ion_avenger
07-02-2009, 10:13 PM
One of the most common problem found when installing a water softener is an air leak. This can be when a compression fitting that connects the brine tank to the water softener valve is not properly installed or tightened. You may not have this problem, however, if you do, simple instructions for fixing the problem are below.
First, you need to understand how a water softener functions. Three pounds of salt dissolves into 1 gallon of water. So, a salt setting on your control of 12 pounds (for instance) would mean that about 4 gallons of water would be placed into the tank in preparation for the next regeneration. All of the water in your tank should be drawn back into the softener during regeneration. The brine draw - slow rinse process takes 60-70 minutes. After all of the brine solution is drawn from the tank (10-15 minutes), the check valve in your brine tank shuts off so that air cannot be sucked into your softener. During the remainder of the 60 minutes, the resin bed is rinsed, but a suction is still placed on the brine line.If there is a small leak in the fitting, it may be possible that air is being drawn into yous system during the slow rinse portion of the brine draw process.
One way to check functionality is to disconnect the brine line where it attaches to the brine tank. A 90° fitting is found at the top of the brine well that houses the safety float - disconnect the brine line tubing at this point. Submerge this line into a bucket of water.
Autotrol 460i control
Using a flathead screwdriver, place it in the slot found on the button on the face of your control. Push in on the button with the screwdriver, and rotate the button counter-clockwise until you line up the arrow on the button with the brine draw position (note: always depress the button before moving - also, you can only move this button counter-clockwise, do not attempt to move the button in the other direction)
Autotrol 760-762 control
Press the manual regeneration button for 5 seconds to initiate an immediate regeneration. This will move the softener into the C1 backwash position. Press the SET and UP button simultaneously to move the unit into C2 position (brine draw)
Fleck Econominder electro-mechanical control valve
Turn the manual regeneration knob clockwise until “Brine Draw” is displayed
Fleck 56SE/Twinflow control valve
1) Press the extra regeneration button for 5 seconds
2) Press extra regeneration one time to advance through each stage to regeneration cycle step number 2 (brine draw)
Fleck 6700, 7000 control valve
1) Press the extra regeneration button for 5 seconds
2) Press extra regeneration one time to advance through each stage to regeneration cycle step number 2 (brine draw)
Clack WS1
1) Press and hold the REGEN button
2) Press and hold the REGEN button for an additional 3 seconds
3) Press the REGEN button to advance until display reads “Brine”
Ensure that the water from the bucket is being drawn into the softener - let this process occur for a few minutes to determine correct function – do not allow any air to be drawn into the softener. If you find that water is not being drawn into the softener, you probably have an air leak at the fitting where the line attaches to the softener itself. Remove and re-install this fitting to be sure that it is completely
and correctly attached.
If water is being drawn into the softener from the bucket, you probably have a small air leak at the fitting that connects to the top of the float assembly, or a leak inside the safety brine valve. Check any connections until all the water is being
drawn into your softener during the brine/rinse or ion-exchange cycle.
First, you need to understand how a water softener functions. Three pounds of salt dissolves into 1 gallon of water. So, a salt setting on your control of 12 pounds (for instance) would mean that about 4 gallons of water would be placed into the tank in preparation for the next regeneration. All of the water in your tank should be drawn back into the softener during regeneration. The brine draw - slow rinse process takes 60-70 minutes. After all of the brine solution is drawn from the tank (10-15 minutes), the check valve in your brine tank shuts off so that air cannot be sucked into your softener. During the remainder of the 60 minutes, the resin bed is rinsed, but a suction is still placed on the brine line.If there is a small leak in the fitting, it may be possible that air is being drawn into yous system during the slow rinse portion of the brine draw process.
One way to check functionality is to disconnect the brine line where it attaches to the brine tank. A 90° fitting is found at the top of the brine well that houses the safety float - disconnect the brine line tubing at this point. Submerge this line into a bucket of water.
Autotrol 460i control
Using a flathead screwdriver, place it in the slot found on the button on the face of your control. Push in on the button with the screwdriver, and rotate the button counter-clockwise until you line up the arrow on the button with the brine draw position (note: always depress the button before moving - also, you can only move this button counter-clockwise, do not attempt to move the button in the other direction)
Autotrol 760-762 control
Press the manual regeneration button for 5 seconds to initiate an immediate regeneration. This will move the softener into the C1 backwash position. Press the SET and UP button simultaneously to move the unit into C2 position (brine draw)
Fleck Econominder electro-mechanical control valve
Turn the manual regeneration knob clockwise until “Brine Draw” is displayed
Fleck 56SE/Twinflow control valve
1) Press the extra regeneration button for 5 seconds
2) Press extra regeneration one time to advance through each stage to regeneration cycle step number 2 (brine draw)
Fleck 6700, 7000 control valve
1) Press the extra regeneration button for 5 seconds
2) Press extra regeneration one time to advance through each stage to regeneration cycle step number 2 (brine draw)
Clack WS1
1) Press and hold the REGEN button
2) Press and hold the REGEN button for an additional 3 seconds
3) Press the REGEN button to advance until display reads “Brine”
Ensure that the water from the bucket is being drawn into the softener - let this process occur for a few minutes to determine correct function – do not allow any air to be drawn into the softener. If you find that water is not being drawn into the softener, you probably have an air leak at the fitting where the line attaches to the softener itself. Remove and re-install this fitting to be sure that it is completely
and correctly attached.
If water is being drawn into the softener from the bucket, you probably have a small air leak at the fitting that connects to the top of the float assembly, or a leak inside the safety brine valve. Check any connections until all the water is being
drawn into your softener during the brine/rinse or ion-exchange cycle.