Scalemaster Softline 150 User manual

Softline 150, 150C & 450
Non - Electric Water Softeners
Installation & Operation Manual
PLEASE READ FULLY BEFORE INSTALLATION

1
PAGE
Contents
Introduction 1
Features & Benefits 2
Before You Start 3 - 4
Installation
Your Scalemaster Softline Water Softener 5
Installation 6 - 10
Settings 11
Commissioning & Operation 12 - 14
PLEASE NOTE:
Before you start installing your Softline Water Softener ensure that you have all the
correct parts and tools required to install your Water Softener. Both the 150 & 450
models come with an integrated bypass & non-return valve.
YOUR SOFTLINE WATER SOFTENER IS COVERED BY A 5 YEARS PARTS & LABOUR
WARRANTY. TO ENSURE YOUR WATER SOFTENER IS COVERED IT MUST BE INSTALLED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS & REGISTERED ONCE INSTALLED.
In the interests of continuing product development, Scalemaster reserves the right to
make modifications to the specification of the unit without notice.

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Thank you for choosing a Softline Non Electric Water Softener.
It is important that you take the time to read this installation guide. It will tell you in a simple
format how to install your Water Softener and how to start enjoying the benefits of softened
water. This instruction manual applies to the Softline 150, 150C & 450 Non-Electric Water
Softeners only.
1. Introduction.
The Softline 150 and 450 Water Softeners present a new approach to the world of domestic
water softeners. Based on proven technology, these softeners are non-electric (so there are
no issues relating to electrical installation compliance), yet these units are still fully auto-
matic. The units operate purely through the hydraulic pressure on the incoming water
whether that be from the mains or from a well. Softline non-electric water softeners have no
motors and no wires, they just do not need them! The moving parts are operated by dynamic
water pressure above .8 bar.
The Softline 150 & 450 units are two of the most efficient water softeners on the market. For
example, through it’s advanced technology, the Softline 150 typically uses only 330 grams of
salt and 18 litres of water for every regeneration making it one of the most environmentally
friendly water softeners on the market today. Water usage is less than 4% per regeneration
which meets the minimum performance requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes
published by the Buildings Research Establishment.
2. Features & Benefits.
1. NON-ELECTRIC: Both the Softline 150 & 450 work entirely without electricity.
2. EASE OF INSTALLATION: Far simpler than standard water softeners to install due to
the simple and unique ‘clip-connect’ design.
3. COMPACT DESIGN: The Softline 150 is designed to fit into a standard kitchen cabinet
and other areas where space is at a premium.
4. MINIMAL PROGRAMMING: Just set the water hardness for your area and the Softline
150 & 450 is ready for use.
5. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Designed to use minimal salt & water during regen-
eration.
6. HIGH TEST STANDARDS: The Softline 150 & 450 are all ‘wet tested’ before leaving the
factory.
7. HIGH FLOW RATES: Nominal flow rate (1 bar loss of pressure) 25 litres per minute
(1500 litres per hour).
8. HIGH RELIABILITY: Fabricated from high grade engineering materials, and covered by
a 5 years parts & labour warranty, the Softline 150 & 450 will deliver quality softened
water for many years to come.

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3. Before You start
 Make sure you have all necessary parts and tools required before starting the
installation.
 Follow all regulations regarding drainage. If in doubt see the relevant WRAS
guidance notes which can be found at www.wras.co.uk.
 Read this manual carefully. If you have any questions or remarks please contact
the Technical Helpline on 01785 811636.
 Check incoming water pressure: minimum 0.8 bar (dynamic), maximum 6 bar
(static) (15 - 100 PSI). If necessary fit a pressure reducing valve to reduce the
incoming water pressure.
 Do not install the Softline water softener close to a heat source. (environment
temperature must be below 40°c ).
 Protect the water softener drain hose (item 12, page 5), and all fittings against
frost.
 Make sure you have tested the water for Total Hardness for the area. If in doubt
telephone the Technical helpline on 01785 811636 to obtain this information.
 Remember, if you are not sure ASK!
It is recommended that a water softener is installed by a professional. Although Softline
water softeners are probably the easiest and safest softener on the market, it is
imperative that all necessary precautions are taken.
This installation guide is written to help the professional installer and assumes that this
person has a working knowledge of hydraulic softeners and domestic plumbing.
Proper operation of the softener depends on correct installation, commissioning,
maintenance and maintaining the salt level with suitable salt manufactured for use in
water softeners. An annual inspection of your Softline water softener will help ensure a
long operating life.

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3.1. Positioning the water softener
 Remember to measure your water softener and the space where it will be installed.
Remember to allow extra space for connecting pipework when you do your calcula-
tions along with adequate space to allow for future servicing, maintenance and
topping up of salt.
 Keep the distance of the incoming main and drainage to a minimum. While 2 metres
is an adequate distance this can be longer in circumstances where water pressure
allows.
 The weight of the water softener is greatly increased when fully operational and filled
with both salt and water so this must be taken into account when choosing where to
site the water softener.
 Your Softline water softener is designed to operate effectively with an incoming
water pressure of between 0.8bar and 6bar. If your water supply is likely to fall
outside of these parameters we recommend that either a booster pump or pressure
reducing valve should be fitted accordingly.
 Do not install your water softener next to a boiler or other heat source that will
exceed 40°c.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING INSTALLING YOUR WATER SOFTENER IN A LOFT, THE FOLLOWING
INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.
3.2. Loft Installation
 The water softener may be installed in a loft or roof cavity but must be situated
within a safety tank of not less than 100 litre capacity. A suitable tank would be a
plastic roof storage tank with an overflow pipe of not less than 20mm diameter. This
tank should be mounted on a board strong enough to spread the weight over a load
bearing wall.
3.3. Drinking Water
 When fitting your water softener allowance should be made for at least one drinking
water tap that is not fed by the water softener. Where practical this should be at the
kitchen sink but a utility room or other suitable alternative will suffice.
 It is recommended that people on a low sodium diet should not drink artificially
softened water. Water used for mixing infant powder for babies must only be taken
from unsoftened water as softened water contains an increased level of sodium to
which young babies have a limited tolerance.

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1. Bypass 7. Water Outlet
2. Valve Housing 8. Blending Regulator
3. Resin Vessel 9. Water Hardness Regulator
4. Salt Chamber 10. To Brine Float
5. Brine Float 11. Discharge to Drain
6. Water Inlet 12. Overflow
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
12
10
10
11 PLEASE NOTE
While the outward appearance
of the 150, 150C & 450 are
different the look of the
component parts will look
similar or the same as
described on this page.

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4. Installation:
4.1 Close the main valve (stop tap) and make sure pressure is released from the piping. This
can be done by opening at least one tap.
4.2 Cut into the cold water mains supply in order to install two angled (or similar) isolation
valves, one for the mains inlet and one for the mains outlet.
4.3 ENSURE THE BYPASS VALVE IS SET TO “BYPASS” Connect the mains inlet to the bottom
port of the bypass unit using the hose supplied and the mains outlet to the top port of
the bypass unit with the remaining hose.
4.4 Connect the bypass unit to the softener, by gently pushing the bypass into the two ports
on the back of the valve ensuring that the inlet filter does not fall out. Insert the two clips
fully to secure the bypass. (note that the 450 has two extenders). Ensure that bypass is
the correct way up with the Service / Bypass knob at the top.
OUTLET
INLET

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4.5 Connect the straight drain outlet (part 12. page 5) to a local drain by means of the 13
mm flexible drain hose supplied in the installation kit. ENSURE THE HOSE IS FULLY
PUSHED ON TO THE STRAIGHT DRAIN OUTLET. This drain pipe has been reinforced to
avoid possible problems caused by kinking of the pipe. IT IS IMPORTANT HOWEVER
TO PROTECT THE DRAIN HOSE FROM FROST & EXCESSIVE HEAT. If the drain hose is
being taken outside ensure a suitable insulation material is used to stop water freezing
in the pipe. (min. temp. 5°c, max. temp. 40°c).
NOTE: The discharge drain hose may installed with a rise of 1m but this
must be over a 5 metre run.
CAUTION: Follow all regulations regarding connection of the flexible drain
hose to the drain. If in doubt check the relevant WRAS guidance notes at
www.WRAS.co.uk
STRAIGHT DRAIN
OUTLET
Maximum height and distance of flexible drain hose
5m
1m

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4.6 Connect the brine float (part 5, page 5) to the softener by means of the 4mm flexible
tubing. Insert the tube as far as possible (to stop) into the quick release couplings. Make
sure not to squeeze the tube and avoid kinks.
4.7 Install the supplied overflow fitting. Remove one of the 3 rubber plugs in the salt cabinet
(A, B or C). Insert the overflow fitting and secure it from inside the salt cabinet with the
supplied nut. Connect the pipework so that any overflowing water runs downhill to
drain or through an outside wall.

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4.9 On the Softline 150 the valve & vessel can be installed in the salt container in three
different ways: with the bypass at the back, to the left, or to the right simply by
rotating the base plate so that the arrow faces the direction required, right, left or to
the back. (installation on the 150C and the 450 is to the rear only).
4.8 Place the softener (valve & vessel) in the salt bin; use the side with the round
opening (for correct installation, see 4.9). To install the brine float, open the small
hinged lid (open by pressing gently on both sides) Insert the brine float inside the
space provided, ensuring that it is the correct way up (see diagram below). The brine
float should be gently pushed all the way to the bottom of the channel and the tube
fitted so as to go behind the grey bar.
Left Hand Install Rear Install Right Hand Install

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5. Settings:
5.1 THE HARDNESS REGULATOR: (Part 9, Page 5).
The hardness regulator is situated on the TOP of the valve unit and has measurements
marked 0 through to 600. Measure the incoming water by means of one of the test strips
provided. (these are on the reverse of the registration card) The Softline units use ppm
(parts per million) settings of CaCO3.
Adjust the hardness regulator to the measurement value using the 5mm allen key
supplied. If you are unsure contact the Technical Helpline.
5.2: THE BLENDING REGULATOR: (part 8, page5).
The blending regulator is situated on the SIDE of the valve unit and has measurement
markings from 0 through to 1/2 in fraction increments.
THE SETTING OF THE BLENDING REGULATOR SHOULD BE LEFT AT ZERO.

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6. Commissioning & Operation
6.1 Leaving the bypass in ‘bypass’ mode, open the main valve (stop tap) slowly and flush
for several minutes in order to avoid any debris from installation entering the water
softener.
6.3 Now add salt into the salt container
(indicated) salt may filled to about
3/4 of the height of the salt tank.
6.2 Add water to the salt container until
the water level is approx, 10cm (4”)
high.
6.4 Turn the bypass fully 180° slowly into
“service” mode.
THE SOFTLINE 150 WILL USE EITHER GRANULES, TABLETS OR BLOCK SALT.
THE SOFTLINE 150C & 450 USED EITHER GRANULAR OR TABLET SALT.
ALWAYS USE SALT THAT HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY FORMULATED FOR USE IN WATER
SOFTENERS. (IF IN DOUBT CONSULT YOUR SUPPLIER)

6.5 Turn on the first cold water tap after the water softener so a flow runs through the
water softener. Some air may flow from the tap, this is coming from the softener as
excess air is purged from it. This will happen only once at start up. When only water
flows from the this tap, close the tap.
6.6 Perform a manual regeneration. Follow steps 6.6 (a) - 6.6 (c)
6.6 (a) Use the 5mm allen key supplied to turn the programme disc (shown in
diagram 1 below) manually.
Turn the programme disc slowly counter clockwise until it is in the position
shown in diagram 2 below. When the arrow and the small line on the trans-
parent cover reach the area marked ‘B’ (brining), the regeneration will start.
Immediately, the programme disk will drop down slightly (you will be able to
see and hear this) at this point you will hear or see a trickle of water going to
drain and the water level in the container will start to drop.
About 3/4 through the regeneration you will hear a change in tone as the
programme disc reaches ‘R’ (refill) and the softener refills the container
with approx 1 litre of water ready for the next regeneration.
6.6 (b) Finally, at the end of the regeneration cycle you will hear the water go to
drain and then stop. This is a clear indicator that the regeneration stage is
over. Depending on water pressure the regeneration cycle will last between
8 and 12 minutes.
6.6 (c) Check outgoing hardness with the second hardness test strip provided. Test
the water at the first cold water tap after the softener.
12

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6.7 Place both lids on the container. (150C & 450 have a sliding cover).
First the valve cover; making sure the connections fit in the large opening and the
drain in the small opening. (if the valve cover does not sit correctly check the position
of the base plate). (see 4.8, page 10).
Then replace the front lid. For future salt refills, only the front lid has to be removed.
For ongoing operation, add salt to the container when it gets low. Do not allow the salt
level to drop below the level of the water in the salt cabinet and do not allow the salt
container to become drained of salt completely as this will impair the performance of
the unit and its long term ability to provide soft water.
DO NOT FORGET TO CONNECT THE OVERFLOW TO A SUITABLE DRAIN
RECORD THE DATE OF INSTALLATION INSIDE THE FRONT COVER AND KEEP THIS MANUAL
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
ALSO ENSURE THAT THE REGISTRATION FORM IS COMPLETED AND
RETURNED TO THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD TO ENSURE YOUR NEW WATER SOFTENER IS
COVERED WITH OUR 5 YEAR PARTS AND LABOUR WARRANTY
Congratulations and welcome to the benefits of quality softened
water!

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IMPORTANT NOTES
YOUR SOFTLINE WATER SOFTENER BENEFITS FROM A 5 YEAR PARTS &
LABOUR WARRANTY. FAILURE TO ENSURE THE FOLLOWING POINTS WILL
INVALIDATE YOUR WARRANTY AND MAY INCUR EXTRA COST FOR CALLS
MADE BY SCALEMASTER ENGINEERS TO RECTIFY.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD BE LEFT WITH THE
CUSTOMER FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
DATE INSTALLED
……………….…………..

1 Are all grey clips fully secure ?
2 Is the Brine Float correctly installed ?
3 Is the Bypass the correct way up ?
4 Is the Water Hardness regulator set correctly ?
5 Is the Blending Valve set to Zero ?
6 Are all hoses installed correctly ?
7 Has the Water Softener been registered ?
8 Has the customer been shown fully how to operate the Water Softener?
9 Has the customer been shown how to isolate the unit in an emergency ?