Water softener advice

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Myplumber198

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According to this page - http://www.qualitywaterassociates.com/softeners/sizingchart.htm and the plumbing code constant SFR gpm sizing requirements on the internal link (http://www.qualitywaterassociates.com/pdf/3639_plumbingcode.pdf), I need a water softener with a flow rate of 22 gallons per minute.

According to this page - http://www.qualitywaterassociates.com/sizing.php, my daily grains of capacity needed is 5720 or 45760 is the total grains of capacity I need for approximately once per week regeneration with a 24 hr reserve. And finally, 2.5 is the minimum cubic foot size of softener required for your capacity needs.

Now that I know this, and knowing the Clack WS-1 CS is a great way to go, but can’t get it online, what is my next best option? In tend to do stuff myself and enjoy it. I could build a unit if that is a better way to go. Or, is it better to by a complete unit? I tend to think it would better to go the complete unit cost wise.

In any event, what is everyone’s opinions?
 
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Gary Slusser

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You would program for the next higher K of capacity but, with a Clack WS-1 you don't need a 24 hr reserve because of its variable brining.

If the 22 gpm is as if you ran all fixtures at once, you'll never do that so figure out what fixtures you do run at the same time or are likely to in the future. If you have a large tub you can actually measure the gpm. For a multiple showerhead/body spray type shower, you count each head at 2.5 gpm. The main showerhead may be over 2.5 gpm.
 

Myplumber198

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Realistically, if I choose something like a Fleck 5600 SXT, I think I would be safe. Seeing it has a 20 GPM rating and realistically I am not going to turn on everything at once. Speaking of the above Fleck, is that an ok unit or is there something better I should be looking for?
 

Akpsdvan

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The Fleck 7000 would be better for the flow rates that you are talking about.
Standard 7000 has a peak flow of 27.7gpm and a back wash of 7.4gpm
 

Myplumber198

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Actually I think that is the continuous flow and the peak is 35.8 (http://www.qualitywatertreatment.com/PDF/7000SXT_Spec_Sheet.pdf) . The 5600 has a continuous of 20 and a peak of 26 (http://www.qualitywatertreatment.com/PDF/5600SXT Spec Sheet 42749.pdf). That is why I was thinking the 5600 is fine. I guess my question is if the water flow goes past continuous and approaches peak, does that mean it is not being fully "softened"? If that is the case, I will bump it up to that to cover myself.
 

Mialynette2003

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Not necessarily. Water passes through a softener in a vee shape. If the point of the vee goes down to the distributor, you will get hardness bleed through. The closer you get to peak flow, the more of a pressure drop. That's why you see peak flow @ 15 lb psi.
 

Gary Slusser

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The constant service rating of a SOFTENER and the (either constant or peak) SFR of a control valve is not the same thing and the valve SFR is not what you use to size a softener (or filter).

As per Fleck, a 5600 is not to be used on a softener with a tank larger than 12" dia.. That means a 2.0 cuft softener.

A 2.0 cuft SOFTENER has a constant SFR of 13 gpm; regardless of what the constant or peak gpm SFR of the control valve used.

Biermech, Skip Wolverton, mialynette2003 et al.... The 15 psi you mention... it is the pressure loss you suffer IF you run X gpm (constant or peak) through the VALVE ONLY.

The only thing those figures are for is the size of the tank used, not the filter or softener the valve is used on. Below is a link to prove your error, look for 15 and 25 psi drop inside ().

Then find out what CV (flow at 1 psi drop) 5.0 meanshttps://terrylove.com/forums/member.php?42686-mialynette2003 and you'll know how to correctly size softeners.


And that V thing... that is not possible when you size the softener correctly and get the tank sized correctly.

http://www.pentairwatertreatment.co...tment/Literature/5600SXT Spec Sheet 42749.pdf
 

Mialynette2003

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Then why would a supplier of water softener or filters put the flow rate through the equipment.
 

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Gary Slusser

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A.... Through the softener is the only flow that counts, not the SFR gpm of the control valve.

I can't read the data in the picture, the print is too small and enlarging it makes it fuzzier. So do another copy and enlarge it at higher quality.

Then find out what CV (flow at 1 psi drop) 5.0 means and you'll know how to correctly size softeners.
 
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