Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Repair old Culligan or get new conditioner?

Hi,

I have an old Culligan Mark 50, the kind with a timer box with lots of gears. The timer is slow and "sticks" when it gets to the point where it triggers the cycle. Is it worth trying to fix this unit? Are there any easy fixes I can try? I did see a used timer unit on e-bay that I could use for parts.

If I get a new system, I will probably get one like Justalurker reccommends, sounds like a good thing. I would have bought one from Home Depot, but you have educated me here, thanks!

One more thing... am I reading this San Diego report correctly? Is my water hardness really around 11?
http://www.sandiego.gov/water/quality/pdf/tbl6.pdf

Thanks in advance.
Anthony

Hi Anthony,

That old timer-based Culligan has seen better days and is probably more trouble fixing than it's worth and you never know when using used parts.

Time to opt for a new demand initiated softener. I recommend a Fleck 5600SE or 2510SE control valve. It'll be much more water and salt efficient and easier to program. Technology has been intelligently applied to new generation water softeners.

You are reading the hardness correctly but always calculate for maximum hardness and there is a compensation for manganese and iron if present.

If you're shopping softeners from a competent water treatment professional they will do the math based on the water test numbers, water usage, # of people, and plumbing specs you supply.

Let us know how you decide to go.

Anthony,

I just ordered and installed a Fleck 5600SE from OhioPureWater. So far, I've been very happy with it. The price including shipping was $460

Thanks very much for the info. I'm looking at the 5600SE as well. I think JAL said he preferred a Noryl yoke, right?

We have a 4 person household, do you think a 32,000 grain model will be ok based on the H2O hardness info in San Diego?

http://www.sandiego.gov/water/quality/pdf/tbl6.pdf

Anthony

Thanks very much for the info. I'm looking at the 5600SE as well. I think JAL said he preferred a Noryl yoke, right?

We have a 4 person household, do you think a 32,000 grain model will be ok based on the H2O hardness info in San Diego?

http://www.sandiego.gov/water/quality/pdf/tbl6.pdf

Anthony

Give the people you choose to buy from the opportunity to size your softener. They're going to be the ones standing behind their recommendation.

Is your home plumbed for a softener?

The 5600SE is made of Noryl so I'd get the Noryl yoke and Noryl bypass if available, but not a big deal either if you get the SS yoke and bypass.