Site selection and space requirements
The iSpring WCS50KG mineral tank (10 x 48 inches) requires 24 inches of overhead clearance for control valve servicing. Place the brine tank (15 x 33 inches) within 12 inches of the mineral tank -- the supplied brine tubing reaches this distance. A floor drain within 25 feet of the installation site is required for the drain line. The drain line runs under the floor or along the wall to the nearest utility drain; do not create a drain line that runs uphill (gravity drain only). The softener installation area must remain above 35 degrees F year-round. A standard 3-prong 120V outlet within 6 feet powers the control valve display and motor.
Connecting the bypass valve and inlet/outlet lines
Thread the iSpring bypass valve assembly onto the control valve inlet and outlet ports using the supplied O-rings and compression fittings (no Teflon tape needed on O-ring style connections). Mark the main supply line inlet side and outlet side clearly before cutting. Connect the bypass assembly inlet to the supply side using 1-inch copper or CPVC pipe with soldered or threaded connections (do not use flexible braided lines rated below 125 PSI for the main connection). Connect the bypass assembly outlet to the downstream house supply. Install a separate shut-off valve on the inlet side for future service isolation. After connecting, open the bypass valve to the bypass position (water flows around the softener) and restore main supply to verify downstream plumbing is intact before commissioning the softener.
Drain line and brine tank connections
Connect the 1/2-inch drain line from the control valve drain port to the floor drain using the supplied tubing. Secure the drain line at least 2 inches above the drain opening (air gap) using the drain line clip supplied in the hardware kit. Run the brine line (typically 3/8-inch tubing) from the brine valve assembly inside the brine tank to the BRINE port on the control valve. Insert the tubing into the push-fit connector on the control valve until it seats with a click. Fill the brine tank with 5 gallons of clean water before adding 40 lbs of softener salt.
Control valve programming
Power on the iSpring control valve. Set the current time using the time-set button. Enter the hardness setting (GPG of source water, obtained from a water test). Enter the iron setting if source water iron is above 0.5 PPM (adds capacity reserve for iron regeneration). Set the regeneration time to 2:00 AM or another low-use period. Set the capacity reserve (gallons or grains remaining at which regeneration initiates, typically 10% of rated capacity). Initiate the first manual regeneration cycle (press and hold the Regenerate button for 5 seconds) to draw brine through the system and fully charge the resin. After the 60-90 minute first cycle completes, verify softened output is 0-1 GPG with a hardness test strip.