3M 3MWTS Series User manual

Models:
3MWTS100
3MWTS150
3MWTS200
Homeowner: Please retain for operation and future maintenance instructions.
Installation and Operating Instructions
for 3MWTS Series Water Softeners

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Table of Contents
Section 1: Before installation 4
Section 2: Installing your water softener 6
Section 3: Control valve programming and regeneration 10
Section 4: Maintenance 14
Section 5: Control valve troubleshooting guide and service instructions 15
Section 6: System troubleshooting guide 18
Section 7: Specications and operating data 19
Section 8: 3MWTS Series Performance Data Sheet 20
Section 9: Component and Part List 21
Section 10: Warranty registration card 23
SAFETY INFORMATION
Read, understand, and follow all safety information contained in these instructions prior to installation and use of the 3MWTS
Series Water Softener. Retain these instructions for future reference. Failure to follow installation, operation and maintenance
instructions may result in property damage and will void warranty.
Intended use:
The 3MWTS Series Water Softener is intended for use in softening water in homes and has not been evaluated for other
uses. The system must be installed indoors near the point of entry of a home water line and be installed by qualied
professional installers according to these installation instructions.
EXPLANATION OF SIGNAL WORD CONSEQUENCES
WARNING Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious
injury and/or property damage.
CAUTION Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate
injury and/or property damage
CAUTION Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.

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WARNING
To reduce the risk associated with choking:
• Do not allow children under 3 years of age to have access to small parts during the installation of this product.
To reduce the risk associated with ingestion of contaminants:
• Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the
system.
To reduce the risk of physical injury:
• Shut o inlet water supply and depressurize system as shown in manual prior to service.
To reduce the risk associated with a hazardous voltage:
• If the home electrical system requires use of the cold water system as an electrical safety ground, a jumper must be used to ensure
a sucient ground connection across the water softener installation piping — refer installation to qualied personnel.
• Do not use the system if the power cord is damaged — contact qualied service personnel for repair.
To reduce the risk associated with back strain due to the heavy weight of the various system components:
• Follow safe lifting procedures.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritation from gravel and lter media during installation:
• Gravel and several types of lter media may be used in this product, depending upon the application. During installation, dust may
cause irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
• Utilize a NIOSH-approved dust lter mask, protective gloves, and appropriate eye protection when handling and pouring gravel
and lter media.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
• Read and follow Use instructions before installation and use of this water treatment system.
• Installation and use MUST comply with existing state or local plumbing codes.
• Protect from freezing, relieve pressure and drain system when temperatures are expected to drop below 4°C.
• Do not install on hot water supply lines. The maximum operating water temperature of this water softener is 43°C.
• Do not install if water pressure exceeds 125 psi. If your water pressure exceeds 552 kPa, you must install a pressure limiting valve.
Contact a plumbing professional if you are uncertain how to check your water pressure.
• Do not install where water hammer conditions may occur. If water hammer conditions exist you must install a water hammer
arrester. Contact a plumbing professional if you are uncertain how to check for this condition.
• Where a backow prevention device is installed on a water system, a device for controlling pressure due to thermal expansion
must be installed.
• Do not use a torch or other high temperature sources near system.
• On plastic ttings, never use pipe sealant or pipe dope. Use PTFE thread tape only, pipe dope properties may deteriorate plastic.
• Take care when using pliers or pipe wrenches to tighten plastic ttings, as damage may occur if over tightening occurs.
• Do not install in direct sunlight or outdoors.
• Install system in such a position as to prevent it from being struck by other items used in the area of installation.
• Ensure all tubing and ttings are secure and free of leaks.
• SHUT OFF FUEL OR ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY TO WATER HEATER after water is shut o.
• Do not install system where water lines could be subjected to vacuum conditions without appropriate measures for vacuum
prevention.
• Do not apply heat to any tting connected to bypass or control valve as damage may result to internal parts or connecting
adapters.
• Install on a at/level surface. It is also advisable to sweep the oor to eliminate objects that could pierce the brine tank.
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to plugged water lines:
• Pay particular attention to correct orientation of control valve. Water ow should match arrow on control valve. The Inlet and
Outlet of other water treatment equipment products will vary depending on the control valve brand used.
IMPORTANT NOTES
• Failure to follow instructions will void warranty.
Professional Installation Required: Installation requires shutting water o to home, cutting home water supply pipe and connecting
piping and ttings. Specialized tools and skills are required. Not a do-it-yourself type of project. Professional installation required!

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CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
• Do not install if water pressure exceeds 125 psi. If your water pressure exceeds 80 psi (552 kPa), you must install a pressure
limiting valve. Contact a plumbing professional if you are uncertain how to check your water pressure.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
Do not install system where water lines could be subjected to vacuum conditions without appropriate measures for vacuum
prevention.
The installer is required to take appropriate measures if there is the possibility a vacuum condition may occur. This would include the
installation of an appropriate device in the supply line to the system, i.e., a vacuum breaker or backow prevention device. Vacuum
damage voids the factory warranty.
IMPORTANT NOTE
If sediment is present, the installation of a sediment pre-lter is recommended. Even if sediment is not currently present or at a
level high enough to be objectionable, a pre-lter can help increase the eciency of the softener and help reduce the amount of
maintenance required.
IMPORTANT NOTES
The test for Hydrogen sulde (H2S) must be completed at the well site. For accuracy, the sample must be drawn with the pump
running, and the test be completed within one (1) minute after the sample is drawn.
Water softeners are designed to reduce hardness but can handle reasonable amounts of soluble iron if consideration is given to iron
content when selecting model and regeneration settings. To treat sulfur (hydrogen sulde), bacterial iron, precipitated iron or very
high levels of soluble iron special equipment in addition to a water softener is required.
Congratulations! We believe your purchase of this water softener will prove to be a very wise choice. When properly installed, operated,
and maintained, your new water softener will provide years of dependable service. Before starting the installation, please read this entire
manual for an overview and then follow the installation instructions. Failure to follow the instructions will void the warranty.
Inspecting and handling your softener:
Inspect shipping carton and the equipment for shipping damage. If damaged, notify the transportation company and request a damage
inspection. Handle the equipment with care. Damage can result if dropped or if the brine tank is set on sharp, uneven projections on the
oor. When handling, do not turn the water softener unit upside down or on its side to help prevent media from entering valve and being
discharged downstream.
Make sure your water has been thoroughly tested:
An analysis of your water should be made prior to the selection of your water softener. You can typically get this service through your
place of purchase, which may require sending a sample to the factory for analysis and recommendations. Enter your analysis below for
your permanent record.
Analysis of Your Water:
Hardness ______ gpg Tannins (Humic Acid) ______ ppm
Iron (Fe) ______ ppm Hydrogen Sulde (H2S) ______ ppm
Manganese (Mn) ______ ppm Other ______ ppm
pH ______ ppm Other ______ ppm
Check Your Pumping Rate and Water Pressure:
Two water system conditions must be checked carefully to avoid unsatisfactory operation or equipment damage:
1) Minimum water pressure required at the water softener inlet is 20 psi (138 kPa).
NOTE: Call your local water department or plant operator to obtain pressure readings. If you have a private well, the gauge on the
pressure tank will indicate the high and low system pressure. Record your water pressure data below:
Water Pressure:
Low ________ psi High ________ psi
2) The pumping rate of your well must be sucient for satisfactory operation and backwashing of the water softener. (See
Specications and Operating Data, Section 7)
SECTION 1: BEFORE INSTALLATION

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CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
• Protect from freezing, relieve pressure and drain system when temperatures are expected to drop below 4°C.
• Do not install on hot water supply lines. The maximum operating water temperature of this water softener is 43°C.
• Do not install in direct sunlight or outdoors.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to plugged water lines:
Pay particular attention to correct orientation of control valve. Water ow should match arrow on control valve. The Inlet and Outlet of
other water treatment equipment products will vary depending on the control valve brand used.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Sodium information: Water softeners using sodium chloride for regeneration add sodium to the water. People who are on sodium
restricted diets should consider the added sodium as part of their overall sodium intake.
Installation Site Selection:
Select the location of your water softener with care. Various conditions which contribute to proper location are as follows:
1. Locate as close as possible to water supply source.
2. Locate as close as possible to a drain.
3. Locate in correct relationship to other water conditioning equipment (g 1, page 6).
4. Locate the water softener in the supply line before the water heater. Temperatures above 43°C will damage the water softener and
void the factory warranty.
5. Do not install the water softener in a location where freezing temperatures occur. Freezing may cause permanent damage and will
also void the factory warranty.
6. Allow sucient space around the installation for easy servicing.
7. Provide a non-switched 110V, 60Hz (220V, 50Hz for specied systems) power source for the control valve.
WARNING
To reduce the risk associated with ingestion of contaminants:
Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system.
WARNING
To reduce the risk associated with a hazardous voltage:
If the home electrical system requires use of the cold water system as an electrical safety ground, a jumper must be used to ensure a
sucient ground connection across the water softener installation piping — refer installation to qualied personnel.
Facts to remember while planning the installation:
1) All installation procedures must conform to local and state plumbing codes.
2) If lawn sprinklers, a swimming pool, or geothermal heating/cooling or water for other devices/activities are to be treated by the
water softener, a larger model must be selected to accommodate the higher ow rate plus the backwashing requirements of the
water softener. Consult our Technical Assistance and Product Support at 1300 345 837 for alternative instructions if the pumping
rate is insucient.
3) Remember that the water softener inlet is attached to the pipe
4) Before beginning the installation review the existing piping system and to determine the size, number and type of ttings required.
5) Sweep the oor to eliminate objects that could pierce the brine tank.

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Typical Well Installation
Public Water Supply Installation
BRINE
TANK
WATER
SOFTENER
FILTER
(OPTIONAL)
SOFT
WATER
TANK
SWITCH
PRESSURE
PRESSURE
WELL
WATER
INCOMING
FILTERED WATER
FILTERED
CHECK VALV E
WASTE DRAIN
WASTE DRAIN
WATER
INCOMIN
G
METER
UTILITY WATER
OR OTHER
LAWN SPRINKLERS
WATER FOR
CHECK VALV E
SOFT
WATER
FILTERED WATER
FILTERED
BRINE
TANK
WATER
SOFTENER
FILTER
(OPTIONAL)
WASTE DRAIN WASTE DRAIN
CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
• Read and follow. Use instructions before installation and use of this water treatment system.
• Installation and use must comply with existing state or local plumbing codes.
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to plugged water lines:
• Pay particular attention to correct orientation of control valve. Water ow should match arrow on control valve. The Inlet and
Outlet of other water treatment equipment products will vary depending on the control valve brand used.
SECTION 2: INSTALLING YOUR WATER SOFTENER
Fig 1: Typical Installation

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CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
• On plastic  ttings, never use pipe sealant or pipe dope. Use PTFE thread tape only, pipe dope properties may deteriorate plastic.
• Take care when using pliers or pipe wrenches to tighten plastic  ttings, as damage may occur if over tightening occurs.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
Shut o fuel or electric power supply to water heater after water is shut o.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
• Do not apply heat to any tting connected to bypass or control valve as damage may result to internal parts or connecting
adapters.
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to plugged water lines:
• Pay particular attention to correct orientation of control valve. Water ow should match arrow on control valve. The Inlet and
Outlet of other water treatment equipment products will vary depending on the control valve brand used.
CAUTION
To reduce the risk associated with property damage due to water leakage:
• On plastic ttings, never use pipe sealant or pipe dope. Use PTFE thread tape only, pipe dope properties may deteriorate plastic;
• Take care when using pliers or pipe wrenches to tighten plastic ttings, as damage may occur if over tightening occurs.
STEP 1:
Remove unit from shipping box, inspect for damage and ensure all parts needed for installation are present. If parts are missing please
contact our Technical Assistance at 1300 345 837. Remove the packing from unit and discard according to local, state and federal
regulations. Locate the parts package and install the bypass and adapter ttings on the control valve to facilitate the connection to the
customer’s water supply.
STEP 2:
NOTE: Extension legs should be installed only whenever a salt dosage on any model softener is more than 6 kg. Models utilizing 381
mm x 381 mm x 864 mm brine tanks require salt grid extension legs when salting the softener above 6 kg. of salt or more. Grid legs
extension kits are provided for 3MWTS200 units. All other models requiring extension leg kits can be ordered through our Customer
Service at 1300 367 362.
Verify all packaging materials have been removed from the brine tank. On all units, legs rest on bottom of the brine tank.
STEP 3:
Shut o all water at main supply valve. On a private well system, turn o power to the pump and drain the pressure tank. Make certain
pressure is relieved from the complete system by opening the faucet closest to the system.
STEP 4:
Cut main supply line as required to  t plumbing to inlet and outlet of unit.
STEP 5:
Attach plumbing. Do not apply heat to any tting connected to bypass or control valve as damage may result to internal parts or
connecting adapters. Make certain water ow enters through inlet and discharges through outlet.
WARNING
To reduce the risk associated with a hazardous voltage:
• If the home electrical system requires use of the cold water system as an electrical safety ground, a jumper must be used to ensure
a sucient ground connection across the water softener installation piping — refer installation to qualied personnel.
STEP 6:
The control valve allows for either a 3/4” NPT connection or 5/8” poly tubing for use as a drain line connection.

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Fig. 2 Top view of the softener and brine tank assembly
BRINE LINE
FITTING
BRINE LINE
BYPASS VALVE
INLETOUTLET
CONTROL VALV
E BODY
DRAIN LINE FLOW
CONTROL ASSEMBLY
BRINE TANK
BRINE WELL
SAFETY BRINE
VALVE ASSEMBLY
BRINE LINE
ELBOW
INJECTOR COVER
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
STEP 7:
Attach drain line to drain line tting. To prevent back pressure from reducing ow rate below minimum required for backwash, the
drain line must be sized according to run length and relative height. Be careful not to bend exible drain tubing sharply enough to cause
“kinking” (if kinking occurs drain line must be replaced). Typical examples of proper drain line diameters are:
1. 1/2” ID up to 15 ft. when discharge is lower than inlet.
2. 5/8” ID up to 15 ft. when discharge is slightly higher than the inlet.
3. 3/4” ID when drain is 25 ft. away and/or drain is installed overhead.
Some areas prohibit the use of exible drain lines. Check your local plumbing code prior to installation.
STEP 8:
Position the drain line over the drain and secure rmly. To prevent back-siphoning of sewer water, provide an air-gap of at least 2” or 2
pipe diameters between end of drain hose and drain (g. 3). Do not raise drain line more than 10 ft. above oor.
STEP 9:
Connect one end of the included 3/8” black polyethylene tubing to the brine tting located on the left side of the control valve. Connect
the other end to the safety brine valve elbow inside of the brine well in the brine tank. To do so, remove the retaining clip from the brine
line tting on the control valve. The retaining clip is holding a plastic insert sleeve and needs to be inserted into the polyethylene tubing
before installing the tubing into the tting elbow and hand tighten only. CAUTION: Do not use pliers or wrenches to tighten as damage
may occur and will void the manufacturer’s warranty.
STEP 10:
Install the overow line to the brine tank overow tting (g. 2). The overow discharge must be lower than the overow tting. Do not
interconnect overow line with valve drain line.
STEP 11:
Make certain the bypass valve inlet and outlet knobs are in “bypass” position. After all plumbing connections have been completed,
open main water shut-o valve and restore power to well pump. Check for leaks and correct as necessary.
STEP 12:
Plug the control valve power cord into 110v/60Hz, non-switched power source. Program the control valve (refer to page 10).
NOTE: Regeneration settings for the control valve are factory preset. The control valve design permits adjustment of the salt setting.
This adjustment may be necessary when unusual operating conditions exist, such as high concentrations of iron, manganese or hardness
and/or high ow rates or daily water consumption.
STEP 13:
Manually set the control to backwash position. Press and hold the REGEN button for 3 seconds. The valve will advance to the backwash
position. Unplug power cord to prevent the unit from advancing automatically.
STEP 14:
Partially open the inlet knob on bypass valve (g. 4). This will allow the unit to ll slowly from the bottom up, reducing air entrapment.
Allow the unit to ll slowly, failure to do so could result in loss of resin to the drain. Once a steady stream of water, with no air sputtering,
is owing to the drain, the inlet and outlet bypass knobs can be fully opened (refer to g. 4).
STEP 15:
Plug the power cord back into the power source. Press the REGEN button and wait for the valve to advance to the next regeneration
position. Repeat the process until the valve is in the Service Position (Time of Day will be on the display).
STEP 16:
Refer to Section 3: Control Valve Programming and Regeneration Instructions, on how to set control valve for proper set up and
regeneration settings.

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Fig. 3 Fig 4: By pass valve
BYPASS VALVE
INLETOUTLET
CONTROL VALVE BOD
DRAIN LINE FLOW
CONTROL ASSEMBLY
BRINE LINE
ELBOW
INJECTOR COVER
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Supply Water
Enters
Supply (Untreated)
Water Exits
Supply Water
Enters
Treated Water
Exits
NORMAL OPERATION BYPASS OPERATION
BYPASS VALVE
INLETOUTLET
CONTROL VALVE BOD
DRAIN LINE FLOW
C
ONTROL ASSEMBLY
BRINE LINE
ELBOW
INJECTOR COVER
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Supply Water
Enters
Supply (Untreated)
Water Exits
Supply Water
Enters
Treated Water
Exits
NORMAL OPERATION BYPASS OPERATION
SPECIAL SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS:
Under normal circumstances removal of the valve should not be required. However, if it must be removed, disconnect the plumbing
attached to the bypass valve rst. Then, rotate the valve head assembly to the left or counter-clockwise. Before attempting any
disassembly, pressure should be relieved by shutting o water to the system and opening a faucet. Upon reassembly, all o-rings should
be lubricated with silicone grease. Reattach valve head assembly by rotating to the right or clockwise until valve head assembly is
seated to the tank hand tight. Reconnect the plumbing to the bypass valve.

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STEP 1:
Press SET CLOCK. Push or to change hour (AM/PM). Press NEXT then or to
change minutes. Press NEXT to lock time in.
STEP 2:
Press NEXT and simultaneously for 3 seconds.
STEP 3:
Hardness: Set the amount of hardness in grains of hardness as calcium carbonate per
gallon using the or buttons. The default is 20 with value ranging from 1 to 150 in 1
grain increments.
NOTE: The grains per gallon can be increased if soluble iron needs to be reduced. Press
NEXT to go to Step 3. Press REGEN to exit Installer Display Settings.
STEP 4:
Day Override: Day Override sets the number of days between regenerations and sets the
maximum number of days between regenerations. If value is set as a number (allowable
range from 1 to 28) a regeneration initiation will be called for on that day even if sucient
number of gallons were not used to call for a regeneration. Set Day Override using or
buttons.
- Number of days between regeneration (1 to 28); or “OFF”.
Press NEXT to go to Step 4. Press REGEN to return to previous step.
STEP 5:
Next Regeneration Time (hour): Set the hour of day for regeneration using or buttons.
AM/PM toggles after 12. The default time is 2:00 a.m. Press NEXT to go to Step 5. Press
REGEN to return to previous step.
STEP 6:
Next Regeneration Time (minutes): Set the minutes of day for regeneration using or
buttons. Press NEXT to exit Installer Display Settings. Press REGEN to return to previous
step.
To initiate a manual regeneration immediately, press and hold the “REGEN” button for
three seconds.
The system will begin to regeneration immediately. The control valve may be stepped
through the various regeneration cycles by pressing the “REGEN” button.
Power Lost
If an outage of eight hours or more occurs, the time of day will ash on and o which
indicated the time of day should be reset. The system will remember the rest.
RETURN TO
NORMAL MODE
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 2
Step 1
Installer Display Settings
RETURN TO
NORMAL MODE
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 2
Step 1
SECTION 3: CONTROL VALVE PROGRAMMING AND REGENERATION
Error Message
If the word “error” and a number are alternately ashing on the display contact our
Technical Service at 1300 345 837 for help. This indicates that the valve was not
able to function properly.