Ready to make sure your well or lake water is bacteria-free and safe for the whole family? Installing a Luminor BLACKCOMB Rack Ultraviolet Disinfection System may sound intimidating, but don't worry - I'm here to walk you through it! From gathering supplies and mounting equipment securely all the way up to testing operation, you'll be an expert in no time! Plus, I'll share some extra tips on how to best do this job quickly and safely.

With this user-friendly guide, you can become an expert in installing and maintaining a Luminor UV system. Perfect for the DIY home, cottage or cabin owner looking to save time and money - by following these steps you won’t have any worries about your water treatment equipment failing! Not only is it designed with easy setup and serviceability but Luminor rack systems are compatible with Culligan, Water Depot, Nelson et al., so no matter what brand of rack you have, this helpful guide has got you covered. 

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

If you’re not sure how UV systems work, I have a great YouTube video here that explains the whole process. Check it out first then pop on back to get started with this DIY installation guide! 

  

PRETREATMENT AND INSTALLATION PLANNING

Pretreating your water and planning for the installation of a UV Rack system can seem daunting, but with some preparation and knowledge, the process becomes quite simple. Here is a list of the water pretreatment that must be completed and is critical to optimal system results:

Iron < 0.3 ppm (0.3 mg/L) 
Hardness* < 7 gpg (120 mg/L) 
Turbidity < 1 NTU 
Manganese < 0.05 ppm (0.05 mg/L) 
Tannins < 0.1 ppm (0.1 mg/L) 
UV Transmittance > 85% 

1. 
   PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS - SET UP EVERYTHING ELSE FIRST! To begin, a 5-micron sediment and carbon pre-filter needs to be installed as part of the pre-treatment. An Infographic on where this UV gets installed relative to other equipment can be found below.
2. PREPARE FOR INSTALLATION. Next, Surge Suppressor protection needs to be included.
3. CHECK LOCATION COMPATIBILITY. Thirdly, determine the appropriate indoor location of the controller and chamber, keeping in mind that the system must be installed VERTICALLY with space around to remove UV lamps horizontally and service unit if necessary.
4. CHECK THE DIRECTION OF FLOW. If it is in the opposite direction of the system, remove the mounting plate and reverse it 180 degrees. Then rotate the reactor chamber. 

 

UV RACK INSTALLATION: STEP BY STEP 

To ensure that your UV Rack is installed properly and optimally, it’s important to have a solid plan in place before attempting any installation. Below you will find expert advice and information related to UV Rack installations so DIY homeowners, plumbers, or water specialists like yourself will be better prepared for the unique challenges associated with these systems. Let's get installing!

1. Once both the orientation and location have been selected, securely fasten the rack to a suitable backing or even just a 2 x 4 screwed to the studs. 
2. For water supplies where the maximum flow rate is unknown, a flow restrictor is recommended so that the rated flow of your particular BLACKCOMB system is not exceeded. 
3. Connect both the inlet and outlet to the rack system with the applicable connections based on your particular plumbing requirements. The inlet port of the filters is a 1” FNPT connection and the outlet port of the UV reactor is a 1” MNPT connection.
4. Once the system has been plumbed in, gently remove the quartz sleeve from its packaging being careful not to touch the length with your hands. The use of cotton gloves is recommended for this procedure as oils from the hands can leave residue on the sleeve and lamp which can ultimately block the UV light from getting to the water.
5. 
   Carefully slide the sleeve into the reactor until you can feel it hit the opposite end of the reactor. Align the sleeve so it is centered along the length of the reactor, then gently push it in to lock it into the internal centering springs in the far side of the reactor.
   CAUTION: Pushing too hard when the sleeve is not aligned can damage the centering springs.
   Slide the o-ring onto the sleeve until it is butted up against the reactor.
6. Hand-tighten the provided gland nut over the quartz sleeve onto the threaded end of the reactor. It has a positive stop to prevent over-tightening. A firm force may be required to fully tighten the gland nut, but DO NOT USE TOOLS for this step. Insert the provided stainless steel compression spring into the quartz sleeve. The spring works with the lamp and LUMI-Loc™ connector to create the proper lamp alignment.
   PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT install a UV lamp inside the quartz sleeve without the sleeve spring in place.
7. Install the filter cartridges in their appropriate housings. For the BLACKCOMB branded products, please refer to the BLACKCOMB Rack-Mount UV System Specification chart. 
8. Always hold UV lamps by their ceramic ends, not by the lamp quartz. Remove the lamp from its packaging. Again, the use of cotton gloves is recommended. Remove the lamp key from the lamp’s connector and set it aside for the next step. Be careful to not touch the key’s exposed contacts. Insert the UV lamp into the reactor, being careful not to drop it.
9. 
   Install the lamp key into the controller (BLACKCOMB5.1, BLACKCOMB6.1 systems only). The key always comes packaged with the lamp and sits on the connector. With the key removed from the lamp, orient it so the label is upright and facing you. The key will plug into the lamp key port on the right side of the controller (Figure 9).
10. Plug the LUMI-Loc™ lamp connector into the lamp. Note the keying for proper alignment (see Figure 8a, 8b). Insert the lamp connector into the gland nut and turn the connector approximately ¼ turn to lock the connector to the gland nut as in Figure 10.
11. Tighten the captive ground screw to the ground lug on the UV reactor to ensure proper grounding.
12. Your system is now ready to be plugged into the appropriate GFCI protected outlet. Next - disinfect!

 

CLEANING AND DISINFECTION

It is imperative that the entire distribution system located after the UV be chemically cleaned and disinfected to ensure that the plumbing system is free from any contaminants. The cleaning process must be performed immediately after the UV unit is installed and repeated whenever the UV is shut down for service, without power, or inoperative for any reason. 

The procedure for disinfecting your home or cottage plumbing system is explained in this video: Disinfect Your Household Plumbing in 8 Easy Steps! 

****************************************

Looking for a Luminor UV replacement lamp? Water eStore carries them individually and also in UV bundle packs with replacement lamps, sleeves and filters for added convenience.  

 

 

INSTALLATION PROCESS COMPLETE

As you can see, with careful preplanning and attentiveness throughout each stage of the process – from water pre-treatment to layout considerations through end-use applications – achieving optimal results are absolutely within reach. 

We hope this helpful DIY guide from Gary the Water Guy has helped you learn more about what goes into optimal water pretreatment and installation planning in order to achieve maximum efficiency and installation success with your Luminor Rack UV system. 

If you still have questions, please reach out to our team for assistance.