How Long Until Water Feels Soft Again After Repair

It can take several regenerations, and the "using up" of the Hot Water to get the "feel" back.

It is recommended that you manually have the system run extra regenerations and to drain the hot water ( either at the hot water tank, or at least running the water in the bath tub until it turns cold ).

 

So, unless you regenerate the system twice in a row, and completely drain the hot water tank, it may take several days or even weeks to get back to Zero hardness in the Hot Water.

The Cold water should be soft right away.

 

And if you don't feel like it is softening at all, then TEST the water hardness ( test strips available from Softenerparts.com, and locally - Sears, Home Depot, Lowes ).

A test before and after the softener will help determine if the system is working.

 

 

Does Softenerparts.com ship to Canada

Yes.
We ship to Canada all the time.

Small parts under 16 ounces can be shipped by Air Mail in large bubbled envelope ( and pass through Canadian Customs with little or no delay ).

Parts usually arrive in about one week.

Items weighing up to 4 lbs. and under $ 400.00 can also be shipped using standard Air Mail ( cost based on weight items and calculated in your CART once you input your ADDRESS ), BUT large items that require a box, can take 2 - 6 weeks to arrive ( as some are "selected" by Canadian Customs, and that can slow delivery time ), and is therefore not recommended for items over 1 lb. if you can't wait that long.



Items up to 10 lbs. can be shipped by Express Mail ( Costs start around $ 32.00 and are based on weight, with calculation occurring in your CART once you've entered your Ship to: ADDRESS ) which is normally 5 - 7 business days delivery and includes Tracking Number.

We can ship items up to 4 lbs. by regular Air Mail for less, but we have found any item requiring a box to ship can get held up in "Customs" for 2 - 6 weeks, and there is no tracking, therefore we do not recommend using standard First Class Air Mail for any items over 16 ounces.



Please try adding your items to the Shopping Cart, enter your address for a "shipping quote".



Orders can and should be placed online. Shipping will be quoted based in the weight of the items.


Express Mail shipping upgrade is available during check out. The shopping cart will quote any order weighing less then 10 lbs. and offer a minimum quote for heavier orders.
We will contact you if any additional shipping charges are required for heavier items ( over 10 lbs. ).

Also see, Shipping Questions: When, How Long, From Where, What Methods.

ANY TAX or DUTY will be paid by YOU when order is delivered, we do NOT collect this in advance.



3.2.1 Customs Duties and Taxes


Canadian Customs Requirements



Customs Duties, Taxes and Exemptions


3.2.1




Any item mailed into Canada is potentially subject to duty and/or taxes with few exceptions.
Visit the CBSA web site at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/cbcr-dmte/menu-eng.html for more information on mail imports. The CBSA collects provincial sales taxes (PST) on most taxable imports valued at over $20CDN entering Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The CBSA also collects Harmonized Sales Taxes (HST) on most taxable imports entering Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

We do not use UPS for shipments to Canada, as the "broker" fees can be more than the cost of the item.
Also, UPS requires higher costs and paper work to ship International...
So we just don't use them.
Only the Postal Service is used to ship to Canada.

Bruner Valve - Old and New Styles

Older Bruner softeners used an Autrol model 160 valve in late 1970s and early 80s.

This model is like the 155 valve in size, but does not use an "air check" on the valve. In this regard, it is like the 168 model.

The thing that made this valve "unique" is the side mount By Pass connection.

 

The timer assembly is the 440 version, and this was and is ( newer 440i )  used on most Autotrol valves to this day.

The time of day is set by the small pointer. The large arm will "trip" at 2:30 a.m to push the "skipper" wheel that has days of regeneration.

For each pin pushed IN the unit will regenerate that night at 2:30 - 4:00 a.m.

 

All of the parts for the 440 timer, and most of the parts for the Valve are still available.

Most of the trouble shooting and service hints for the Autotrol 155 would apply to this valve.

See:

http://www.softenerparts.com/Autotrol_155_1550_TC_Rebuilding_Guide_s/48.htm

 

 

In the 1980s and early 90s Bruner used their own proprietary design valve.

Newer, "true Bruner" valve, is no longer made and parts are no longer available.

 

 

 

It is possible to replace the entire valve, and re-use the tanks.

See:

How to Replace Old Valve Guide

 

Too much Sodium in the Water?

Is the sodium added to softened water a problem for people to drink?

Only if a person is on an extremely restrictive diet, he should drink neither hard nor softened water. Under these conditions, he should use reverse osmosis, or distilled water for drinking and cooking. For a normal person, the small amount of  sodium in water is not a problem or concern. Especially when compared to other foods.

Even hard water may contain appreciable amounts of sodium. To determine the amount a complete analysis of the water is necessary.

It is important to note that about 2/3 of the daily water intake of the individual is through food and only about 1/3 water itself.

SODIUM CONTENT OF COMMON FOODS IN A TYPICAL DAILY DIET
The Food	Amount	Milligrams of Sodium
Milk	2 cups	226
Eggs	1 of medium size	56
Steak	6 ounces	110
Bread	2 slices	278
Cereal	1/2 cup	21
Potatoes	1 small	30
Green salad with 1 oz French Dressing	1 serving	30
Vegetables (other)	3 servings	120
Fruit	2 servings	50
Fruit (citrus)	1 serving	6
Water after typical water softener	8 ounces	25 average

Autotrol 440 Timer Rebuilding

An obvious problem that can occur is for the timer motor to fail.

The motors turn at 1 rpm, so it is quite easy to tell if it is turning.

A more common problem is for one or more of the drive gears to strip.

Removing the Tripper Arm screw, the Skipper Wheel screw and the three cover plate screws will gain you complete access to all components for careful examination.

It is easier to work on your timer housing if you remove it from the valve body.

Pull out the timer retaining pin ( 5F ), slide power cord out of it's retaining slot, unscrew Cam Shaft Bearing at rear of Cam Shaft, and then pull housing straight up.

Common Gears that Fail 1. Tripper Arm Gear # 99F ( 1031756 ) * Most common gear to break at the 2 - 3 am. position. 2. # 7 Black Gear # 420A43 ( 1031554 ) * Gear that drives the Tripper Arm Gear, and often strips out at the same times as the Tripper Arm Gear breaks. 3. Red Knob Gear # 106H ( 1001582 ) * now "Black" closely examine the "over hang" teeth of the OUT PUT GEAR, as they sometimes snap off.4. #8 Black Gear # 420A44 ( 1030844 ) * Drives the Output Gear, and if stripped, you can easily see this.

Also the "Out Put Connector" # 21E ( 1031496 ) which attaches to and drives the Cam Shaft can crack or break. Check this part at the rear of the timer assembly.

On rare occasions the Camshaft # 21F-3 ( 1031950 ) will break at one end.

Also, rare is a cracked Skipper Wheel # 14F-6 ( 1031740 ).

Close examination of both sides of the Skipper Wheel is required to detect this failure. And last, but not least, you can have a gear post break in the housing body it's self. But only the backplates for the 440i version is available and not the "box" used with the older 440 version. It is simpler and prudent to replace the Complete Timer Assembly ( with the new 440iHV ) at this point.

A complete replacement is also prudent if the unit is over 20 years old.

Replacement Options

And now available for Models 255, 263 and 268 is the Logix 740 upgrade timer kit ( does not work with older 155, 163, or 168 valves.. sorry ).

see for 255 valves: http://www.softenerparts.com/740_Logix_255_Upgrade_Electronic_replacing_440i_p/ap3021998.htm

and for Performa 263 or 268,

http://www.softenerparts.com/740_Upgrade_Kit_Performa_263_268_Logix_Electronic_p/ap3021045.htm

Salty Water Taste in the Morning

Salty water in the morning is a common problem.

It occurs most commonly because the internal seals of the Valve leak highly salty water into the cold water lines during the regeneration cycle.

Typically ( if your Time of Day is set correctly to the current time of day ) this regeneration occurs between 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. once or twice a week.

If water is used in the home ( toilet flush, ice maker drawing water, etc. ) in the middle of the regeneration,

then the valve may allow the salt water being rinsed through the tank to leak into the cold water line.

And this super salty water is still there in the water line when you get up to make coffee, or brush your teeth in the morning.

This salty water can normally be "cleared" from the lines by running the water for 1 minute.

If it takes 5 or more minutes of running the water to clear up,

then you have a more serious problem ( clogged injector, or drain line, or bad connection at the distributor tube oring ).

This salty water problem is most common with Autotrol Valves ( Autotrol 155, 168, 255, or 268 models ), as they all use "flapper" valve discs that are held closed by water pressure.

So, when you flush a toilet in the house, the pressure drops enough to open one valve that should be closed during the "Brine Rinse" cycle,

and results in allowing some salty water to leak into the house lines.

Such leakage can occur in any valve that has "worn" internal seals.

Normally, if you just keep your time of day set correctly,

and you don't use water in the middle of the night, you won't wake up to salty water in the morning.