Any plumbers? Or at least someone that knows water softeners really well?

Glowrdr

I've posted this on another plumbing forum, but it seems hit or miss as to when people get around to replying. I'm getting impatient. lol

If you need more info, let me know. But this is the exact post on a long thread that was going:

OK, so I set it to Pre-fill the regen.

But I've got a question now that will need some clarification in lamens terms I'm guessing - because I'm confused.

Everything I have read says that 1.5 ft of resin is a 45k system. And a 45k system is a 10x54 tank. Well, that is everything EXCEPT my manual. Maybe there is a number that changes the specs or something, and that is where I'd like someone to explain to it me if possible.

My manual has a little table on page 2 (It is a Hill Millenium system if that matters). It states: (I'll only type out the one that applies to me, not the whole table for other softeners)

Recommended Flow Rate: 5.4 GPM
Exchange Capacity - based on 10#/cu ft: 32,500
Tank Dimensions: 10x54
Resin Volume: 1.3
Salt Usage per regen - based on 10#/cu ft: 13#

So this would seem to me that the original setting of 32.5k is correct, vs the 45k that I've read EVERYWHERE would be incorrect? Is there something to the "based on 10#/cu ft" statement that changes the capacity? I beleive my gravel bed is in the brine tank correct? It's not actually taking up room in the mineral tank? That would make sense, but something inside of me says that's incorrect, so don't confuse myself any more than I already am.

These are the things that get me confused, and I'm sure I'm not getting a piece of the puzzle. Sorry for asking so many questions, I'm just trying to get a fundemental understanding, rather than just asking the "what do you want me to set my stuff to" question.

I frequent a lot of forums, so I'm used to people asking the inevitable question that only they can answer. I'm just not in a position at the moment to answer my own questions.

JimKellyfan

I would think we would need to know all about it, size, make and model for those that may want to research and help, fyi. I saw Hill Millenium. What else ?

Glowrdr

The tricky part to that is most systems are pieced together by the retailer. I'll do my best though.

The valve is a Clack WS1, mineral tank is 10x54, and the brine tank is 15x17x35 (don't think that matters besides capacity though)

Water usage is for 2 people, 1.75 bath. 20gpg hardness, no iron or anything else to figure into the equation

What I am trying to do is make sure my settings are in fact correct. Here is my "rough math" to get to what I've got set: So if I have ~20gpg hardness x 2 people x 60 gallons/day = 19200 grains a week. So since I've got a 48k grain tank, it would be set correctly to replenish @ 14 days (or metered usage, whichever comes first)

The part that is confusing me is that I'm under the expectation that I have a 48k tank (incorrectly stated 45 above). But my manual leads me to believe that I have a 32k tank. Not sure where the discrepancy is coming from. I need to have an accurate idea of the settings, so I'm not wasting salt and/or water during the regen phase. Currently I'm set for a 32.5k capacity, with 12# regen cycle. I'm wondering if I need to leave it where it's at, or bump it up to the full 48k and up my salt to 15#? Even with those numbers, I'm pretty much just guessing.

Thats why I'm here! Says a lot when I come to the Polk forum for my plumbing questions. lol

mrbigbluelight

Quick answer:
Bump it to 48k and test the output of the softener before it's set to regenerate.
If it's soft, you're good to go.

As for the salt level in your brine tank, doesn't matter. 15#, 18#, 1 million#, your softener will only brine wash the set amount pre-set by the controller.

Glowrdr

mrbigbluelight wrote: »

Quick answer:
Bump it to 48k and test the output of the softener before it's set to regenerate.
If it's soft, you're good to go.

As for the salt level in your brine tank, doesn't matter. 15#, 18#, 1 million#, your softener will only brine wash the set amount pre-set by the controller.

Thanks for the attempt (I really do mean that whole-heartedly) - but that answer is the same as the "What receiver is best for me" answer where people say "only you can tell what sounds the best". I realize that sometimes, that's the only answer. Granted, I can bump up the system to 48k - but its a computerized system so it also bumps up the regen gallons by another 2000+ gallons. I can certainly play trial and error, but I feel there are actual numbers that correspond with an input and output of the system.

And I do realize that the brine tank has nothing to do with the system. I could set the regen time to 4 hours, and the timer would suck in whatever amount it needed to regen the tank. Think of it this way - You have an amp. Someone asks what they should set the gain to. Granted, the best answer would be to set it to whatever works the best. But to tell them that the speakers will only take what they need isn't exactly the holy grail either. What I need to know, is what to set the controller at - I understand that once it's set - it won't grab anymore than the amount set by the controller. But the problem is - I'm the one that has to pre-set the controller.

Again, I mean no disrespect - but I don't think you're the person I'm looking for either. I realize that I've done a fair share of research, so at this point I'm looking for some specific answers. This is why I need the assistance of a plumber.