Step 1: Plug control head in
Plug the control head into a qualifying outlet as stated in the
requirements section. Once plugged in, verify the system is
receiving power and ensure the outlet is not on a switch that
might get turned off. You can usually hear the faint hum of the
motor, or feel it through the control head, you may have to wait
to see if the time dial keeps track of time.
Step 2: Set regeneration frequency
You will need to calculate the gallon capacity of your system (how many gallons the system can
go through before it needs to regenerate). To calculate this number you will need to know the
system capacity, (for example, a 48k system has a 48,000 grain capacity) and the hardness of the
water in grains per gallon (GPG). If your test shows hardness as parts per million (ppm) or
milligrams per liter (mg/l) simply divide by 17.1 to get grains per gallon. If you have iron or
manganese in the water you will need adjust the hardness to compensate. To do so, taking the
combined level of iron and manganese, in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/l),
and multiply by 4. Add the result to the hardness in GPG, and this is your compensated hardness.
As an example, if the water hardness is 12 GPG, iron is 2.5 ppm, manganese is 0.5 ppm your
compensated hardness is is 12+(3x4)=12+12=24 GPG. Take the capacity of the system and divide by
this number, this is your total capacity. Multiply the number of people in the house by 75, this is
your reserve capacity. Subtract the reserve capacity from the total capacity and this is how many
gallons you will set your system to. The gallon capacity of the system is denoted by a gear with
the numbers 1-21, these numbers represent the number of gallons x 100 that your system is set to
regenerate at. To set your system, pull out the capacity knob and rotate the knob until the correct
number is lined up with the white dot. As an example, if the water hardness is 24 GPG and you
have a 48k system with 3 people, your gallon capacity would be (48,000/24)-(75x3)=1775
gallons. You would line the white dot up between the numbers 17 & 18. You can use the chart
below to help. If unsure of the size of your system you may contact us for assistance. Be sure to
include the name the system was ordered under when contacting us. If your water is extremely
hard or if you have high water use a larger reserve capacity may be needed.
To set the time, locate the 24 hour time gear (the large gear located behind the manual cycle knob) and note the current time arrow. Push the red time set button in and rotate the 24 hour time gear until the current time arrow lines up with the current time of day. A white arrow will point at the current gallon capacity remaining. Once the countdown reaches zero the system will run a regeneration cycle that night at midnight or 2 AM (depending on the system, the time is usually indicated on a label located on the back of the valve). During regeneration there should be no water being used, and the default time is usually fine for most homes. To have it run at a different time (for example if you work late and are up and using water at the default time) you will need to adjust the current time of day to trick the system into doing so at the desired time. For example: if the system is set to run at 2 AM and you want it to run at 8 AM, set the current time of day 6 hours behind, that way the system will think it is 2 AM when it is actually 8 AM.