My Rainsoft system was purchased in 2001 and have had little to no problems until recently. My water is no longer soft and I am not using salt. My problem is I am not sure of the sequence of the system. It appears at no time is there water in the Brine tank ( which I feel happens during #1 stage). During one sequence it is trying to suck the water out of the brine tank as I have removed the line and have had a positive suction ( I have pulled the entire "float system" and air passes through it so it is not clogged). I have disassembled most of the unit head and have clean up the gaskets and have not seen anything "broken". Can anyone school me on what to look for and how to proceed before I dump $$$ in a service call? Please no Rainsoft bashing as this is not helpful. It appears to me that the entire regeneration process is fine with the exception of the "fill" process into the brine tank any positive input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Pete
If as has been suggested, the drain line flow control was blocked I don't think you'd get good suction in the brine/slow rinse cycle position so... Something in or on the control valve must be blocking the water flow into the salt tank, since the float etc. flows fine.
Do you have the old brass valve or the newer black plastic one? If the black plastic, does the brine line to/from the salt tank attach to the right side of the control valve as you look at it?
As to bashing Rain Soft... I've come down on them numerous times for their serious overcharging for their softener and an RO. They are worse than Kinetico!
RS historically has always charged much more than anyone else. About two years ago was the last I heard from someone that was thinking of buying from them and the price was over $7000 for a softener and an RO including them installing them. They included a 5 year supply of laundry and dish detergents and hand soap, shampoo etc. etc. that any dealer used to be able to buy wholesale for something like $300 + freight.
Their control valves are usually made by Fleck or some other manufacturer to their specks which makes them somewhat proprietary but no better quality than a normal Autotrol, Clack or Fleck valve.
The resin/mineral tanks they use used to be abnormal as to the threaded part of the valve and the tank so you couldn't swap control valves without a new tank or a tank without a new valve but then someone started making adapters to solve the problem. I don't think they use that type threads and OD/ID anymore.
The tanks they use are the same as everyone else uses, the same for resin. IIRC they have a lifetime warranty on their resin and say it is the world's best and only they have it... of course they can do that lifetime thing because of hugely overcharging for their equipment, parts and service calls. They actually (used to, not sure today) put second mortgages on peoples' houses to secure the price of their equipment.
Although it's been awhile, they've also been exposed with hidden cameras on 60 Minutes, Dateline etc. a few times for misrepresenting 'facts'. So IMO they deserved some bashing.