Operating instructions

SECTION 4: BACKWASHING INSTRUCTIONS
Periodic BACKWASHING of the Chem-Free Iron Reduction fi lter bed is required to fl ush out the entrapped iron that has accumulated.
This procedure is performed automatically at 1:00 a.m. for a period of approximately 10 minutes, and will not interfere with a softener
regeneration which is usually set for 2:00 a.m.
To Set Backwash Frequency For Normal Household Applications:
To determine and set BACKWASH FREQUENCY, follow these instructions:
1) Select BACKWASHING FREQUENCY SCHEDULE corresponding to your model.
2) Locate box intersected by number of persons in your family and iron concentration of water (if iron concentration is between two
numbers in SCHEDULE, use higher number.)
3) Number in box represents number of times, in 12 days, timer should be set to regenerate. Refer to HOW TO SET TIME CON-
TROL to set timer.
Example: You have a 1 cubic foot Iron Reduction Filter, 4 in family and 8 ppm iron. Refer to SCHEDULE and locate box inter-
sected by 4 in family and 8 ppm iron. The fi gure “1” in box indicates a BACKWASH frequency of one time per 12 days (if a “2,” “3,”
or “4” were in box, frequencies of twice, three times and four times per twelve days respectively would be indicated.)
NOTE: The BACKWASHING FREQUENCY SCHEDULES are based on average water consumption rates and are merely guides.
They are NOT intended to be used if water used by outside spigots, a swimming pool, geothermal heat pump, or other high water
usage devices or activities are to be treated by your Chem-Free Iron Reduction fi lter. If your application includes any of these,
and you have already determined your model Chem-Free Iron Reduction fi lter is capable of handling the fl ow rates involved, refer
to the next paragraph for instructions on setting BACKWASH FREQUENCY.
To Set Backwash Frequency For Commercial Models and
Non-Standard Household Applications:
If your fi lter is to be used for a commercial application or for reasons covered above, the BACKWASHING FREQUENCY SCHEDULE
is not applicable. Determine the backwashing frequency as follows:
1) Estimate DAILY IRON REDUCTION by multiplying iron concentration by estimated daily water consumption (use 60 gals. per
person per day for normal household applications):
Est. Daily Water Usage ________gal. X Iron Concentration ________ppm =
Daily Iron Reduction ________ppm-gal.
2) Calculate BACKWASH FREQUENCY by inserting DAILY IRON REDUCTION from above into following formula (refer to Specifi -
cations For IRON REDUCTION CAPACITY of your model):
Iron Reduction Capacity of Your Model ______gal. X Daily Iron Reduction ______ppm-gal. =
Backwash Frequency ______days
The resulting number of days between backwashings should be converted to the nearest MORE FREQUENT obtainable timer set-
ting (i.e., a calculated frequency of 4.7 days should be converted to a 4 day interval, and a 9.2 frequency to a 6 day interval). It is not
possible, however, to set the timer less frequently than once every 12 days.
If your water contains a high iron concentration, manganese, tannins or hydrogen sulfi de it may be advisable to increase the back-
wash frequency up to daily, if necessary. It should be noted, however, that increasing the frequency or duration of backwashing WILL
NOT overcome an insuffi cient pumping rate.
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