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| Rebuilding
the Autotrol 155 ( 1550-TC ) Valve Body |
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The expected life span of the Autotrol softener
control valve is 20 - 30 years with a few minor repairs along the way.
The Flapper Valve Discs in the valve body generally need replacement
after 15 - 20 years. However, if your system is on a chlorinated water
source, the Flapper Valves ( part # 155A152 ) will need replacement much
sooner ( 5 - 10 years is common ). On chlorinated water supplies it is
also necessary to replace the Flow Control Ball ( part # 4F ) which sits
inside the Backwash Plug on the right rear of your valve. In severe
cases it made be necessary to replace the injector ( # 28F-BB ) also.
There is no need to change other parts or o-rings unless you have a
leak.
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The flapper valve discs can be replaced by removing the 11 screws holding the top plate on ( you need to remove the cam and
the timer housing first ). The flat springs pop out of the top of the valve discs. A pair of needle noses pliers helps with removing
the springs ( and popping them back in place ), and also with pulling the valves out of the valve body. It is a fairly simple
procedure. The only "tricky" part is to be careful putting the 11 screws back in. The screws are self tapping. I recommend
turning them slowly in reverse until you feel them drop into the thread groove, then alternate tightening them down. Do not over tighten, since you are screwing metal into plastic.
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Autotrol 155 Valve Body Rebuild Kit:
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1) Set of Flapper Valve Discs part # 155A152
1) Injector Cap part # 8F-BB
1) Injector part # 28F-BB
1) Injector Screen & Cap part # 7F
1) Brine Control part # 1F-19
1) Backwash Plug part # 25F-9
2) Flow Control Balls part # 4F
1) Tank Adapter O-rings ( 32F,(4)35F,37F ) part # 150A129
1) Silicone Lubricant one gram tube
Can be purchased together as a complete KIT.
Part # AP155RBK
Note: The Backwash Plug can be a # 8, 9, 10, or
12. Please specify if you need something other than a number 9. Not
sure? Email Us.
A much easier solution is to purchase the complete valve body either with a new 440 timer and Camshaft as the
K-5 or just the complete valve body as the
24NC. Not only does this save a lot of work, it upgrades your valve body to the new 255 design.
The flow rate is higher and some of the parts are beefed up to last longer than they did on the 155 version.
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440 Timer Repairs
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An obvious problem that can occur is for the timer motor to fail. The
motors turn at 1 rpm, so it is quite easy to tell if it is turning. A
more common problem is for one or more of the drive gears to strip.
Removing the Tripper Arm screw, the Skipper Wheel screw and the three
cover plate screws will gain you complete access to all components for
careful examination. It is easier to work on your timer housing is you
remove it from the valve body ( pull out "flag locking pin, slide
power cord out of it's retaining slot, unscrew Cam Shaft Bearing at rear
of Cam Shaft, and then pull housing straight up )
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Common Gears that Fail
1. Tripper Arm Gear # 99F ( 1031756 )
2. # 7 Black Gear # 420A43 ( 1031554 )
3. Red Knob Gear # 106H ( 1001582 )
4. #8 Black Gear # 420A44 ( 1030844 )
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Also the "Out Put Connector" # 21E ( 1031496 ) which
attaches to and drives the Cam Shaft can crack or break. On rare
occasions the Camshaft # 21F-3 ( 1031950 )will break at one end. Also,
rare is a cracked Skipper Wheel # 14F-6 ( 1031740 ). Close examination
of both sides of the Skipper Wheel is required to detect this failure.
And last, but not least, you can have a gear post break in the housing
body it's self. The "Empty Case" # 90F ( 420N66 ) is
available, but it is simpler and prudent to replace the Complete Timer Assembly ( with the new 10440IHV ) at this point. A complete replacement is
also prudent if the unit is over 20 years old.
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