Hello Richard,
Thanks for emailing. You asked us:
"I need to get a well water chlorinator and I am looking at the pellet type. This is a DYI project for a rental house. I want it to be easy to deal with and something I don’t have to look at every month.
How long does the chlorine pellets last in the Model 400 pellet feeder?
Why does this chlorinator need to be installed after the pressure tank, can’t I put it before the pressure tank?
Do I need a filter to remove the rust? I have sulfur water (slight odor, not extremely bad) with a small amount of iron (0.8 PPM). Will the renters be able to taste chlorine in the water or smell the chlorine?"
These are all good questions.
The Model 400 holds 4 lbs. of 3/8” Pellets which, when injecting 2 mg/L of Chlorine, will typically treat 15,000 –20,000 gallons before needing to be refilled. If your rental house uses 200 gallons of water per day for example, it would last at least 75 days (about 2-1/2 months).
If the renters use less water, it would last longer. Most customers we have talked to about it report having to add more pellets every 4 to 6 months, but it depends on how much water is used.
Here are a few advantages to the Model 400 Pellet Feeder:
- No messy chemicals; no moving parts; no electricity required.
- Cost-Effective alternative and Easy to use/operate.
- Corrosion-proof construction.
- Adjustable metering of chemicals. Fast and easy refilling.
- Never needs priming.
A small contact tank followed by an auto-backwash Carbon Filter System is recommended. The result is clean, odor-free, chlorine-free water throughout the home.
How The Chlorine Pellet Feeder and Why Its Different Than a Lower Cost Pool Pellet Feeder
Some pellet feeders work by ‘erosion feed’ where some water in the bottom of the pellet feeder dissolves some of the chlorine slowly. This type works on low pressure applications.
The Model 400 uses compressed air to force a precise amount of chlorine each time the well pump runs. Each time the pellet feeder is filled, the air is re-charged inside the feeder.
Here is a technical description of how the Model 400 well water chlorinator actually works:
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and turning back on the water flow to the pellet feeder, water will flow into the chemical container mixing with the dry chlorine until the air trapped in the top of the unit is compressed to the same pressure as the line
pressure.
2. When the line pressure is reduced, compressed air in the air chamber will force
fluid from the container down and up through the outside center tube and down the inside
tube to the water line until pressure is equal or until the fluid level reaches the hole that is
open in the outside tube.
3. At that time, the compressed air will flow through the hole into the
outside tube, down the inside tube and no more fluid will flow.
4. This procedure will occur on each pump cycle.
5. The outside tube has six (6) holes with three of them smaller.
6. The cap can be rotated to select either a large hole or a small hole in six different locations.
7. When the water is flowing through the pellet feeder, a small amount will flow through the hole selected, thereby diluting the fluid flowing up through the outside tube.
8. Selecting a small hole will increase the chemical concentration and selecting a lower hole increases the
solution output.
How to Set The Chlorine Pellet Feeder Hole Sizes:
To oxidize 1 PPM of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), it takes 2.2 PPM of Chlorine (Cl2).
To oxidize 1 PPM of Iron (Fe) it takes .64 PPM of (Cl2).
Example:
Assume you have a 4 PPM of Fe and 1 PPM of H2S, look on the vertical portion of the
graph labeled PPM and start at 4 and move horizontal to the line marked Iron - Fe x .64 Cl2
and then down to the bottom of the graph marked Chlorine - Cl2 PPM.
It should intercept the bottom at about 2.6. This is the amount of Cl2 needed to oxidize 4 PPM of Fe.
Now look on the vertical portion of the graph labeled PPM and start at 1 and move horizontal to the line
marked Hydrogen Sulfide - H2S x 2.2 Cl2 and then down to the bottom of the graph. It should
intercept the bottom at about 2.2. This is the amount of Cl2 needed to oxidize 1 PPM of H2S.
The following will show images, a brief description of each, warranty info, along with product links for more information.
Dry Pellet In-Line Chlorinator Model 400
If being used for residential applications, a whole-house carbon filter is recommended after the contact tank. Uses 3/8” 1 gram Better Water pellets.
The Model 400 dry chlorine pellet feeder will operate on a varying pressure such as a home well system or on a constant pressure such as a sprinkler or pool system (up to a maximum of 75 psi). No messy chemicals; no moving parts; no electricity required.
As for the pellets here is one option, this has 5 – 2.2 lb. bags
Other Pellet options can be found here. The Better Water Industries Pellets are the brand used in the Model 400.
Excellent 3 year Manufacturer Warranty on the Feeder
40 Gallon Contact Tank
The CT-40 tank is a durable easy-to-install retention tank designed to provide optimum contact time during chemical treatment. These lightweight seamless totally non-corrosive retention tanks are ideal for new and replacement installation where durability is at a premium. 100% non-metallic polymer materials. Impervious to chemical attack. Comes with 1-1/4 inch inlet.
2 sizes to choose from, same price. Either 16”Diameter x 58”Tall or 21” Diameter x 36” Tall
Carbon Backwash 5900e, 0.75 cu. Ft. 115 Volt
All the filter media you need for the system is included. Excellent for use in removing residual chlorine/contaminants from water, along with improving overall tastes and odors. Long lasting & durable this Coconut Shell Carbon typically lasts for 4 - 6 years and is easily replaced.
Much longer life and higher flow rates than standard carbon. Unlike carbon cartridges which can trap sediment and dirt causing pressure drop these systems automatically backwash out trapped sediment alleviating pressure drop.
Dimensions: 8” Diameter x 50” Tall with control valve. ¾” or 1” pipe connectors and bypass is included. We also provide full installation and start-up guides directly to you and are available for Tech-support.
Excellent Warranty: Industry leading 7 Years on Control Valve & 10 years on the media tank.
