Pre-installation checklist
Confirm the following before starting installation: main water shut-off valve location is known and functional; a dedicated 120V outlet is within 6 feet of the installation point; a floor drain or utility sink is within 20 feet for the drain line; the installation area maintains temperature above 40 degrees F year-round; and the main supply line pressure is between 25-100 PSI (use a gauge at any hose bib to verify). Gather tools: adjustable wrench, Teflon thread tape, pipe cutter or hacksaw, and a bucket for initial water purge.
Brine tank and resin tank assembly
Position the resin tank (mineral tank) and brine tank side by side in the selected location. The APEC control valve installs on top of the resin tank -- thread the valve onto the tank neck hand-tight, then tighten with a strap wrench (one-quarter turn past hand-tight). Connect the brine line (1/2-inch or 3/8-inch tubing, depending on model) from the brine valve on the side of the brine tank to the APEC control valve brine port. Ensure the brine valve float assembly is correctly positioned inside the brine tank (refer to the installation manual diagram). Fill the brine tank with water to the marked line before adding salt.
Plumbing connections and bypass assembly
Shut off the main water supply. Install the 3-valve bypass assembly on the APEC control valve inlet/outlet ports using Teflon thread tape on all NPT threads. Connect the bypass assembly inlet to the main supply line (upstream) and the outlet to the downstream plumbing serving the house. Connect the drain line from the control valve drain port to the utility drain using the supplied tubing. Secure the drain line with a clamp above the drain opening -- do not insert the drain line into a standpipe (create an air gap to prevent siphoning). Restore water supply slowly using the bypass assembly bypass valve. Purge air from the system by opening a cold water tap nearest to the softener until water runs steadily.
Control valve programming and first regeneration
Set the control valve time of day, hardness setting, and household size (or daily volume setting) according to the APEC installation manual. The demand-initiated controller calculates regeneration timing based on water volume used and programmed hardness. Set the regeneration start time to 2:00-3:00 AM to avoid interrupting water service during household use. Initiate a manual regeneration cycle to commission the system (refer to the control valve manual for the manual regeneration procedure). During regeneration, the drain line will discharge approximately 30-50 gallons of brine and rinse water over 60-90 minutes. After regeneration completes, test water hardness at a tap near the softener -- output should measure 0-1 GPG. Add 40 lbs of water softener salt to the brine tank to complete commissioning.