Fleck 5600SXT water softener barely using any salt

[Mark F]

Hey, I just figured something out. It wasn't the moving of the hollow rod in the brine tank tube that caused the water to be sucked up--it was if I had my finger covering the hollow part of the rod at the top. I only now realized (I think this is true), that it is hollow because it draws air through it sometimes when needed. The problem with my unit is that it must be drawing air through it the whole time. Make sense?

I saw in a video that at the bottom the rod, in the part that allows water to be sucked in, there is a "marble" or float of some sort that dictates as to whether or not air is to be drawn in. This was not a Fleck, so I don't know if it's the same thing. But if my Fleck has something like that marble, maybe it's stuck or something???

 

[Bannerman]

But we cannot figure out what the heck that means.

It appears then there is a malfunction with the safety valve and pickup assembly at the bottom of the brine tank.

The item you describe with a 'marble' is called an air check. The ball inside will float when there is enough liquid in the tank so when the fluid level is drawn out and low enough, the ball will then rest on the pickup opening (end of the suction tube), thereby preventing air from being drawn into the softener.

Suggest contacting the company you purchased the softener from as there should be warranty. As much of Culligan's equipment is proprietary, they may not be able to remedy your issue.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Mark F]

It appears then there is a malfunction with the safety valve and pickup assembly at the bottom of the brine tank.

The item you describe with a 'marble' is called an air check. The ball inside will float when there is enough liquid in the tank so when the fluid level is drawn out and low enough, the will ball rest on the pickup opening, thereby preventing air from being drawn into the softener.

Suggest contacting the company you purchased the softener from as there should be warranty. As much Culligan equipment is proprietary, they may not be able to remedy your issue.

Yes, I think (hope) we've nailed the problem. Before I call the company I bought this from (still under warranty), is there a way I can try to clean it out (if something like salt build up is causing an issue).

 

[Bannerman]

If you purchased the softener online, many of those dealers utilize a mix of manufacturer components, so the safety valve may not actually be a Fleck.
Assuming the float rod is not binding thereby contributing to your issue, you could attempt to dismantle the safety valve and air check to inspect and clean them. Not common but worth a try.

Here is a link to a dealer which sells Fleck and other brand parts. See if your safety valve and pickup resemble the Fleck models shown.
http://www.softenerparts.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=fleck+safety+valve&Submit=

Air check:
http://www.softenerparts.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=fleck+air+check&Submit=

 

[Reach4]

QUOTE="Mark F, post: 523959, member: 79197"]However, it's interesting that the rubber gasket (if that's what it's called), has what looks to be a purposeful "notch" in it--don't know why that is[/QUOTE]
That looks odd to me. If that does not correspond with a mating boss on the nut or assembly, then I would look to get a new one.

(However I have no experience with such stuff, and it may be perfectly normal.) I put a snip from your photo into the thread, where more people will see it.

Interestingly, about 15 minutes after the last regeneration cycle (skipping through all but the Brine Draw), I just went out to the unit and pushed straight down on that rod and a big puff of air shot up out of the center of the rod (it's hollow) at my hand.

I wish you had a picture of that whole assembly while it was out. It may be that you would be well off to buy a whole assembly.

I'm about ready to call a water softener company out to do a service on it and try to fix it. We don't have a Fleck installer out here, so I'd have to call a Culligan type of service.

You might see if Ditttohead knows somebody who would be good for you. Click Inbox above.

 

[Mark F]

I misspoke. Nothing wrong with my aircheck. I took the assembly out of the tank and tested it. And I misunderstood what I was pressing down upon to make the water draw through the hose--it is merely the rod on which the big float resides at the bottom. Pushing this rod down and pulling it up works a lever of some sort on the side of the assembly. I don't know what that lever does...

Reach4 asked for a photo of the assembly when outside of the tank. Here it is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxozCVIWBWWcaEhLME9LZE9qbWM/view?usp=sharing

 

[Reach4]

Hey, I just figured something out. It wasn't the moving of the hollow rod in the brine tank tube that caused the water to be sucked up--it was if I had my finger covering the hollow part of the rod at the top. I only now realized (I think this is true), that it is hollow because it draws air through it sometimes when needed. The problem with my unit is that it must be drawing air through it the whole time. Make sense?

It did not click when I first read "hollow rod" but I now think you might be talking about the tube that connects to the air check valve. Yes? There should not be a hole in that tube. The shorter piece that links to the float does not carry air or water or brine; it is just a mechanical link.

Edit: That looks like the Fleck assembly. See page 19 of the 5600SXT User manual revision H.

Note there are two nuts (item 9) that you want to check.

 

[Mark F]

RESOLUTION!

First of all, thanks to all. This forum is incredible, I can't believe how helpful everyone was to a dummy layman like me. I assume you are all pros or close to it. Thank you.

The dealer that I bought this from just confirmed the bad part, and is shipping it out to me right away. It is the Safety Valve.

I had gone to the unit and found that I had to hold the level on the Safety Valve in a very specific position to get the water suction to work during the brine draw cycle. I actually held it for 30 minutes while it drained all the brine from the tank. Concurrently, the dealer emailed me that my previous assessment was wrong, and that it is obviously the Safety Valve (a common part to go bad I guess).

I'm going away for a couple weeks before I receive the part, so maybe I can set this to not do the regeneration while I'm gone.

Sorry for what has become a pretty confusing thread.

One upside: I've learned a lot about water softeners!

 

[Bannerman]

and that it is obviously the Safety Valve (a common part to go bad I guess).

Not too common, but as with anything mechanical and exposed to water (and brine), it can happen.

You mention taking 30 minutes to drain the tank. That is likely due to a greater amount of liquid within the brine tank compared to normal. Once the safety valve is working correctly, the brine should normally be all drawn (air check closed) within approx 15 minutes of the 60 minute cycle. As the 'rinse' portion of the cycle was shorter than intended earlier today, the water to your fixtures may taste somewhat salty initially.

Great the original dealer is assisting.

 

[ditttohead]

I think the problem is simply the Jaco valve. You are missing the sleeve. The part in the picture is the plastic gripper. Please see the attached picture for directions. The Fleck ones should be the PG Nut Assembly shown below.