Master Water Conditioning Clarifier MCA Series User manual

MCA Clarifier Series
Residential Filters
2022
MASTER
Water Conditioning Corp.
Installation and Operation Manual

Table of Contents
Model Number ......................................................................................1
Shipping Carton Description.................................................................1
Filter Media...........................................................................................1
Filter Positioning ...................................................................................2
Filter Tank Loading...............................................................................2
Clarifier Control Valve .......................................................................2-4
Service and Drain Piping ...................................................................4-5
Electrical Supply ...................................................................................6
Filling Filter with Water..........................................................................6
Control Valve Timer Settings................................................................7
Final Check...........................................................................................7
Default Timer Display and Manual Regeneration .................................8
Bypass Valve........................................................................................9
Troubleshooting.............................................................................10-12
Error Codes ........................................................................................13
Valve Parts List and Schematics ...................................................14-16
Warranty.............................................................................................17

1
Installation and Operating Instructions for
MCA Clarifier Series Filters
Model #:
______ MCA-AC-10/13 Carbon Filter
_______ MCA-ACC-10/13 Centaur Carbon Filter
_______ MCA-AN-10/13 Acid Neutralizer
_______ MCA-FE-10/13B Birm Filter
_______ MCA-MM-10/13 Multi-Media Filter
_______ MCA-S-10/13 Turbidex Filter
Shipping Carton Description:
Contents
Description
Mineral tank
Distributor pipe installed
MCA control valve
Control valve, bypass valve, tailpiece kit
Filter Media
½ cubic foot & 1 cubic foot boxes
Filter Media is Packaged as Follows:
Model #
Gravel *
Media
MCA-AC/ACC-10
N/A
1.5 CF Carbon/Centaur
MCA-AC/ACC-13
N/A
2.0 CF Carbon/Centaur
MCA-AN-10
N/A
1.0 CF Calcite & 0.5 CF NS Mix
MCA-AN-13
N/A
2.0 CF Calcite
MCA-FE-10B
N/A
1.5 CF Birm
MCA-FE-13B
N/A
2.0 CF Birm
MCA-MM-10
N/A
1.5 CF Multi Media
MCA-MM-13
N/A
2.0 CF Multi Media
MCA-S-10
N/A
1.5 CF Filter Ag
MCA-S-13
N/A
2.0 CF Filter Ag
NOTE: THIS FILTER IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR TREATING WATER THAT
IS MICROBIOLOGICALLY UNSAFE OR OF UNKNOWN QUALITY WITHOUT
ADEQUATE DISINFECTION WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE SYSTEM.
Filter Positioning:
1. Place water filter in desired position, far enough from walls and other
obstructions to allow for servicing the unit.
2. Place the water filter within reasonable access to a grounded 115V/60
HZ circuit and a legal drain line connection.

2
Filter Tank Loading:
1. Remove yellow caplug from top of tank. DO NOT CUT white riser
tube. Tube was prefitted at the factory.
2. The distributor is permanently attached to the vortech----centering is
not necessary. The top of the distributor will be 5/8” above the top of
the tank (this was prefitted at the factory).
3. Cover the top opening of the distributor pipe before filling the tank
with media.
4. Pour the appropriate media provided with the unit into the top of the
tank.
Model #
Gravel*
1 Sand
0 Sand
45 Sand
0 Sand
Philterkol
MCA-MM-10
N/A
20 lbs.
12 lbs.
37 lbs.
25 lbs.
19 lbs.
MCA-MM-13
N/A
25 lbs.
16 lbs.
50 lbs.
35 lbs.
25 lbs.
5. Remove the material used to cover the top opening of the distributor
pipe.
Clarifier Control Valve:
1. When facing the front of the MCA timer, the inlet connection is
located on the right and the outlet connection is on the left. The
control valve's inlet and outlet connections are either 1” copper, PVC,
male threaded elbow, or sharkbite equipped with o’ring seal and nut.
Philterkol
0 Sand
0 Sand
45 Sand
1 Sand

3
Front View Top View
Turn the control valve upside down and ensure that the control valve
distributor o’ring is in place. Use silicone lubricant on the o'ring.
**DO NOT USE PETROLEUM!**
**USE ONLY SILICONE **
2. Place the control valve onto the distributor pipe and into the tank
opening.
3. Thread the control valve hand tight . Do not overtighten.
4. Locate the bypass valve assembly that is packaged with the
control valve. The bypass valve has two red handles that
indicate flow direction, two threaded connections for the tail
piece kit and two o’ring seal connections with nuts for the control
valve. Align the insert connection ends with o’ring seals and
nuts to the inlet and outlet connections of the control valve.
Hand tighten the nuts. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE NUT!
5. Locate the tail piece kit that is packaged with the control valve.
The standard tail piece kit is 1” copper with optional 1” PVC or ¾”
copper kits available as a special order. Each tail piece,
o’ring, split ring and nut is presassembled at the factory. Align a
tail piece assembly to the bypass valve threaded inlet and insert
Control Valve
Control Valve
Bypass Valve
Tail piece assembly

4
until the nut can be tightened. Hand tighten the nut because
excessive tightening will damage the assembly. REPEAT THE
PROCEDURE FOR THE OUTLET CONNECTION.
Service and Drain Piping:
1. Pipe water filter into the service lines. The inlet and outlet
connections of the control valve are 1” copper, PVC, male threaded
elbow, or sharkbite and are located on the back of the valve body. As
you face the timer the inlet is on the right and the outlet is on the left.
Always follow local plumbing codes when installing our water
treatment equipment.
2. If sweat fittings are used, be sure soldering is done in such a manner
as not to allow heat to reach the control valve or bypass. (If
Schedule 80 PVC is used make sure to follow the proper primer and
solvent instructions.)
3. The drain line connection is ¾” npt or (optional ) 5/8 OD and is
located on the top left of the valve as you face the timer. It is
recommended you install a ¾” union on the drain line for servicing if
not using 5/8 OD. The drain line must be of adequate size to allow
for full regeneration flow.
•The control valve drain connection is 3/4" npt.
•Never decrease the drain piping size to below the drain connection size.
•Maximum drain line length is 30 feet with slope the enire length.
•Maximum drain line height is 6 feet above the control valve.
•The drain line must be piped to an open air gap (See Figure above)
•Always follow local plumbing codes.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THERE BE A DIRECT
CONNECTION WITH SANITARY SEWAGE FACILITIES.
DRAIN LINE
CONNECTION

5
MASTER
Water Conditioning Corp.
Well Tank
NOTE: All Master Water Conditioners must be
installed after the well tank or water meter if its
public water supply.
Master Water
Conditioner
Air Gap Drain
Untreated
TYPICAL PIPING LAYOUT FOR
MCA SERIES FILTER
Treated

6
Electrical Requirements:
Always follow all local electrical codes when installing our water
treatment equipment.
1. Provide an 115v/60Hz properly grounded dedicated electrical
Outlet. (It’s very important that the polarity be correct)
Avoid using outlets that are switch controlled.
2. Maximum amperage required is 5 amps.
3. Make sure the electrical service provides power 24 hours per day.
We recommend installing a surge protector to protect unit from
power surges, which are not covered by warranty.
Filling Filter with Water:
1. Connect the MCA control valve transformer into the electrical outlet
provided.
2. Press and hold the Up and Down arrows simultaneously for three
seconds until the drive motor starts. When the drive motor stops, the
display will read “C1” backwash position.
3. Open the inlet ball valve a ¼ turn of its full open position to allow
water to enter the water filter mineral tank slowly. The water is going
to enter the tank from the bottom of the distributor pipe and leave the
tank from the top. This will slowly purge all the air from the tank.
IF WATER ENTERS THE TANK TOO FAST, ALL THE RESIN WILL
BE FLUSHED TO DRAIN DURING START UP.
4. When only water is running to the drain, open the inlet and outlet ball
valves fully.
5. Once the drive motor stops, press the Up button to advance the
control valve to the fast rinse position. The display will read “C4”.
The fast rinse position will rinse the filter tank.
NOTE: THE TIMER WILL AUTOMATICALLY ADVANCE TO THE
SERVICE POSITION AND THE DISPLAY WILL READ TIME OF DAY.

7
Control Valve Timer Settings:
Note: The control valve is set at the factory. You only need to set the
time of day and regeneration time if required, which is preset at 1 am.
Time of Day Setting
1) Press and hold the CLOCK button. The screen will display “Set
Time” and the hour will be blinking.
2) Press the UP or DOWN arrows to adjust the hour —check for
correct am or pm mode.
3) Press the CLOCK button.
4) Press the UP or DOWN arrows to adjust the minutes.
5) Press the CLOCK button.
Time of Regeneration Setting (the factory default is 1 AM)
Simultaneously press the CLOCK and the UP arrow for 3 seconds:
The screen will display “Set Time Regen” and the hour will be blinking.
1) Use the UP or DOWN arrows to adjust hour.
2) Press the CLOCK button.
3) Press the UP or DOWN arrows to adjust the minutes.
4) Press the CLOCK button.
Regeneration Frequency Setting (the factory default is every 7 days)
The screen will display “Set Regen Day” and the days of
regeneration frequency will be blinking.
1) To change the number, use the UP or DOWN arrows.
2) Press the CLOCK button.
3) Set up is complete and the screen will now show the time.
Final Check:
1. Make sure the drain line connection meets all plumbing codes and
that the drain line size can handle the backwash flow rate of the filter.
2. Make sure the Inlet and Outlet on bypass valves are open.
3. Make sure the control valve timer is plugged into an dedicated
electrical outlet with power 24 hours per day.
4. Check all piping for leaks.

8

9

10
Troubleshooting
Problem: Unit Fails to Regenerate
Cause
Solution
Faulty electrical supply
Verify that electrical power is
getting to the outlet
Low inlet water pressure
Verify a minimum 30 psi inlet
water pressure
Drain line is restricted
Insure that the drain line is free
of blockage
Defective timer motor
Replace the timer motor
Plugged backwash flow control
Clean or replace the backwash
flow control
Incorrect P Value Programming
Reprogram with proper P Value
Problem: Poor Water Quality When Unit is in Service Position
Cause
Solution
The bypass valve is open or
defective
Insure that the bypass valve is in
the service position
Excessive water usage
Set the timer to regenerate more
often
Loss of filter media
See symptom: Loss of filter
media
Change in raw water quality
Test the raw water quality and
adjust regeneration frequency
Leak at the distributor tube
Verify that the distributor is flush
with the top of the tank
Problem: Loss of Filter Media
Cause
Solution
Backwash flow control is missing
or is the incorrect size
Verify that the proper backwash
flow control is installed
Air in the system
Verify that the well system is
operating properly

11
Problem: Continuous Flow to Drain
Cause
Solution
Defective or damaged piston
stack assembly
Replace the piston stack
assembly
Piston rod assembly is damaged
Replace piston rod assembly
Drive motor failure
Replace the drive motor
Problem: Loss of Water Pressure
Cause
Solution
Dirt build-up in filter tank
Clean or replace the Filter media
Dirt build-up in the inlet piping to
the Filter Unit
Clean or replace the inlet piping
Distributor pipe is plugged
Clean or replace the distributor
pipe
Problem: Control Valve Cycles Continuously
Cause
Solution
Defective timer circuit board
Replace the circuit board
Problem: Timer does not display time of day
Possible Cause
Solution
AC Adapter unplugged
Connect power
No electric power at outlet
Repair outlet or use working outlet
Defective AC Adapter
Replace AC Adapter
Defective PC Board
Replace PC Board
Problem: Timer does not display correct time of day
Possible Cause
Solution
Switched outlet
Use uninterrupted outlet
Power Outage
Reset time of day
Defective PC Board
Replace PC Board

12
Problem: Control Valve regenerates at wrong time of day
Possible Cause
Solution
Power Outages
Reset control valve to correct time of
day
Time of day not set correctly
Reset to correct time of day
Time of regeneration incorrect
Reset regeneration time
Problem: Control valve stalled in regeneration
Possible Cause
Solution
Motor not operating
Replace motor
No electric power at outlet
Repair outlet or use working outlet
Defective AC adapter
Replace AC adapter
Defective PC board
Replace PC board
Broken drive gear or drive cap
assembly
Replace drive gear or drive cap
assembly
Broken piston retainer
Replace piston retainer
Broken main or regenerate piston
Replace main or regenerate piston
Problem: Control valve does not regenerate automatically when UP and
DOWN buttons are held and depressed
Possible Cause
Solution
AC adapter unplugged
Connect AC adapter
No electric power at outlet
Repair outlet or use working outlet
Broken drive gear or drive cap
assembly
Replace drive gear assembly
Defective PC board
Replace PC board
Problem: Control valve does not regenerate automatically but does
when UP and DOWN buttons are depressed and held
Possible Cause
Solution
Defective PC board
Replace PC board
Set-up error
Check control valve set-up procedure

13
Error Codes
Display
Description
Cause
E1
Unable to recognize start of
regeneration
Defective motor, damaged
wiring, or poor wire
connection.
E2
Unexpected electrical or
mechanical stall
Defective motor, damaged
wiring, poor wire connection,
or mechanical component
failure.
E3
Motor running too long or
timeout during piston relocating
Damaged wiring, poor wire
connection, or mechanical
component failure.
E4
Motor timeout when piston is
relocating to service position
Damaged wiring, poor wire
connection, or mechanical
component failure.

14

15

16

12 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
As of November 2022
This Residential Water Conditioner is warranted for a period of one year from date of
purchase by first user against defects in materials and workmanship. In addition, the complete
control valve is warranted for five years. The control valve body (excluding internals and electrical
parts) is warranted for six years. The mineral tank, plastic brine tank or cabinet tank (excluding
mineral) is warranted against rust, corrosion or bursting for a period of twelve years from date of
manufacture. Except, as specifically set forth in this paragraph, Master Water Conditioning
Corporation makes no other warranties, express or implied.
This warranty shall be void if the conditioner is moved from the place of original installation,
or if damage is caused by misuse, misapplication, accident, freezing, flood, fire or if not installed in
accordance with instructions furnished by Master Water Conditioning Corporation.
This warranty shall be void in the event of damages from external sources or where the
conditioner has been operated at pressure in excess of 100 pounds per square inch or at a temperature
greater than 100 degrees F. or less than 32 degrees F. Incidental costs or consequential damages are
not covered by this warranty.
All defective parts shall be returned prepaid to Master Water Conditioning Corporation for
inspection. Master shall not be liable for labor charges other than Master factory repairs.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from
state to state. Some states do not allow limitations on duration of implied warranties or exclusion of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you.
All claims must be submitted in writing to Master Water Conditioning Corporation at 224
Shoemaker Road, Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464 within thirty (30) days from the discovery of the
defect. Master Water Conditioning Corporation thereafter will correct defective parts and
workmanship or rusting, corrosion or bursting within sixty (60) days.
224 Shoemaker Rd. Pottstown, Pa. 19464
MASTER
Water Conditioning Corp.

MCA TIME CLOCK FILTER
TIME OF DAY DAYS TO NEXT REGEN
NORMAL DISPLAY
OR
CONFIGURATION
Program C1
1st Backwash C2 Brine Draw C3 2nd Backwash C4 Rinse C5 Brine Refill
P0 3 50 3 3 1-99
P1 8 50 8 4 1-99
P2 8 70 10 6 1-99
P3 12 70 12 8 1-99
P4 10 50 Skipped 8 1-99
P5 4 50 Skipped 4 1-99
P6 12 6 Skipped 12 1-99
P7 6 Skipped Skipped 4 Skipped
P8 10 Skipped Skipped 6 Skipped
P9 14 Skipped Skipped 8 Skipped
CLOCK AND (3 SECONDS)
(3 SECONDS)
P8 OR PROGRAM
CHART
CLOCK AND
Note: In the event that the filter is producing dirty water you may select P9 to help
Clean the filter.