[noone]

As the title indicates, i'd like to put our Kinetico water softener back in service.

How would I go about doing this? What filters and things do I need to flush and check?

The unit is a Kinetico 60 water softener which the original owners of our house installed post-1996. I'm crossing my fingers that it won't cost too much to get this thing working again......

Specific advice and steps are welcomed.

 

[Andy CWS]

Make sure the bybass is closed. You are using solar salt, which I don't recommend. I also don't recommend putting any more than half a brine tank full of salt. You make have salt bridging.
Do you know how to manually regenerate it?

 

[noone]

I know nothing about water softners. Any and all info on how to start this up and get working is appreciated.

 

[joecaption]

Why not just go on line and google the make and model and down load a manual so you can get up to speed on the one you have instead of just some genenal guesses?

 

[bhp61]

This may not the correct thread to ask these,questions, but I new to this forum post these questions. Thanks in advance for helping out.


I bought a*Kinetic model 60 off craigslist a couple years ago and installed it a couple weeks ago.


I first installed a sediment filter. The water seemingly improved taste with the filter.


After installing the water softener, the water seemed to have an slight*smell and did not seem softened.


In fact, the*incoming water TDS (pre-filter) was initially measured at 450ppm. After the water softener install, the TDS measured 650ppm.


I live in southern*California and I believe the water softener was setup for this area.


I have not gotten a*lab tested water sample performed yet. I think Watts will perform the test for me since I bought a their RO system.


However, it seems I have a more basic setup problem at this time. I have the #2 disc and I'm not sure what the float is set to.


When I initially regened the system (without salt), I thought the water should have filled up the brine tank higher. It only came up a*couple inches over the grill. From what I've read, this is normal.

I have*been looking for a tech setup*document*that*can tell me the proper setting*for the hardness of water.


Also, how can I tell if the media is spent?* Where can I get parts?

Thanks for your help!

Brett
[email protected]

 

[supers05]

This may not the correct thread to ask these,questions, but I new to this forum post these questions. Thanks in advance for helping out.


I bought a*Kinetic model 60 off craigslist a couple years ago and installed it a couple weeks ago.


I first installed a sediment filter. The water seemingly improved taste with the filter.


After installing the water softener, the water seemed to have an slight*smell and did not seem softened.


In fact, the*incoming water TDS (pre-filter) was initially measured at 450ppm. After the water softener install, the TDS measured 650ppm.


I live in southern*California and I believe the water softener was setup for this area.


I have not gotten a*lab tested water sample performed yet. I think Watts will perform the test for me since I bought a their RO system.


However, it seems I have a more basic setup problem at this time. I have the #2 disc and I'm not sure what the float is set to.


When I initially regened the system (without salt), I thought the water should have filled up the brine tank higher. It only came up a*couple inches over the grill. From what I've read, this is normal.

I have*been looking for a tech setup*document*that*can tell me the proper setting*for the hardness of water.


Also, how can I tell if the media is spent?* Where can I get parts?

Thanks for your help!

Brett
[email protected]

If you put it on your cold water before your hot water tank, then the smell is normal. It will shorten the life of your tank. There's things that you can do to avoid it, but the biggest thing is to not use a softener before a hot water tank.

As for the setup, I don't use one so, I have no idea what you're doing wrong.

Cheers!

 

[joed]

The point of using a softener is have soft water when you shower and wash clothes etc. If you don't soften the hot water why bother with a softener.

 

[supers05]

The point of using a softener is have soft water when you shower and wash clothes etc. If you don't soften the hot water why bother with a softener.

I just pass on the info, what people do with it is up to them. Hot water manufacturers do have this warning on their sites, some right in the manuals.

Many people use cold/cool water up wash their clothes BTW.

I have no idea if they rate the softeners to hot water. If they do, you could put a second one after the tank. You'd just need 2.

Cheers!

 

[djlandkpl]

From personal experience, the soft water accelerates the frequency that the anode rod(s) in the HW tank need to be replaced. I have to change mine every 3 years.

 

[joed]

Softener should also reduce the amount of hard water sediment in the hot water tank.

 

[taylorjm]

Not to hijack the thread, but something that was brought up. You mentioned not putting softened water into the hot water heater. Does this only apply to a metal tank heater? I have a unit that has a plastic tank, and is heated off a coil running through it that is tied into my hot water boiler system. I believe it's an amtrol boilermate.