Programming your Clack Valve - The basic steps
- Homeowners should be cautious when it comes to changing more than the basic settings of their Clack valve water softener. While adjusting settings like the clock, regeneration time, frequency, and hardness is simple and safe, attempting more advanced adjustments without proper knowledge can lead to system malfunctions, reduced efficiency, or even damage to the unit.
- Clack valves control the water softener’s regeneration cycle, which is essential for maintaining its performance. Modifying advanced settings without understanding how they affect the system can disrupt the regeneration process or cause the water softener to regenerate too often or not enough. This can result in wasted water, salt, and energy or leave your water softener ineffective.
- Furthermore, more complex settings can impact the system’s warranty. If a homeowner makes unauthorized adjustments or alters parts of the valve, the manufacturer’s warranty may be voided, leading to costly repairs or replacements that could have been covered.
- For these reasons, homeowners should limit themselves to basic settings and consult one of our professional technicians for any advanced programming or adjustments. Our water softener specialist has the expertise to handle intricate settings safely and ensure that the system operates at its best, avoiding costly mistakes and preserving the longevity of the unit.
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Program the 3 Button Clack Valve
- The 3-button Clack valve is a popular control valve used in water softening systems. It provides easy and efficient control over water softener operations, including setting the clock and adjusting the regeneration time. Setting the clock and customizing the regeneration cycle ensures that your system operates at optimal times, preventing water usage during regeneration and keeping your water softener running efficiently.
Step 1: Understanding the Buttons
- Before you begin, it's important to know what each button on the 3-button Clack valve does:
- Button 1: Set Button – This settings button is used to set the clock and used in conjunction with other programable features.
- Button 2: Up Button – This button allows you to move between programable functions.
- Button 3: Down Button – This button also allows you to move between programable functions.
Step 2: Setting the Clock
- To ensure your water softener/conditioner regenerates at the correct time, the clock needs to be accurately set. Here's how to do it:
- Press and hold the "Set" button (Button 1) for 5 seconds. This will enter clock mode on the control valve.
- Set the hour: After entering clock mode, use Button 2 or Button 3 to adjust the hour. Some systems may display hours in a 12-hour format (AM/PM), so make sure to select the correct period (AM or PM).
- Set the minutes: Once the hour is set, you’ll need to adjust the minutes by hitting the "Set" button (Button 1) just once. Now use Button 2 or Button 3 again to increase or decrease the minutes.
- Confirm the time: After setting the hour and minutes, press the Set button (Button 1) again to save the time setting. The system will now be set to the correct time.
Step 3: Changing the Regeneration Time
- The regeneration cycle is when the water softener cleans itself by flushing the resin bed with brine. It’s ideal to schedule the regeneration cycle during hours when water usage is low, typically overnight. Here’s how to adjust the regeneration time:
- Simultaneously Press and hold the "Set" and "Up" button (Buttons 1 and 2 at the same time and hold) for 5 seconds. The regeneration time will now be displayed (2:00a.m. is the set standard time).
- Set the regeneration time: After entering the regeneration settings, use Button 2 or Button 3 to adjust the regeneration time. Choose a time when your household typically doesn’t need water. Many people set the regeneration time to occur in the early morning or late at night to avoid interrupting daily water use. Once hour is set you would then press "Set" Button and it now flashes the minutes time. Use Button 2 or Button 3 to change minutes time.
- Confirm the regeneration time: Once the desired regeneration time is selected, press the Set button (Button 1) to save the setting.
Step 4: Adjusting the Regeneration Frequency
- 3-button Clack valves also allow you to adjust how often the system regenerates. This frequency can depend on your water usage, hardness level, and personal preference.
- Enter the frequency settings by Simultaneously Pressing and holding the "Set" and "Up" button (Buttons 1 and 2 at the same time and hold) for 5 seconds.
- Adjust the frequency: You will first enter the regeneration time, just hit the "Set" button twice and now you enter the regeneration frequency. Use Button 2 or Button 3 to change how many days between each regeneration. Most systems will regenerate on a 7-day cycle, but you can adjust it to 10 or 14 days depending on your water usage.
- Confirm the frequency settings by pressing the Set button (Button 1) once more and you return to the main clock.
Conclusion
- Setting the clock and adjusting the regeneration time and frequency on your 3-button Clack valve is essential for optimizing your water softener's performance. By programming the correct time and regeneration cycle, you ensure that your system works efficiently, providing softened water when you need it most. Always remember to set the regeneration time during low water usage periods, such as overnight (2:00a.m.), to avoid disrupting your daily routine. Regularly maintain your system by adjusting settings as needed and ensuring that your salt levels are adequate for effective regeneration.
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Program the 5 Button Clack Valve
- The 5-button Clack valve is a more advanced control valve used in water softening systems, providing precise control over system settings. Among its many functions, setting the clock and adjusting the regeneration time are two essential tasks that help maintain the performance of your water softener.
Step 1: Understand the Buttons
- The 5-button Clack valve has five primary buttons, each serving a unique function:
- Button 1 (Set Clock): Used to set the main clock time.
- Button 2 (Next Button): functions to navigate through different display screens or settings, essentially allowing you to move to the next option when programming the water softener, including toggling between the current time, flow rate, and remaining capacity
- Button 3 (Up Arrow): Used to increase the value or setting.
- Button 4 (Down Arrow): Used to decrease the value or setting.
- Button 5 (Regeneration): This button is used to manually initiate the regeneration process. Push it and let go will automatically set the system to regenerate that night at your set time. Push and hold for 4 seconds will cause an immediate regeneration.
Step 2: Setting the Clock
- To ensure your water softener/conditioner regenerates at the correct time, the clock needs to be accurately set. Here's how to do it:
- Press the "Set Clock" button: (Button 1) This will enter clock mode on the control valve.
- Set the hour: After entering clock mode, use the Up/Down arrows Button 3 or Button 4 to set the correct hour.
- Navigate to minutes: Press the "Next" button (Button 2) to move to the minutes setting.
- Set the minutes: Use the Up/Down arrows Button 3 or Button 4 to adjust the minutes.
- Confirm: Once the time is set, press "Next" to exit the time setting mode.
Step 3: Changing the Regeneration Time
- The regeneration cycle is when the water softener cleans itself by flushing the resin bed with brine. It’s ideal to schedule the regeneration cycle during hours when water usage is low, typically overnight. Here’s how to adjust the regeneration time:
- Access the settings: Press the "NEXT" button to cycle through the menu options until you reach the regeneration time setting.
- Adjust the time: Once the time is highlighted, use the Up/Down arrow buttons to change the hour. Once the Hour time is set press the "Next" button and the minutes will now start flashing. Press the "Up/Down" buttons until the minute is set to correct time.
- Confirm changes: Press "NEXT" again to save your changes and move to the next setting.
Step 4: Adjusting the Hardness/Regeneration Frequency
- 5-button Clack valves allow you to adjust specifically the hardness of the water. Knowing the hardness of the home or office is key to this. In the Tampa, FL area the typical number would be 20 Grains Per Gallon. The hardness number will depend on your water usage, hardness level, and personal preference.
- Access the settings: Simultaneously press and hold "Next" and "Up" buttons and hold for up to 5 seconds to enter the programming mode.
- Adjust hardness: Once in the settings, use the "Next" button to scroll through the settings to get to the Hardness setting. Use the "Up/Down" arrows to change the water hardness level. The setting we typically set this at is 20 grains per gallon. This will depend on the hardness of the water at your location and the amount of people at the residents. This number can be adjusted to get the best feeling water that you prefer. *Important note: Do Not adjust this daily. You can adjust this twice a month, till you figure out what level is best for you. when changing, only change it at ratios of 2 GPG so you can dial in the perfect number for you.
- Confirm changes: After setting the desired hardness, press "Next" to move to the next setting.
Step 5: Exiting Programming Mode
- Once you’ve set the clock and adjusted the regeneration time and frequency and wish to exit the program, simply wait for about 10-15 seconds, and the system will automatically exit programming mode and save all the changes.
Conclusion
- Setting the clock, adjusting the regeneration time, and changing the hardness on your 5 Button Clack valve ensures that your water softener is working efficiently and at optimal times. By programming the clock correctly and selecting the best time for regeneration, you can minimize water waste, optimize energy use, and keep your water softener operating smoothly. Regularly check and update these settings as needed to keep your system functioning efficiently, providing clean, soft water when you need it most.