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Basic Water Softener Installation Guide


* We don't have a Step by Step guide for the system installation, but we have several "related" articles that cover most of the same steps, if you are unsure of how to do.

** The Brine tubing and Brine KIT ( nut, ferrule, insert ) and the 5600 metered Valve and the steel By Pass, all usually packed inside the Salt Tank.
And while there is some 3/8" brine tubing included, we do not include any 1/2" I.D. ( 5/8" O.D. ) drain hose, but is something readily available at plumbing supplies outlets ( same place you'll need to purchase whatever type of "piping" you need to connect to your house water lines ).

A "general" guide to adding the Resins to the tank, would be the 2nd half of the resin replacement guide,
here:

Basic "valve" installation steps included in this Valve Replace Guide,
here:
Service manual should be in there too, but you can also be download pdf ( or we can mail you one if not in with the valve and other stuff in the salt tank ),
here:

And the best "directions" for setting the program wheel are,
here:


Valve Installation Steps

  • 1 ) After you have pored the RESIN into the tall media tank ( and the Riser Pipe is in the Tank ), it's time to screw on the New Valve.

  • 2 ) If not already attached to the underside of the new Valve, you will need to Snap and twist in place the "upper distributor basket" to the under side of the new valve ( supplied with your new valve ).

  • 3 ) Screw new valve on to resin tank. Be sure your new Valve has a large O-ring on the underside - That will be the "seal" between the Valve and the Tank.

  • 4 ) Attach By Pass or Piping Yoke.
    On Fleck valves, it is held in place by two metal clips and two screws. It will be a little bit "loose" , but it's the o-rings that are creating the "seal" so don't be concerned about this.
    For Autotrol 255 valves you will have three o-rings and four small bolts with nuts to complete the attachment.
    The Autotrol 255 will also have a clear "air check" assembly to mount on the valve.
    Autotrol 268 and Erie valves have large nuts with Gaskets that connects to the rear of the Valve.

  • 5 ) Connections:

  • a. Water lines. NOTE the IN and OUT may be different than your old valve. ( Fleck and Autotrol use opposite connections ).

  • b. Drain line. A drain fitting ( 1/2" male thread x 1/2" barbed for hose attachment ) is included but not the tubing / hose ( 1/2" I.D. x 5/8" O.D.). The fitting connection is standard 1/2" threaded. And you should use 3 turns of Teflon tape on the threads when installing this fitting into the valve's drain opening.

  • c. Brine line from salt tank. Fitting is for standard 3/8" brine line.
    Your brine pickup tube will have an "air check" at the bottom if installing a Fleck
    or any valve except the Autotrol 255 ( the 255 is the only valve that uses an "air check" on the Valve instead of at the bottom of the Salt Tank
    ( NOTE: Be sure to use Teflon Tape or similar product ( like our Lock Leak ) on the male Threads of the Air Check ( where the female fitting must thread on to ). It is NECESSARY, or it will develop an "air" leak if you are installing the Autotrol 255 valve..... not required for Fleck or other models of Autotrol ).
    For Additional information and Video on hooking up the Brine Tank see >
    Brine Tank Assembly - Questions, Answers, Video Link

  • d. Plug in power cord

  • 6 ) Start up valve: TURN ON WATER ( check for leaks )

  • a. Set time of day to current time of day. Instructions are listed on front of control and in the owners/service manual supplied with your new valve.

  • b. Set program wheel to desired regeneration interval. You can consult the manual or email us if you have questions. For Fleck metered systems, we have helpful hints SETTING METER

  • c. Turn front control to the manual regeneration position. The regeneration cycle last approximately 90 minutes.

  • 7 ) Even though the RESINS come "Charged" , we recommend you run a complete Regeneration process to "rinse" the new Resin, remove all trapped air from the tank, and this also allows the Valve to Purge the air from the brine tubing / air check, and ADDS water to the salt tank ( to dissolve some salt for next Regeneration ). You should have about 3 - 4 gallons of water in your salt tank to start. ** Also, make sure you have salt too! We recommend starting with no less than 80 lbs. ( note it usually takes 120 lbs. to cover the "Normal" water level in the Brine Tank ).

  • 8 ) After the system has finished regenerating, you can run the hot water in the bath tub until cold ( usually 10 - 15 minutes ). This will "turn over" the water in the tank with conditioned water.

  • 9 ). Automatic regeneration will now occur at 2 a.m. at night as needed ( or as set on the program wheel or control board of a Logix Autotrol ). Try to keep the salt level above the water level in the salt tank ( normal water levels with salt included is 6 -12 inches ).


If you have questions please e-mail us.
[email protected]

5 year manufacturer parts warranty, owners/service manual,
and our 7 days a week technical support included ( weekends send email or leave voice, and some one will contact you ).


NOTES About the Brine Tubing Screen and Brine Pick Up Tube / Assembly in the Salt tank.
First the Screen,
The "Brine Kit, 60090-38, that comes with all Fleck 5600 valves, includes a small meshed sleeve screen ( with the nut, ferrule ring, and insert ) and it should be DISCARDED.. Not installed anywhere. There is already an injector screen inside the control valve, and this small mesh screen in the brine kit can clog too easily, and it's very difficult to remove and clean later. Most professional installed do NOT installed this screen. And we recommend you leave it out of the brine tubing ( where it's made to fit ) when connecting your 3/8" brine tubing to the Fleck 5600 control valve brine fitting ( using the other parts in the Brine Kit -/Brine_Fittings_Brass_Nut_Ferrule_and_Insert_Kit_6090038 ).


* Float height / level in the salt tank ( inside Brine Well ) should normally be set as high as possible ( 15 - 16 inches from the Bottom of the Salt tank ).

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