Culligan Water Softeners

[coffeegod]

So someone's trying to sell me a Culligan softner model 4467-03. Anyone have any recommendations with Culligan? Good... bad? I have to call Culligan to find out what model that number refers to for more details about this unit.

[CraigFL]

I don't know about Culligan products but my experience is to go with someone who uses standard controls and tanks like FLECK. It should be easy to build one-- Fleck control, std tank and std salt bin with some piping. There are a few that have custom controls and tanks built for them(like SEARS) which can be a major expense if you have a problem with their parts.

See her for examples: http://store.qualitywaterforless.com/

[Gary Slusser]

Coffeegod, I don't know that model either but... their model number isn't going to do me or you any good. You need to know how much resin is in the softener and what control valve is on it. And there again, the model number of the control isn't all that good, you need to know who makes it and their model number. Thats if you might want to be able to buy parts for it from more than the local dealer, and fix it yourself instead of having to pay their service call charge and price for the parts.

I'd be a bit cautious with the web site mentioned... I found nothing about correctly sizing or setting up a softener at that link. I did find this though....

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Features of the 7000se High-Flow Valve:

Thirty-five gallons per minute fills tubs faster. There’s nothing better for the upscale home than a water softener with the new Fleck 7000 high flow rate control valve. Designed specifically for both 1 inch, and 1.25 inch pipes, the 7000 high flow rate control valve delivers a continuous flow of up to 25 GPM! That makes it the softener of choice for new housing where more plumbing fixtures can create a bigger demand for water. What’s more, the 7000 valve features the highest backwash flow rate. That means higher efficiency and performance, especially for filter applications.
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That is pure sales hype and very misleading. The SFR (service flow rate) of a control valve is what they are talking about. That tells a dealer what size tank the control valve can be used on for either a softener or filter. It has nothing to do with the SFR of the softener when you use your peak demand water flow in your house. That is dictated only by the volume of resin in the tank and nothing else. The control valve's SFR has to be high enough to successfully backwash however much resin or mineral is in the tank.

The backwash flow rate in gpm of all softeners and filters (both regenerated or backwashed only) is flow controlled by what is called a DLFC (drain line flow control). The usual 1 cuft softener usually has a 1.2-1.5 gpm DLFC. A 1.5 cuft has a 2.4-2.7 gpm DLFC. As you see, that is way less gpm than they talk about.

Anyone doubting me can look it up on Fleck's web site. They have a spec sheet there for all their control valves. It includes the maximum diameter of the tanks the valve can be used on. Then go to any resin manufacturer's web site and look at the spec sheet for their resin. You'll find the SFR/ft3 there. They give conservative figures but... for more on that:
www.qualitywaterassociates.com/softeners/sizingchart.htm

www.fleckcontrols.com
www.purolite.com

Also, I quit selling the 7000 due to their using more water and having more problems with the 25 I sold, than with the at the time 440+ softeners using the Clack WS-1 control valve. Currently I have sold roughly 870 Clacks and have had only 19 problems. I think it is the best valve for a DIYer that will want to repair their own softener when needed.

[Eskimo]

So someone's trying to sell me a Culligan softner model 4467-03. Anyone have any recommendations with Culligan? Good... bad? I have to call Culligan to find out what model that number refers to for more details about this unit.
I'm from Canada. I purchase the Culligan Gold series system, Filter and Conditioner plus AC-30M drinking water sytem. One agent and is boss sold to me the system for $5400.00. Two or 3 months later another agent try to sell me and my brother the same one with few more things (more modern) for the price of $3600.00. This people promisse us filters and salt for a all year, lifetime waranty in the units. We trust them and when the the time arrive for questions about salt and other stuff, there is nothing in the invoice that I can claim. I try to find the main office for questions, none and no diretions to anyone.
Conclusion, Culligan maybe good stuff, the people (Canada) you have to be very carefull. Culligan do not have one price (+/- 10, 20%). Anyone can charge whatever e decides