How does a salt water sump work? - Fish

Hi Katie,
There are times when it may be necessary to break up the water softener salt in the salt tank. When a "Salt Bridge" occurs moisture has been drawn up into the salt and formed a crust on the water softener salt. When a salt bridge occurs there are two ways to correct it. You can lightly tap away at the salt bridge with a broom handle or stick until it dislodges and all falls down to the proper salt or water level. You can also pour about a gallon of hot water across the salt bridge to break it down. DO NOT poke the stick all the way to the bottom of the salt tank as this can potentially damage some parts of the salt tank. Frequently using some hot water and a stick will easily dislodge the salt bridge. Salt bridging is a common problem with water softeners and is usually caused by using pellet-type water softener salt and/or the water softener not working properly.

Using a better grade of water softener salts like Hardi Cube or Dura Cube salt will alleviate this problem. After fixing a salt bridge always manually regenerate your water softener two days in a row to assure you have soft water again.

I live in the country and my water softener back flushes into the ditch via the sump pump and that doesn't seem to hurt anything-the water does have salt in it but it must not be enough to hurt anything-cheers Denny

Protein skimmers only work in fresh water under very high pressure and on salt water aquariums.

Hi Acfaries.When that happens you should find whats causing that.Please check this list if you can do it,if not please call your machine's service centre.I hope that helps.Thanks.
F70
Float switch fault
Cause:
Water in the drip pan. Changeover contact of overflow float switc

Remedy:
1. Remove the water from the drip pan (e.g., with an absorbent cloth).
Note:
Upon opening the appliance and removing all water, there should be no
smudges, smears or traces of deposits.(rust, calcium, detergent, or salt?).
2. Check all hoses, connections and threaded unions for leaks.
Note:
If the leak source has not yet been detected, check the following areas
in the toekick and the drip pan for wear and tear:
�� Connection between the circulation pump and the sump
�� Axial face seal of the circulation pump
�� Connection between the drain pump and the sump
�� Connection between the salt container and the water intake
�� Connection between the water intake and the cabinet side wall
�� Overflow (e.g., excess foam formation)
�� Water level between the overflows (�� seating of the lower door seal?)
�� Connection between the cabinet and the salt container
�� Non-return valve in the sump (�� water running back from the drain hose?

Have you tried priming the pump, i.e fill with water from the top out let pipe

Hi dear.If you are handy enough,that's what you can check to make a solution for yourself.Goodluck.
Check all hoses, connections and threaded unions for leaks.
Note:
If the leak source has not yet been detected, check the following areas
in the toekick and the drip pan for wear and tear:
�� Connection between the circulation pump and the sump
�� Axial face seal of the circulation pump
�� Connection between the drain pump and the sump
�� Connection between the salt container and the water intake
�� Connection between the water intake and the cabinet side wall
�� Overflow (e.g., excess foam formation)
�� Water level between the overflows (�� seating of the lower door seal?)
�� Connection between the cabinet and the salt container
�� Non-return valve in the sump (�� water running back from the drain hose?)
3. Check overflow float switch B8/3 for continuity and correct operation.
4. Carefully dry all electrical components in the drip pan area.
Cause:
Float switch defective.
Remedy:
Replace overflow float switch B8/3.
I hope that helps.Thanks.

I think I have the answer.

On Yahoo Answers Blue Rizla Girl put up the idea that the sensor is some form of hydrometer. (i.e. floats in salty water sinks if not salty enough)

Based on this thought I postulated that the sensor is some form of hydrometer float in a tube with perhaps an optical sensor.

If this is correct why is it not working?

Is it because the float is stuck at the bottom of the tube, perhaps by some food debris? If so how can we fix it?

This is what I did on my Hotpoint FWD60:-

I took the salt filler cap off. There was no salt in the reservoir as it has been a problem for months, and I was only refilling it when dishes were not coming clean.

I poured 2 litres of hot water into the salt reservoir.

I then put the empty machine on the intensive 65 degree wash, half load and with the reservoir cap still OFF.

When finished I filled up with salt and HEY PRESTO the salt light is OFF!!!!

Just hope it stays that way until the reservoir really needs refilling.

While I was down on my hands and knees I took the opportunity to clean the filters in the sump. They do get full of bits!

I also flushed the sump by dashing a couple of cups of hot water into it and then bailing it out with a small yoghurt pot. I repeated this until the water in the yoghurt pot and the sump no longer had any signs of bits in them. (Dashing = vigorously pour)

I was amazed at how many bits I got out, especially considering I had given the machine a good clean in the past 6 weeks.

I even got part of a paper label!

So there we have it, try it out and report back.

AcmeUK

I think I have the answer.

On Yahoo Answers Blue Rizla Girl put up the idea that the sensor is some form of hydrometer. (i.e. floats in salty water sinks if not salty enough)

Based on this thought I postulated that the sensor is some form of hydrometer float in a tube with perhaps an optical sensor.

If this is correct why is it not working?

Is it because the float is stuck at the bottom of the tube, perhaps by some food debris? If so how can we fix it?

This is what I did on my Hotpoint FWD60:-

I took the salt filler cap off. There was no salt in the reservoir as it has been a problem for months, and I was only refilling it when dishes were not coming clean.

I poured 2 litres of hot water into the salt reservoir.

I then put the empty machine on the intensive 65 degree wash, half load and with the reservoir cap still OFF.

When finished I filled up with salt and HEY PRESTO the salt light is OFF!!!!

Just hope it stays that way until the reservoir really needs refilling.

While I was down on my hands and knees I took the opportunity to clean the filters in the sump. They do get full of bits!

I also flushed the sump by dashing a couple of cups of hot water into it and then bailing it out with a small yoghurt pot. I repeated this until the water in the yoghurt pot and the sump no longer had any signs of bits in them. (Dashing = vigorously pour)

I was amazed at how many bits I got out, especially considering I had given the machine a good clean in the past 6 weeks.

I even got part of a paper label!

So there we have it, try it out and report back.

AcmeUK

I think I have the answer.

On Yahoo Answers Blue Rizla Girl put up the idea that the sensor is some form of hydrometer. (i.e. floats in salty water sinks if not salty enough)

Based on this thought I postulated that the sensor is some form of hydrometer float in a tube with perhaps an optical sensor.

If this is correct why is it not working?

Is it because the float is stuck at the bottom of the tube, perhaps by some food debris? If so how can we fix it?

This is what I did on my Hotpoint FWD60:-

I took the salt filler cap off. There was no salt in the reservoir as it has been a problem for months, and I was only refilling it when dishes were not coming clean.

I poured 2 litres of hot water into the salt reservoir.

I then put the empty machine on the intensive 65 degree wash, half load and with the reservoir cap still OFF.

When finished I filled up with salt and HEY PRESTO the salt light is OFF!!!!

Just hope it stays that way until the reservoir really needs refilling.

While I was down on my hands and knees I took the opportunity to clean the filters in the sump. They do get full of bits!

I also flushed the sump by dashing a couple of cups of hot water into it and then bailing it out with a small yoghurt pot. I repeated this until the water in the yoghurt pot and the sump no longer had any signs of bits in them. (Dashing = vigorously pour)

I was amazed at how many bits I got out, especially considering I had given the machine a good clean in the past 6 weeks.

I even got part of a paper label!

So there we have it, try it out and report back.

Hi there ....this condition is ususally caused by a water leak into the sump of the dishwasher which activates a safety switch to run the drain pump..preventing the appliance from being used....Remedy...tip the dishwasher back in the head allowing excess water to exit from the sump...then with the door open check that the air vent lock ring is secure, thet the salt unit retaining ring is secure..and finally that the filter unit to base screws are secure...this done re-start and you should b fine