Grunbeck softliQ:MD32 User manual

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Water softener | softliQ:MD
Operation manual

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Germany
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Phone [phone]
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Availability
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We reserve the right to technical modifications.
© by Grünbeck Wasseraufbereitung GmbH
Original operation manual
Edition: May 2022
Order no.: TD3-BM002_en_104

Table of contents
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Table of contents
1Introduction ............................................................... 4
1.1 Validity of the manual ................................................ 4
1.2 Product identification ................................................. 4
1.3 Symbols used ............................................................ 6
1.4 Depiction of warnings ................................................ 6
1.5 Demands on personnel.............................................. 6
2Safety ......................................................................... 8
2.1 Safety measures........................................................ 8
2.2 Product-specific safety instructions ........................... 9
3Product description ................................................ 10
3.1 Intended use ............................................................ 10
3.2 Product components................................................ 11
3.3 Functional description.............................................. 12
3.4 Admissible regenerant ............................................. 13
3.5 Product registration.................................................. 13
3.6 Accessories ............................................................. 14
3.7 Inputs and outputs of the control unit....................... 15
4Transport, set-up and storage ............................... 18
4.1 Shipping/Delivery/Packaging ................................... 18
4.2 Transport/Set-up...................................................... 18
4.3 Storage .................................................................... 18
5Installation ............................................................... 19
5.1 Requirements for the installation site....................... 20
5.2 Checking the scope of supply.................................. 21
5.3 Installing the product................................................ 21
6Start-up/commissioning......................................... 25
6.1 Putting the product into operation ............................ 25
6.2 Handing over the product to the
owner/operator/operating company ......................... 27
7Operation/handling ................................................. 28
7.1 Touchscreen.............................................................28
7.2 Menu structure..........................................................31
7.3 Connection to Grünbeck Cloud ................................33
7.4 Refilling salt tablets...................................................35
7.5 Starting a manual regeneration ................................36
7.6 Determining and entering the water hardness..........36
7.7 Selecting the time of regeneration............................37
7.8 Installer level (Code 005)..........................................38
8Maintenance and repair...........................................40
8.1 Cleaning ...................................................................40
8.2 Intervals ....................................................................40
8.3 Inspection .................................................................41
8.4 Maintenance .............................................................41
8.5 Consumables............................................................43
8.6 Spare parts ...............................................................43
8.7 Wearing parts ...........................................................43
9Troubleshooting.......................................................45
9.1 Display messages ....................................................45
9.2 Other observations ...................................................48
10 Decommissioning....................................................49
10.1 Temporary standstill .................................................49
10.2 Final shutdown .........................................................49
11 Dismantling and disposal .......................................50
11.1 Deleting personal data..............................................50
11.2 Dismantling...............................................................50
11.3 Disposal....................................................................51
12 Technical specifications .........................................52
13 Operation log............................................................54
13.1 Start-up/commissioning log ......................................54

Introduction
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1 Introduction
This manual is intended for owners/operators/operating companies, users and qualified
specialists and ensures the safe and efficient handling of the product. The manual is an
integral part of the product.
►Carefully read this manual and the included manuals on the components before
you operate your product.
►Obey all safety and handling instructions.
►Keep this manual and all other applicable documents, so that they are available
when needed.
Illustrations in this manual are for basic understanding and can differ from the actual design.
1.1 Validity of the manual
This manual applies to the products below:
●Water softener softliQ:MD32
●Water softener softliQ:MD38
1.2 Product identification
You can identify your product based on the product designation and the order no. indicated
on the type plate.
►Check whether the products given in chapter 1.1 correspond to your product.

Introduction
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The type plate is located on the inside of the brine tank lid.
Designation
1
Obey the operation manual
2
Disposal information
3
DVGW test mark
4
CE mark
5
Nominal pressure
6
Operating pressure
7
Ambient temperature
8
Water temperature
Designation
9
Rated voltage range/frequency
10
Power input
11
Protection/protection class
12
Product designation
13
QR code
14
Data matrix code
15
Order no.
16
Serial no.

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1.3 Symbols used
Symbol
Meaning
Danger and risk
Important information or requirement
Useful information or tip
Written documentation required
Work that must be carried out by qualified specialists only
Work that must be carried out by technical service personnel only
1.4 Depiction of warnings
This manual contains information and instructions that you must obey for your personal
safety. The information and instructions are highlighted by a warning symbol and are
structured as shown below:
1.4.1.1
1.4.1.2 SIGNAL WORD
1.4.1.3 Type and source of hazard
1.4.1.4
●Possible consequences
►Preventive measures
The signal words below are defined subject to the degree of danger and might be used in the
present document:
Warning symbol and
signal word
Consequences if the information/
instructions are ignored
DANGER
Personal injury
Death or serious injuries
WARNING
Possible death or serious injuries
CAUTION
Possible moderate or minor injuries
NOTE
Damage to
property
Possible damage to components, the product and/or its
functions, or an object in its vicinity
1.5 Demands on personnel
During the individual life cycle phases of the product, different people carry out work on the
product. This work requires different qualifications.

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1.5.1 Qualification of personnel
Personnel
Requirements
User
•No special expertise required
•Knowledge of the tasks assigned
•Knowledge of possible dangers in case of incorrect behaviour
•Knowledge of necessary protective equipment and protective measures
•Knowledge of residual risks
Owner/operator/
operating company
•Product-specific expertise
•Knowledge of statutory regulations on work safety and accident prevention
Qualified specialist
•Electrical engineering
•Sanitary engineering
(HVAC and plumbing)
•Transport
•Professional training
•Knowledge of relevant standards and regulations
•Knowledge of detection and prevention of potential hazards
•Knowledge of statutory regulations on accident prevention
Technical service
(Grünbeck's technical
service/authorised service
company)
•Extended product-specific expertise
•Trained by Grünbeck
1.5.2 Authorisations of personnel
The table below describes which tasks may be carried out by whom.
User
Owner/
operator/
operating
company
Qualified
specialist
Technical
service
Transport and storage
x
x
x
Installation and mounting
x
x
Start-up/commissioning
x
x
Operation and handling
x
x
x
x
Cleaning
x
x
x
x
Inspection
x
x
x
x
Maintenance
semi-annually
x
x
x
annually
x
Troubleshooting
x
x
x
x
Repair
x
Decommissioning and restart/recommissioning
x
x
Dismantling and disposal
x
x

Safety
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2 Safety
2.1 Safety measures
●Only operate your product if all components are installed properly.
●Obey the local regulations on drinking water protection, accident prevention and
occupational safety.
●Do not make any changes, alterations, extensions or program changes on your
product.
●Only use genuine spare parts for maintenance or repair.
●Keep the premises locked against unauthorised access to protect imperilled or
untrained persons from residual risks.
●Comply with the maintenance intervals (refer to chapter 8.2). Failure to comply can
result in the microbiological contamination of your drinking water system.
2.1.1 Mechanical hazards
●You must never remove, bridge, or otherwise tamper with safety equipment.
●For all work on the product that cannot be carried out from the ground, use stable,
safe and self-standing access aids (e.g. stepladders).
2.1.2 Pressure-related hazards
●Components can be under pressure. There is a risk of injuries and damage to
property due to escaping water and unexpected movement of components. Check
the pressure lines on the product at regular intervals.
●Before starting repair and maintenance work, make sure that all affected
components are depressurised.
2.1.3 Electrical hazards
There is an immediate danger of fatal injury from electric shock when touching live parts.
Damage to the insulation or individual components can be life-threatening.
●Only have qualified electricians carry out electrical work on the product.
●In case of damage to live components, switch off the voltage supply immediately
and arrange for repair.
●Switch off the supply voltage before working on electrical components. Discharge
residual voltage.
●Never bridge electrical fuses. Do not disable fuses. Use the correct current ratings
when replacing fuses.
●Keep moisture away from live parts. Moisture can cause short-circuits.

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2.1.4 Groups of persons requiring protection
●Children must not play with the product.
●This product can be used by children over 8 years of age and persons with limited
abilities or lack of experience if they are supervised or instructed in the safe use of
the product and understand the resulting hazards.
●Cleaning and maintenance must not be carried out by children.
2.2 Product-specific safety instructions
2.2.1 Signals and warning devices on the product
Labels on the product
Risk of electric shock
►Obey all warnings and safety instructions.
►Immediately replace illegible or damaged symbols and pictograms.

Product description
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3 Product description
3.1 Intended use
●The softliQ water softener must only and exclusively be used for the softening and
partial softening of cold drinking water.
●The softliQ water softener protects water pipes and connected water-carrying
systems from scaling as well as from malfunctions and damage caused by scaling.
●The water softener softliQ:MD32 is designed for the continuous supply homes of 1
to 8 families (max. 20 people) with soft water.
●The water softener softliQ:MD38 is designed for the continuous supply homes of 1
to 12 families (max. 30 people) with soft water.
●The softliQ water softener protects water pipes and connected water-carrying
systems from scaling but cannot prevent corrosion.

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3.2 Product components
Designation
1
Connection block
2
Raw water shut-off valve
3
Soft water shut-off valve
4
Sampling valve for soft water
5
Sensor of salt supply indicator
6
Brine tank lid
7
Type plate
8
Control unit (display)
9
Cover of connections (customer interface)
10
Housing of technical equipment, upper part
11
Housing of technical equipment, lower part
12
Sieve bottom
Designation
13
Brine tank
14
Soft water connection
15
Raw water connection
16
Drain connection DN 50 acc. to DIN EN 1717
17
Water sensor
18
Illuminated LED ring
19
Exchanger 1
20
Exchanger 2
21
Control valves
22
Water test kit “Total hardness”
23
Sampling valve for raw water
Salt supply indicator
Once per regeneration, a light sensor checks the filling level of the salt tablets. If the filling
level is below the minimum, the control unit issues a warning message. The control unit
calculates how many days the salt supply is expected to last and indicates this value in days.
Illuminated LED ring
The illuminated LED ring is designed as a visual signal during water treatment, operation
and in case of a malfunction. In the standard setting, the illuminated LED ring behaves as
follows:
●Lights up during water treatment

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●Lights up during operation of the control unit
●Intermittent flashing in case malfunctions do occur
●Intermittent flashing in case of pre-alarm salt supply
The illuminated LED ring can be set to continuous illumination or be deactivated completely.
Water sensor
The water sensor detects water at the installation site of the softliQ system, reports this via
the control unit of the softliQ or via Grünbeck’s myProduct app and (if activated) triggers an
audio signal.
Drain connection
The DN 50 drain connection with siphon is designed for professional installation in
accordance with DIN EN 1717.
Electronically controlled blending
The electronically controlled blending unit automatically regulates the ratio between fully
softened water and raw water. The regulation is subject to the raw and soft water hardness
programmed in the control unit.
3.3 Functional description
3.3.1 Process
The softliQ water softener works according to the ion exchange principle. The exchange of
calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions causes the water to become soft.
3.3.2 Intelligence of the softliQ:MD water softener
Based on the consumption values of the past four weeks, the system capacity is
automatically adjusted to the individual water consumption of the owner/operator/operating
company. softliQ water softeners offer several selection options (= modes of operation). The
factory setting is Comfort. In case of considerable fluctuations in the water consumption, it is
possible to switch to the Power mode in the Settings menu. In case of low water
consumption, Eco is an energy and resource-saving option.
The current setting is displayed in Information menu 1.
A regeneration is released, if at least 50 % of the current system capacity is used up. The
time of regeneration is placed in a time period in which little water is consumed. The time of
regeneration can also be set at a fixed time.
During each regeneration, only the used-up system capacity is regenerated and only as
much salt is used as necessary. As required by DIN standard 19636-100, the system

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releases a complete regeneration for hygienic reasons no later than after four days without
regeneration.
The intelligence of the softliQ water softener allows for an efficient operation at the lowest
salt and power consumption possible.
3.3.3 Mode of operation
The softliQ:MD water softener offers five selection options:
●Comfort (factory setting)
Optimum use of resources and system capacity.
●Eco
Minimum use of resources in case of normal consumption.
●Power
Maximum performance for highest demands.
●Individual
To enter your individual user profile.
●Fix
To enter a permanently fixed capacity figure without consideration of the past and
without adjustment of the capacity figure.
3.4 Admissible regenerant
softliQ water softeners must only be operated with the regenerant below:
●Salt tablets according to DIN EN 973 type A
3.5 Product registration
Registering your product extends your warranty by 1 year.
You can register your product as indicated below:
●Registration on Grünbeck’s website (www.gruenbeck.com).
●Registration using Grünbeck’s myProduct app (refer to chapter 7.3).
●Registration via the enclosed postcard.

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3.6 Accessories
You can retrofit your product with additional accessories. Please contact your local Grünbeck
representative or Grünbeck’s headquarters in Hoechstaedt/Germany for details.
Illustration
Product
Order no.
Dosing system exaliQ:KC6-e
117 460
Dosing system exaliQ:SC6-e
117 465
Electronically controlled dosing technology to protect the water pipe against corrosion or
to stabilise the total hardness. Due to the integrated iQ interface, no additional water
meter fitting is required.
Safety device protectliQ:A20
126 400
Product to protect against water damage in one and two-family homes.
For other sizes, please inquire.
Delivery pump for regeneration water
188 800
To discharge the regeneration water into drain pipes located at a higher level.
Extension kit for connection hoses DN 25 (MD32)
187 660e
Extension kit for connection hoses DN 25 (MD38)
187 680e
To extend the hose to 1.6 m.
90° connection angle - 1" (2 pieces)
187 865
To route the connection hoses closer along the softliQ in case of confined installation
conditions.

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Illustration
Product
Order no.
Supplementary blending valve
187 870
To generate a second blending water hardness.
Can directly be connected to the connection block.
Installation kit softliQ
188 865
Space-saving combined connection of water softener and filter.
3.7 Inputs and outputs of the control unit
The control unit features voltage-free inputs and outputs (refer to chapter 7.8)
3.7.1 Data circuit board
Designation
1
LAN connection
2
DIP switch
3
iQ-Comfort 1
(for interconnecting Grünbeck products such
as exaliQ)
Designation
4
iQ-Comfort 2
(for interconnecting Grünbeck products such
as exaliQ)
5
Water sensor (digital input)

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►Disconnect the water sensor if you want to assign the digital input a different
function.
►Use LiYY 2x0.5 mm² or similar cable as connection cable.
(A larger line cross-section is unsuitable.)
Water sensor (digital input)
Pin configuration
●Top terminal + middle terminal = Water sensor
●Bottom terminal + middle terminal = Regeneration release or regeneration lock
►Do not apply voltage signals to any of the 3 terminals.
iQ-Comfort interfaces
The iQ-Comfort interfaces are designed for interconnecting Grünbeck products such as
exaliQ, for instance.
►Switch the DIP switch to ON (left position) to enable the iQ-Comfort interfaces.
3.7.2 Power circuit board
WARNING
Electrical voltage beneath the touch protection
●Electric shock
►Pull the mains plug before you remove the touch protection.
Designation
Factory setting
1
Touch protection
2
Fault signal contact
(upper two terminals)
max. 230 V/max. 1 A
N.C.
3
Programmable output
(lower two terminals)
max. 230 V/max. 1 A
Delivery pump for regeneration water

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1. Remove the touch protection to access the power circuit board.
2. Use the following connection lines for connection to the fault signal contact or the
programmable output:
•Flexible lines of H05xx F 2x0.75 mm² quality or similar because consumers
operated with mains voltage might be connected.
3. After the connection has been made, attach the touch protection.

Transport, set-up and storage
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4 Transport, set-up and storage
4.1 Shipping/Delivery/Packaging
►Upon receipt, immediately check for completeness and transport damage.
►In case of visible transport damage, proceed as follows:
•Do not accept the delivery or only accept it under reserve.
•Record the extent of damage on the transport documents or on the delivery
note of the carrier.
•Initiate a complaint.
►Only ship the product by forwarding agent (not by a parcel service provider)
4.2 Transport/Set-up
►Transport the product to the installation site in an upright position and in its
original packaging.
►Obey the symbols and instructions on the packaging.
►Only remove the packaging shortly before installation.
►Have two people carry the product.
►Use the recessed grips for carrying.
4.3 Storage
►Protect the product from the impacts below when storing it:
•Dampness, moisture
•Environmental impacts such as wind, rain, snow, etc.
•Frost, direct sunlight, severe heat exposure
•Chemicals, dyes, solvents and their vapours

Installation
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5 Installation
The installation of a water softener represents a major intervention into the drinking water
system and must be performed by a qualified specialist only.
The softliQ water softener is DVGW-certified, and thus intrinsically safe. There is no need
for a system separator as additional safety device upstream of the product
Designation
1
Safety device protectliQ
2
Drinking water filter pureliQ
3
Garden water pipe
Designation
6
Water withdrawal point
7
Dosing system exaliQ

Installation
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5.1 Requirements for the installation site
●Obey the local installation directives, general guidelines and technical
specifications.
●The installation site must be frost-proof and protect the product from direct sunlight,
chemicals, dyes, solvents and their vapours.
●If the softened water is intended for human consumption as defined by the German
Drinking Water Ordinance, the ambient temperature must not exceed 25 °C. For
applications that are purely technical, the ambient temperature must not exceed
40 °C.
●A drinking water filter and, if required, a pressure reducer (e.g. fine filter
pureliQ:KD) must be installed upstream of the product.
●A Schuko socket is required within a distance of approx. 1.2 m from the system.
The socket outlet requires permanent power supply and must not be coupled with
light switches, emergency heating switches or the like.
●A drain connection (DN 50) must be available to discharge the regeneration water.
●A floor drain suitable for the respective system size must be available at the
installation site. Otherwise, a safety device such as a protectliQ (refer to chapter
3.6), or a safety device with water stop of the same quality must be installed. Floor
drains that discharge to a lifting system do not work in case of a power failure.
●Make sure that lifting systems are resistant to salt water or use our delivery pump
for regeneration water (refer to chapter 3.6).
●The connection block features a non-return valve on the inlet side. Safety relief
valves must be installed in flow direction downstream of the softliQ.
●A water withdrawal point must be available near the product.
●In case of water pipes made of copper and/or galvanised steel, we recommend
dosing exaliQ mineral solutions for corrosion protection (refer to chapter 3.6).