Hydrotech 6200 SXT User Manual

Operating and Service Manual

6200 SXT Automatic Meter Initiated Water Softener

Introduction

Read this Manual First

• Read this manual thoroughly to become familiar with the device and its capabilities before installing or operating your

Water Softener. Failure to follow instructions in this manual could result in personal injury or property damage. This manual
will also help you to get the most out of your softener.

• This system and its installation must comply with state and local regulations. Check with your local public works depart-

ment for plumbing and sanitation codes. In the event the codes conflict with any content in this manual the local codes
should be followed. For installations in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Plumbing Code 248 CMR shall be adhered to. Con­sult your licensed plumber for installation of this system.

• This water softener is designed to operate on pressures of 20 psig 125 psig. If the water pressure is higher than the maxi-

mum use a pressure reducing valve in the water supply line to the softener.

• This unit is capable of operating at temperatures between 40°F and 110°F (4°C - 43°C). Do not use this water softener on

hot water supplies.

• Do not install this unit where it may be exposed to wet weather, direct sunlight, or temperatures outside of the range

specified above.

• Do not use water that is microbiologically unsafe without adequate disinfection before or after this system.

• This publication is based on information available when approved for printing. Continuing design refinement could cause

changes that may not be included in this publication. WaterGroup reserves the right to change the specifications referred
to in this literature at any time, without prior notice.

Safety Messages

Watch for the following safety messages in this manual:

NOTE: used to emphasize installation, operation or maintenance information which is important but does not
present a hazard.

Example: NOTE: Check and comply with you state and local codes. You must follow these guidelines.

CAUTION: used when failure to follow directions could result in damage to equipment or property.

Example:

CAUTION! Disassembly while under pressure can result in flooding.

WARNING: used to indicate a hazard which could cause injury or death if ignored.

Example:

WARNING! ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD! UNPLUG THE UNIT BEFORE REMOVING THE COVER OR ACCESSING

ANY INTERNAL CONTROL PARTS

NOTE: Do not remove or destroy the serial number. It must be referenced on request for

warranty repair or replacement

1

How Your Water Conditioner Works

Why Water Gets Hard And How It Is 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 roofs in rain barrels and cisterns before it picked up hardness from
the earth.

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.

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 ferrous 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 they may not be washed out in regeneration effectively and will eventually foul the
ion exchange resin. A filtering treatment will 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 will 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.

2

Performance Data Sheet

Unit Item # 2400 2401 2402 2403 2404 2405 2406

Model # HSC75 HSC10 HST75 HST10 HST15 HST20 HST25

Tank Size 9 x 35 10 x 35 8 x 44 9 x 48 10 X 54 12 X 52 14 X 50

Media (CF) 0.75 1 0.75 1 1.5 2 2.5

Service Flow Rate (gpm) 8 9 8 10 12 13 13

Total Softener Capacity (10lbs of salt/CF of Resin) 21,400 30,000 21,400 30,000 45,000 60,000 75,000

Capacity* - 6 lbs salt/CF of Resin (Efficiency) 13,900 (3,100) 18,526 (3,087) 16,680 (3,100) 18,526 (3,087) 21,026 (3,504) 24,780 (4130) 30,975 (4,130)

Capacity* - 3 lbs salt/CF of Resin (Efficiency) 9,292 (4,100) 12,390 (4,128) 11,150 (4,100) 12,390 (4,128) 13,016 (4,338) 13,960 (4653) 17,450 (4,130)

Capacity* - 2 lbs salt/CF of Resin (Efficiency) 6,717 (4,497) 8,957 (4,497) 8,060 (4,497) 8,957 (4,497) 9,236 (4,618) 9,660 (4830) 12,075 (4,130)

Capacity (Theoritical) @ 6 lbs of Salt/CF of Resin 13,500 18,000 13,500 18,000 27,000 36,000 45,000

Capacity (Theoritical) @ 3 lbs of Salt/CF of Resin 6,750 9,000 6,750 9,000 13,500 18,000 22,500

Backwash Flow Rate (gpm) 1.5 2 1.5 2 2.4 4 4.5

Injector Size #00 #00 #00 #00 #00 #00 #0

Brine Line Flow Control (gpm) 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.25 0.25 0.5

Slow Rinse Flow Rate (gpm) @ 40 psi inlet pressure 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25

Regneration Time Steps @ 6 lbs salt/CF of Resin 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Brine Draw & Slow Rinse Time (Minutes) 25 33 25 33 41 60 60

Backwash Time (Minutes) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Rapid Rinse Time (Minutes) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Brine Refill Time (Minutes) 12 16 14 16 12 16 8

Total Regen Time (6 lbs/CF) Minutes 47 59 47 59 61 86 82

Regneration Time Steps @ 3 lbs salt/CF of Resin 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Brine Draw & Slow Rinse Time (Minutes) 19 25 19 25 31 50 60

Backwash Time (Minutes) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Rapid Rinse Time (Minutes) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Brine Refill Time (Minutes) 6 8 7 8 5 8 5

Total Regen Time (3 lbs/CF) Minutes 35 43 35 43 46 68 76

Regneration Time Steps @ 2 lbs salt/CF of Resin 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Brine Draw & Slow Rinse Time (Minutes) 17 23 17 23 29 46 60

Backwash Time (Minutes) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Rapid Rinse Time (Minutes) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Brine Refill Time (Minutes) 4 5 5 5 3 5 4

Slow Rinse Flow Rate (gpm) (Minutes) 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25

Total Regen Time (2 lbs/CF) Minutes 31 38 31 38 42 61 74

Regen Water Consumed - 6 lbs salt/CF - Gallons 23 30 23 30 33 49 69

Regen Water Consumed - 3 lbs salt/CF - Gallons 20 27 20 27 29 45 66

Regen Water Consumed - 2 lbs salt/CF - Gallons 20 26 20 26 28 43 57

Conv. Regen Water - 6 lbs salt/CF - Gal 47 57 47 57 58 79 10 9

% Difference in Regen Water Saving 51% 47% 51% 47% 43% 38% 37%

* Manufacturer's internal testing based on NSF 44 Standard method

3

Specification

Capacity Grains

†

Unit

Item # Model #

2400 HSC75 9 x 35 0.75 21,400 16,200 11,600 8 1.5 14 x 22 x 42 250 90

2401 HSC10 10 x 35 1 30,000 23,000 16,000 9 2 14 x 22 x 42 240 105

2402 HST75 8 x 44 0.75 21,400 16,200 11,600 8 1.5 15 x 36 224 85

2403 HST10 9 x 48 1 30,000 23,000 16,000 10 2 15 x 36 224 100

2404 HST15 10 X 54 1. 5 25,500 19,500 19,500 12 2.4 18 x 33 308 140

2405 HST20 12 X 52 2 34,000 26,000 32,000 13 4 18 x 33 308 190

2406 HST25 14 X 50 2.5 42,500 32,500 22,500 13 5 18 x 33 308 230

NC indicate cabinet model, NT indicate twin tank model
Working Temperature = 34-110°F (1-43°C)
(Do not subject the unit to freezing temperatures)
Working Pressure = 20-125 PSIG (137-861 kPa)
Voltage = 120V / 60 Hz
Pipe Size = 3/4”

Tank
Size

Media

(CF)

10 lbs of

Salt/CF

of Resin

6 lbs of
Salt/CF

of Resin

Hydrotech Cabinet Softeners

Hydrotech Twin Tank Softeners

3 lbs of
Salt/CF

of Resin

• At the stated service flow rates, the pressure drop through these devices will not exceed 15 psig.

• Changing salt settings from factory setting may require changing injector sizes to achieve stated capacities

• The manufacturer reserves the right to make product improvements which may deviate from the specifications and descriptions stated herein,
without obligation to change previously manufactured products or to note the change.

* Do not use water that is microbiologically unsafe without adequate disinfection before or after the system.
* Iron content must not exceed 1 ppm. Beyond 1 ppm an iron softener must be used. Periodic media cleaning is required by

Pro-Res Cleaner is iron level exceed 0.3 ppm

†

USA customers will need to add “-4” to the item numbers for ordering.

How a Hydrotech Water Softener Works

Service

Flow

Rate (gpm)

Backwash
Flow Rate

(gpm)

Brine Tank
Dimension

(W X D X H) in.

Salt

Capacity

(lbs)

Shipping

Weight

(lbs)

Water softeners remove hardness in the water by exchanging particles in the water, or ions. They remove hard ions the
calcium and magnesium in the water by trading it for sodium ions producing soft water. Unlike the calcium and magnesium,
sodium stays dissolved in water and does not form a scale. Sodium also does not interfere with the cleaning action of soaps.
The sodium is released by a charged resin contained in the softener, this resin also traps the calcium and magnesium ions.
Eventually this resin releases all of its sodium and has filled up with other ions, so it then must be regenerated. Regeneration
is accomplished by washing the resin with a salt saturated brine solution that removes the calcium and magnesium while
replenishing the sodium. This is why the softener requires a brine tank and salt.

The water softener can run for days before running out of sodium, and when it does, the sodium is replenished
in only a matter of a few hours.

In normal operation, the Time of Day display will alternate being viewed with the Volume Remaining display. This display will
be in gallons or liters. As treated water is used, the Volume Remaining display will count down from a maximum value to zero
or (---). Once this occurs, a regeneration cycle will be initiated at the Set Regeneration Time. Water flow through the valve is
indicated by the Flow Indicator that will flash in direct relationship to flow rate.

Example 833 Gallons of Treated
Water Remaining

PM Indicator

Flow Indicator
(Flashing with water flow)

0 Gallons of Treated
Water Remaining

PM Indicator

Flow Indicator
(Flashing with water flow)

Timer Behavior During Regeneration

In regeneration, the control will display a special regeneration display. In this display, the control will show the current
regeneration step abbreviation the valve is advancing to or has reached and the time remaining in that step. The step
abbreviation displayed will flash until the valve has completed driving into this regeneration step position. Once all
regeneration steps have been completed, the valve will return to Service and resume normal operation.

Example Less than 6 minutes
remaining in Regeneration
Step Rapid Rinse

Pushing the

during a regeneration cycle will immediately advance the valve to the next cycle step position and

resume normal step timing.

5

Regeneration Step
Abbreviation

Please see the control valve manual for different regeneration step abbreviations.

4

Familiarize Yourself with the Unit and Components

Cabinet Model

Brine Well

Control Valve

Mineral Tank

Cabinet

Safety Float/Air
Check Inside

Distributor/Riser

Media Bed

5

Twin Tank Model

Drain Line
Connection
to Valve

Brine Tube

Brine Line
Connection
to Valve

Control Valve

Safety Float/Air
Check Inside

Brine Tank

Brine Well

Distributor/Riser

Underbed

6

Media Bed

Mineral/Resin
Tank wrapped
with Jacket

Installation Instructions

Check your water hardness. Use test strips (Part # 2793828-20) to get an estimation of water hardness and contact your lo­cal distributor to use WaterGroup laboratory for complete water analysis free of cost and no obligation to you.

All government codes and regulations governing the installation of these devices must be observed.

.

If the ground from the electrical panel or breaker box to the water meter or underground copper pipe is tied
to the copper water lines and these lines are cut during installation of the Noryl bypass valve and/or poly
pipe, an approved grounding strap must be used between the two lines that have been cut in order to main­tain continuity. The length of the grounding strap will depend upon the number of units being installed and/or
the amount of copper pipe being replaced with plastic pipe. See Figure 1.

In all cases where metal pipe was originally used and is later interrupted by poly pipe or the Noryl bypass valve as in Figure
1 or by physical separation as in Figure 2, an approved ground clamp with no less than #6 copper conductor must be used
for continuity, to maintain proper metallic pipe bonding.

NOTE: Check your local electrical code for the correct clamp.

Figure 1

Raw Water

To Outdoors

Figure 2

Electrical Panel

Water Meter

Filter

Hard
Filtered
Water

Drain

Ground Strap

Drain

Softener

Cold Soft Water

Hard Soft Water

Water Heater

Unfiltered Water Bypass
Loop Cut & Capped

Filtered Water Line in Home

Ground Strap Required
Because of Break in Continuity

7

D

C

B

Preparations

1. Determine the best location for your water softener,
bearing in mind the location of your water supply lines,
drain line and 120 volt AC electrical outlet. Subjecting the
softener to freezing or temperatures above 43°C (110°F)
will void the warranty.

2. Media Installation (When Necessary). Models including
and higher than 1.5 CF of media are shipped with sepa­rate media in pails or boxes. Models lower than 1.5 CF of
media come loaded with media and this step can be
skipped for new installation.

a



Plug
the
Riser
Tube



b

e



Electrical Panel

1



Raw
Water

To Outdoors

Water Meter

The riser
(distributor)
remains inside
the tank seated
in the depression
at the bottom

Filter

Hard
Filtered
Water

Ground Strap

Drain Drain

Drain

e



Softener

Electrical

Outlet

Cold Soft Water

Hard Soft Water

Water Heater

a) Remove the valve from

the mineral tank.

b) Temporarily plug the open end

of the riser tube to ensure that no
resin or gravel falls down into the
distribution.

The riser (distributor) remains
inside the tank seated in the
depression at the bottom

Plug tube with a tape.
Remove after media is loaded

Fill support bed first (if supplied)

The media will not always spill down
inside the tank and may need to be
swept inside.

8

Softener

D

C

B

d



The large funnel (sold separately part
# 43000) makes filling the tank easier
and neater. (Or an empty 1 gallon or 4
liter container with the bottom cut out
makes a good funnel.)

Resin
(Amber to Blonde)

Support Bed
(when supplied)
Fine Gravel

c. Fill mineral tank one quarter full of

water to protect distribution during
gravel installation.

d. Place the media into the tank in the

order indicated above. Slowly and
carefully add the gravel support
bed and the softener or filtration
media leveling each layer as it is
placed into the tank.

e. Fill support bed (if supplied) first.

During the filling process, ensure the
distributor tube stays on the bottom
of the tank, reasonably centered.
Remove the tape from the distribu­tor once media is loaded. Whenever
possible, fill the tank outdoors to
avoid problems with dust. If filling
indoors, a dust mask should be worn.

f



O-ring



f. Unplug the riser tube, carefully posi-

tion the valve over it and turn the
valve into the threads in the fiber­glass tank, tightening securely into
tank. Note: Ensure that the internal
O-ring in the valve fits securely over
the riser tube. Silicone grease (part #

92360) or other food grade lubricant
may be applied to the O-ring to
ease installation of the riser tube.

f

DO NOT use petroleum based lubricants as they will cause swelling of O-ring seals.

9

The softener or filter is now charged with softening resin.

g. It is recommended that the softener or filter tank now be completely filled with water (SLOWLY) to soak the resin or filtra-

tion media before startup. This will allow the media to absorb water as well as help displace any trapped air. This will
reduce the chance of backwashing resin or filter media out of the tank during the initial backwash on startup.

3. Outside faucets used to water lawns and gardens should not supply softened water. A new water line is often required to

be connected to supply hard water to the inlet of the water softener and to the outside faucets.

Cut the water line between where it enters the house and before any lines that branch off to feed the hot water heater
or other fixtures in the house and as near the desired location of the water softener as possible. Install a tee fitting on
the feed end of the cut pipe, and an elbow fitting on the other end. Install piping from the tee to the inlet of the water
softener and from the elbow to the outlet of the softener. To sever the water lines which branch off to feed any outside
faucets, cut the branch lines approximately two inches from the fitting on the main water line. Install an elbow on the
end of the pipe nearest the outside faucet and a cap on the end connected to the existing water line. Install piping from
the tee installed on the inlet line to the water softener to the elbow installed on the pipe to the outside faucet. Following
this procedure will result in all lines in the house, with the exception of the outside faucets, but including the water heater
and therefore the hot water lines, being supplied with soft water.

Installation Steps:

1



1. Clamp Ring – The clamp ring con­nects the control valve to the tank
and provide an easy way to discon­nect tank during control valve servic­ing. Make sure that the clamp ring
screw is tightened

The “Clamp Ring” should secure the valve with the top of the flange
facing up. Please note “top” on the clamp ring.

10

Brine Line 3/8”

Timer Controls

Extra Cycle
Button

Outlet

Inlet

4



2



2. Familiarize yourself with the location
of the inlet, outlet and drain on the
control valve. Be very careful not to
get the controls wet.

Make sure that the flow
meter is connected to the
outlet of the valve

Drain 1/2”

3



3. Familiarize yourself with the buttons
on the timer control.

4. Attach the bypass valve to the con­trol valve (and yoke if plastic bypass
is used). Connect the inlet and outlet
of the water softener to the plumb­ing in the house. The control valve
must not be submitted to tempera­tures above 43°C (110°F). When
sweat fittings are used, to avoid
damaging the control valve, solder
the threaded copper adapters to
the copper pipe and then, using
Teflon tape, screw the assembly into
the bypass valve.

UP button

DOWN
button

Yoke

Bypass

Do not use pipe thread compound as it may attack the material
in the valve body

.

11

5



Waste connections or drain outlet shall be designed and constructed to provide for connection to the sanitary
waste system through an air-gap of 2 pipe diameters or 1 inch (22 mm) whichever is larger.

Never insert drain line directly into a drain, sewer line, or trap. Always allow an air gap between the drain line and
the wastewater to prevent the possibility of sewage being back-siphoned into the conditioner.

Hose Barb

5



Connect 1/2”
drain hose (not supplied)
with a hose clamp here

5. Drain Line Connection: Using teflon
tape, screw the 1/2” hose barb into
the drain port in the valve. Attach
1/2” drain hose to the hose barb and
tighten securely with a hose clamp.
Run the drain line to a floor drain or a
laundry drain. Complete any neces­sary plumbing.

5



6. The brine line is connected to the
safety float assembly of the brine
tank. Pull the 3/8” brine line through
the hole in the back of the brine
tank. Connect the brine line to the
fitting on the side of the valve using
the nut and ferrule. Tighten snugly.
Remove the nut from the brine line
of the valve and push the other end
of the brine tube inside it. Make sure
that the brass insert is snugged inside
the brine tubing. The brine tubing
should pass through both plastic

inserts of the black nut.

6



Tube Insert

7. Overflow Connection (Optional): In
the event of a malfunction, the brine
TANK OVERFLOW will direct “overflow”
to the drain instead of spilling on the
floor. This fitting should be installed at
the side of the cabinet or brine tank.

To connect the overflow line, drill
the hole on the side of the tank, 2 to
3 inches below from the top of the
brine tank. Insert overflow fitting (sold
separately part # 33006) into tank and
tighten with plastic thumb nut and
gasket as shown. Attach length of
1/2-inch (1.3-cm) I.D. tubing (not supplied) to fitting and run to drain. Do not
elevate overflow line higher than overflow fitting.

Do not tie into drain line of control unit. Overflow line must be a direct, sepa­rate line from overflow fitting to drain, sewer or tub. Allow an air gap as per
drain line instructions

6



One end of the
brine tubing come
attached to the
safety float
assembly

6



Brine
Tubing

12

Overflow Fitting

Drain Tubing

Secure hose in place

Air Gap

Drain

7



outlet

intlet

8



9



10



Brine
Valve

8. Make sure the bypass valve is in the
service position.

Position Label

9. Plug the 24-volt transformer into a

120 VAC 60 Hz outlet.

Circuit Board Screen

Brine Cam

10. This valve has four positions: 1) Brine/
Rinse 2) Backwash 3) Rapid Rinse
and 4) Brine Refill. When the valve
is in the Service position
be pressed and held for 5 seconds
before it activates. Press and hold
the
vance the valve into the “1” Brine/
Rinse position. Press once more to
advance to the “2” position.

pic for 5 seconds to ad-

must

The valve position during regenera­tion and servicing can be checked
in the circuit board screen as well
the position label on the cam.

13

Cycle Step Abbreviation

BD Brine Draw
BW Backwash
RR Rapid Rinse
BF Brine Refill
SV Service