SENTRY II 930TA Series User manual

Twin Meter Alternating Water Softening System
Operation and Maintenance Manual
Series 930TA

2

3
Product Overview
Alternator
Controller
Display
Connecting Pipes
Second Tank Adapter
Unit A
Unit B

4

5
Table of Contents
System Specifications and Warnings .............................................................................. 6
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 7
Installation Instructions .................................................................................................. 11
Start-Up Instructions ....................................................................................................... 15
Manually Regenerating the Water Softener .................................................................. 16
Series 930 Control Valve Programming ........................................................................ 17
Parts Breakdown
Front Cover and Drive Assembly ........................................................................... 22
Drive Cap Assembly, Seal and Spacer Stack and Pistons!!!!!!!!.!!23
Main Internal Body Parts ........................................................................................ 24
Injector Housing Assembly .................................................................................... 26
Meter Assembly Breakdown ................................................................................... 27
Brine Elbow Refill Flow Assembly and Refill Port Plug ....................................... 28
Drain Line Assembly ............................................................................................... 29
Connecting Pipes and Second Tank Adapter ....................................................... 30
Bypass Assembly Breakdown ................................................................................ 31
Bypass Valve Operation .......................................................................................... 32
Installation Fitting Assemblies ............................................................................... 33
Brine Tank Assembly .............................................................................................. 35
System Specifications ..................................................................................................... 36
Service Instructions ........................................................................................................ 37
Servicing the Transfer Cap Assembly ........................................................................... 42
Water Softener Log Sheet ............................................................................................... 45
Troubleshooting the Control Valve ................................................................................ 46
Manufacturer’s Warranty ................................................................................................ 50

6
System Specifications
Water pressure: 40 psi minimum 100 psi Maximum
Water Temperature: 40°F to 110°F
Electrical Requirements:
Supply Voltage: 120V
Supply Frequency: 60Hz
Output Voltage: 12V AC
Output Current: Maximum 3.0 Amps
Water Meter:
Pipe Size: 1”
Accuracy: ± 5%
Minimum Flow : 0.25 GPM
Control Valve Distributor Pipe Connection: 1”
Circuit Board Memory: NonVolatile EEPROM (Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
Compatible with the following typical concentrations of regenerant chemicals: Sodium Chloride, Potassium
Chloride, Potassium Permangenate, Sodium Bisulfite, Chlorine and Chloramines
Warnings
The control valve and fittings are not designed to support the weight of the system or the
plumbing.
Do not use Vaseline, oils, other hydrocarbon lubricants or spray silicone anywhere. A
silicone lubricant may be used on black O-rings.
Hydrocarbons such as kerosene, benzene, gasoline, etc., may damage products that
contain O-rings or plastic components. Exposure to such hydrocarbons may cause the
products to leak. Do not use the product(s) contained in this document on water supplies
that contain hydrocarbons such as kerosene, benzene, gasoline, etc.
The water meter should not be used as the primary monitoring device for critical or health
effect applications.
Do not use pipe dope or other sealants on threads. Teflon tape is recommended to be
used on all threads. Use of pipe dope may break down the plastics in the control valve.
System Specifications and Warnings

7
Introduction
1. INTRODUCTION
Long term, successful operation of any water softening system depends upon the care and attention it
receives. Ordinarily, water treatment systems will provide uniform performance after the initial start-up
period and operation is stable. Gallonage delivery between regenerations and treated water purity
usually do not vary appreciably over the life of the resins--as long as the mineral content of the
incoming water does not change.
This manual is intended to be a practical reference guide for all operating personnel. In view of the
fact that system performance can change very dramatically throughout the year, a discussion of "ion
exchange" theory is included in addition to basic information relative to equipment operation and
regeneration procedures. Thorough understanding of the simple chemical reactions will help to
determine if some equipment malfunction has occurred, or if the system is simply responding to
changing water conditions. For this reason, all operation and supervising personnel are encouraged
to study Section 2, which define terminology and the simple chemistry associated with this system.
Ion exchange (i.e., the softening process) is a reversible reaction. Ion exchange softening resins have
only a limited capacity for removing calcium and magnesium minerals. If the volume of water put
through a resin bed exceeds its capacity, some hardness will start sloughing off into the treated water.
Therefore, service runs must be terminated before this breakthrough occurs. When a run is over, the
resins are treated with sodium chloride salt to displace the hardness and restore its removal capacity
again. This process is termed "regeneration".
The degree of softening that can be accomplished depends upon several factors. The primary
influences are the incoming water composition, type of resins used and amount of salt used.
Secondary influences are the concentrations and flow-rates at which NaCl is applied.
2. PRINCIPLES OF ION EXCHANGE IN THE SOFTENING PROCESS
2.1 ION EXCHANGE SOFTENING PROCESS
In order to understand what happens in the ion exchange softening process, it will first be
necessary to understand the meaning of the terms that are used in the explanation. HARD
WATER, CATION EXCHANGER, and BRINE are therefore defined below and then used to
show how the ion exchange process works.
A. Hard Water - All natural waters contain much the same dissolved impurities, but in
widely varying amounts. There are always enough ANIONS (-) present to balance the
CATIONS (+), but anions have no effect on the ion exchange softening process.
Water will be HARD, i
f it contains large amounts of Calcium (Ca++) and/or
Magnesium (Mg++) ions.
B. Brine - water in which SALT has dissolved. SATURATED brine contains as much salt
as it is possible to hold in solution (approx. 26% to 27%).
SALT - SODIUM CHLORIDE (NaCl). When dissolved in water it splits up (ionizes)
into Sodium (Na+) ions and Chloride (Cl-).
SATURATED BRINE - contains a very great number of Na+ and Cl- ions
(concentration is over 200,000 ppm). When used to regenerate a CATION
EXCHANGER, only the Sodium ions (Na+) are put to use. The Chloride ions (Cl-) do
not work in the process.
C. Cation Exchanger - a solid material that has a very large number of "REACTION
POINTS". These reaction points have NEGATIVE (-) electric charges, and are able to
attract and hold CATIONS, which are POSITIVELY (+) charged (much the same way
as the way opposite poles of a magnet attract each other).

8
Introduction
D. The Softening Process - When Ca++ or Mg++ ions have occupied most of the
reaction points, hardness will begin to slip
through the bed in increasing amounts.
This rise in hardness in the effluent is an indication that the effective capacity of the
CATION EXCHANGER has been reached. The CATION EXCHANGER must then be
regenerated to restore it to its original condition.
E. Regeneration - A solution of NaCl is applied to the CATION EXCHANGER at a
controlled rate and the softening process is reversed. The Ca++ and Mg++ ions are
driven off of the CATION EXCHANGER and replaced with Na+ ions. At the end of
regeneration, the "spent" brine is rinsed away and the REGENERATED CATION
EXCHANGER, with its reaction points again occupied by sodium ions -is again able to
soften HARD WATER.
2.2 QUALITY OF EFFLUENT
If the hard water contains less than 500 ppm (about 30 grains) of Calcium, Magnesium and
Sodium salts, all expressed as CaCO3, it will be found that the effluent from a softener will
contain an average of not more that 2 ppm actual total hardness (Zero hardness by the SOAP
TEST). However, as the total CATION concentration in the hard water increases above 500
ppm, the average hardness in the effluent will also increase proportionately.
The reason for this is that when the sodium salt - those present in the raw water plus those
formed by the exchange reactions - are present in high enough concentrations, they cause a
"back-regeneration" effect at the same time as the softening process is taking place. This
effect prevents as complete a removal of calcium and magnesium as would otherwise be
possible.
It is often possible to reduce the average hardness in the effluent below normally expected
concentrations, by using a greater amount of salt than usual for regeneration.
Normal Softening Cycle - At the start of a normal softening cycle, the hardness in the effluent
drops rapidly as the residue of hardness ions left in the bed at the end of the rinse are forced
out. The effluent hardness reaches a certain minimum value and remains at approximately
this concentration for the major part of the softening run.
2.3 CAPACITY OF ION EXCHANGER
The capacity for the removal of calcium and magnesium depends mainly upon the type of ion
exchanger that is used. It is further influenced by the amounts of hardness and sodium ions in
the raw water, and by the amount of salt used for regeneration.
A. Raw Water - The effect of the amounts of hardness and sodium ions in the raw water,
is expressed in terms of COMPENSATED HARDNESS. The hardness of the raw
water is considered to be greater than it actually is for capacity determinations,
whenever: (a) the total hardness is greater than 400 ppm (as CaCO3), or (b) the
sodium salts are over 100 ppm as (CaCO3). This "greater-than-actual" hardness is
referred to as COMPENSATED HARDNESS.
B. Salt Dosage - The capacity that will be obtained from a cation exchanger is also
determined by the amount of salt used during regeneration. The Kilograins (kgr) of
hardness that can be removed by each cubic foot of ion exchanger between
regenerations increases as more salt is used for regeneration.
At the same time, the efficiency of salt usage decreases with the higher regenerant
dosages. That is, a greater number of Kilograins of hardness are removed for each
pound of salt used at the lower salt dosages, (and consequently, at the lower
capacities). Thus, greater economy may be obtained at the expense of the number of
gallons of water softened between regenerations.

9
Introduction
3. NORMAL OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Long term, reliable system performance depends upon how conscientiously the equipment is operated
and maintained.
Operator responsibilities to assure operation should include the following
recommended practices:
3.1 MAINTAIN OPERATING LOGS
Operators should maintain close control of the process by monitoring system performance
daily. Effluent purity, hardness leakage, service run lengths and pressure drop across the bed
must be recorded faithfully. Since resins are subject to fouling, decrease in product quality or
run length could be the result of fouling. In addition to operating data, log notations should
include chemical delivery dates, equipment design changes, or modifications in program
settings. This information can be invaluable if troubleshooting is ever required.
The daily log should be updated once or twice a shift and should include the following
information:
1. Dates and Time
2. Which softener is on-line
3. Inlet and Outlet pressure gauge readings; calculated pressure drop
4. Influent hardness
5. Effluent hardness
6. Gallon capacity remaining
7. Record salt usage
8. Any equipment design changes, or modifications in programmed cycle settings or capacity
settings
4. OPERATING & REGENERATION PROCEDURES
4.1 DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
The system is designed for fully automatic operation. The twin tank allows the built-in
alternator to switch from the service tank to the stand-by tank. The stand-by tank then
becomes the service tank. The exhausted tank enters regeneration. Service runs will
automatically switch to stand-by tank when the meter set-point has been reached, initiating
the regeneration cycle.
4.2 REGENERATION CYCLE
A. SERVICE
During service flow, raw water passes through the inlet of the control valve and down-
flow through the resin bed, through the lower hub and lateral distribution system, up
the distributor pipe and exits through the outlet of the control valve and into the
service lines. Service flow continues until the preset gallonage has been used,
initiating the regeneration process.
B. BACKWASH
Raw water passes through the inlet of the control valve and is directed down through
the distributor pipe to the bottom of the tank. Water flow passes through the lower hub
and lateral distribution system and travels up-flow through the resin bed. The water
expands the bed scrubbing the resin beads and washing any entrapped dirt out
through the control valve drain port and out to drain. Backwash sequence lasts
approximately 10 minutes.

10
Introduction
C. BRINE AND SLOW RINSE
Raw water is directed through the injector built into the main regeneration control. A
venturi action in the injector draws the required amount of brine into the softener. The
solution of salt water then passes down-flow through the resin bed, through the lower
hub and lateral distribution system, up the distributor pipe and exits through the drain
port of the control valve and out to drain. The level of water in the brine tank should be
drawn down from the preset level. The brine float air-check valve shuts off air when
the preset drawdown is reached. Raw water continues to the drain through the main
control valve slow rinsing the resin for the remainder of the cycle. Brine and slow
rinse sequence lasts approximately 60 minutes.
D. SECOND BACKWASH
Water flow is the same as the first backwash. This step in the regeneration process
helps to remove iron that was released from the resin during the Brine cycle. The
second Backwash sequence lasts approximately 6 minutes.
E. FAST RINSE
Raw water passes through the inlet of the control valve and down-flow through the
resin bed, through the lower hub and lateral distribution system, up the distributor pipe
and exits through the drain port of the control valve and out to drain. This sequence
removes all remaining brine from the resin bed. The Fast Rinse sequence lasts
approximately 10 min.
F. BRINE REFILL
When the regeneration cycle is finished, fresh water flows through the brine line and
into the brine tank refilling it to the preset level. The brine valve float will control water
makeup level.
A WORD OF CAUTION -- DON'T ARBITRARILY MAKE CHANGES, IF YOU WISH
TO MAINTAIN EFFICIENT REGENERATIONS.

11
Installation Instructions
Pre-Installation Checklist
1. A standard electrical outlet (120V/160Hz) must be located within 12’ of installation
site.
2. A functioning floor drain, washer stand pipe or suitable location for waste water
discharge must be located within 20’ of installation site.
a. All plumbing should be done in accordance with local plumbing codes. The pipe size for the drain line
should be a minimum of 1/2”. Backwash flow rates in excess of 7 gpm or length in excess of 20’
require 3/4” drain line.
3. A working pressure reducing valve must be installed on the inlet water line that
supplies the water softener.
4. (Note: The warranty is void if the system is exposed to water pressure in
excess of 100 psi.)
5. The temperature at the location of the water softener system must never be below
40˚F.
Installation
1. Floor Space: Make sure the floor space that has been selected to install the
water softener is clean and on a level surface.
2. Leveling the Salt Container: If the floor beneath the salt container is not level,
do not use shims or spacers to level the salt container. A platform that supports
the entire bottom surface of the salt container must be used.
3. What to Bypass: A typical installation would include bypassing the outside hose
bibs. The cold water feeding the kitchen sink may or may not be bypassed
depending upon preference.
4. Connection Kit: The standard connection kit supplied with the water softener will
be a 3/4" brass sweat connection kit. (See Figure 1) Other connection kits are
available. This kit will consist of the following:

12
Installation Instructions
5. Plumbing Preparations: Unscrew the two plastic nuts (#1) and pull on the two
brass connectors (#4) to remove them from the bypass assembly. Next remove the
white plastic rings (#2) and the O-rings. (#3) See Figure 1
•Solder at least 6” of pipe to the brass connectors before reassembly.
(See Figure 2)
•After soldering is complete, cool the pipe and connectors. Slide the
plastic nuts (#1) over the brass connectors (#4). Place the white plastic
split rings (#2) into the grooves closest to the end of the brass
connectors (#4). Reassembly the connection kit onto the bypass
assembly.
Warning: When assembling the installation-fitting package (inlet and outlet), connect the fitting to the
plumbing system first and then attach the nut, split ring and O-ring. Heat from soldering or sol- vent cements
may damage the nut, split ring or o- ring. Solder joints should be cool and solvent cements should be set
before installing the nut, split ring and O-ring. Avoid getting primer and solvent cement on any part of the O-
rings, split rings, bypass valve or control valve.
6. Plumbing: When connecting the water softener to the existing plumbing, make
sure the inlet water is connected to the inlet of the softener. Arrows on the valve body
indicate direction of flow. Make sure the bypass valves are in the correct position See
Figure 3.
Note: All plumbing should be done in accordance with local plumbing codes.
Warning: The control valve, fittings and/or bypass are designed to accommodate minor plumbing
mis-alignments but are not designed to support the weight of a system or the plumbing.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

13
Installation Instructions
7. Locate Polytube Insert: Now that the water softener is connected to the existing
plumbing, the drain line may be connected. First, locate and remove the polytube
insert (#2) from the gray cable on the left side of the control valve.
8. Connecting the Drain Line: Slide plastic nut (#3) over the permanent drain
tubing and place the polytube insert (#2) into the end of the drain tubing. Insert the
drain tubing into the drain elbow fitting (#4) and tighten plastic nut (#3) hand-tight
plus 1/2 turn with pliers. Caution: Do Not Over-tighten. (See Figure 4)
9. Drain Line Specs: If the distance from the water softener to the drain is greater
than 20’ the drain line size must be increased to 3/4”. The threads on the drain elbow
fitting are 3/4” male NPT and can be used in lieu of the 1/2” plastic nut and insert. If
the drain line must run overhead, the maximum height of the drain line should not
exceed 8’ above the top of the water softener.
10. Air Gap: The drain line must have an approved air gap to prevent the possibility
of a cross connection to the sewer. (See Figure 5)
Figure 4
Figure 5

14
Installation Instructions
11. Connecting the overflow line: The brine overflow fitting is located on the
outside of the salt container approximately 12” down from the top. Connect 1/2” drain
tubing to the overflow fitting and run it to the nearest floor drain. This line is a gravity
flow line and cannot be run overhead or cannot connect to a drain that is higher than
the overflow fitting.
12. Connecting the brine line: A 3/8” brine line approximately 4’ long is attached to
the salt container and is supplied with the tube insert (#2) in the end of the brine line.
(See Figure 6) Unscrew the brine nut (#3) and slide it over the end of the brine line.
Insert the brine line into the brine fitting. (#4) and tighten the brine nut (#3) hand tight
plus 1/2 turn with pliers. Caution: Do Not Over-tighten.
The water softener is equipped with a 15-foot power cord with built-in transformer. Plug the
power cord into a standard (120V 60Hz) electrical outlet. It will take approximately 10
seconds before you will see the display (this is normal). The water softener is now ready to
be programmed.
Figure 6

15
Start-Up
To begin, place the bypass in the position shown in
Figure 1.
Place the softener in the Backwash cycle.
•To place Unit A in the Backwash cycle press and
hold the REGEN button (approx. 6 seconds) until
the control valve initiates a regeneration cycle.
Unit A is now in the Backwash cycle. An initial
burst of air will be released to the drain. Leave
Unit A in the Backwash cycle until the water
running to the drain runs clear.
•Press the REGEN button to advance the
controller to the next cycle. Unit A is now in the
Brine/Slow Rinse cycle.
•When the timer begins countdown press the
REGEN button to advance the controller to the
next cycle. Unit A is now in the 2nd Backwash
cycle.
•When the timer begins countdown press the
REGEN button to advance the controller to the
next cycle. Unit A is now in the Fast Rinse cycle.
Leave Unit A in the Fast Rinse cycle for at least
five minutes.
•After at least five minutes press the REGEN
button to advance the controller to the next cycle.
Unit A is now in the Brine Tank Fill cycle. Leave
the unit in the Brine Tank Fill cycle for at least
five minutes. To speed up the process, fill the
brine tank with water manually. Fill the brine tank
up to a few inches ABOVE the false bottom,
(approx. 6-8 inches).
•After the brine tank has been filled to the proper
level press the REGEN button to advance the
controller to the home position.
Repeat the above instructions for start-up of Unit B.
Note: The Brine Tank Refill instructions have been
completed in the Unit A start-up.
To complete the Start-up place bypass in the position
shown in Figure 2
Start-Up Instructions
Figure 1
Figure 2

16
Manually Regenerating the Water Softener
Reasons you may want to manually regenerate the water softener:
1. If the brine tank has run out of salt it will be necessary to regenerate the online and
offline tanks. (Unit A and Unit B)
•After adding salt to the brine tank wait a minimum of six hours before initiating
regeneration.
o(The water needs time to dissolve the salt for a minimum of six hours.)
•To initiate a regeneration of the unit that is online, push and hold the REGEN
button for approximately six seconds. The unit will immediately begin its
regeneration cycle and water will be running to the drain. Wait a minimum of
eight hours before initiating the regeneration of the off-line unit.
o(The regeneration time is approximately two hours and then the water
needs time to dissolve the salt for a minimum of six hours.)
2. If the water is hard, the quickest way to get soft water in your home is by initiating a
regeneration of the water softener.
•To initiate a regeneration of the online tank push and hold the REGEN button for
approximately six seconds. The unit will immediately begin its regeneration cycle
and water will be running to the drain. (When the softener has completed the
manual regeneration the system will automatically return to its preset normal
operations.)
Note: After the regeneration of both Unit A and Unit B, there is typically a delay of
three to four days to purge the system i.e. water heater, pipes etc. of the hard water.
After the three to four day period is passed and there is still hard water present you
may need to contact a service professional.
IMPORTANT: When manually regenerating the water softener system it is necessary
to regenerate BOTH online and offline tanks.

17
Control Valve Programming
Series 930
Control Valve Programming

18

19
Control Valve Programming
The control valve has been pre-programmed from the factory with the correct regeneration cycle program and
cycle times. The gallon capacity between regeneration can be changed by adjusting the water hardness.
Programming
Step 1 - Press the NEXT and the UP Arrow buttons at the same time and hold for 2 seconds.
Step 2 - Raw Water Hardness:Adjust to the correct hardness by pressing the UP or DOWN
arrow button. Default setting 20 grains per gallon. Press NEXT to go to Step 3.
SET
CLOCK NEXT REGEN
Step 1
SET
CLOCK NEXT REGEN
SET HARDNESS
20
Step 2
Step 3 - Day Override:This setting should be set to OFF. Press NEXT to go to Step 4.
Step 4 - Regeneration Time: The system regenerates when the volume remaining reaches 0.
This setting is not adjustable. Press NEXT to exit programming.
SET
CLOCK
NEXT
REGEN
SET
oFF
Step 2
REGEN
DAY
SET
CLOCK
NEXT
REGEN
REGEN
on 0
GAL
Step 3
Exit
Programming
Mode

20
0.0
2890
Screen 3
5:20
The time of day should only need to be set after initial installation or after an extended power outage. If an
extended power outage has occurred, the time of day will flash indicating that it needs to be set.
SET
CLOCK NEXT REGEN
Set the Time of Day
Step 1 - Press SET CLOCK
Step 2 - Current Time of Day - Hours: Adjust to the correct hour by pressing the UP or
DOWN arrow button. Press NEXT to go to Step 3.
Step 3 - Current Time of Day - Minutes: Adjust to the correct minutes by pressing the up or
down arrow button. Press NEXT to return to the normal operating screen.
SET
CLOCK NEXT REGEN
SET TIME
4:35
PM
SET
CLOCK NEXT REGEN
SET TIME
5:20
PM
Exit
Programming
Mode
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Control Valve Programming
During normal operation one of three screens can be displayed.
Pressing the NEXT button alternates between these screens.
SET
CLOCK NEXT REGEN
Normal Operating Screens
Screen 1 - Current Time of Day
Screen 2 - Current Flow Rate in Gallons per Minute and A/B Tank Indicator (Lower case b)
Note:
Screen 3 - Capacity Remaining in Gallons
A
SET
CLOCK NEXT REGEN
GAL
MIN
SET
CLOCK NEXT REGEN
CAPACITY REMAINING
GAL
Screen 1
Screen 2
TIME
PM