AFWFi
Fillter
erss® Softener Quick
YOUR Water Start Guide
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Pre-Installation Preparation - see videos at afwfilters
Prepare the main resin tank
• Read through FAQ's on last page for detailed answers. Make sure
all is delivered before scheduling installation.
• Softener tanks come loaded, should be roughly half full
2.5 c.f. and larger may come with more that you load.
• If included, attach the top basket to the control head
• Use silicone lubricant or vegetable oil (NOT VASELINE)
to lubricate O-ring on control head Upper Basket
• Screw the control head on the tank, hand snug AFTER the
O-ring contacts the tank is sufficient
Prepare the brine tank
• Use overflow fitting to connect brine well to brine tank
• Connect brine line to control head with brass nut.
• Connect brine line to float valve in brine tank - if you Overflow Fitting
have a quick connect float, push the tubing into the
fitting, when it stops, push an additional 1/8”-1/4” to
seal in place. If black plastic nut, see picture.
• OPTIONAL - Connect the overflow to a floor drain Brine Connection
Program the control head
• For maximum efficiency please follow the
master programming in the main manual
or in videos on our website.
• Use one of the arrows to set time of day
• Wait 10 seconds, then press BOTH arrows
and hold for 5-10 seconds
• Use arrows to adjust settings, extra cycle
button to advance to next step.
• DO - 14 (7 with iron in the water)
• RT - 2:00 (2 am, or whenever water is not
being used for 1.5 hours)
• H - 20 (set to your hardness if known)
• RC - 150 (Number of people x 75)
Plumbing the system in
Verify flow direction
• Flow direction is vital for proper operation
• Turning the bypass upside down will not change
flow direction
• When looking at the back of the head, the un-
treated water will enter on the left, the treated
water will exit on the right
• In general you will install right after the water
enters the home (AFTER the pressure tank on a
well) - before water heater
Connect inlet and outlet
• Turn off the main water supply
• You can use PVC, PEX, or copper
• Use silicone lubricant or vegetable oil (NO VASELINE) on the O-rings
to connect the bypass valve
• Ensure the screws holding the clips in place are snug, but DO NOT
over-tighten. the whole assembly should move freely up and down.
• Teflon tape (do NOT use adhesive sealants) should be used on
threaded fittings
Connect drain line
• Drain fitting is 1/2" and line is typically 1/2” ID flexible tubing
(make sure it is non collapsible tubing)
• Drain can be ran vertically and comes out under
pressure, for runs longer than 15 ft, us 3/4” pipe
• Floor drain or stand pipe at least 1.5” in diameter
should be used, with a 3” air gap and additional
3/4” gap between the drain pipe and drain line
recommended, a P-trap is also suggested
• Teflon tape (do NOT use adhesive sealants) should be used on
threaded fittings. Drain fitting may crack if you over-tighten.
• If installing multiple systems, DO NOT tie drain lines together - they
can run to the same drain, but each system needs a separate line
• Water will come out of the drain line under pressure, make sure line
is secure and drain pipe can handle water flow
Place system in service
Turn the water on
• Make sure bypass valve is in bypass position
• Turn the main water supply back on slowly, check
for leaks
• If no leaks are found, open a nearby faucet and
slowly open the bypass valve until you hear water
entering the tank, check for leaks Bypass Position
• When the tank is full of water, close the faucet and
fully open the bypass valve to the service position
and check for leaks
Flush the system
• Find the nearest faucet to the system and remove the
aerator if it has one
• Open the faucet and let it run for 15-20 minutes, or
longer until running clear. Service Position
• Small amounts of resin are not uncommon, but if large amounts of
resin come out verify the system is plumbed in correctly
Run manual regeneration/verify operation
• It is important to run the system through a manual cycle to ensure
each part of the cycle is working correctly and to fill brine tank
• Hold the extra cycle button for 5-10 seconds, the display should
show BW - - - - as it moves the piston, and will start counting down
• BW (Back Wash, typically 10 minutes) - strong flow of water down
the drain to lift and clean the resin off
• BD (Brine Draw, typically 60 minutes) - water will be drawn out of
the brine tank (usually within 15-20 minutes) then flushed through
the system, with a slower flow of water down the drain. On the first
regeneration you can press the extra cycle to skip this step as the
resin is pre-charged and the brine tank is empty
• RR (Rapid Rinse, typically 10 minutes) - strong flow of water down
the drain to flush excess brine and settle the resin
• BF (Brine Fill, default is 12, but varies on system size and efficiency
setting used in programming.)
- water will fill the brine tank to prepare for the next regeneration.
• System will return to the time of day, and alternate between the
current time and number of gallons until next regeneration
Frequently Asked Questions
Details & additional questions in full manual
Full manual available at: www.afwfilters.com/instructions
Q. My tank was not upright or on it's side?, is this a problem?
A. No.
Q. I am missing drain line, brine line, or connection lines, where are they?
A. Brine line is usually in the brine well, drain & connection lines are not included.
Q. My tank sit crooked, how do I fix it?
A. Lift the tank 2-3” off the floor and drop it to straighten the boot on the bottom.
Q. I was not sent resin/the tank cap was broken/resin outside the tank?
A. Most systems are shipped pre-loaded, if your tank is 1/2 full you are fine.
Q. My riser tube is off-center or sticking out the top of the tank, what do I do?
A. Installing the head corrects off-center, refer to full FAQ if it is sticking out the top.
Q. Do I need to install the upper basket?
A. It is recommended to install it if your system comes with it.
Q. What is the white plastic cap(s) in the brine tank for?
A. One goes on top of the brine well. If you have two you can save one as a spare.
Q. What kind of salt do I use and how much should I put in the brine tank?
A. We recommend pelleted softener salt, with at least 1 bag (40 lb) kept in the tank.
Q. Do I need to add water to the brine tank?
A. No, the system will put the correct amount in during the initial regeneration.
Q. My brine tank is overflowing, how do I fix it?
A. Most likely the brine line is not fully sealed, push it firmly to seat it fully.
Q. There is water in my brine tank/water is above the salt.
A. Water level varies, as long as it is not overflowing you are fine.
Q. Can I use potassium chloride (KCl) instead of standard salt?
A. Yes. Increase brine fill by 30% or decrease capacity by 30% when using KCl
Q. My display keeps flashing the time and then a number, what does it mean?
A. The number displayed is the number of gallons remaining until regeneration.
Q. My service icon (the faucet) is shown, what do I need to do?
A. Nothing, solid is in service (working), flashing indicates a regeneration is queued.
Q. What does the water drop icon mean?
A. When it is flashing it indicates water is flowing through the system.
Q. My display shows RC----, is this an error?
A. No, you have reached capacity, using your reserve and will regen at the set time.
Q. What is the circle exclamation mark mean?
A. This indicates an error. Refer to the full manual for details.
Q. The bypass moves up and down after installation, will it leak?
A. No, the system seals with o-rings which will allow for some movement.
Q. Can I run my drain line vertically/how far can I run the drain?
A. Yes you can up to 4ft, and up to 15 ft with 1/2” line, use 3/4” for longer than 15 ft.
Q. Can I run the drain to a septic system/sewer?
A. Yes, waste water will not damage a properly sized drainage system.
