Culligan Medallist Series, 8"" Medallist, 30 Medallist, 45 Medallist Owner's Manual

Culligan

Medallist Series

™

Automatic

Water Conditioner

Owners Guide

THANK YOU

AND WELCOME TO YOUR NEW WORLD OF BETTER
LIVING WITH CULLIGAN WATER.

The Culligan Medallist Series™ Water Softeners are tested and validated
by WQA and certified by UL against ANSI/NSF Standard 44 for the
effective reduction of calcium and magnesium, along with Barium and
Radium 226/228*.

For installations in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Plumbing Code 248 CMR shall be
adhered to. Consult your licensed plumber for installation of this system.

Because the ability of the unit to remove Barium and Radium is based upon reducing hardness
to less than 1gpg, effective hardness reduction should be periodically verified. Hardness sample
kits are available through your local Culligan Dealer.

If this is your first experience having soft, conditioned water in your home, you’ll be amazed at
the marvelous difference it makes. We promise that you’ll never want to be without it again.

ANSI/NSF 44

Water Softener

81WN

Congratulations, too, on selecting one of the “first family” of water conditioners in the
prestigious Culligan Medallist Series. With Culligan’s many years of knowledge and experience in
water treatment, you can be confident that the model you selected has been designed and
engineered to provide years of service with a minimum of care and attention.

Some localities have corrosive water. A water softener cannot correct this problem and so its
printed warranty disclaims liability for corrosion of plumbing lines, fixtures or appliances. If you
suspect corrosion, your Culligan Dealer has equipment to control the problem.

SODIUM INFORMATION: Water softeners using sodium chloride for regeneration add sodium to the

water. Persons who are on sodium restricted diets should consider the added sodium as part of their overall sodium
intake.

i

Softener Model

Performance Data Sheets are included in this manual for various Culligan Medallist Series
Softener models. Refer to the Performance Data Sheet for your specif ic softener, as there are
slight differences between the models. The softener warranty is loca ted on page 19 of this
Owner’s Guide.

™

Culligan Medallist Series™ 8” Water Softener

Performance Data Sheet - Page 15

Culligan Medallist Series

8” Water Softener with

™

Soft-Minder® Meter
Performance Data Sheet - Page 16

Culligan Medallist Series™ 30 Water Softener

Performance Data Sheet - Page 17

Culligan Medallist Series™ 30 Water Softener with

Soft-Minder® Meter
Performance Data Sheet - Page 18

Culligan Medallist Series™ 45 Water Softener

Performance Data Sheet - Page 19

Culligan Medallist Series™ 45 Water Softener with

Soft-Minder® Meter
Performance Data Sheet - Page 20

1

Specifications

Culligan Medallist Series™ W ater Conditioners with Timeclock or Soft-Minder® Meter

8” Model 30 Model 45 Model

Control V alve T ype 5-cycle Reinforced 5-cycle Reinforced 5-cycle Reinforced

Thermoplastic Thermoplastic Thermoplastic

Overall Conditioner Height 51 in. 49 in. 63 in.

1,295 mm 1,245 mm 1,600 mm
Media Tank Dimensions 8 x 44 in. 10 x 40 in. 10 x 54 in.
(Dia. x Ht.) 203 x 1,118 mm 254 x 1,016 mm 254 x 1,372 mm
Salt Storage T ank Dimensions 16 x 43 in. 18 x 43 in. 18 x 43 in.
(Dia. x Ht.) 457 x 1,092 mm 457 x 1,092 mm 457 x 1,092 mm

18 x 43 in.

457 x 1,092 mm
Exchange Media, T ype & Quantity Cullex
Underbedding, T ype & Quantity

Exchange Capacity @ Salt 18,300 gr @ 4 lb. 20,200 gr @ 5 lb . 24,900 gr @ 6 lb.
Dosage Per Recharge

Efficiency at Rated Salt Dosage

Freeboard to Media
Freeboard to Underbedding

1

5

2

3

Salt Storage Capacity 250 lb. or 375 lb . 375 lb. 375 lb.
Rated Service Flow @ Pressure Drop
T otal Hardness , Maximum 75 gpg 99 gpg 99 gpg
Total Iron, Maximum (dissolved) 5 ppm 5 ppm 5 ppm
Hardness to Iron Ratio, Minimum 8 gpg to 1 ppm 8 gpg to 1 ppm 8 gpg to 1 ppm

Operating Pressure 20 - 125 psi 20 - 125 psi 20 - 125 psi

Operating Pressure (Canada) 20 - 90 psi 20 - 90 psi 20 - 90 psi

Operating Temperature 33 - 120°F 33 - 120°F 33 - 120°F

Electrical Requirements 24V/60 Hz 24V/60 Hz 24V/60 Hz
Electrical Power Consumption, 3 Wa tts/35 Watts 3 Wa tts/35 Watts 3 Wa tts/35 Watts
Min./Max.
Drain Flow, Maximum

4

Recharge Time, A verage 85 min. 64 min. 64 min.
Recharge W ater Consumption 23.3 gal. 61 gal. 65 gal.

Media, 0.7 ft3Cullex Media, 1.0 ft3Cullex Media, 1.5 ft

®

Cullsan® Underbedding, Cullsan Underbedding, Cullsan Underbedding,

6 lb. 8 lb. 8 lb.

25,100 gr @ 9 lb. 29,400 gr @ 11 lb . 39,200 gr @ 14 lb.

27,500 gr @ 12 lb. 35,000 gr @ 17 lb. 43,500 gr @ 20 lb.

4 lb. salt dosage: 5 lb . salt dosage 6 lb. salt dosage

4570 gr./lb. 4050 gr./lb . 4150 gr./lb.

20.5 - 21.5 in. 17 - 18 in. 19.75 - 21.75 in.

42.0 - 42.5 in. 39.6 - 40.1 in. 53.8 - 54.3 in.

5.9 gpm @ 12 psi 7.2 gpm @ 12 psi 7.0 gpm @ 13 psi

140 mg/L to 1 mg/L 140 mg/L to 1 mg/L 140 mg/L to 1 mg/L

140 - 860 kPa 140 - 860 kPa 140 - 860 kPa

140 - 620 kPa 140 - 620 kPa 140 - 620 kPa

1 - 50°C 1 - 50°C 1 - 50°C

1.1 gpm 2.0 gpm 2.1 gpm

3

1 Capacities and corresponding salt dosages pertain to low hardness waters. Capacities given per recharge
2 Measured from top of media to top of inlet fitting (backwashed and drained)
3 Measured from top of underbedding to top of inlet fitting
4 Backwash at 120 psi (830 kPa)
5 Efficiency rating only valid at stated salt dosage on softminder models and is efficiency rated according to ANSI/NSF
Standard 44

2

Introduction

IT’S ALL SO EASY, SO ECONOMICAL, SO EFFICIENT, SO ENJOYABLE!

KIND TO SKIN AND COMPLEXION

Soft water will help prevent red, itchy or dr y skin because there are no hardness impurities to cause
soreness, no soap curd to coat the skin. Shaving is easier, smoother - either with blade or electric shaver.

BATHING AND SHOWERING

You’ll use far less soap with conditioned water. Use your soap very sparingly - not as you did before soft
water. Just a quick rinse removes all lather, leaving your skin pleasantly smooth and silky - because now it’s
free of sticky soap curd and film.

SAVES WASHING COSTS. HELPS CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Soft water washes whiter and cleaner with less soap or detergent. Because the hardness impurities are
removed, your soap can concentrate solely on washing. People usually find that they can reduce the
amount of soap they use substantially. If you normally used a cup per wash load with hard water, try using
only 1/3 cup depending on the size of your wash load and the degree of soil. Different amounts are
required, but you can use less with softened water. An added bonus is the fact that your washable fabrics
will last longer.

SUPER HAIR CONDITIONING

Soft water is great for scalp and hair care. No insoluble deposits are formed. Hair is shinier, softer, more
manageable. Reduce the amount of shampoo you have nor mal ly used.

DISHES ARE A DELIGHT

Washed by hand or in a dishwasher, glassware, dishes and silver wash cleaner, easier. Follow your dish­washer manufacturer’s instructions. Soft wate r promotes sanitation because no greasy hard water film can
form to collect or harbor bacteria.

EASIER HOUSEKEEPING, GLEAMING FIXTURES

You’ll be amazed at the marvelous difference . Just a swish of the cloth, and the bathtub or shower and
fixtures are clean and sparkling. Imagine, no scouring! No hard water scum to cause rings, streaks, spots
and stains. To keep their gleaming luster, simply wipe fixtures with a towel after use. Formica, tile, walls,
floors, woodwork surfaces clean easier, stay clean longer. You’ll save on cleaning aids and save on time.

SAVES WATER-HEATING ENERGY, HELPS WATER-USING APPLIANCES

Soft water reduces the formation of rock-like hard water scale which encrusts water heaters, hot water
pipes, shower heads, and water-using appliances. This scale can cause premature maintenance and failure.

Elimination of hard water also provides substantial energy savings because scale acts as an insulator,
wasting electricity or gas used to heat water.

3

Introduction (cont.)

SAVINGS GALORE

A water conditioner is frequently referred to as “the appliance that pays for itself”. You’ll find that your
savings on soaps, detergents, cleaning aids, and personal care products will help your family’s household
budget. And if you place a price on your time, you’ll be most happy with the time saved by your new
family servant.

WATER FOR LAWNS AND HOUSEHOLD PLANTS

If possible, lawn sprinkling faucets should be supplied with hard water primarily because it is
uneconomical to soften so much water.

Household plants are much more sensitive than lawns with respect to the kind of water which is best.
First, because they receive no rainfall and, second, there is little or no drainage of the soil. Preferably they
should be watered with rainwater or water which is low in mineral content such as distilled or
demineralized water. Softened water is not recommended for house plants because a build-up of sodium
in the soil may interfere with efficient absorption of water by the plant root system. Additional
information may be obtained from your independently operated Culligan d ealer.

4

Ho w Your Water Conditioner Works

Why Water Gets Hard And How It’s Softened

All of the fresh water in the world originally falls as rain, snow, or sleet. Surface water is drawn upward by
the sun, forming clouds. Then, nearly pure and soft as it starts to fall, it begins to collect impurities as it
passes through smog and dust-laden atmosphere. And as it seeps through soil and rocks it gathers
hardness, rust, acid, unpleasant tastes and odors.

Water hardness is caused primarily by limestone dissolved from the earth by rainwater. Because of this, in
earlier times people who wanted soft water collected rainwater from ro ofs in r ain barrels and cisterns
before it picked up hardness from the ear th.

Some localities have corrosive water. A softener cannot correct this problem and so its printed warranty
disclaims liability for corrosion of plumbing lines, fixtures or appliances. If you suspect corrosion, your
Culligan Man has equipment to control the probl em.

Iron is a common water problem. The chemical/physical nature of iron found in natural water supplies is
exhibited in four general types:

1. Dissolved Iron - Also called fe r rous or “clear water” iron. This type of iron can be removed from the
water by the same ion exchange principle that removes the hardness elements, calcium and
magnesium. Dissolved iron is soluble in water and is detected by taking a sample of the water to be
treated in a clear glass. The water in the glass is initially clear, but on standing exposed to the air, it may
gradually turn cloudy or colored as it oxidizes.

2. Particulate Iron - Also called ferric or colloidal iron. This type of iron is an undissolved particle of iron.
A softener will remove larger particles, but the y may not be washed out in regeneration effect ively and
will eventually foul the ion exchange resin. A filtering treatment w il l be required to remove this type of
iron.

3. Organic Bound Iron - This type of iron is strongly attached to an organic compound in the water. The
ion exchange process alone cannot break this attachment and the softener wil l not remove this type of
iron.

4. Bacterial Iron - This type of iron is protected inside a bacteria cell. Like the organic bound iron, it is
not removed by a water softener.

When using a softener to remove both hardness and dissolved iron it is important that it regenerates
more frequently than ordinarily would be calculated for hardness removal alone. Although many factors
and formulas have been used to determine this frequency, it is recommended that the softener be regener­ated when it has reached 50 - 75% of the calculated hardness alone capacity. This will minimize the
potential for bed fouling.

If you are operating a water softener on clear water iron, regular resin bed cleaning is needed to keep the
bed from coating with iron. Even when operating a softener on water with less than the maximum of
dissolved iron, regular cleanings should be performed. Clean every six months or more often if iron
appears in your conditioned water supply. Use resin bed cleaning compounds carefully following the
directions on the container.

CAUTION: Do not use where the water is microbiologically unsafe or with

water of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the unit.

5

The Culligan Process

Your Culligan water conditioner consists of three basic components, (A) the Control Valve, (B) the
Mineral Tank, and (C) the Brine System.

A. The exclusive Culligan control valve automatically performs a variety of tasks that are necessary for the

proper operation of your water conditioner. These tasks, commonly referred to as cycles or operating
positions, are:
SERVICE, REGENERATION, AND BRINE REFILL.

1. SERVICE: While the control valve is in the “Service cycle”, hard water is directed down through the
column of Cullex® resin where hardness minerals are removed from the water. The softened water
is then directed into your household plumbing lines. The ability of the Cullex resin to remove
hardness minerals needs to be periodically replenished; this is referred to as . . .

2. REGENERATION: While the control valve is in the “Regeneration cycle”, water is first directed up
through the column of Cullex resin to flush accumulated sediment out of the resin and down the
drain. Then, the regenerant brine solution is slowly drawn from the bottom of the salt storage tank
of the Brine System and is directed down through the column of Cullex resin, restoring the ability
of the resin to remove hardness minerals from your water supply. Once completed, the
regeneration cycle is followed by . . .

3. BRINE REFILL: While the control valve is in the “Brine Refill cycle”, a predetermined amount of
water is directed to the salt storage tank of the Brine System so that additional salt can be dissolved
to provide the brine solution that will be needed for the next regeneration cycle.

6

The Culligan Process (cont.)

B. The Mineral Tank contains the C ulle x resin co lumn, Cullsan®underbedding, and an outlet manifold.

The number of gallons of hard water that can be softened by the Cullex resin column before it needs
regeneration is called the “capacity” of the resin column, and depends upon the amount of hardness
minerals in each gallon of water (expressed as grains per gallon) and upon the amount of regenerant
brine solution (expressed as pounds of salt) passed through the resin column during regeneration.

Your Culligan service person, taking into account the hardness of your water and the amount of
softened water your household may reasonably expect to use each day, has carefully established how
often the softener will regenerate and how much salt will be used for each regeneration. This will
ensure that all of your soft water needs will be fulfilled without using an excessive amount of salt.

C. The Brine System consists of a salt storage container and hydraulic Dubl-Safe™ valve. The salt storage

container holds the salt that is used to make the regenerant brine solution. The hydraulic Dubl-Safe
valve limits the amount of water that is returned to the salt storage tank during the brine refill cycle.

Since a predetermined amount of salt is dissolved with each brine refill cycle, the salt must be
periodically replenished in order to maintain efficient operation. Your Culligan service person will be
able to tell you about how often salt must be added to the salt storage container.

7