Trouble shoot problem flex 5600 sxt

[Shawn1111]

I bought a Flex 5600 sxt softener about four years ago and it has been working great. I have it set to regenerate weekly in the middle of the night. Unfortunately I have a job where I start at a different time each night. Not very often but I have gotten up when it was regenerating. I would notice that the water was hard as expected knowing it goes into bypass. Last night while it was in the RR mode I was drawing water and ended up getting pure salt water out of the tap. At soon at it went into BO mode it cleared up. It is possible that I have never drawn water out at this time but I have never gotten pure salt water before. I assume this is not normal how to I go about trouble shooting this problem. The softener is fine tonight with great water. Thanks in advance.

 

[ditttohead]

You should not get salty water during regeneration. If you have the manual take a look at the flow patterns. It is possible something went wrong during the regen do to water usage but... it should not occur. I would recommend doing a quick check of the seal/spacers/piston assembly., It is fairly easy to tear down. If you look at my 5000 tear down video it is very similar to the 5600SXT.

 

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[U.S. Filter Pros]

Check your drain line to make sure it is not clogged would be the first step. The only time I've heard of salty water coming out of the tap is when the drain line gets clogged and the salt water has nowhere to go.

 

[ditttohead]

A restricted drain line can cause salty water due to poor brine draw after a regeneration. His salty water occurred during a regeneration cycle. If you look closely at the flow drawings you will notice the likelihood of salty water during regeneration is very unlikely unless there is a problem with seals/piston. I would pay close attention to the lower seals.

Also if it was in the RR mode, this may indicate that the brine cycle is not working properly as the brine should be removed during the first 15 minutes of the cycle.

 

[Shawn1111]

Thanks for your reply. I have not had a chance to take it apart yet. Are you thinking that a washer somehow got unseated? Am I better off buying the repair kit seals and pistons and just change them out. What could be wrong with the brine draw besides it being plugged up? Thanks again for your help

 

[ditttohead]

You stated you had salty water during regeneration. This is most likely caused by a damaged seal/piston. A problem with the drain line would cause salty water after, not during the regeneration., If you have the manual you can look at the flow charts to see the processes. During regeneration the valve bypasses untreated water to the application.

Replace the seals/spacer/piston at the same time.

 

[Shawn1111]

Thanks so much for your help. I will do as you recommended and give it a try.