Water softener drain question, should it always "drip"?

[TT_Vert]

I've got a softener 60 by kinetico and have been trying to find exploded diags or a service manual w/o much help. Of course kinetico just says to contact an authorized repair facility. I manually run through the cycles and the pressure does change so I know the valve is working. I suspect this drip is normal or an O'Ring is leaking. I just don't know normal operation should be to know if I have an issue. It drains into a sump well so I hear the pump go off more often than I feel it should. I've attached a pic of the areas where I feel it should do nothing (include the very slow drip) that I am getting. It's maybee a drop ever second or so and I've ensured it wasn't residual water. I feel this is a huge waste of water also but maybe it's normal.

Thanks much,

Dave

 

[Pontiac787]

I have a softener by a different manufacturer but the same type of valve. Mine does not drip any more the you would expect after the backwash cycle. My drains into a sink which is completely dry between cycles.

 

[TT_Vert]

OK I may need to see if I can find a seal kit for this thing. By between cycles you mean the times I circled on the image above correct? Aside from that is seems mine is always pushing water at varied pressures.

Dave

 

[DieselNut88]

I have the same one. It should not leak. I would rebuild the head. It is very simple. I see your close by. Contact Huemann Water in Johnsburg. I know the owner and have had them repair mine. Talk to Joe the owner or his son Mike.

 

[TT_Vert]

Odd you mention that I just asked them via email if they sell a seal kit for it before your post. I did find a manual that shows the valve operation and that helped. I also found a vid of the 51 disassembly and it is very simple, i just need to see if I can find parts for this thing.

Could you tell me if you get any drainage while in backwash? Looking at this service manual and the cycles it says that the drain valve is open on both tank backwash cycles but it does not specifically say water flows out the drain valve as it does for the regen cycle for both tanks.

Dave

 

[DieselNut88]

I have my drain plumbed directly to my main to the septic. I did have it going to my sump pit and it constantly drained water while in regen. It caused my sump pump to run alot. So i would say yes i get water while in backwash.

 

[TT_Vert]

Thanks after doing even more research and seeing newer model service manuals It seems that the backwash is quite high pressure and volume (2gpm) on our units. I'm trying to understand the check valve/tower and its function. At first I thought it was just be a pressure control device for the drain which allowed venting to the resin tank but i'm not sure yet. it seems at the highest volume both check valves are closed and a drain valve is open and in a lower volume (brine/rinse) the check valve is open along w/ the drain. I assume to reduce pressure but I'm still not 100% sure. The exploded diag I found is helpful but having a full water path to understand what these check valves and balls do would be even more so. This is like a mini transmission valvebody.

The more I read about these "check stems" it seems they are just one way valves, not actually actuated in any way. Then I read about check balls which our unit may or may not have, lol.

The hard part seems to be able to find parts for this thing..
Dave

 

[kbs2244]

kinetico has a real strong dealer only service/parts policy.

I would set the plumbing to bypass and just remove the valve and take it to Huemann Water in Johnsburg.
Easy to find on rt 31.
As said, good people.

I would expect 24 hour turnaround, maybe while you wait.

 

[TT_Vert]

Yeah I spoke to Mike quite a bit today. The guy knows his stuff and it was nice that he took the time to speak with me. He even offered for me to bring it in and he'd go through it with me! Very nice gesture. I want to tear it down first and I'd rather rebuild it just so I understand how every valve and passage in it works as I think most of my houses from here on out will probably use a water softener.

Dave

 

[Bretny]

There basicly all the same. A timer, valve with a motor to turn it. A filter that gets backflushed with salt.

 

[TT_Vert]

There basicly all the same. A timer, valve with a motor to turn it. A filter that gets backflushed with salt.

That's where you are wrong. The k60 uses water flow and a vane to turn the timer.

Dave

 

[tipsy]

For those of you draining your water softener into your sump pit, Wayne Pumps has a very strict policy about not doing that. They will not warranty a pump that has a softener draining into it. It's STRICTLY for ground water only. Don't ask me how I know. They will allow it with a sewage ejector pump.
Best of luck with your rebuild!

 

[TT_Vert]

thanks. I do not have that pump and I'd be replacing it myself so they'd never be told about a softener Also after speaking w/ kinetico they say up to 10ml of drainage in 45 seconds while in those idle positions is is acceptable. I'm at <1 ml/sec so this seems to not be an issue. Still it's good to know I can get parts and that these items are not complicated. I May buy the seal set just to have as if it's leaking now it can only get worse.


Dave