Fleck 7000 Brine-draw failure

[Marnoot]

I recently purchased a water softener with a Fleck 7000 control valve. During the brine draw cycle, the softener fails to draw any brine. I've inspected the injector and injector screen, the brine line flow control, the drain line flow control and the brine valve. All are clean and clear of debris. Water properly flows to drain during this cycle.

Prior to my disassembly, water actively flowed *to* the brine tank during the brine draw stage, stopped only by the safety valve. Upon reassembly after inspecting the above mentioned parts I made the following observations:

I advanced the control valve to the brine draw cycle and returned the bypass valves to the in-service position with the brine line in a bucket of water. Initially there is a very strong vacuum in the brine line pulling water, this decreases steadily over 10-15 seconds until there is no vacuum at all, although water no longer seems actively flow *out* anymore.

Also, I noticed that I have a #3/yellow injector in my valve. I noticed on a site that sells parts that the yellow injector is "used on 14" and 16" tanks," and for a 9" tank as I have, recommends a #1/white injector. Could this be the issue? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Greg

[ion_avenger]

Well water or city water ?
What is your water pressure ?
Is there any other equipment before this system ?

[greg-cws]

By flow *out*, do you mean the drain stopped flowing at that point, or that the brine line was just 'static', neither sucking or filling ?



I advanced the control valve to the brine draw cycle and returned the bypass valves to the in-service position with the brine line in a bucket of water. Initially there is a very strong vacuum in the brine line pulling water, this decreases steadily over 10-15 seconds until there is no vacuum at all, although water no longer seems actively flow *out* anymore.


At this point, the injector size usually isn't a big deal; it will primarily influence the rate of brine draw - which has an effect on your overally system efficiency.


Ion_avenger's questions are good. That data will be very helpful in diagnosing the issue further.



Also, I noticed that I have a #3/yellow injector in my valve. I noticed on a site that sells parts that the yellow injector is "used on 14" and 16" tanks," and for a 9" tank as I have, recommends a #1/white injector. Could this be the issue? Any other ideas?

[Marnoot]

By "flow out," I just mean that water is no longer flowing *to* to the brine tank during the brine draw cycle as it was doing before my dis/re-assembly, but instead just doesn't draw any brine after 10-15 seconds. So yes, it's now just 'static' after 15 seconds or so (mostly, sometimes there's a slight trickle out); so a slight improvement in the problem, but not enough :)

This is city water, 55 PSI. Pipe runs straight from the shutoff and pressure regulator to the water softener.

[ion_avenger]

Dude, look at your injector and see if has a white plastic ball in the back. See if the ball can move or if it has a retainer to immobilize it.-

[Marnoot]

The injector does have a white plastic ball, but it moves freely; no retainer.

[Marnoot]

The problem was the injector. The place I bought the softener from sent me the proper, white injector. It also has a white plastic clip that seems to limit the travel of the ball. As soon as I got the new one in, it started sucking the brine just fine.

[greg-cws]

Excellent !

That loose ball is an aircheck that was being drawn into the injector nozzle and stopping it from drawing brine.

Job well done - Have you tested to confirm that its producting soft water ?

[Marnoot]

Haven't tested the water with my test strips as my brother is borrowing them, but the water has regained its 'slipperiness', so I'm pretty sure it's working like it should. Should the original injector (regardless of its incorrect sizing) have come with the retaining clip, or is it only necessary at certain sizes, or in certain situations?