaris Pump
7) Jumper connected to terminal 5
8) Common wire to Polaris motor
See the picture if in doubt
Check ALL Connections
Now that all the connections have been made.Double check all your jumper wires and connections.
All good? If in doubt look at the picture above.
Turn power ON and the digital timer should be flashing 12:00.
Since this is for a 2-speed motor and optional Polaris booster pump you will need to make sure it is in Mode 4. It comes in Mode 1. Your timer will not work correctly in Mode Setting 1.
Changing the Mode
Press the small button just above the PROG button for 5 seconds or until the mode number starts flashing. It’s on the right side of the display.Use the up and down buttons to change it from Mode 1 to Mode 4.
Press ENTER
Now verify that the timer says Mode 4.
Good your set.
Setting the Pump Run Times
This part of the PE153ME instruction manual can be hard to understand.
I have a different way of setting the pump run times than the manufacturer.I set the low-speed, high-speed and Polaris pump times in order BEFORE setting the timer to the correct time of day.
Why?
Because your most likely going to be setting this timer up during one of the run cycles. I would rather not have the pump(s) running while I’m initially setting up the timer.
I like to set the low-speed run time first because the high-speed run time can only run inside the low speed time run window.
Example
Low speed – 8:00am - 8:00pm
High speed – 11:00am-1:00pm
Polaris – 11:00am – 1:00pm
Note:
If the run time for the Polaris is during a low - speed cycle, the main pump will go to high - speed cycle 30 seconds before
the Polaris pump comes on. The motor will stay in it's high speed cycle until the Polaris timer turns it off. At which time the timer will revert back to your
settings for the 2 speed motor.
Setting the LOW - speed run time
1) Press PROG and look to the left and see that is in Load 1.2) Press PROG until you see Load 2 (low speed) Event 1 only. If you see Event 2 press PROG again until you get back to Load 2 Event 1. Using the up and down buttons set the start time then press ENTER.
3)Then set the end or stop time and press ENTER.
4) Low speed time is now set.
5)Press PROG until you get to Load1 Event 1 (high-speed).
Setting the HIGH - speed run time
Using the up and down buttons set the start time then press ENTER.Then set the end or stop time and press ENTER. High speed time is now set.
OPTIONAL Polaris Pump Settings
Setting the Polaris run time
Press PROG until you see Load 3 Event 1 (Polaris pump).Using the up and down buttons set the start time then press ENTER.
Then set the end or stop time and press ENTER. Polaris time is now set.
IF you make any mistake you can start again by pressing the PROG twice.
Note:
If the run time for the Polaris is during a low - speed cycle, the main pump will go to high - speed cycle 30 seconds before
the Polaris pump comes on. The motor will stay in it's high speed cycle until the Polaris timer turns it off. At which time the timer will revert back to your
settings for the 2 speed motor.
Setting the Clock
Now that everything is set, let’s set the Clock for the proper time.Press PROG until you see Clock and on the left side of the display of the flashing 12:00 you should see am or pm.
Using the up and down buttons set the start time then press ENTER.
(Look to side of the flashing 12:00 numbers displayed while setting for am or pm run times) Then set the end or stop time and press ENTER. Timer Clock is now set.
At this time most likely the pump will come on because you’re setting the timer up during one of the run cycles and it will be on either High or Low-speed.
You’re done!
Manually turning on and off timer
You can manually turn the main pump or Polaris pump on or off any time from the buttons associated with their use.High Speed on/off – Circuit 1
Low Speed on/off – Circuit 2
Polaris on/off – Circuit 3 (If you press this during a low speed cycle the timer will switch to high speed while it’s on).
My hope in presenting this information is to make connecting this digital timer easier to install.
DISCLAIMER: If you are not sure about how to connect this timer or are afraid to connect the timer yourself - contact an Electrician. Safety First!
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