Myers Conditioner Sticks Half-Cycle
#1
07-09-07, 05:47 AM
Myers Conditioner Sticks Half-Cycle
I've got a Myers water softener (model FA40-6N) that fails to complete it's cycle. It's an older unit with a timer that slowly rotates around the different positions during the cycle. Here's the list of steps:
Regen
Rinse
Backwash
Brine+Rinse <- gets stuck here
Rapid Rinse
Settle Rinse
Brine Refill
It repeatedly gets stuck on the 'Brine + Rinse' step. I've bumped it past manually, and it seems to them complete the cycle correctly, although the last time ended up with a bunch of water on the floor.
I'd appreciate any advice on how to trouble-shoot this unit. It came with the house we are in, and I have no documentation for the unit. If there are online troubleshooting guides, or manuals for this unit, that'd be awesome. I've done an extensive search with Google, and have come up empty handed thus far.
Thanks in advance,
Roger.
Regen
Rinse
Backwash
Brine+Rinse <- gets stuck here
Rapid Rinse
Settle Rinse
Brine Refill
It repeatedly gets stuck on the 'Brine + Rinse' step. I've bumped it past manually, and it seems to them complete the cycle correctly, although the last time ended up with a bunch of water on the floor.
I'd appreciate any advice on how to trouble-shoot this unit. It came with the house we are in, and I have no documentation for the unit. If there are online troubleshooting guides, or manuals for this unit, that'd be awesome. I've done an extensive search with Google, and have come up empty handed thus far.
Thanks in advance,
Roger.
#3
07-09-07, 06:38 PM
Greg,
Thanks for the reply. From what I can see from the website, it does look like mine is a Fleck unit. Problem is, I can't seem to find any manuals on the site. The forum signup seems to be locked from new members, so maybe that's the problem? I will try taking the unit apart to see if there's anything obvious.
Thanks,
Roger.
Thanks for the reply. From what I can see from the website, it does look like mine is a Fleck unit. Problem is, I can't seem to find any manuals on the site. The forum signup seems to be locked from new members, so maybe that's the problem? I will try taking the unit apart to see if there's anything obvious.
Thanks,
Roger.
#4
07-09-07, 08:15 PM
Through a bit more digging, I found this link to some troubleshooting info. My Myers unit definitely is a "Fleck 5600" as suggested.
http://softenerparts.zoovy.com/category/0600/
My exact symptoms were described therein. I pulled the main valve assembly apart, cleaned it, and reassembled. A couple of the lower sealing rings appeared a bit worn, so I swapped them for the ones in better condition higher up the stack. The actuating pin that extends through the white nylon cap was binding a bit on the cap itself. I quick polishing of the pin seemed to loosen things up. The brine valve seemed to work fine with the only resistance being the return spring.
It's reassembled now, but I'll start my search for a rebuild kit. Are there any Canadian sources for these kits? I noticed that the rebuild kit I found on a US website includes the brass spool valve. Seems odd as a brass spool like that should last a very long time compared to the soft seals.
Thanks again for the help.
Edit: It does take a fair bit of force to twist the knob through the various positions manually. I'm assuming this is normal given the valve action that's required?
http://softenerparts.zoovy.com/category/0600/
My exact symptoms were described therein. I pulled the main valve assembly apart, cleaned it, and reassembled. A couple of the lower sealing rings appeared a bit worn, so I swapped them for the ones in better condition higher up the stack. The actuating pin that extends through the white nylon cap was binding a bit on the cap itself. I quick polishing of the pin seemed to loosen things up. The brine valve seemed to work fine with the only resistance being the return spring.
It's reassembled now, but I'll start my search for a rebuild kit. Are there any Canadian sources for these kits? I noticed that the rebuild kit I found on a US website includes the brass spool valve. Seems odd as a brass spool like that should last a very long time compared to the soft seals.
Thanks again for the help.
Edit: It does take a fair bit of force to twist the knob through the various positions manually. I'm assuming this is normal given the valve action that's required?
#5
07-09-07, 10:13 PM
Fleck 5600 Rebuild
The seals & spacers on the 5600 are definitely "wear parts".
The operating principle of this particular platform relies on the interrelationship wetween the piston and seals. If even one of the seals in the stack is compromised, you can have unsatisfactory results . Chlorine, chloramine and certain plumbing fluxes can contribute to premature failure in seals. If the system sat for an extended period of time without being used, the seals could also be compromised.
The piston itself ("brass spool")is quite robust, but if any grit or sediment enters between the seals and the piston, it can become "scored" and lose its ability to seal.
If your system is not driving itself properly through cycles unaided, the motor would also be suspect. Where the system is older, I would confirm your line voltage and order an appropriate replacement as a matter of course.
There will be some resistance when manually actuating the cycle. You should be able to turn the cycle control knob comfortably without resorting to both hands or tools.
Call Pentair in Brookfield, WI and ask for their nearest stocking distributor - (262) 784 4490
The Canadian Water Quality Association - www.cwqa.org is a great resource if you need local assistance from a water specialist.
The operating principle of this particular platform relies on the interrelationship wetween the piston and seals. If even one of the seals in the stack is compromised, you can have unsatisfactory results . Chlorine, chloramine and certain plumbing fluxes can contribute to premature failure in seals. If the system sat for an extended period of time without being used, the seals could also be compromised.
The piston itself ("brass spool")is quite robust, but if any grit or sediment enters between the seals and the piston, it can become "scored" and lose its ability to seal.
If your system is not driving itself properly through cycles unaided, the motor would also be suspect. Where the system is older, I would confirm your line voltage and order an appropriate replacement as a matter of course.
There will be some resistance when manually actuating the cycle. You should be able to turn the cycle control knob comfortably without resorting to both hands or tools.
Call Pentair in Brookfield, WI and ask for their nearest stocking distributor - (262) 784 4490
The Canadian Water Quality Association - www.cwqa.org is a great resource if you need local assistance from a water specialist.
