October 19, 2015

What is this gray knob on the bottom of the AutoFill for?

The gray knob on the bottom of the 553 Series AutoFill (or 573 Series AutoFill Combo) is just a shut-off valve which is used to isolate the feed water from the system. It does not affect the pressure setting. Leave it open if you want to maintain system pressure and automatically top off the system, otherwise close it to isolate once the system is filled and stabilized. Standard rotation applies; CW to close, CCW to open. Be sure to open it all the way during filling!

 

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Roger Carolfi
February 02, 2018

I left my fill valve open today to top off my system, it is set at 15 PSI, but when I returned home there was water on the floor and 30 psi of pressure on the gauge. Whats wrong?

dan_firkus

In reply to by Roger Carolfi

February 07, 2022

Roger, It is important if you open the bottom shut off valve that it is open all the way down until it stops. If you have it partially open it will affect the ability of the cartridge to control system pressure. Also if it has been installed for a while and suddenly over pressurizes the system it may need to be maintained. It is easy to pull the cartridge and provide maintenance by cleaning the screen and cartridge. A fine piece of sediment or debris is enough to allow the system pressure to increase. Follow the maintenance instructions on page 6 of the Installation Instructions.   Or call Caleffi tech support with other questions (414)238-2360.

Cyrus K Boynton
February 04, 2022

I had a similar overfill/overpressure problem this week--four years later by the way!! Lucky I WAS home. So, I'd like an answer too!!
I got rid of the problem with some additional bleed off and further purging, but, that is not the virtue the valve is advertised to offer.

What manuever is needed to prevent this?

dan_firkus

In reply to by Cyrus K Boynton

February 07, 2022

Cyrus, It is important if you open the bottom shut off valve that it is open all the way down until it stops. If you have it partially open it will affect the ability of the cartridge to control system pressure. Also if it has been installed for a while and suddenly over pressurizes the system it may need to be maintained. It is easy to pull the cartridge and provide maintenance by cleaning the screen and cartridge. A fine piece of sediment or debris is enough to allow the system pressure to increase. Follow the maintenance instructions on page 6 of the Installation Instructions.   Or call Caleffi tech support with other questions (414)238-2360.

ISMAEL MENDEZ JR
February 11, 2022

In which position do I leave the gray knob on the 553 series during daily operations. When I 7Bregionturn knob CW, it seems as it the knob would come off if I open all the way. Thank you.

dan_firkus

In reply to by ISMAEL MENDEZ JR

February 15, 2022

Ismael, For daily operation and maintaining pressure in your system you would want the bottom knob turned all the way counter clockwise until it stops. It is important to have it all the way open and not somewhere in between.