Saturday, November 24, 2007
Working Well
Well, it’s been three weeks since the big install and all is well.
It took me a couple of weeks of readings and watching and adjustments to the Fleck settings to get things where I want them, but things have settled down and I’m very happy with the results.
Initially, I didn’t quite understand about the programming - due mostly to not reading all the information like I should have, once I got the system ready to turn on.
I had the Regeneration Day Override set to A-3 (Regenerate every three days - no matter what) and after the first 10 days, I figured that out and reset the RDO to A-14 - where I believe it was probably set from the guys who shipped it to me.
I had left the Treated Water Capacity at the level it came to me - 1000 gallons.
After I got the RDO figured out I also set the TWC to 1800 - which is what my calculations based on people in the household, average usage and water hardness factors.
I’m in the middle of my first full 1800 gallons cycle and so far, so good. I’m averaging around 180-200 gallons per day for the first 5 days of this 1800 gal cycle and as of the 5th morning in the cycle, we’ve gone through 740 gallons… so the 1800gal/14day cycle may be pretty close to the mark.
More later.
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Friday, November 02, 2007
Installation Complete
The unit arrived on Wednesday and I took today off to install and plumb it all in myself.
- I removed the Rainsoft Unit from its location and filled in the “hole” it was sitting in with dirt - up to the level of the surrounding area.
- I removed the sod from an area about 48x48 inches and used 4 x 40lb bags of sand to build this area up and level it.
- I then placed 4 x 18"x18" pavers on top of the sand and leveled them - endind up with a great base for the shed.
- I placed the shed on the pad I just built.
- I secured the shed to the house with two sizeable anchor bolts. They won’t hold it down during a Force-5 hurricane - but they will lend a bit of stability and peace of mind that the shed won’t move off where it’s sitting without a significant amount of trouble.
- I put the Fleck system into the shed and marked the area on the shed’s left side where I’d have to cut an access port.
- I cut the access port and the system fits perfectly against the left side of the shed, with it’s cut-off valve sticking out with the valve handle easily accessable.
- I also cut a port in the left side of the shed for the drain line.
- I secured the Fleck system to the left side of the shed with a strap - just for a bit of added confidence that it wouldn’t tip over without really working at it.
- I followed the installation directions supplied by Quality Water Treatment and it all went together like a charm.
- I plumbed the Fleck to the pvc pipes that once fed the RainSoft system.
- I also used 1/2” sprinkler hose and spliced it to the drain that once serviced the RainSoft unit.
- I plugged it all in - set the Control Settings as directed in the Installation Instructions and had much softer water this evening. Once the Water Heater has been emptied of its hard water - we should all be back in the Soft Water side of life.
All in all, it looks like I have about $650 into this project… less than 7 RainSoft “service calls” to fix what shouldn’t have broken in the first place.
I’m going to CraigsList the RainSoft unit and offer it up to anyone who wants to come out and remove it… ten-month-old EC4 Unit and all.
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
New System On The Way
I found what I needed at Quality Water Treatment - http://qualitywatertreatment.com. It’s a Fleck2510SE control head on a 24,000 grain unit.
I ran through their calculator and ordered a 24,000 grain unit.
I also figured that it would need a “housing” as the RainSoft installation is outside this Florida house. I shopped around and found a Suncast Tool Shed for $99 on line at Sears.com. I was able to order it and pick it up at my local Sears for $106 and change. Brought it home, assembled it and sat it in the Garage so I could set everything up, cut the appropriate holes, etc… and fit it all together prior to installation.
Because of the size of the shed this system would be placed in, I opted for the 11x11x48 Brine Tank. Should all fit quite nicely in the shed, with a bit of room for an extra bag or two of salt.
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Fed Up…
Well, I’ve decided to boot the RainSoft system and go with a system that I can understand myself, find tech data for, purchase parts for, and generally get myself out of the “$99 per visit” RainSoft loop…
I contacted H20_MAN off the “AbleToKnow.org” forums. He was great help and advised me that my best bet would be a Fleck 2510SE system.
I’m shopping around to see what I can find.
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Monday, October 15, 2007
New Transformer
My new transformer arrived today. I unboxed it and plugged it into a power strip and measured between the poles and my multimeter gave a reading of 24VAC.
Anticipating nothing in particular - I opted to call the wife into the room and show her the measured output.
I hooked the new transformer up the the leads that go to the RainSoft unit, plugged it into the wall plug and went outside to check and set the unit for an immediate recharge cycle.
There were no power indications on the unit.
I went back inside, removed the transformer from the wall plug and confirmed that the wires were properly connected.
I plugged the transformer back into a power strip that would allow me to measure the output voltage again.
There was no output voltage coming from the transformer.
I suspect something inside the EC4 Head is shorting out or blowing out these transformers.
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Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Hard Water
I noticed hard water in this morning’s shower… as did my wife.
I told her I’d check things out this evening.
After returning home from work approximately 6:30PM I checked the RainSoft system and the Power Head had no power.
I went to the bedroom and checked the new transformer. It was warm.
I checked its output with a multi-meter and found that it had no power output.
The transformer is a Basler Electric 24VAC 40VA transformer.
I found a replacement for sale from GV Engineering - http://www.gvengineeringstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=7
I ordered a replacement and am currently awaiting delivery.
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Saturday, September 22, 2007
No Power
Removed power connector, where it connects to back of Control Head - No Power.
Went into the bedroom where the power eminates from (24VAC Transformer plugged into outlet) - found broken green (ground) wire at transformer. (Transformer was warm to the touch)
Thought I’d found the problem. Reconnected green wire to center connector.
Checked power at Control Head and still had no power.
I checked the output of the transformer and found it had no output.
Went and got the “spare” transformer I had in the garage. This “spare” transformer was the one that came with the new Control Head last December. It was not used with the new Control Head as the transformer that was already in place was of the correct voltage and configuration. This was a decision made by the RainSoft technician who installed the new EC4 unit last December.
I wired up and plugged in the new transformer and power was being produced at the transformer and the Control Head again had power.
I initiated a manual regeneration on Saturday afternoon and after the system had purged older, unsoftened water (water heater, etc) we had good, soft water.
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Thursday, September 20, 2007
Hard Water
I checked the system at around 5:30pm and found that the Control Head apparently was not getting any electricity. Too late to troubleshoot. Will tackle on Saturday.
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Saturday, August 04, 2007
Problems - Hard Water
I checked the system because things just didn’t seem right. I found that all the salt and brine had “mushed”.
I removed the mush and brine completely, cleaned the tank, cleaned the brine pickup, and generally got it back to square one.
I put a new 50lb block of salt into the tank as well as a 40lb bag of pellets.
After a couple of days, things were back to normal.
Through research I found that maintianing a smaller amount of salt in the brine tank may help prevent mushing.
I will keep my levels to 1.5 forty lb bags or less at most times.
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Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Day 13/14 - Asheville NC Area
Wednesday Afternoon/Thursday Morning
Hendersonville Curb Market - 8:00AM Thursday
The Asheville Tourist minor league baseball game - Wednesday Evening, McCormick Field, Asheville, NC
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Carl Sandburg, American poet, historian, author, and lecturer spent the final 22 years of his long and productive life at his estate, Connemara, in Flat Rock, NC. Today this National Historic Site offers a keen insight on Mr. Sandburg, his family and their 264 acre working farm. The Sandburg Home was built in 1838 and now houses his collection of 10,000 books, notes and papers. The home offers daily tours and is closed only on Christmas Day. There are numerous hiking trails and a functional goat barn, where Mrs. Sandburg raised her prize winning goats.
Admission is charged only for guided tours of the home. Access to the trails, grounds, barns and public areas are free of charge. The Park is open from 9am -5 pm, 7 days a week. Closed on Christmas day. For additional information call (828) 693-4178, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, NC http://www.nps.gov/carl
The Flat Rock Playhouse - Nuptuals - Wednesday eveing, 8:15
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Night 1 / Night 2
29/30Jun07 - Friday/Saturday
Sarah’s House - Charleston, SC
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Night 3 - Morehead City, NC
01Jul07 - Sunday
Comfort Inn (NC440) - Web Site Click Here
3100 Arendell St. , Morehead City, NC, US, 28557
Phone: (252) 247-3434
Your Confirmation Number is: 40521047
Name: EUGENE HILSHEIMER
Arrival Date: Sunday, July 1, 2007
Length of Stay: 1 Night
Number of Rooms: 1
Rate Program: Sixty Plus Rate (An eligible party must occupy the room to qualify for the Sixty Plus Rate.)
Cancellation Deadline: If you need to change or cancel this reservation, you may do so up until Saturday, June 30, 2007, before 4 PM local hotel time.
Estimated Total: 89.39 (US Dollar) including taxes of: 11.75%
Check In Time: 3:00 PM
Check Out Time: 11:00 AM
$79.99+tax
Approx $89.58
This reservation canx 25May07
Talked to Tina
Canx no: 959478953
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Night 4 / Night 5 - Kitty Hawk, NC
02/03Jul07 - Monday/Tuesday
Comfort Inn North Oceanfront (NC130) - Web Site Click Here
401 N. Virginia Dare Trail Oceanfront , Kill Devil Hills, NC, US, 27948
Phone: (252) 480-2600
Your Confirmation Number is: 40524103
Name: EUGENE HILSHEIMER
Arrival Date: Monday, July 2, 2007
Length of Stay: 2 Nights
Number of Rooms: 1
Rate Program: Sixty Plus Rate (An eligible party must occupy the room to qualify for the Sixty Plus Rate.)
Cancellation Deadline: If you need to change or cancel this reservation, you may do so up until Saturday, June 30, 2007, before 4 PM local hotel time.
Estimated Total: 311.79 (US Dollar) including taxes of: 12.00%
Check In Time: 4:00 PM
Check Out Time: 11:00 AM
$139.19 +tax per night
Approx $314.00
This reservation canx 25May07
Talked to Tina
Canx no: 959475897
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Night 6 - Salisbury, MD
04Jul07 - Wednesday
Confirmation 30581379.
Hotel: Microtel Salisbury - Web Site Click Here
Street: 3050 Merrit Mill Rd
City: Salisbury (MD)
Postal Code: 21804
Country: United States
Phone: 1-410-7422626
Fax: 1-410-7429922
E-mail:
Arrival Date: Wed, Jul 4th, 2007
Departure Date: Thu, Jul 5th, 2007
Number of persons: Adults: 2
Number of rooms: 1
Room Rate: 71.10 USD per night
This reservation cancelled 25May07 on-line:
Cancellation Confirmation
We are sorry you could not stay with us. Your reservation has been cancelled.
Your cancellation number is C1D2A283
Please be advised that a cancellation penalty may be charged on your given credit card, according to the hotels cancellation policy.
We thank you for your interest and are looking forward to welcoming you as our guest in the future.
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Night 7/8/9 - Intercourse, PA
05/06/07Jul07 - Thursday/Friday/Saturday
The Inn & Spa at Intercourse Village - Web Site Click Here
Rt 340 - Main Street - Box 598
Intercourse, PA 17534, United States
Tel: 717-768-2626, 800-664-0949
Email:
Country Homestead Suite - 2nd Floor
$567.00+tax
-----------------------
A Reservation (confirmation #2314234) has been made by:
Eugene Hilsheimer
701 W. 8th Street Circle
Lynn Haven, FL 32444 USA
Additional Guest Names: Regina Hilsheimer
Guest has read and agrees to the Policy.
-------------------------------------
Our Cancel/Change Policy is 7 Days Prior to Arrival.
Check-in 4-7 PM - Check Out 12 Noon
No Smoking, No Pets, No Children under 18.
Gift Certificates are honored Mon - Thur....800-664-0949.....
Extra charge for one nite stays on weekends & special room requests!
Most weekends require a two nites stay
-------------------------------------
Day Phone: 850-769-2313
Evening Phone: 850-248-4482
Cell Phone: 850-890-0858
Email:
Room Identifier: Country Homestead Suite - 2nd Floor
Number of Units: 1
Number of Guests: 2
Checkin Date: 7/5/2007 Staying: 3 Night(s)
Arrival Time:
Checkout Date: 7/8/2007
Special Needs:
Pricing Info:
7/5-$189, 7/6-$189, 7/7-$189
Rate based on 2 people.
Cancelled this reservation 18May07 - via phone.
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