TABLE OF CONTENTS


Products Covered

  • Blu Tech Elite Stainless Steal Portable Water Softener (10,000 Grain)


WARRANTY DISCLAIMER: Blu Tech tests all of their water products individually before shipping for leaks and other issues. It is essential that you hookup and test your water system within the first 30 days of purchase and report any issues immediately to our team to prevent issues related to a warranty claim. Just like with any water system: Issues resulting from freezing, overtightening, dropping or system neglect are not covered by the manufacturer warranty. 

Summary

In this article, you'll find instructions and best practices for ongoing care and maintenance of your Blu Tech Elite Portable Water Softener. This article will review the following care and maintenance activities


  • Backflushing Your Blu Tech Elite Stainless Water System
  • Regenerating Your Blu Tech Elite Stainless Water System
  • Storing Your Blu Tech Elite Stainless Water System


Before We Get Started, The Basics

Before performing any maintenance activities, it is essential that you understand how your water softener works and what is included. If you have not done so already please review the "Getting Started Guide" available here which includes information on how to propertly hookup your system as well as what is included. 


NOTICE: Never remove, spill or contaminate the contents of the water softener (resin) by tipping over the unit with the top off. Follow the instructions in this guide for proper care and maintenance of your water softener product. High-quality, properly maintained water softener resin has a life expectance of 7-9 years.



Care & Maintenance Activities


Depending on the amount of water you consume and the parts per million of magnesium and calcium or "hardness" of your water, you will have to perform the following maintenance activities at approximately these intervals:


  • Softener Regeneration Process: Approximately every 2-6 weeks depending on water volume and hardness of the water
  • Softener Backflush Process: Approximately every 3 months for full-timers or once a season for seasonal travelers
  • Water Storage & Sanitation Process: Anytime your water system will not be in use for extended periods of time (typically over 2 weeks)


The US Government has provided the following map by region that shows water hardness by location. For a more accurate reading by location test your water regularly using water test strips. More information on testing is available in the video linked below. 


Water Hardness By Region


The following map is provided by the United States Government which outlines water hardness by region throughout the country. 




Water Softener Regeneration, Backflush & Water Testing (VIDEO)


In the following video, Erik from MobileMustHave.com outlines the process of performing regular maintenance to your Blu Tech Elite Stainless Water Softener. Additional walk-through instructions for each maintenance activity are provided below.




Water Softener Backflush

Note: Perform a backflush on your Softener every 3 months for a duration of 2-5 minutes. The purpose of backflushing is to expand the resin bed, which may have settled and become compacted over time. This action helps to break up any water channels within the resin bed, ensuring that all the resin is effectively utilized and creating optimal conditions for a uniform flow. 


Back-Flush Instructions: 

  • Step 1: Turn off the water supply and disconnect both the inlet and outlet hoses from the softener. 
  • Step 2: Use the unlabeled female/female adapter and connect it to the outlet of the softener. 
  • Step 3: Connect the water source to the outlet of the softener. 
  • Step 4: Turn the water on at full stream. If the flow stops completely, turn the water off, tap the tank against the ground to allow the resin to settle back down, and then turn the water on at 75% of the full stream. 
  • Step 5: Allow the water to flow for 2–5 minutes, and then turn the water off. Reconnect the softener to the inlet and outlet hoses. 

Water Softener Regeneration

Note: When performing both the backflush and regeneration processes together, make sure that the backflush is performed first. Over time, the resin in the softener will become compacted due to calcium and magnesium buildup. Performing the backflush first will ensure that the resin is no longer compacted and will make the regeneration process more effective.


Regeneration Instructions: 

  • Step 1: Turn off the water supply. 
  • Step 2: Disconnect the inlet and outlet hoses from the softener. 
  • Step 3: To drain the water, tilt the unit over or turn it upside down with the head/cap ON. Once draining is complete, flip the unit back upright and tap the stainless base against the ground a few times to ensure the resin settles back down to the bottom of the tank. This creates a larger space for adding salt. 
  • Step 4: Rotate the top cap (located above the in/out adapter on the black head) counterclockwise to remove it. 
  • Step 5: Add the appropriate amount of salt into the top of your softener, which is one full 26 oz. box of iodized or non-iodized salt. You can add salt in a couple of different ways: Pour salt directly into the softener by:  Mixing the salt with warm water and pouring the solution into the softener.  Pour the salt into the softener while periodically pouring water slowly over it with a cup.  NOTE: In extremely hard water conditions, also use 1.5-2 teaspoons of Super Iron Out. 
  • Step 6: Replace the cap and reconnect the inlet hose. Turn the water on and rinse VERY SLOWLY ensuring the water stream be the diameter of a pencil.  Rinse for 15 minutes. 
  • Step 7: Increase the water flow to a full stream.  Rinse for 5 minutes. 
  • Step 8: To confirm the completion of the regeneration process, you can use hardness test strips to check if the water output from the softener is soft. Soft water typically measures 0-3 grains per gallon (GPG). At the end of the regeneration process, the water should not have a salty taste. 
  • Step 9: The regeneration cycle is now complete. 


Additional Information & Best Practices

Draining Instructions

Step 1: Disconnect both hoses from the unit. Then, turn the unit upside down (or the preferred method of being on its side) while keeping the head and cap securely in place. Allow the water to drain from the inlet and outlet. 

Step 2: Allow the water to drain completely from the outlet. Please refrain from emptying or disposing of the resin from the tank. 

Storage Instructions

Step 1: Perform a backflush to clean the system. 

Step 2: Conduct the regeneration process to recharge the softener. 

Step 3: Drain any remaining water from the unit, ensuring not to remove or dispose of the resin. 

Step 4: The unit is now prepared for storage.

Special Regeneration Process (After 30 days of non-use)

Neglecting to perform the regeneration process in a timely manner can have negative consequences for the longevity of your water softener. It may lead to a shorter lifespan for the softener, or after regeneration, the water hardness levels may not test within the desired range of 0-3 grains per gallon (GPG) at the output of the softener. However, you can easily rectify this situation by conducting a special regeneration process. 

Special Regeneration Instructions: 

Step 1: Turn off the water supply. 

Step 2: Disconnect the outlet hose from the outlet side of the softener. 

Step 3: Drain the water by tilting the unit over or turning it upside down with the head/cap still attached. Once draining is complete, return the unit to an upright position and tap the black base against the ground a few times to ensure the resin settles at the bottom of the tank. 

Step 4: Remove the top cap. 

Step 5: Add a box of 26oz table salt. If the water has been drained out, you can mix the salt with warm water and pour the solution into the softener. 

Step 6: Replace the top cap and perform a slow rinse of the unit for 55-60 minutes. 

Step 7: Follow with a fast rinse for 5 minutes. 

Step 8: Test the hardness at the output of the softener. 

Step 9: Ideally, if you test the hardness of your water, the test strips should indicate a hardness level of around 0-3 GPG, confirming that your unit is ready for use. NOTE: If the water hardness persists after this special regeneration cycle, repeat the entire process, but this time use two 26oz boxes of table salt instead of one.  


Requesting Assistance

If you feel you are not getting anywhere or there is another issue you can always reach out to our team directly by initiating a ticket here on the support portal or by emailing [email protected]


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