How to Change a Backwash Cycle for Brine

Run an instant recharge if you have used excessive amounts of water.

A brine backwash is part of a water softener's recharge function. In normal operation, salt is dissolved in water and that brine is used to clean the hardness materials from the resin beads. During backwash, water flows up through the resin tank at a fast rate to flush iron minerals, debris and sediment from the bed to the drain. The bed expands and is cleaned. Backwash is followed by a fast clean. Sometimes, you might need to change the backwash cycle. Often, it's easier to simply run a manual recharge when you've used more water than normal.

Instructions

1. Press the control panel button labeled "Recharge Time" or press "Select" repeatedly until "Recharge" appears on the display. The existing Recharge start time will appear. It's daily, often at 2 am, or at a time when the system is experiencing little use.

2. Press the "Up" and "Down" buttons to change the start time. Bear in mind the whole process takes a couple of hours, so time it for when the system isn't getting much use.

3. Run an instant recharge if you've had guests or have used excessive amounts of water and don't need to change the ordinary cycle. Press the "On/Off/Hold" button, for example, on Sears' Kenmore water softeners and then let go when "Recharge Now" appears. You can also use the immediate recharge function if the salt ran out. Refill with salt and set the "Recharge Now" function manually. Allow the extraordinary recharge to take place and then the water softener will reset to the normal schedule.

References

• Kenmore: UltraSoft 400 Water Softener User Guide