Do I reset a Culligan softener after a power outage?

A delayed regeneration runs at a set time. Culligan's Manual Mode menu on the High Efficiency 1.25 says a delayed regeneration runs at 2:00 a.m., or at the preset regeneration time. The Medallist guide shows the same 2:00 AM default for its time of regeneration setting.

The schedule depends on the controller's clock. Culligan's High Efficiency 1.25 guide lists several conditions that call for a regeneration: when the Soft-Minder meter has recorded a set number of gallons, when the Aqua-Sensor probe senses hardness in the resin, at the preset time when the days since the last regeneration equal the timeclock backup setting, at the preset time when Regen Tonite is selected, immediately when Regen Now is selected, and at a preset time based on a day-of-week setting. Several of those run at a preset time, so the clock matters. Culligan's checklist says a power failure or time change causes the timer to run off schedule, and the fix is to reset the timer to the correct time of day.

Both Culligan guides list the same rule among the conditions that call for a regeneration. The High Efficiency 1.25 guide says the controller regenerates immediately if power to the unit has been off for more than three hours and the time of day has been restored. The Medallist guide words it nearly the same way. The Medallist guide adds a note on the same list that with "dIP 2" set to "del," the regeneration does not begin until the preset regeneration time.

Here is what that means in practice:

• Short outage. If power was off for less than three hours, this rule does not apply. The schedule may still be off, so check the clock.
• Outage longer than three hours. Once you restore the time of day, the High Efficiency 1.25 starts a regeneration right away. If the softener begins cycling soon after you reset the clock, this rule is the likely reason.

Use the Set Date/Time menu on a High Efficiency 1.25, or the time of day step on a Medallist. Culligan's guide says the control must be back on the HOME screen when you finish.

High Efficiency 1.25. Culligan's Set Date and Time procedure goes through the menu. From the HOME screen:

1. 1Press the down arrow to view the main menu.
2. 2Press the down arrow twice and then the check mark to select 3) SET DATE/TIME.
3. 3Set the month, day and year. Use the up and down arrows and press the check mark to accept each setting.
4. 4Choose the clock type, 12 hour or 24 hour.
5. 5Set the hour and the minutes.
6. 6Set the daylight saving time option to Yes or No.
7. 7Press the check mark to save the changes and initialize the system. The screen returns to the home screen.

Culligan's guide says the control must be returned to the HOME screen if settings are changed. Its power supply check also says to plug in the transformer and then reset the conditioner to the correct time of day.

Medallist Series. The Medallist control uses four buttons: Status, REGEN, down and up. For time of day:

1. 1Press the Status key, which Culligan lists as the key that advances the timer through the display options, until you reach the time of day step. The display shows "tod" for two seconds, then the current time, and the minutes flash.
2. 2Adjust the minutes with the plus or minus key.
3. 3Press the REGEN key to make the hours flash, and adjust them the same way.
4. 4Press the Status key to move on to the next programming step.

If your controller has a different layout, use the guide for your model.

Culligan's "Things to Check Before You Call for Service" list is a good order to follow:

• The power cord and outlet. Confirm the plug is fully in the outlet and that the outlet is not controlled by a wall switch that was turned off. The Medallist guide asks the customer to provide a receptacle, preferably one not controlled by a switch that can be turned off accidentally.
• The breaker or fuse. Check the house panel for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse.
• The transformer. The Medallist guide says the softener works on 24 volt, 60 Hz power only and that you should use the included transformer. If the cord from the transformer to the unit looks or becomes damaged, the High Efficiency 1.25 guide says the cord and transformer should be replaced by a Culligan service agent or similarly qualified person.
• The bypass valve. Make sure it is in the service position. Our page on how to bypass a Culligan softener shows the blue knob.
• The salt supply. An outage does not use salt, but it is a good moment to look. See how to check the salt level on a Culligan softener.

Culligan's guide says that if any condition on that list was found, the softener should be manually regenerated after you correct it. Our page on how to manually regenerate a Culligan softener gives the button steps.

### Can an outage cause an error message?

It can. In the High Efficiency 1.25 error table, one of the possible causes Culligan lists for the Brine Overfill message is a power outage while the control was in the refill position. If you see PROBLEM FOUND after an outage, read the message before you clear it. Our page on what Culligan softener error messages mean lists each one.

Culligan lists a Low Battery message as well, with the comment that the battery needs replacement, and says to contact your local Culligan dealer.

Call your Culligan dealer or a licensed plumber if:

• The display stays blank after you confirm the outlet, the breaker and the transformer connection.
• The time keeps resetting every time the power blips.
• The softener runs a regeneration and the water is still hard afterward. Our page on a water softener that is not working walks through the other causes.
• The cord or transformer is damaged. Culligan says a damaged cord or transformer should be replaced by a Culligan service agent or similarly qualified person.

Culligan's Medallist guide suggests plugging the softener into a receptacle that is not controlled by a switch that can be turned off accidentally. Beyond that, the advice is simple: after any outage, look at the clock, and reset it if it is wrong.