Field controls ClearWave User Manual
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • Three Year Limited Warranty
OWNER’S MANUAL
The ClearWave™ Water Conditioner is the solution to scale
build-up due to hard water. The ClearWave installs easily
and virtually eliminates scale build-up in pipes, faucets and
appliances.
PRODUCT QUESTIONS
PHONE FIELD FIRST
for answers on product maintenance,
operation or replacement part
questions.
Phone:(252)522-3031
E-mail:fieldtec@fie ldcontrols.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BEFORE YOU INSTALL
Customer Satisfaction & Warranty Registration ....................................3
Testing For Hardness And Iron Levels ...............................................3-4
OPERATION TIMETABLE
.......................................................................5
INSTALLATION
Where To Install The ClearWave™.......................................................7
How To Install ClearWave™..................................................................7
Mounting The Unit To The Pipe..........................................................7
Properly Wrapping The Antennae ...................................................... 7
Connecting To Power Supply .............................................................7
TROUBLESHOOTING
Interference............................................................................................ 8
Surges And Lock Ups ............................................................................ 8
Loose Antennae..................................................................................... 8
HOW IT WORKS
Ion Exchange.........................................................................................9
Chemical Addition..................................................................................9
Electric Potential .................................................................................... 9
Magnets .........................................................................................9-10
Electrostatic Devices ........................................................................10
ClearWave™ ...............................................................................10-11
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT CLEARWAVE™
CLEARWAVE™ WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM
...............................................11-13
....................14
.......................15
Page 2
BEFORE YOU INSTALL Please read the following information.
USTOMER SATISFACTION AND WARRANTY REGISTRATION
C
The ClearWave™ Water Conditioner comes with a 90 day Satisfaction
Guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the performance of this product,
return it with the sales receipt within 90 days of date of purchase to the
point of purchase for a full refund.
The ClearWave™ is warranted against defects in workmanship. If the
ClearWave™ fails within the warranty period, return it to Field Controls
with proof of purchase for repair or replacement. Please refer to the
warranty sheet provided with each ClearWave™ for the length and terms
of the warranty.
Please take a minute to fill out and mail the registration form to our
warranty department today. Completion of this form is required to
activate your warranty. This will allow us to better assist you if you have
any questions about the ClearWave™ water conditioning system. It also
allows us to keep the ClearWave™ system users informed on water
quality issues and new product announcements.
T
ESTING FOR HARDNESS AND IRON LEVELS
The length of time required to alter the characteristics of the lime scale is
dependent on the mineral makeup of the water being treated. The
mineral makeup of the water can influence the operation of the
ClearWave™’s electrical field. Before installing any water conditioning
system, it is very important to know the type and concentration of
minerals in the water being treated. Contact your local health department
or county extension service to locate a water testing service near you.
Iron Concentration
A high concentration of iron (soluble and insoluble) causes a disruption
and weakening of the ClearWave™’s electrical field, reducing its
effectiveness on scale reduction. Under these conditions an iron removal
system is required to filter out the iron prior the ClearWave™. We
recommend an iron removal system for total iron levels above 0.3 ppm
(parts per million).
Water Hardness
Definition of hardness:
(Taken from the 1992 edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater)
“Originally, water hardness was understood to be a measure of the
capacity of water to precipitate soap. Soap is precipitated chiefly by the
calcium and magnesium ions present. Other polyvalent cations also may
precipitate soap, but they often are in complex forms, frequently with
organic constituents, and their role in water hardness may be minimal
and difficult to define. In conformity with current practice, total hardness
Page 3
is defined as the sum of the calcium and magnesium concentrations,
both expressed as calcium carbonate, in milligrams per liter.”
The current practice of determining water hardness is the measurement
of the concentration of calcium and magnesium in the water. The
traditional water softener removes the calcium and magnesium from the
water through a process called ion exchange; which will show a change
in hardness using the current practice for measuring water hardness.
Since the ClearWave™ does not remove any calcium or magnesium
ions from the water, testing the water before and after the installation of
the ClearWave™ will not show any change. The best method of
evaluation is to monitor the effects the ClearWave™ has on scale
forming areas such as: the effects on humidifier media pad scaling,
showerhead scaling and the amount of soap needed to do the laundry.
The degree of water hardness in the table below (according the Water
Quality Association) will allow you to determine what type of water
hardness you have after you receive your water test data.
DESCRIPTION
OF WATER
HARDNESS
Soft
Slightly Hard
Moderately Hard
Hard
Very Hard
PARTS PER MILLION
(PPM) OF CALCIUM
CARBONATE
EQUIVALENT
Less than 17.1 Less than 1.0
17.1 to 60 1.0 to 3.5
60 to 120 3.5 to 7.0
120 to 180 7.0 to 10.5
180 and above 10.5 and above
GRAINS PER GALLON
(GPG) OF CALCIUM
CARBONATE
EQUIVALENT
If your water falls under the description of Soft or Slightly Hard the effects
of the ClearWave™ on the scale (if any) will not be noticeable. Any water
problem you have is probably not caused by calcium or magnesium. The
maximum hardness level the ClearWave™ will effectively work on is 425
ppm or 25 gpg. Above these levels, the ClearWave™ should be used in
conjunction with a traditional ion exchange water softener to remove
hardness and condition the water. This allows you to minimize the salt
used to remove the hardness and maintain the cost saving benefits of
the ClearWave™ water-conditioning system.
Page 4
OPERATION TIMETABLE FOR THE CLEARWAVE™
The following timetable of events should be used to evaluate the
operation of the ClearWave™ during the 90-day customer satisfaction
period. This is the best way to evaluate the ClearWave™ operation and
benefits the ClearWave™ technology can provide for you and your
home. Please note testing for changes in hardness with current testing
practices will not show you if the ClearWave™ is working. The current
practice of determining water hardness is the measurement of the
concentration of calcium and magnesium in the water. Since the
ClearWave™ does not remove any calcium or magnesium ions from the
water, testing the water before and after the installation of the
ClearWave™ will not show any change.
D
AY 1:
The ClearWave™ action immediately starts to loosen existing scale in
both the hot and cold water systems. One should find soap lathers more
easily.
DAY 5 A
ND ONWARDS:
Scale begins to break down and come off water heater elements
(immersion heaters) and tanks. Most particles are microscopic and will
flow through your water system, but some small particles may be seen in
the water coming from the hot water tap.
DAY 10 T
O 16:
It should be noticeably easier to wipe clean ceramic, plastic, glass, and
metal surfaces. By now the quantity of bath soap, dish soap, laundry
detergent, and laundry softening agents can be reduced. Scale should
have loosened on faucets, showerheads and frequently used appliances
that boil water (such as coffee makers).
DAY 16 A
ND ONWARDS:
Scale should continue to loosen from faucets, showerheads, and pipes.
With the continuing break down and reduction of scale from the heating
surfaces of water heaters, water should heat up quicker using less
energy to achieve the desired temperature.
A
FTER 1 TO 2 MONTHS:
Any scaly crust or stains in toilets or under faucets should be significantly
reduced. No new stains or crust should form. Mold that attaches to scale
will begin to disappear from shower curtains and once cleaned should
not reappear. Depending on the water hardness in the area, the full
affects can take up to 12 weeks, especially if the system has been
heavily scaled up over many years.
Page 5
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Page 6
INSTALLATION
HERE TO INSTALL THE CLEARWAVE™
W
The ClearWave™ coils should be mounted on the water supply pipe as it
enters the building, before the piping branches off to supply the water
heater and any cold water taps. This allows the ClearWave™ to
condition all of the water supplied to the building. The ClearWave™
should be mounted after any water meter or grounding cable attached to
the water piping system. The ClearWave™ is designed and tested to
cause little or no interference to other communication devices. Install the
ClearWave™ at least ten feet from any radio, television or cordless
telephone base unit to eliminate any possible interference.
H
OW TO INSTALL THE CLEARWAVE™
Mounting the unit to the pipe
Mount the ClearWave™ onto the pipe by routing a wire tie through the
two holes on each end of ClearWave™ housing base. (See Figure 1)
The performance of the ClearWave™ is not affected
by the direction or
orientation. The unit may be mounted to horizontal, vertical, or
diagonally. The ClearWave™ can be used effectively on any type of
water pipe; galvanized, copper, or plastic.
Properly wrapping the antennae
The antenna wrap around the water pipe on each end of the
ClearWave™. (See Figure 2) A minimum of seven fully wrapped coils of
the antenna wire, with each coil wrapped tightly against the pipe and
pressed snugly against each other is required for best results. (See
Figure 3) The operation of the ClearWave™ and the antenna installation
is not based on direction of water flow, but one antenna MUST be
wrapped in a clockwise direction and the other wrapped in a counter
clockwise direction.
Wrap the right antenna clockwise (over the top of the pipe first), keeping
the antenna wire tight against the pipe and the preceding coil. Secure the
end of the right antenna wire to the water pipe with a wire tie. (See
Figure 2) Wrap the left antenna counter clockwise (under the bottom of
the pipe first), keeping the antenna wire tight against the pipe and the
preceding coil. Secure the end of the left antenna wire to the water pipe
with a wire tie.
Connecting to power supply
Insert the power supply terminals onto the power supply screw terminals
and fasten securely. Plug the power supply into a standard electrical wall
outlet. (See Figure 2) When energized, the ClearWave™ modulation
indicator lights start flashing sequentially indicating that the ClearWave™
is functioning properly.
Page 7
TROUBLE SHOOTING
NTERFERENCE
I
The ClearWave™ is designed and tested to cause little or no
interference to other communication devices. Install the ClearWave™ at
least ten feet from any radio, television or cordless telephone base unit
to eliminate any possible interference.
P
OWER SURGES AND LOCK UPS
If you find the ClearWave™ worked for a while then seemed to stop
producing the same results, the microprocessor may have locked up due
to a electrical spike or power surge. If your home is in an area that these
types of problems occur, install a surge protector on the electrical outlet
that the ClearWave™ transformer is plugged into.
To evaluate the operation of the ClearWave™ to determine if the unit
has locked up and needs to be reset, observe the flashing indicator lights
on the front of the ClearWave™. They indicate the changing frequency of
the unit. The output frequency cycles every 5 minutes, so you should see
the lights flash progressively faster throughout the cycle, then slow down
and repeat. If, during this 5-minute cycle, you do not see any change in
the frequency of the flashing lights, unplug the power supply and wait at
least one minute. Then plug the power supply back in. This will reset the
microprocessor. You should observe the changing of the frequency in
the indicator lights and proper operation.
L
OOSE ANTENNA WIRES
If you find the ClearWave™ worked for a while then seemed to stop
producing the same results, and the unit is appears to be operating fine
(see the Power surges and lock ups section), then the antenna wires
could have loosened on the pipe. The antenna wires must be held tightly
against the pipe and the coils must be pressed snugly against each other
to transfer the energy into the water. If the antenna wires are loose,
tighten them and also retighten the wire ties. Be sure that the antennae
are wrapped in the proper direction. (See Figure 2)
Page 8
HOW IT WORKS
Pure water contains nothing but H
0. But water, as it comes out of the
2
ground, is rich in a multitude of minerals. Minerals such as calcium and
magnesium are the main components of hard water, and the cause of
scale formation and other problems.
T
HE THREE BASIC METHODS USED TO CONTROL THE PROBLEM OF
HARDNESS AND SPECIFICALLY SCALE FORMATION
Ion Exchange
One method is to remove the calcium and magnesium from the water
through ion exchange (the traditional water softener). This method
requires the use of a resin filled tank with a high concentration of salt
ions. As the water flows through the resin tank the salt ions (typically
sodium) are exchanged for the calcium or magnesium ions. This lowers
the concentration of the minerals that cause scale and therefore inhibits
scale formation.
Chemical Addition
A second method used to control hard water scale is the addition of
chemicals (such as phosphates) to the water. These materials
chemically alter the scaling characteristics of the calcium or magnesium,
allowing the concentration of the minerals to stay the same while still
reducing scale formation and its affects.
Both of the above methods require the use of consumable materials to
change the makeup of the water. For these devices to function properly,
the homeowner must continuously replenish the salts or chemicals as
well as perform periodic maintenance on the equipment. In addition to
these inconveniences, the chemicals and salts discharged into the
effluent water present problems downstream to the municipal water
treatment facility and the environment. Many U.S. cities have been
enacting and/or evaluating environmental legislation to limit or reduce the
levels of chemicals or salts that result from these types of water
treatment methods.
Electric Potential
A third method used to treat the hard water problems associated with
scale utilizes changes in electrical potential in the water to produce the
affects of chemical addition. The electric potential applied changes the
scaling characteristics of the calcium or magnesium without the removal
of these ions or the addition of chemicals.
Magnets
Bar magnets were the first types of equipment used to generate
electric potential changes in water. Bar magnets have been used
with limited success to inhibit scale formation. The fixed magnetic
field of a bar magnet creates electric potential changes in the water
Page 9
only when the water moves through the magnetic field.
Electromagnets function in much the same way as bar magnets, but
the magnetic field is created by passing a current through a coil,
essentially creating a more powerful fixed magnetic field. Inherently,
fixed magnetic fields are limited to a narrow range of applications,
pipe sizes and water flow rates.
Permanent bar magnets and electromagnets have been promoted as
a method of “treating” hard water, but they do not treat the vast and
complex array of mineral contents and concentrations found in water.
Particles can also build up inside the pipe where the magnet is placed,
eventually causing blockage at the very point it is supposed to be
doing its job.
Electrostatic Devices
Electrostatic devices create an electric potential in the water between
two electrodes. One electrode is mounted in the water stream in the
center of the pipe housing, while the pipe itself acts as the other
electrode. The device applies a voltage across the two electrodes to
create the electric potential in the water. This electrostatic approach
was an improvement upon the bar magnets and electromagnets, but
increased the initial cost considerably while not dramatically
improving the range of effective conditions.
C
LEARWAVE™
The ClearWave™ water conditioning system operates on similar
principles as the magnets and electrostatic devices. But unlike those
previously mentioned, the ClearWave™ uses microprocessor
technology to electronically generate inaudible wave-forms which
help keep calcium carbonate particles (scale) dissolved or
suspended in water. With ClearWave™, the electric field generated
is always being applied to the water, while a magnetic field relies on
the movement of water to produce the electric potential changes.
Low frequency waveforms are emitted through two coiled wires
attached to the outside of the water pipe. As a result of these
waveforms, the two coils are constantly inducing a voltage into the
water in the area of the ClearWave™. When one coil induces a
positive voltage the other coil induces a counteracting negative
voltage. This electric field causes the calcium or magnesium to
remain in solution or suspension and the treated water continues to
dissolve scale as it flows downstream. Over time, the ClearWave™
treated water helps solve hard water problems in the entire system,
including pipes, water heaters, showerheads, and appliances. The
ClearWave™ is the state-of-the-art in electronic water conditioning.
The ClearWave™ microprocessor-controlled technology continually
varies its frequency, affecting the widest range of mineral
concentrations and other variables that cause “hard water” problems.
Page 10
The length of time required to alter the characteristics of the lime
scale is dependent on the mineral makeup of the water being
treated. The mineral makeup of the water can impact the operation
of the ClearWave™’s electrical field. A high concentration of iron
(soluble and insoluble) causes a disruption and weakening of the
electrical field, reducing the effectiveness on scale reduction. Under
these conditions an iron removal system is required to filter out the
iron prior the ClearWave™. Additionally, if the water is excessively
hard (greater than 25 grains), the ClearWave™ is often less
effective. See the water hardness section in “Before you install”.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
H
OW IT WORKS
1. Q. Will the ClearWave™ reduce the amount of calcium in my
water?
A. No. The ClearWave™ does not add or take away anything from
your water. If you perform a water hardness test, you will notice
no change in the calcium content (hardness).
2. Q. What does the ClearWave™ do? How does it work?
A. The problem with hard water is that calcium carbonate particles
cause a hard scale that clogs pipes, adheres to fixtures, and
forms on anything submersed in the water, such as heating
elements. The ClearWave™ uses microprocessor technology to
electronically generate inaudible waveforms which help keep
calcium carbonate particles (scale) dissolved or suspended in
water. The low frequency waveforms are emitted through two
coiled wires attached to the outside of the water pipe. As a result
of these waveforms, the two coils are constantly inducing a
voltage into the water in the area of the ClearWave™. When one
coil induces a positive voltage the other coil induces a
counteracting negative voltage. This electric field causes the
calcium or magnesium to remain in solution or suspension and
the treated water continues to dissolve scale as it flows
downstream. Over time, the ClearWave™ treated water helps
solve hard water problems in the entire system, including pipes,
water heaters, showerheads, and appliances.
3. Q. Is the ClearWave™ effective in extremely hard water
conditions?
A. The ClearWave™ works effectively in water with hardness as
high as 25 grains or 425 ppm. If your water is harder than this,
we recommend you use a traditional salt softener in conjunction
with the ClearWave™. Mount the ClearWave™ prior to the
softener for best results.
Page 11
COST/GUARANTEE
1. Q. What is the cost of the ClearWave™ for a home?
A. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of The ClearWave™ is
$216 U.S.
2. Q. How long will The ClearWave™ last?
A. There are many factors that can affect the life expectancy of the
ClearWave™, including excessive humidity, surges in electric
service, acts of God (lightening, flooding, etc.). The ClearWave™
is designed to operate continuously for over 10 years under
normal operating conditions. We warranty the ClearWave™ for
three years from date of purchase and will replace any unit that
fails during that time.
U
SAGE
1. Q. How many ClearWave™ units do I need for my home and
what is the maximum pipe size it can be used on?
A. One ClearWave™ will satisfy the requirements of most homes,
since most homes have water mains of 1 inch or less. If your
main water supply is larger than 1” but less than 1.5”, then two
ClearWave™s™ installed side by side are recommended.
2. Q. How many ClearWave™ models are there and which do I
need?
A. There is one ClearWave™ model available to consumers for
residential use, the CW-1. The ClearWave™-HD series is
available for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
The ClearWave™-HD can be purchased only at heating and
plumbing wholesalers and must be installed by a qualified
professional contractor.
3. Q. What are the advantages of owning the ClearWave™ over
other electronic or magnetic conditioners?
A. The ClearWave™ is the state-of-the-art in electronic water
conditioning. The ClearWave™ microprocessor-controlled
technology continually fluctuates among 200 different
frequencies, affecting the widest range of mineral concentrations
and other variables that cause “hard water” problems. It does not
affect iron particles.
NOTE: Permanent bar magnets have been promoted as a method of
“treating” hard water, but they do not treat the vast and complex
array of mineral contents and concentrations found in water.
Particles can also build up inside the pipe where the magnet is
placed, eventually causing blockage at the very point it is supposed
to be doing its job.
Page 12
4. Q. Will the ClearWave™ affect my water pressure?
A. Many customers have noticed a substantial improvement in
water flow due to the de-scaling effect of the plumbing system.
This is especially true with customers who have well pumps,
where pressure changes are more significant and noticeable.
5. Q. Does the ClearWave™ affect iron particles in water?
A. No. If iron content is high enough (above .30 ppm), then an iron
filter is recommended prior to the ClearWave™. One solution is
the Automatic Backwash Iron/Sulfur filter sold by McMaster-Carr.
Their phone # is 1-404-346-7000 and ask for part number
9843K13. It sells for about $325.
P
LACEMENT
1. Q. Is the performance of the ClearWave™ affected by the
direction of the water flow?
A. No.
2. Q. Where, physically, do I install The ClearWave™?
A. On the main incoming water line before it splits to the water
heater or other pipe branches- preferably indoors. If you must
install the unit outside, make sure you mount the ClearWave™ in
a waterproof enclosure.
3. Q. Can the ClearWave™ be mounted vertically?
A. Yes. It can be mounted horizontally, vertically, even diagonally. It
is not affected by orientation.
4. Q. Can the ClearWave™ be used on plastic pipe?
A. Yes. The ClearWave™ can be used effectively on any type of
water pipe; galvanized, copper or plastic.
5. Q. Does the ClearWave™ need to be installed on the pipe?
A. No. If the unit cannot be installed directly on the pipe, then we
suggest mounting the unit on the wall and wrapping the
antennae around the pipe. All that needs to touch the pipe is the
antennae. Be sure to obtain the minimum of seven wraps per
antenna.
6. Q. When I move, can I take The ClearWave™ with me?
A. Yes. Since there is no plumbing involved with the installation of
The ClearWave™, removal is as easy as unwrapping the
antennae and unplugging the unit.
Page 13
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT CLEARWAVE™
“I would like you to know I have never
been so impressed with a new product
in my life…We live in Willamette Valley
next to a river an have fought calcium
build up and water spots for 45 years.
Now the problem is no more.”
H. Crawford, Corvaillis, OR
"We can already notice miracles in our hard
water...Also, I have friends that are
interested in the ClearWave™ conditioner."
G. White, Spokane, WA
"I am the grateful owner of one of
your ClearWave™ water conditioners.
It has performed 100%. The scale
build up around the faucets has almost
disappeared, I use less soap, and there
is no longer the need to lug those
heavy salt bags around. We rate
ClearWave™ four stars ****!"
R.O. Hutton, North Haledon, NJ
"The amount of soap and shampoo we
use has been reduced substantially, and
our scale problems are disappearing. I
would highly recommend it to anyone
who has hard water problems."
R. Kissinger, Treasure Island, FL
"Not only have we
substantially improved the
quality of the water, but we
have saved the cost of
several bags of salt. I am
impressed!"
S.Germain, Foxboro,
ON, Canada
"I am writing in regards to having a
distributorship or an account to sell your
ClearWave™ product in Las Vegas. Due to
the very hard water here I feel your product
would be very marketable. I have installed
two of the ClearWave™ water conditioners
in Las Vegas with total customer
satisfaction."
K. Root, Las Vegas, NV
Page 14
“We immediately noticed a difference
in our water. It has been about 10
days, and our skin seems smooth,
suds seem suddsier, but best of all
my hair is fuller and easier to style.
Heretofore impossible stains are
gone from wash cloths. Your product
has surpassed our expectations."
B. Hughes, Pittsburgh, PA
"Within two weeks, the scale was
softening in the humidifier and on the
faucets. I have had the product for
about a month or so, and I am amazed
at what it does."
S. Grumbach, Flemington, NJ
CLEARWAVE ™ WARRANTY REGISTRATION
Please take a minute to fill out and mail this registration form to our
customer service department today. Place in stamped envelope and mail
to: Field Controls, L.L.C., 2630 Airport Road, Kinston, NC 28504
CClleeaarrWWaavvee™
™ Warranty Registration
Name: ________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
City: _______________ State: _____________ Zip Code: _______
Phone#: __________________ Fax#________________________
1. Grains if Known.
2. ppm’s if Known.
3. Do you have iron present
in your water?
4. Had you installed an Iron
filter prior to purchasing the
ClearWave™?
5. Where did you purchase
the ClearWave™?
6. Date purchased.
7. Mfg. date code.
HARDNESS
LEVEL
CHECK ONE
Light:
1-3 grains
17-51 ppm
Moderate:
4-6 grains
52-102 ppm
Hard:
7-10 grains
103-170
ppm
Very Hard:
10 grains &
above
170 ppm &
above
9
Light
YES
NO
YES
NO
If Yes, circle
one
ppm’s if
Known
Moderate
Heavy
Very
Heavy
Briefly describe any current water
problems; scale build up, odor, taste,
staining, etc….
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
(ppm-Parts Per Million)
Page 15
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