DuraWater Fleck 5600 SXT 32,000 Grain Water Softener Instruction Manual

1. Product Overview

The DuraWater Fleck 5600 SXT is a whole-house digital metered water softener system designed to reduce hardness minerals from your water supply. This system features a Fleck 5600 SXT digital control valve for efficient, on-demand regeneration, ensuring a continuous supply of soft water for your home.

Image 1.1: Complete DuraWater Fleck 5600 SXT Water Softener System, showing the mineral tank with control head and the brine tank.

1.1 Included Components

Your DuraWater Fleck 5600 SXT system includes the following main components:

• Mineral Tank: A 9x48 inch black mineral tank, pre-loaded with high-capacity resin.
• Brine Tank: A 14x34 inch brine tank with a safety float.
• Control Valve: Fleck 5600 SXT Metered Paddle Wheel Control valve, a fully programmable LED control valve.
• Bypass Valve: Plastic bypass with a standard 1-inch male-threaded yoke (3/4-inch available upon request).

Note: Drain line and connection hoses are not provided and must be sourced locally to match your installation requirements.

2. Setup and Installation

Proper installation is crucial for the optimal performance of your water softener. While this system is designed for straightforward installation, it is recommended to consult a qualified plumber if you are unfamiliar with plumbing procedures.

2.1 Pre-Installation Checks

• Ensure you have all components as listed in Section 1.1.
• Verify the installation location has adequate space, drainage, and access to the main water line and an electrical outlet.
• Turn off the main water supply to your home before beginning installation.
• Relieve water pressure by opening a faucet in your home.

2.2 Assembly Steps

1. Positioning: Place the mineral tank and brine tank in their desired permanent locations. The mineral tank is pre-loaded with resin.
2. Control Valve Installation: Carefully screw the Fleck 5600 SXT control valve onto the top of the mineral tank. Ensure the O-rings are properly seated and lubricated. Do not overtighten.
3. Bypass Valve Connection: Connect the bypass valve to the control valve. The bypass valve allows you to isolate the softener for maintenance without shutting off water to your home.
4. Plumbing Connections: Connect the main water supply lines to the bypass valve. Ensure proper inlet and outlet connections as indicated on the valve.
5. Drain Line Connection: Connect a drain line from the control valve's drain fitting to an appropriate drain (e.g., floor drain, utility sink). Ensure there is an air gap to prevent back-siphonage.
6. Brine Line Connection: Connect the brine line from the brine tank to the control valve. Ensure the brine well and safety float assembly are correctly installed inside the brine tank.
7. Electrical Connection: Plug the power adapter for the control valve into a standard electrical outlet.

Image 2.1: Individual components including the mineral tank, brine tank, and Fleck 5600 SXT control valve.

2.3 Initial Startup

1. Fill Brine Tank: Add water to the brine tank until it covers the bottom grid (if present) or to a level of a few inches. Then add water softener salt.
2. Slowly Open Water Supply: With the bypass valve in the bypass position, slowly open the main water supply. Once water is flowing, slowly move the bypass valve to the service position, allowing water to enter the softener.
3. Purge Air: Open a nearby cold water faucet and let it run until all air is purged from the system and water flows smoothly. Close the faucet.
4. Program Control Valve: Refer to the Fleck 5600 SXT control valve manual (typically provided separately or available online) for detailed programming instructions. You will need to set the time of day, water hardness, and regeneration time.
5. Initiate Manual Regeneration: After programming, initiate a manual regeneration cycle to fully charge the resin and prepare the system for operation.

3. Operating Instructions

The Fleck 5600 SXT control valve operates automatically based on your water usage and programmed settings. It measures water flow and initiates a regeneration cycle when the resin bed is exhausted.

3.1 Automatic Operation

• The control valve tracks water consumption and calculates when regeneration is needed.
• Regeneration typically occurs during off-peak hours (e.g., 2:00 AM) to minimize disruption to your water supply.
• During regeneration, the system flushes the resin with a brine solution to remove hardness minerals, then rinses and prepares for the next service cycle.

3.2 Manual Regeneration

You can initiate a manual regeneration cycle at any time, for example, if you anticipate higher water usage or if you notice a decrease in water softness. Consult your Fleck 5600 SXT control valve manual for specific steps to initiate a manual regeneration.

4. Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures the longevity and efficient operation of your water softener system.

4.1 Salt Level Monitoring

• Check the salt level in the brine tank regularly, ideally once a month.
• Maintain the salt level above the water level, and at least one-quarter full.
• Use only high-quality water softener salt (pellets, crystals, or solar salt). Do not use rock salt.
• Refill the salt when it drops below the recommended level.

4.2 Brine Tank Cleaning

Over time, insoluble materials in the salt can accumulate at the bottom of the brine tank, forming a "salt mushing" or "salt bridge." This can impede proper regeneration.

• Inspect the brine tank every few months.
• If a salt bridge forms, carefully break it up using a broom handle or similar tool.
• Periodically (e.g., once a year), empty and clean the brine tank. This involves bypassing the softener, draining the tank, removing any residue, and then refilling with water and salt.

Image 4.1: Close-up of the resin beads used in the mineral tank for ion exchange.

5. Troubleshooting

This section addresses common issues you might encounter with your water softener. For more detailed troubleshooting, refer to the Fleck 5600 SXT control valve manual.

5.1 No Soft Water

• Check Bypass Valve: Ensure the bypass valve is in the "service" position, allowing water to flow through the softener.
• Check Salt Level: Verify there is sufficient salt in the brine tank and no salt bridge has formed.
• Initiate Manual Regeneration: Perform a manual regeneration cycle.
• Verify Settings: Confirm that the water hardness setting on the control valve is correct.

5.2 Continuous Regeneration or Excessive Water Usage

• Check for Leaks: Inspect all plumbing connections for leaks.
• Verify Meter Operation: Ensure the water meter on the control valve is functioning correctly and registering water flow.
• Review Programming: Incorrect programming of water hardness or regeneration frequency can lead to over-regeneration.

5.3 Error Codes on Control Valve

If the control valve displays an error code, consult the Fleck 5600 SXT control valve manual for specific code definitions and troubleshooting steps. One common issue mentioned in user feedback is an error mode if insufficient water is used before a pre-programmed 30-day maximum regeneration cycle. This can often be reset via a button on the back of the control head.

6. Specifications

7. Warranty and Support

For warranty information, please refer to the documentation provided with your purchase or contact DuraWater directly. For technical support, programming assistance, or troubleshooting beyond this manual, please reach out to DuraWater customer service or a certified water treatment professional.

Image 7.1: DuraWater brand logo.