7
BREAKING A SALT BRIDGE
Sometimes a hard crust or salt “bridge” forms in the brine
tank. This is usually caused by high humidity or the wrong
kind of salt. When this happens, an empty space forms
between the water and the salt. Then salt will not dissolve
in the water, the resin bed will not be recharged, and hard
water will result.
A bridge may be
underneath loose
salt. Use a broom
handle or like tool to
check, as shown in
Figure 4. Carefully
push it straight down
into the salt. If a
hard object is felt, it
is most likely a salt
bridge. Carefully
push into the bridge
in several places to
break it. Do not try
to break the salt
bridge by pounding
on the salt tank.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
PROBLEM
CAUSE
CORRECTION
No soft water
No salt in the storage tank.
Add salt and then initiate a “Recharge now”.
Salt is “bridged.”
Break salt bridge (See above) and then initiate a “Recharge now”.
Power supply unplugged, power cable
leads disconnected from electronic control
board, fuse blown, circuit breaker off.
Check for power loss due to any of these and correct. When power
is restored, set the time if the display shows “Present Time” screen
(See Page 4).
Bypass valve(s) in bypass position.
Place bypass valve(s) in service position.
Valve drain hose plugged or restricted.
Drain hose must not have kinks, sharp bends, or be raised too high.
Water hard
sometimes
Bypassed hard water being used during
recharge, due to present time or
recharge time settings being incorrect.
Check the present time displayed. If not correct, refer to “Set
Present Time” on Page 4. Check the recharge start time, as
described on Page 4.
Hardness number setting is too low.
Referring to “Set Water Hardness” on Page 4, check the current
hardness setting and increase if needed. Have hardness of water
supply tested, if necessary.
Hot water being used when softener is
recharging.
Avoid using hot water during recharges, because water heater refills
with hard water.
Error code
displayed
Fault in wiring, position switch, valve,
motor or electronic control board.
Contact your dealer for service.
ADDING SALT
Brine (salt dissolved in water) is needed for every
recharge. The water for making brine is metered into
the salt storage area by the softener valve and timer.
If
the water softener uses all the salt before more is added,
hard water will result. Lift the brine tank lid and check the
salt level frequently.
If adding salt for the first time, make sure that there is
about 10 cm of water in the brine tank. Be sure that the
brinewell cover is on when adding salt.
NOTE:
In humid areas it is best to keep the salt level less
than half full and add salt more often.
RECOMMENDED SALT:
Cube, pellet, coarse solar, etc.,
water conditioner salt with less than 1% insoluble impuri-
ties. This type of salt is high purity evaporated crystals,
sometimes formed into briquets. I
t has less than 1%
insoluble (not dissolvable in water) impurities
.
SALT NOT RECOMMENDED:
Rock salt high in impurities,
block, granulated, table, ice melting, or ice cream making
salts, etc., are not recommended.
FIG. 4
Water
Space
Bridge
Salt
3 - 5
cm
Pencil
Mark
Push tool into
salt bridge
to break
SANITIZING INSTRUCTIONS
Care is taken at the factory to keep your EcoWater Systems softener sanitary. However, during shipping, storage,
installing and operating, bacteria could get into the unit. For this reason, sanitizing is suggested* when installing:
1
. Remove the brinewell cover and pour about 40 ml (2 to 3 tablespoons) of common household bleach into the condition-
er/refiner brinewell. Clorox and other brand names of bleach are readily available. Replace the brinewell cover.
2
. Initiate a “Recharge now” (See Page 5). This recharge draws the bleach into and through the softener.
*
Recommended by the Water Quality Association. On some water supplies, the EcoWater Systems unit may need periodic disinfecting.
Operating Information
ECOWATER
S Y S T E M S
English
NOTE:
We recommend that you have the conditioner/refiner serviced annually.
