AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener System

1. Introduction and System Overview

This manual provides essential information for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener System. This system is designed to remove hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water supply through an ion exchange process, extending the lifespan of your plumbing and appliances.

The Fleck 5600SXT Digital Control Valve features a backlit LCD display, touchpad controls, and a 48-hour internal power backup for user-friendly operation and programming.

Figure 1: AFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener System with main mineral tank and brine tank.

2. Setup and Installation

Installation typically takes 1-2 hours with basic plumbing skills. A USB drive with instructions and video is included with your system. Ensure you have all necessary components before beginning installation.

2.1 Unboxing and Inspection

Your system will arrive in multiple boxes. One box contains the pre-loaded resin tank, and another contains the brine tank and Fleck control head. Boxes may appear roughed up in transit, but components are usually fine. If the resin tank arrives on its side, the internal media will settle during the first manual regeneration cycle.

2.2 Brine Tank Assembly

Remove the brine line from the brine well. Secure the brine well to the brine tank using the elbow overflow fitting. You may need to remove the float assembly temporarily to gain more room for installation. Ensure the rubber gasket is on the inside of the tank and brine well, and the plastic gasket is on the outside of the brine tank.

2.3 Control Head Installation

1. Remove the shipping cap from the resin tank.
2. Verify the riser tube is 1/4 inch or less above the top of the tank. If it's slightly off-center, it will straighten out when the control head is installed.
3. Lubricate the tank O-ring on the control head using silicone lubricant or cooking oil. Do NOT use petroleum-based lubricants.
4. If your system came with an upper basket, attach it to the control head.
5. Screw the Fleck control head onto the resin tank. Hand-tighten only; do not use tools on the threads of the control head or tank.
6. Install the barbed drain fitting onto the control head. Do not over-tighten.

Figure 2: Fleck 5600SXT Digital Control Head.

2.4 Bypass Valve and Plumbing Connections

Wrap the threads on the yoke with Teflon tape. Lubricate the O-rings on the bypass valve with silicone-based lubricant or food-grade cooking oil. Push the yoke onto the male fittings with the O-rings. You may need to loosen the metal clips and screws to allow the yoke to go all the way on. Do not over-tighten these clips and screws; ensure they are snug.

When facing the Fleck digital screen, the incoming untreated water goes into the right side, and the outgoing treated water flows out the left side. Arrows on the bypass indicate the direction of flow. Flipping the bypass will not change the flow direction.

2.5 Drain Line Connection

Install a drain line (1/2 inch inner diameter tubing, not included) on the Fleck control head. Ensure it is secure and runs to its own drain. This line is under pressure during regeneration.

2.6 Power Connection

Once the tank is filled and there are no leaks, plug in the Fleck control head. The power adapter plugs into the back of the main circuit board, often hidden by the brine line.

**Important Installation Tips:**

• If on a well, install AFTER your pressure tank.
• The drain line can run no more than 5 feet vertically.
• If you need to go longer than 15 feet horizontally, size up the drain line to 3/4" tubing.
• Do NOT use check valves on the drain line.
• Ensure the drain line is secure as it is under pressure during regeneration.
• Turn water off to the home before beginning installation.

3. Operating Instructions

3.1 Initial Startup and Flushing

Before running a manual backwash cycle, open the nearest faucet on the cold water side and allow water to flush the system for 15 to 20 minutes. Then turn the faucet off.

3.2 Programming the Fleck 5600SXT Control Valve

To program the control valve, follow these steps:

1. Set Time of Day: Hold down one of the arrow keys to change the time. Set it to 12:01 PM. Ensure 'PM' is displayed.
2. Enter Master Programming: Push the 'Extra Cycle' button to remove 'TD' from the screen. Then, push and hold the 'Up' and 'Down' arrow keys simultaneously until 'DF GAL' appears.
3. Navigate Settings: Use the 'Extra Cycle' button to advance through the settings.
4. DF (Downflow Backwash): This should be 'DF 1B' for downflow one backwash.
5. NT (Number of Tanks): This should be 'NT 1'.
6. C (Capacity): This is the system's capacity. For a 48,000 grain softener, set this to '32' for maximum efficiency settings. Refer to your included chart for specific values based on your system size and desired efficiency.
7. H (Hardness): This is your water hardness in grains per gallon. Adjust this number based on your water test results.
8. RC (Regeneration Cycle): This is factory set at 150. This number is typically 75 multiplied by the number of people in your household. For example, for two people, it should be 150.
9. DO (Day Override): This is the day override setting. If you do not have iron in your water, keep it at '14'. If you have iron, decrease this number to '7'.
10. RT (Regeneration Time): This is the time the system will regenerate. Factory set at 2:00 AM. Ensure this is a time when no one is using water for about two hours.
11. BW (Backwash Duration): This stays at '10' minutes.
12. BD (Brine Draw Duration): This stays at '60' minutes.
13. RR (Rapid Rinse Duration): This stays at '10' minutes.
14. BF (Brine Fill Duration): This is when you'll refer to the chart again. For a 48,000 grain softener set at '32' capacity, your BF setting should be '6' minutes.
15. P07 (Paddle Wheel Meter): This should stay at 'P07' for the paddle wheel meter.
16. Exit Programming: Push the 'Extra Cycle' button again to return to the main screen.

After programming, hold the manual regeneration button to start a backwash cycle to ensure the system is going through all the steps properly.

4. Maintenance

4.1 Salt Refilling

The brine tank holds approximately 250 lbs of salt. Ensure the brine tank is kept full of salt pellets at all times for proper operation. The included safety float prevents overfilling, and the overflow drain acts as an additional backup.

Figure 3: Internal view of the Fleck 5600SXT Digital Control Head.

4.2 General Care

Regularly inspect the system for any visible leaks or unusual operation. Keep the area around the softener clean and free from obstructions.

5. Troubleshooting

• Leaks: If leaks occur during installation, turn the bypass handles back to bypass position, re-check all connections, ensure O-rings are properly lubricated, and re-tighten fittings as necessary.
• Incorrect Water Flow: Verify the incoming untreated water is connected to the right side of the bypass and the outgoing treated water flows out the left side. Refer to the arrows on the bypass for flow direction.
• Programming Issues: If the system is not regenerating as expected, re-enter master programming and verify all settings (DF, NT, C, H, RC, DO, RT, BW, BD, RR, BF, P07) are correct according to your system's specifications and water hardness.
• Power Interruption: The control head has a 48-hour internal power backup. For longer outages, you may need to reset the time of day.

6. Specifications

7. Warranty and Support

The Fleck 5600SXT control valve comes with an outstanding 5-year warranty. The durable mineral tank has a 10-year warranty.

AFWFilters provides full support to help you program and set up your system once installed. If you have any questions or require assistance, please feel free to contact AFWFilters customer support.