4
PLEASE NOTE THESE SPECIFICATIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING
OPERATING PRESSURE RANGE : 20 - 125 PSI
OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE : 33º F - 120º F
INLET / OUTLET PIPE SIZE : 3/4: FNPT
PLEASE COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE PLUMBING CODES
PROTECT THE SOFTENER AND PIPING FROM FREEZING TEMPERATURES
Please read the entire Owner’s Manual and Instruction before installation.
This Owner’s Manual must stay with the unit.
-How A Water Softener Works-
Water hardness is derived from Calcium and Magnesium minerals that have been dissolved into the water
under the earth’s surface. These minerals are found in limestone deposits and are the source of hard water.
The amount of hardness in a given water supply is dependent upon the quantity of Calcium and Magne-
sium present and the length of time water has been in contact with them. This can vary dramatically from
well-to-well and, for this reason, a water analysis is imperative in order to determine the proper treatment
method. The degree of hardness increases as the concentration of Calcium and Magnesium “ions” increase
and is measured in
Grains Per Gallon (gpg).
The problem of hard water in the home / business comes to light in many facets of daily use. Water spots
and scum left behind on bathtubs, fixtures and showers; wear and tear on appliances; calcium build-up
in hot water heaters and piping; and, greater amounts of soap and detergents being used are just a few
examples.
The modern water softener is designed to reduce hardness ions and their unpleasant side effects. Special
resin beads in the softener mineral tank are used to change hard water into soft water. The surfaces of
these beads are covered with sodium ions. As hard water enters the mineral tank and comes into contact
with the resin, an exchange of ions takes place as dissolved Calcium and Magnesium ions cling to the resin
surface and sodium ions take their place, thus softening the water. This process is called
Ion Exchange
.
Over time, the sodium ions used for the exchange process become depleted and must be replenished.
The water softener provides a
Regeneration
process whereby brine solution enters the mineral tank, driv
-
ing-off the collected hardness ions and replenishes the surface of the resin beads with more sodium ions.
This process is automatically initiated by the control valve on the mineral tank. The regeneration process
has five basic cycles as follows:
1.
Backwash
- The control valve directs the water flow in a reverse direction through the mineral tank,
separating the resin beads and flushing any accumulated particles to a waste drain.
2.
Brine & Rinse
- In the first part of this cycle, the control valve directs brine solution downward through
the mineral tank, driving-off collected hardness ions and replenishing the resin beads with sodium ions.
The second part of the cycle rinses hardness ions and excess brine from the mineral tank to the waste
drain.
3.
Rapid Rinse
- The control valve directs the water flow downward, settling and recompacting the resin
bed.
4.
Brine Refill
- The control valve directs fresh water into the salt compartment to create new brine solu-
tion for the next scheduled regeneration.
5.
Service
- This is the normal “operating” cycle where hard water enters the mineral tank, comes into con
tact with the resin beads and exchanges hardness ions for sodium ions - the water then becomes “soft”
and ready for use.
Softener Specifications
