Alex-Tronix Filter Master Series User manual

FM-4P
Filter
Backwash
Controller
IMPORTANT: Prior to use, please read manual
in order to avoid system damage.
®
Alex-Tronix
FILTER MASTER SERIES
REV. 021418

FM-4P Operation Manual
Thank you for purchasing the FM-4P filter controller-- manufactured in the U.S.A. The FM-4P is our
latest controller featuring a digital differential pressure gauge, yet the unit can still use the Murphy
differential switch gauge. Also new --an internal backup battery is no longer necessary due to
advanced circuitry design. Additionally, the FM-4P now has a ‘progressive backwashing’ feature
which allows every new cycle to start with a different tank for more efficient cleaning.
INSTALLATION:
Output selector: Prior to wiring, remove bottom and top face plates, and mount the empty controller
enclosure to the filter manifold or where job dictates. On the rear of the main panel circuit board, set
the solenoid output selector switch to match the solenoid type you have being A/C or DC/DCL.
Pressure Differential Gauge: Depending on the gauge type you have– Murphy Switch Gauge or the
Alex-Tronix digital gauge, locate a mounting area, either on the filter manifold, or the FM-4P’s
enclosure itself. You may require extra color coded (22-18 awg) wire to reach controller terminals.
WIRING: (Refer to Figures 1, 2, & 3)
A/C INPUT: The FM-4P accommodates an input voltage of 120VAC or 12VDC. 220VAC operation is
also possible with a specially ordered transformer from the factory. For A/C input, Wire both black
primary wires to the hot and neutral wires from the circuit breaker box; primary transformer wires
have no polarity. The transformers secondary wires are factory pre-wired. Next, connect the safety
ground (green wire-- attached to transformer case) to the ground wire returning back to the breaker
box. A safety ground is required by NEC code. Set output switch (on rear of panel) to AC or DC/DCL.
NOTE: Setting the switch to DC output when using transformer is only for use with DC non-latching
solenoids.
DC input from alternator: For DC operation, remove the A/C transformer, and directly wire DC
power into the first two terminals on the terminal strip marked + and -. An external in-line fuse with a
rating of 2 amps must be installed on the positive terminal located at the battery. To ensure power
quality, directly connect the wires to the battery terminals. If the power source is noisy, install an inline
noise filter. Use solid terminal connections at the battery- no clamps of any kind. Optimum operating
voltage is 12.8-13.8 volts. Set output switch (on rear of panel) to DC/DCL. NOTE: Use DC non-
latching solenoids for this configuration.
DC input from solar setup: Solar set-ups are to be used with latching solenoids only. For DC
latching operation, remove the A/C transformer, and directly wire DC power into the first two terminals
on the terminal strip marked + and -. Please use the battery (7 amp hour rechargeable) and solar
panel we provide. If a non specified battery is used with an underrated panel, the battery will
eventually become weak, and erratic operation of the controller will result. This could occur after
several weeks of normal operation. Manually charging a large car battery on and off every several
weeks, and re-connecting it to the controller is not recommended. Optimum operating voltage is 12.8-
13.8 volts. Set output switch (on rear of panel) to DC/DCL.
TERMINAL STRIP:
POWER: The FM-4P has three sections of wiring terminals- power, solenoids, and gauges. Terminal
1-3 is marked: Y O Y (Yellow, Orange, Yellow) and is where the transformer’s secondary is factory
wired. In the same location (from left to right -terminals 1-2) + and - is also the DC input. When using
DC input, the third terminal is not connected. DO NOT CONNECT BOTH THE TRANSFORMER AND

FM-4P FILTER
BACKWASH
CONTROLLER
ON
FUSE 20mm
1.6A S.B. YOY C M 1 2 34BB W R
+_SENSOR
24VAC C.T.
OR 12VDC
FILTER TANKS GAUGE
SERIAL #
4 B W R
FIG. 1 POWER WIRING CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
DIESEL PUMP,
ALTERNATOR/W
BATTERY
S.P.
5 Watt Solar Panel
7 amp hr.
-
+
-
SOLAR SETUP- Solar panel, battery
and controller are connected in parallel.
NOTE POLARITY!
OR
+
NOTE: INSTALL 2 AMP FUSE
AT POWER SOURCE FOR ALL
DC INPUT APPLICATIONS.
FM-4P FILTER
BACKWASH
CONTROLLER
ON
FUSE 20mm
1.6A S.B. YOY C M 1 2 34BB W R
+_SENSOR
24VAC C.T.
OR 12VDC
FILTER TANKS GAUGE
SERIAL #
4 B W R
Transformers:
120VAC/C.T. Standard (Pre-Wired)
240VAC/C.T. Optional
GND. GREEN
PRIMARY
BLACK x2
+
-
+
-
AC Power Input
DC Power Input
WARNING: DISCONNECT TRANSFORMER IF
CONFIGURING UNIT FOR DC INPUT POWER!

FM-4P FILTER
BACKWASH
CONTROLLER
STATUS
BACKWASH TIME
DIFFERENTIAL SETTING
PRE-DWELL TIME
PERIODIC TIME
PD DELAY TIME
DWELL TIME
TANK ASSIGN
TANK SEQUENCE
CYCLE COUNT
SOLENOID TYPE
SENSOR/GAUGE TYPE
SELECT +
-
ENTER/
MANUAL START
ALEX-TRONIX
FILTERMASTER SERIES
OFF
ON
FUSE 20mm
1.6A S.B. YOY C M 1 2 34BB W R
+_SENSOR
24VAC C.T.
OR 12VDC
FILTER TANKS GAUGE
SERIAL #
4 B W R
FIG. 2 SOLENOID WIRING CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
SOLENOID
SOLENOID
SOLENOID
SOLENOID
SOLENOID
PRESSURE
SUSTAINING
(MASTER VALVE
- OPTIONAL)
1
2
3
4
NOTE: FOR REMOTE DC POWER
APPLICATIONS, ONLY LATCHING
SOLENOIDS MUST BE USED
AND HAVE A POLARITY (POS. +
and NEG. -). ALL NEGATIVE “-”
WIRES CONNECT TO COMMON,
TERMINAL AND REMAINING
POSITIVE “+” WIRES CONNECT
TO EACH STATION TERMINAL.
VERIFY WIRING INFORMATION
WITH SOLENOID
MANUFACTURER.

FIG 3. GAUGE TYPE WIRING CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
ALEX-TRONIX DIGITAL
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE GAUGE
BLACK
RED
WHITE
NOTE:DO NOT USE BOTH GAUGE
TYPES AT THE SAME TIME.
FM-4P FILTER
BACKWASH
CONTROLLER
ON
FUSE 20mm
1.6A S.B. YOY C M 1 2 34BB W R
+_SENSOR
24VAC C.T.
OR 12VDC
FILTER TANKS GAUGE
SERIAL #
4 B W R
0 15
PSI
C
N.O.
MURPHY SWITCH GAUGE
(OR ANY PRESS. DIF. SWITCH)
NO POLARITY
FM-4P FILTER
BACKWASH
CONTROLLER
ON
FUSE 20mm
1.6A S.B. YOY C M 1 2 34BB W R
+_SENSOR
24VAC C.T.
OR 12VDC
FILTER TANKS GAUGE
SERIAL #
4 B W R

DC POWER AT THE SAME TIME.
STATION OUTPUTS: For A/C or DC non-latching solenoids, one wire from each solenoid are all
connected to “C” (common) terminal. The remaining wires from each solenoid connect to station
terminals 1-4 including “M” (master) valve if used. For latching solenoids, the same wiring scheme is
followed, except latching solenoids have a polarity; all Negative “-” wires need to connect to the “C”
terminal; the remaining positive “+” wires connect to the station terminals including the “M” terminal.
PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL GAUGE/SENSOR: This unit can operate using two types of PD gauges
-the traditional Murphy switch gauge, and the new Alex-Tronix digital sensor. For the Murphy gauge,
connect the N.O. and C on the gauge to the FM-4P terminals both marked: “B” noted under ‘GAUGE’
These connections have no polarity.
For the digital sensor, match color and connect the wires to the three terminals: Black to “B”, White to
“W”, and Red to “R” noted under ‘SENSOR’.
CONTROLS:
Power: Use this switch to turn controller on or off. When power is removed from the unit by any
means, all programmed settings are retained. The FM-4P will resume operation at the point where the
controller was turned off when powered back up.
Function Selector Knob: Use this knob to select which function you wish to view or program. There
is no specific setting this knob must be set to for normal operation, as long as FM-4P is correctly
programmed.
Select: This pushbutton selects what part within a function you will program.
+ and -: These two pushbuttons allow you to edit any parameters within a function.
Enter/Manual Start: Pressing this pushbutton programs the parameters desired. You must press
ENTER after entering any parameters when programming the unit. Once programmed, if desired, you
can manually initiate a backwash when the function knob is on the “STATUS” position.
PROGRAMMING (FUNCTIONS):
STATUS: This function displays what mode the controller is in. Typical modes can include: Filtering,
Pre-dwell, Tank Backwashing Number, and Dwell. Unit shown in filtering mode below.
SENSOR DIFF. PRESS STATUS
DAYS, HOURS, MINUTES
SECONDS, Since Last
backwash.
PD DIFFERENTIAL SETTING: Use this setting to set the trigger point for the sensor gauge based on
the SENSOR/GAUGE TYPE function. If the function is set for “PD GAUGE” then this display will
show: “SET DIFFERENTIAL PSI ON GAUGE” and no adjustable parameter is available. If the
SENSOR/GAUGE TYPE function is set for “SENSOR”, then a differential trigger setting will be
available for adjustment. Press SELECT, +, and - to set the backwash trigger point of the sensor. 7
PD=05.2 FILTERNG
00D 03H 10M 17S

PSI is the default setting if programmed for ‘SENSOR’. Press ENTER when finished.
OR
PRE-DWELL TIME: This is a delay time used to build system pressure in orchestration with the
pressure sustaining master valve, in order to ensure valves open and close on systems with smaller
pumps. Press SELECT, +, and - to set the delay time (up to 255 seconds) before the unit goes into
backwash mode.
BACKWASH TIME: This sets the cleaning duration for each filter tank. Press SELECT, +, and - to set
the delay time (up to 255 seconds) per tank. Press ENTER when finished.
DWELL TIME: This sets idling time between tank backwashes in order to maintain system pressure,
and allow valves enough time to open and close as backwashing progresses. Press SELECT, +, and
- to set the delay time (up to 99 seconds). Press ENTER when finished.
PERIODIC TIME: This sets backwashing cycle intervals. It is independent from the PD gauge
initiation; however, if the gauge triggers a backwash cycle before a periodic interval initiates, the
periodic’s interval time clock will reset to zero, and begin timing up again. After a cycle is complete,
the controller reverts back into filtering mode, the periodic time resets to zero, and periodic timing
begins again.
PD DELAY TIME: Intermittent surge pressures in a filter system can occur which could trigger a
backwash cycle unnecessarily. Adding PD delay time alleviates unnessessary backwashing, and
allows ‘gauge bouncing’ to stabilize before a legitimate pressure reading is taken. Press SELECT, +,
and - to set the delay time (up to 255 seconds). Contact filter manufacturer for correct setting.
TANK ASSIGN: Depending on how many filter tanks there are, you can activate/deactivate any of
them --up to four. Press select, and move along to each tank number, then use “+” or “-” to activate or
deactivate that tank; when finished, press enter.
BACKWASH TANK SEQUENCE: There are two orders for backwashing --Sequential and
Progressive. Sequential backwashing traditionally starts with Tank 1, 2 ...4 in order every time a new
cycle starts. Progressive backwashing starts by cleaning a different tank every time a new cycle starts
i.e. 1,2,3,4 then 2,3,4,1 then 3,4,1,2, etc, etc. This can be used to help all tanks clean evenly and
keep water flow consistent through all tanks while filtering.
BACKWASH CYCLE COUNT: This function displays how many backwashes have occurred since it
was last cleared. To reset the count to zero, press select, then select over to ‘Y’, and press enter.
SOLENOID TYPE: The FM-4P is compatible to 24VAC and 12VDC non-latching, and 12VDC latching
solenoids. Default solenoid setting is in the NON-LATCHING mode. To change to Latching (12VDC
only), press select twice, and press enter. You must also set the output switch (located on rear panel)
to the correct configuration. Your options are as follows: For 120/240VAC power supply input, the
output switch can be set for 24VAC or 12VDC solenoids. For 12VDC power supply input whether
from a genset or solar panel set up.
SENSOR/GAUGE TYPE: To switch between the traditional Murphy switch gauge and the Alex-Tronix
Sensor, select to either one, and press enter.
SENSOR SET
POINT: 07:0 PSI SET DIFFERENTIAL PSI ON GAUGE

OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS
The unit can initiate a backwash cycle by PD or Periodic time or both, and manually. When a
backwash initiates, the FM-4P moves out of filtering mode, and individually washes each tank. The
systems pressure differential drops when cycle is complete, and the tanks are deemed clean. If the
pressure does not drop, troubleshooting of the filter system itself should be performed, starting with
solenoid and valve maintenance. Additional troubleshooting resources can be sought out on the tech
support page on the web at: www.alextronix.com
FUSE REPLACEMENT : Should the fuse ever blow, the following symptoms should be examined:
ŸSolenoids defective or become defective when heated for long periods.
ŸPrimary voltage too high.
ŸShort circuit in solenoid wiring.
CAUTION: Replace fuse with same type only! – 20mm 1.6amp Slow Blow.
For any questions or help regarding this controller please contact us at 1-888-224-7630.
For questions regarding you filter system, contact the manufacturer.
WARRANTY
Suppliers and end users of this product agree to the following terms, conditions and limitations of warranty and liability coverage:
Alex-Tronix warrants the F4P to be free from original defects for two years from the date of original sale. The manufacturer shall replace,
free of charge any part found defective under normal use and service within the guarantee period, provided the product is installed, used,
and maintained in accordance with any applicable instructions or limitations issued by Alex-Tronix. Components supplied replacement
parts are warranted for 90 days from the date of shipment. The manufacturer assumes no liability for incidental or consequential damage
sustained in the adoption or use of our engineering data, service, or products. Liability is therefore limited to the repair of the product
manufactured by Alex-Tronix. No agent or representative of Alex-Tronix has the authority to waive or add to this agreement. Altered
products, or use of products in a manner not intended shall void this warranty. For warranty service, ship unit pre-paid to the address
below. Controllers damaged in transit due to improper packaging are not covered by warranty.
For warranty repair, send defective product freight pre-paid to:
Alex-Tronix Controls Div. GNA Industries - 4761 W. Jacquelyn Ave. Fresno, CA. 93722 - Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.alextronix.com - [email protected]