We moved into a house with one of these installed. There were no
instructions left for it.

Is it just a case of:

- making sure the relevant valves are open
- making sure there is enough salt in there
- turning it on...?

We tried this and it continually kicks out water down its waste pipe.
Is this normal or is something wrong?

Thanks

Nick.

"NickW" wrote in message
ps.com...
We moved into a house with one of these installed. There were no
instructions left for it.

Is it just a case of:

- making sure the relevant valves are open

Yes, usually there are three, one in, one out, and one bypass - the bypass
valve is situated between the inlet and outlet, before the other valves -
this should be OFF, the inlet and outlet should be on.

- making sure there is enough salt in there

Yup

- turning it on...?

We tried this and it continually kicks out water down its waste pipe.
Is this normal or is something wrong?

There are usually two waste pipes, one of them is an overflow, and one is a
drain - the overflow should not pass any water in normal operation, however,
if it has been played about with, it might do for the first cycle.

When you say constantly, how long did you leave it doing it?
When it is regenerating, ion exchange water softeners throw out water,
chucking out all the limescale.

Sparks...

Thanks, I hoped it was something like that. I didn't leave it on that
long, maybe only a minute or probably less.

Another thing - it asks for the water hardness Clarke number. I guessed
at 30 because I found something on the web for somewhere near here
(Suffolk, IP6). Is this crucial? Should I ring the water company to
find a more precise value?

Nick

"NickW" wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks, I hoped it was something like that. I didn't leave it on that
long, maybe only a minute or probably less.

Another thing - it asks for the water hardness Clarke number. I guessed
at 30 because I found something on the web for somewhere near here
(Suffolk, IP6). Is this crucial? Should I ring the water company to
find a more precise value?

The hardness setting is so it can calculate how much salt it needs, so it is
best to get it as accurate a possible, or you will either not be softening
enough, or wasting salt!

You can buy some tester kits (not sure where though!) that will measure it
if you can't get the details from the water co (Or want to check it!) my new
softener came with one, but I have used it now!.

Looking online, it looks to be a meter based softener, so it will measure
the water you use, and regenerate when needed (This is the better type!)

here are some details I found on
http://www.slough-heating.co.uk/conditioner.htm

Waterside MC250 Ultra Water Softener
£430.00
New improved MC250 Ultra, the most technically advanced Water Softener
available in the UK.
- The only UK manufactured vavle
- Simple to install
- No complicaed controls to set up
- No clock setting
- Low salt level alarm
- Mini regeneration cycle
- High softened water capacity 1 to 8 people in one softener
- Automatic controls for maximum slt and water efficiency
- Supplied complete with all fittings for a professional installation
- Size (HxWxD) : 610 x 290 x 495mm


Sparks...

"Sparks" wrote in message
.. .
"NickW" wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks, I hoped it was something like that. I didn't leave it on that
long, maybe only a minute or probably less.

I have just found the following phone number on a website, you may be able
to get a manual from them.
WATERSIDE Telephone 01376 334200
(From http://www.colemanwater.co.uk/html/comparison.htm)

Sparks...

Another thing - it asks for the water hardness Clarke number. I guessed
at 30 because I found something on the web for somewhere near here

Get a testing kit. I got mine for a couple of quid from B&Q. You take a
sample of water and keep adding the supplied "pills" until it changes
colour. Then, hopefully you counted the number of pills required and can
look it up in a table.

Christian.

NickW wrote:

We moved into a house with one of these installed. There were no
instructions left for it.

Is it just a case of:

- making sure the relevant valves are open
- making sure there is enough salt in there
- turning it on...?

We tried this and it continually kicks out water down its waste pipe.
Is this normal or is something wrong?


Sounds like the valves are set to the wrong position, or it's in regen
mode. First check the clock is set to the correct time of day. The
factory setting regens at 2.00am. Also check that the timer is running!
There are three water valves connected to the pipework, inlet, ie water
in from the main, bypass, which allows the unit to be bypassed hence
water does not flow through the softener, and outlet, water flows to
the tanks etc. On the back of the unit, there are normally four
connections. From L to R as viewed from the rear these are, Overflow( at
a lower level than the other connections), Outlet connection, Drain
connection( used during regen) and inlet connection. For normal
operation, inlet valve is open, bypass is closed, outlet is open. I'd
suggest you talk to Waterside nicely and ask them for the instruction
leaflet. I have used one of their units for 20 years without any
problems, but it's a mechanical timer unit.

Regards
Capitol

Thanks for all the replies. I've tried running it on a setting of 25
degrees Clarke (I got this number from a neighbour). It shows "r0" on
the display for a couple of minutes and water is continuously venting
down the waste pipe.

However, it continues to vent water and the display changes to "E2" -
which sounds like an error to me. I let this carry on for a further ten
minutes with no change. I gave up and turned it off.

One clue - water vents down the waste pipe even when the unit is not
switched on... a valve stuck open perhaps?

I've been trying all day to get through to their helpline but it's
constantly engaged and ringback doesn't seem to work. Perhaps they have
it off the hook!

Anyone know what this "E2" business is about?

Thanks

Nick

Hi Nick

I have brought one of these softners, Error E2 was displayed and I found the nylon cog on the motor was split and so although on power up the moter was running the cog stayed still and did not turn the gear assembly, I contacted culligan uk who now own waterside and got a replacement motor which came with a new brass cog.

Error E2 now gone from the display and it all runs as it should.

But there still is problems as the machine is not softening the water so maybe the resin is knackered, any advice on this would be great.

Richard