Unfiltered
water enters the valve inlet port. Internal valve porting routes
the water downa and out the top distributor and into the mineral
tank. As water flows downward through the mineral bed, sediment,
or taste and odor, is removed, or mineral is dissolved to neutralize
acid. Filtered water enters the bottom distributor, goes up the
riser pipe and to the valve outlet port. Filtered water is directed
to a house faucet when opened.
In
time, the filter needs cleaning to remove sediments, dirt, iron,
etc., and to mix the mineral bed to remove water channels. This
cleaning is done in 2 stages, or cycles, backwash and
fast rinse. The cleaning cycle is started automatically
by the solid state timer.
Backwash
Cycle
The
timer energizes the valve motor which positions internal valve
porting for backwash. Water flow is reversed upward through the
filter, and at a fast rate, to flush sediments, dirt, iron, etc,
from the bed. The valve drain port is also opened to allow discharge
of the cleaned materials to the drain point. The accelerated flow
lifts and expands the mineral bed for maximum cleaning. The filter
backwashes for 25 minutes, or as otherwise set.
During
the backwash cycle, valve porting provides bypass unfiltered
supply water to house faucets for emergency needs. However,
you should avoid the use of hot water because
the water heater will refill with the unfiltered water. In most
households, water is not in use since the cleaning cycles occur
during early morning hours (at timer default values).
Fast
Rinse
Backwash
is followed by the fast rinse cycle. Valve porting is changed
again to return a downward flow of water through the mineral bed.
As in backwash, flow is at a fast rate to flush unfiltered water
and remaining sediments to the drain, and to pack the mineral
bed in preparation for return to "service."
