Culligan Soft-Minder 2005 - Manual (Page 15)

Installation 15
1. Remove the brine tank cover.
2. Pour directly into the brine chamber 1/3 - 1/2 cup of common household bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) for each cubic
foot of resin in the tank. Do not use lemon scented bleaches, or similar bleaches that contain perfumes.
3. Manually start recharge. Allow the unit to complete the recharge cycle automatically.
If tastes and odors return frequently, even after sanitization, a continuous chlorination system may be needed. Send a water
sample to a qualified laboratory for bacterial analysis.
Analyzing the System
Analyzing the problem involves three basic steps:
1. Check the system in all cycle positions.
2. Compare the data to normal operating data.
3. Determine which component may cause the problem (troubleshooting).
4. If steps 1-3 did not reveal the problem, initiate a regeneration cycle and manually cycle the valve to brine draw (#2 position).
Allow the unit to complete the brine draw cycle and observe how the system reacts.
Although it may be possible to solve a specific problem simply by changing a component, analyzing the entire system can reveal
additional problems which would otherwise require extra service calls. “Parts changing” is not the same as service.
Check the System
The following tools are needed to collect data:
1. Hardness, iron and chlorine test kits
2. Thermometer
3. Pressure gauge, 0-120 psi
4. 5-Gallon bucket and watch
5. Calculator
The customer can provide most data. By collecting data prior to a service call, a “first guess” about the cause of the problem can be
made and the need for any special parts can be determined. If the problem is as simple as lack of salt in the brine tank, a service
call may not be needed at all. At the end of Appendix A is a recommended system data sheet that will assist the troubleshoot
process.
Before Leaving the Installation Site
1. Sanitizing the softener. See sanitizing procedure on previous page.
2. Ensure that the brine tank has water to the level of the float. Add water to the tank with a hose or put the unit into a full
recharge so that the brine refill cycle will fill the tank with the proper amount of water.
3. The water heater will hold hard water for several days. Advise the customer that the existing water volume in the tank will need
to be used before the hot water is soft. If soft hot water is required immediately, refer to the water heater owner’s manual for
the proper method of draining the water heater.
4. Explain the operation of the softener to the customer. Make sure the customer knows that there will be new sounds associated
with the recharging of the unit. Advise the customer to periodically check and replenish the salt supply.
5. Clean up the unit and installation site, removing any soldering, or pipe threading, residues from the equipment and surrounding
area with a damp towel.