Pentair NXT Electronics to the Rescue to a Field Customization Catastrophe

Recently, a customer called Res-Kem looking for assistance with troublesome Fleck 2900 valves at a car wash. The system was a hodge podge of "borrowed" components. There was a Fleck 2900 analog valve system 9, Autotrol 2" turbine meters, and a Autotrol 480 electronic controller. This set up was like someone putting a Ford motor, in a Chevy car, with Dodge transmission and expecting it all to work without any problems!

Solution:
Pentair NXT to the rescue! The new Pentair NXT electronics package is so adaptable we were able to economically convert the existing 2900 analog powerheads over to NXT powerheads (Res-Kem Part Number VLVFL29ULPHNXT). The conversion saved the customer from trashing otherwise perfectly operating 2900 valves and salvaged the existing 2" turbine meters. Astonishingly, the job was completed with no plumbing changes and only 1 hour of service disruption.

Most valuable tid bit:
When using Non Pentair meters, program the NXT to accept the "generic" meter. You will need to input the max meter flow rate and pulse count. BTW, Autotrol 2" turbine is 250 gpm max flow and pulse count is 14.

Pentair Residential Filtration Raising Prices

Pentair announced last month they will be raising prices on all of their products on January 1, 2011. The percentage increase varies depending upon the product group or groups you purchase. Unfortunately, we will have to pass on these increases. Since we will be taking an end-of-year inventory, we need to ship by December 22, 2010 to hold the current price. Please look at your inventories of:

• Fleck valves and parts
• Autotrol valves and parts
• Aquamatic valves and parts
• Structural Tanks

and plan accordingly.

Fleck and Autotrol Valve Seminar

On a recent, very snowy day, twenty-two plumbers, well drillers, and dealer personnel braved dangerous driving conditions to attend the Res-Kem hosted, hands-on seminar on Pentair and Autotrol multi-port valves for residential water treatment systems. These 22 people are owners or employees of 11 Homestead System dealers, www.homesteadsystem.com, from Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The seminar was taught by Dave Smith, Dealer Development Manager, and Kathee Srygley, Regional Account Manager of Pentair.



The valves the seminar primarily focused on were two multi-port valves with advanced electronic controls. The Pentair Fleck 7000 XTR valve and the Pentair Autotrol 268 760 valve were studied, broken down and reassembled. Attendees learned how to diagnose and fix common problems. These valves are used respectively in the 3000 and 2000 series Homestead System softeners, neutralizers, carbon filters, city systems, odor removal and iron removal systems. To add realism to the class, Res-Kem enhanced the normal Pentair program by giving a live demonstration of an installed water softener in the Res-Kem wet test area.
Typically, Pentair graciously sponsors similar seminars at a local hotel. We felt having the live demonstration and access to Res-Kem’s complete warehouse of valves and parts would enhance the learning experience. Michael Urbans, Res-Kem Residential Technical Manager instructed this part of the seminar.

In addition to learning about softeners and filters, attendees were introduced to the Pentair Fleck 5600 SXT, Homespring, FreshPoint and RO membrane systems. They were given a sneak peak at the new iron removal valves Pentair will introduce based upon the Pentair Fleck 7000 AIO valve and SXT controller.

WQA members were given .65 Continuing Education Units (CEU) for attending the seminar. If you would like to be on the invitees list for other courses, please contact us.