Water softener

Mark-Ia · Sep 24, 2015

Anyone here a water softener expert? My softener fills the brine tank when it should be siphoning from the tank. Took the screen out and made sure the orifice was clear.

Duane WI · Sep 24, 2015

I just went through something similar with mine. In the end salt brine got into the house water. Was taking a shower one morning, washed my face and could taste the salt. Mine is a basic cam driven mechanical model. I unplugged it from the electrical service and turned off the water. Took the back and front cover off the control head. I manually turned the knob in the front of the unit while I watched how it worked in the back. I could see that one of the spring loaded valves was sticking open. I had the manual with the blow up parts diagram and saw that it was the brine valve. Pulled it apart and could see some corrosion on it. Cleaned it up, greased it with some Vaseline and it worked fine. I flushed out all of the pipelines to get the salt out and everything is working fine. In the meantime I ordered a new brine valve assembly and it just came. Still have to put it in.

Steve@Advance · Sep 24, 2015

Had one on the boiler at work that did that. Took the timer motor off and hand turned the valve through each step, noting exactly where the valve needed to stop at each stage of regeneration.

The brine siphon seemed to be the most critical. I took the siphon line out of the brine tank, took the end off and held my tongue over the end (I know, YUCK) to find the valve position that gave the most vacuum. Put it back together, elongated the holes that the limit switch mounted to so I could adjust it to stop at exactly the right place.

There are also orings under the cover of the regen valve. If they are out of place it will do strange things, leak, send water where it's not supposed to, fail to siphon, etc. So if it doesn't act right look in the valve.

I also put a cheese cloth filter on the end of the brine siphon line. That helps if the brine tank has any dirt in it.

Rollie NE PA · Sep 24, 2015

There should be a knob that you can set as to how much salt the system will draw from the brine tank. Mine has the knob, maybe your's does not.
I had to disassemble and clean the knob control inner workings and replace the check valve ball.

johnlobb · Sep 24, 2015

Is it an Autotrol, Fleck or Erie valve? You could probably find a schematic and parts online..

MarkB_MI · Sep 24, 2015

Check for blockage in the drain hose.

Water softener

Mark-Ia

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Duane WI

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Steve@Advance

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Rollie NE PA

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johnlobb

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MarkB_MI

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