Viii. Troubleshooting; Ten Steps To Determine The Problem - Kinetico Essential Series Technical Manual

VIII. Troubleshooting

Ten steps to determine the problem...

1. Gather information.
2. Test the water.
3. Observe the installation.
4. Run soft water to service.
Metering Rate:
Gold/Platinum
≈ 10.0 gallons per tooth
5. Place unit in brine position.
6. Remove the brine valve.
7. Look for low flow in the
distribution system.
Technical Manual
Ask questions, find out what is the problem. What is the customer's complaint? This may
identify simple corrections external to the equipment.
• Has there been any recent plumbing work done?
• Has the water been shut off for any reason?
• Have fire hydrants been flushed recently in the area?
• Have they used more water than normal recently?
• Has the brine drum recently run out of salt?
• How much salt have they been using?
Test both the raw water before the softener and the cold water at closest tap after the soft-
ener. The by-pass position or other plumbing connections may affect cold water test results.
• Essential systems will allow a small amount of hard water to service during each
regeneration. This function may result in hardness blending in the hot water.
• Raw water is used to check if the AccuDial settings.
Check status of by-pass valve (open/closed), brine drum (full, empty, bridged), prefilter
(plugged), correct AccuDial setting, inlet/outlet lines correct, kinks or restrictions in drain
line or drain line elevated over 8 ft or more than 15 feet horizontally?
Verify metering.
• Watch the AccuDial. Is it advancing clockwise?
• Watch the no back pawl as the AccuDial advances clockwise. Does the no back pawl
drop into the next tooth?
• Measure the metering rate. Measure the rate by running water at a controlled rate (1
gallon a minute) and time how long it takes the no back pawl to drop into the next tooth.
Verify vacuum at brine elbow.
• Remove the brine line from the brine elbow and verify if there is suction.
• Is the suction smooth without interruption?
• Is there any water coming from the brine elbow?
Verify correct brine setting instructions.
• Gold is preset at a float cup height of 0.50".
• Platinum setting for 18" x 35" brine drum: adjuster tube = 1.25, float cup = 7 3/4" (or cup at
1st mark). See diagram on page 8.
• Is adjuster tube cut down to the correct tab?
• Is the float cup set at the correct measurement?
Leaky toilets, faucets, etc. This may allow water to pass by unmetered, causing hard water.
• Low flow means less than 0.75 gpm in Essential systems. A leaky faucet or running
toilet will typically be less than these flow rates. If it is less than these flow rates, the
water will not turn the turbine, so the meter gears will not turn, and the system may
not regenerate when it should.
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