I am new to this site and it seems to be a life saver for all kinds of things! Anyway, I bought a used Kinetico twin tank softener system with a rebuilt valve and new tanks. Now the fun part...installing it! I will have a plumber do most of the work but would like to know where / how the valve connects to the brine tank and so forth. The valve has two small connection ports and the brine tank does also. Do these connect together? Where does the draining off of the brine connect to? Excuse my ignorance but I have never had a softener before, and this system did not come with any instructions. Thanks in advance.
Tom

 

Tom,

Not only does the softener need to be installed "plumbing" (main water supply & return, and drain) wise but it has to be setup and adjusted for the condition of your water, the softening capacity of the softener, number of people in the house, and other variables.

The Kinetico is a first rate softener and should provide many years of reliable service IF it is properly installed, setup, and maintained.

If I were you, I'd call your local Kinetico dealer and see how much they'd charge to come out, test your water, install & setup the softener, and explain the routine maintanence to you. Usually they welcome an opportunity to cultivate a relationship with a new customer and should treat you fairly.

Your water quality is important and you've made a serious investment in a top quality water softener ... don't skimp now.

 

I believe the dealer for the used system pre-adjusted the valve settings for my water hardness (numbers that I got from the real Kinetico salesperson). I agree that that if money were no issue then I would have a Kinetico installer set it up. I'm trying to save some bucks and I think that the plumber will be able to figure it out. I just wanted to know what tubes go where in advance. I got the main line water in and out to and from the valve okay...just wondering about the tank hose hook ups.
Thanks.
Tom

 

As mentioned, your best option is to have a qualified person to set it up for you. After that, it should be trouble-free for a long time. I can't say how much cheaper the 'plumber' is than a dealer, but if it doesn't work correctly, then you may be sending good money after bad.

On the brine tank the lower fitting is your overflow in case of accidental surplus water supply to the tank. The upper line is connected to the smaller fitting on the valve. The larger fitting is your drain line. The float needs to set up correctly as well.

You will need to bleed air from the system on set-up.

Some questions: Which model do you have? What number do you see on the disk in the clear lens on the valve? What are you water specifications? Hardness, pH, TDS, Dissolved/solid Iron?

Good luck. For further questions, you may email directly.
awc222@yahoo.com