Better Water LLC; rev. Jun 2016
Page 14 of 72
MediPac, Tank-Feed Operator Manual
SYSTEM COMPONENTS: PRE-TREATMENT; Brine Tank
DESCRIPTION:
The water softener includes a brine tank that holds the salt which produces
the brine solution for the regeneration of the water conditioning resin. The
brine tanks supplied with all Better Water LLC water softeners are made of a
non-corrosive, plastic with a plastic grid plate in the bottom to reduce or
eliminate “bridging” of the salt
(see note below).
On the inside of the tank is
a brine well which houses the brine valve. This brine valve is connected with
a 3/8” or larger brine line to a single or duplex softener. Only one brine tank
is required for a duplex system. This tube serves to draw the brine solution
out of the brine tank d
uring the “brine draw” cycle, and also to refill the brine
tank during the “brine refill” cycle of the control valve.
Better Water, LLC utilizes three safety measures with the brine valve; First, located
on the bottom of the brine valve is an air check valve. This is a device incorporated
into the brine valve to stop the flow through the brine tube in case the brine level
drops to an insufficient level. This will prevent the control valve from drawing air
into the system. Second, the brine valve is equipped with a float valve on the top,
to prevent the brine tank from overfilling, in the event of a control valve malfunction, or in the
event of a power outage during the refill cycle. Thirdly, an overflow line is installed,
in the rare case of overflow; the excess will be routed to a suitable drain.
The brine tank should only be filled with quality, premium grade salt pellets
specified for water softening and/or conditioning.
Do not use rock salt
, as
this form of salt carries impurities and will tend to have adverse effects on your
water pre-treatment system.
NOTE:
Bridging
occurs in brine tanks when the salt sticks together to form one large solid mass
of pellets, or by the salt caking in a dry-salt brine tank which causes failure of the liquid or brine
beneath the dry salt to become saturated. The result of bridging is insufficient salt in the
regeneration solution to properly regenerate the cation resin.
Brine tanks are sized according to the size of the water softener, organic scavenger, and
dealkalizer vessels. Better Water LLC, primarily uses 2 sizes of brine tanks. 16” diameter and
smaller devices will be supplied with an 18” diameter brine tank. 20” and larger devices will be
supplied with a 24” brine tank. 30” and larger devices, although seldom used, can be supplied
with even larger brine tanks. On occasion, a customer will request a smaller brine tank, due to
space restrictions. Although adequate with some procedural modifications, this is not
recommended. A smaller brine tank will require salt filling more often.
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS:
Daily:
Daily monitoring of the salt level in the brine tank is required, refilling as necessary.
MAINTENANCE:
-
The salt level in the brine tank should be filled periodically so it doesn’t fall below 50%. The salt
level should be maintained above the water level in the tank. It is recommended that the salt
level to rise and fall
over time, and not just “top off” on a daily basis, which will allow a good “turn-
over” of the salt in the tank.
NOTE: It takes a minimum of 3 to 4 hours to fully saturate the water in the brine tank after
refilling for maximum results.
Brine tanks should be emptied and cleaned annually, or more often if necessary.
Cutaway view
of brine tank