Plumbline Water Softeners Owners Manual
Rev. 08/2011 Page 6 Product No. 13786A
System Operation
Your Plumbline Water Softener is designed to provide years of trouble-free
operation. The following cycles soften your water and regenerate your system
when necessary.
Service:
Hard water enters unit at the valve inlet and flows down through the
resin in the media tank. Conditioned water enters the center tube through the
bottom distributor, then flows up through the center tube, around the piston and
out the outlet of the valve.
Regeneration:
When the valve is in regeneration, raw water is being passed to
service until rapid rinse is complete.
Backwash:
Water enters unit at the valve inlet, flows through the piston,
down the center tube, through the bottom distributor, and up through the
resin, around the piston and out the drain line. Water is passed through the
resin bed in the opposite direction of normal flow, which flushes suspended
matter out of the resin tank. Backwashing also loosens the resin bed which
becomes compacted during the softening (service) cycle.
Brine/Slow Rinse:
Hard water enters the unit at valve inlet, flows up into
the injector housing and down through the nozzle and throat to draw brine
from the brine tank. Brine flows down through resin and enters the center
tube through the bottom distributor and out through the drain line. The resin
beads are washed with the brine solution. Since the resin beads prefer
calcium and magnesium ions, the slow rinse allows an overwhelming
concentration of sodium ions to overpower and force the calcium and
magnesium ions off of the resin beads and down the drain.
Rapid Rinse:
The resin bed is rinsed to remove excess brine solution from
the tank, and the resin beads are then ready to produce soft water again.
Hard water enters the unit at the valve inlet, flows down through the resin
bed, then up through the center tube and out the drain line.
Brine Tank Refill:
Hard water enters the unit at the valve inlet, flows up
through the injector housing, and through the brine valve to refill the brine
tank. Valve is now delivering soft water to the home. Water is refilling the
brine tank to make a brine solution for the next regeneration.
Plumbline Water Softeners Owners Manual
Rev. 08/2011 Page 7 Product No. 13786A
System Maintenance and Install Guidelines
Adding Salt
Ensure that the salt level in the brine tank is always above the water line.
Water Pressure
Inlet water pressure range of 20-120 psi is required for regeneration valve to
operate effectively.
Electrical Facilities
An uninterrupted 120 VAC / 60 Hz alternating current (A/C) supply is required.
Please make sure voltage supply is compatible with unit before installation.
Existing Plumbing
Existing plumbing should be free from lime and iron buildup. Replace plumbing
that has heavy lime and/or iron buildup. If plumbing is clogged with iron, install a
separate iron filter unit ahead of the water softener.
System By-pass
Always provide for the installation of a by-pass valve if unit is not equipped with
one. If valve is leaking, turn by-pass from Service to the By-pass position.
NOTE:
If the valve continues to leak after turning the by-pass to By-pass position,
shut off the main water line and call your local service technician (preferably the
one who installed the system) IMMEDIATELY.
CAUTION
Do not exceed water pressure of 120 psi.
Do not exceed water temperature of 110 ºF.
Do not subject unit to freezing conditions.
Sanitization
After installation, or if water is not used for >30 days, sanitization of the system is
recommended.
Regenerate system, after regeneration, go through sanitization procedures.
Mix 1 oz. of household, unscented bleach with 1 gallon of water in a bucket.
Disconnect brine line from brine tank.
Place brine line in bucket with diluted bleach solution.
Place system into brine draw.
Draw the 1 gallon of solution, then put unit into by-pass position.
Let bleach soak tank for 60 minutes.
Reconnect brine line to brine tank.
Open by-pass valve, continue with system regeneration cycle.
After cycle is complete, repeat the backwash cycle.
Place unit back into service.
Open By-pass
Closed By-pass
