Viqua AWP-SE1 series, AWP-SE2 series Owner's Manual

Installation, Operation and Maintenance

Owner’s Manual

Assembled in Canada by:

425 Clair Road West, Guelph, ON N1L 1R1 Canada

t. 519 763 1032 t.f. 1 800 265 7246 f. 519 763 5069
e. [e-mail] i. www.viqua.com

AWP-SE1 & AWP-SE2 Series

Water Conditioners

EPA# 57987-CN-001

January 2010

P/N 520128

Table of Contents:

Pre-installation Instructions for Dealers 1
Bypass Valve 1-2
Installation 3-4
Programming Procedures 5-6
Operating Displays and Instructions 6-8
Start-up Instructions 8-9
Water Conditioner Flow Diagrams 10-11
Troubleshooting Guide 12-13
Warranty 13
Replacement Parts 14-20
Installation Fitting Assemblies 21-22
Specifications 23
Quick Reference Guide 24

YOUR WATER TEST

Hardness gpg
Iron ppm
pH number
*Nitrates ppm
Manganese ppm
Sulphur yes/no
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

*Over 10 ppm (expressed as Nitrogen) may be harmful for
human consumption. AWP water conditioners do not remove
nitrates or coliform bacteria, this requires specialized equipment.

Your Advanced Water Products Sanitizer series water conditioners are precision built high quality
products. These units will deliver conditioned water for many years to come, when installed and
operated properly. Please study this manual carefully and understand the cautions and notes before
installing. This manual should be kept for future reference. If you have any questions regarding your
water conditioner, contact your local dealer or VIQUA at the following:

VIQUA - A Trojan Tehnologies Company
425 Clair Road West, Guelph, ON N1L 1R1 Canada
t. 519 763 1032 t.f. 1 800 265 7246 f. 519 763 5069
e. [e-mail] i. www.viqua.com

Pre-installation Instructions for Dealers:

The manufacturer has preset the water treatment unit’s sequence of cycles, cycle times, salt dose, exchange
capacity and salt dose refill time.

The dealer should read this page and guide the installer regarding hardness, day override, and time of
regeneration, before installation:

For the installer, the following must be used:

• Program Installer Settings ... Hardness, Day Override (preset to 6 days), and Time of
Regeneration (preset to 2 a.m., see Operating Displays and Instructions for more details)

• Read Normal Operating Displays

• Set Time of Day

• Read Power Loss & Error Display

For the homeowner, please read operating displays and instructions.

SANITIZER WATER CONDITIONERS:

During operation, the normal user display is time of day and gallons per minute.

Flow Rate, Capacity Remaining and Days to a Regeneration are optional displays but are not normally

used. Each of these can be viewed by pressing next to scroll through them. When stepping through any
programming, if there aren’t any buttons are pressed within 5 minutes, the display returns to a normal user
display. Any changes made prior to the 5 minute time out are incorporated.

To quickly exit any Programming, Installer Settings, etc., press set clock. Any changes made prior to
the exit are incorporated. If desired, two regenerations within 24 hours are possible with a return to
the preset program. To do a double regeneration:

1. Press the regen button once. “REGEN TODAY” will flash on the display.

2. Press and hold the regen button for three seconds until a regeneration begins

Once the valve has completed the immediate regeneration, the valve will regenerate one more time
at the preset

Bypass Valve:

The bypass valve is typically used to isolate the control valve from the plumbing system’s water pressure
in order to perform control valve repairs or maintenance. The 1” full flow bypass valve incorporates four
positions including a diagnostic position that allows a service technician to have pressure to test a system
while providing untreated bypass water to the building. Be sure to install bypass valve onto main control valve,
before beginning plumbing. Or, make provisions in the plumbing system for a bypass.

The bypass body and rotors are glass filled Noryl
All seals are self-lubricating EPDM to help prevent valve seizing after long periods of non-use. Internal
o-rings can easily be replaced if service is required.

®

and the nuts and caps are glass filled polypropylene.

The bypass consists of two interchangeable plug valves that are operated independently by red arrow shaped
handles. The handles identify the direction of flow. The plug valves enable the bypass valve to operate in four
positions.

1

1. Normal Operation Position: The inlet and outlet handles point in the direction of flow indicated by the
engraved arrows on the control valve. Water flows through the control valve for normal operation of a water
softener or filter. During the regeneration cycle this position provides regeneration water to the unit, while
also providing untreated water to the distribution system (figure 1).

2. Bypass Position: The inlet and outlet handles point to the center of the bypass. The system is isolated from
the water pressure in the plumbing system. Untreated water is supplied to the building (figure 2).

3. Diagnostic Position: The inlet handle points toward the control valve and the outlet handle points to the
center of bypass valve. Untreated supply water is allowed to flow to the system and to the building, while
not allowing water to exit from the system to the building (figure 3). This allows the service technician to
draw brine and perform other tests without the test water going to the building.
NOTE: The system must be rinsed before returning the bypass valve to the normal position.

4. Shut Off Position: The inlet handle points to the center of the bypass valve and the outlet handle points
away from the control valve. The water is shut off to the building. The water treatment system will
depressurize upon opening a tap in the building. A negative pressure in the building combined with the
softener being in regeneration could cause a siphoning of brine into the building. If water is available on the
outlet side of the softener or filter it is an indication of water bypassing the system (figure 4) (i.e. a plumbing
cross-connection somewhere in the building).

NORMAL OPERATION POSITION

Figure 1

DIAGNOSTIC POSITION

BYPASS POSITION

Figure 2

SHUT OFF POSITION

Figure 3

Figure 4

2

Installation:

GENERAL INSTALLATION & SERVICE WARNINGS:

The control valve, fittings and/or bypass are designed to accommodate minor plumbing misalignments. There
is a small amount of “give” to properly connect the piping but the water softener is not designed to support
the weight of the plumbing.

Do not use Vaseline, oils, other hydrocarbon lubricants or spray silicone anywhere. A silicone lubricant may be
used on black o-rings, but is not necessary. Avoid any type of lubricants, including silicone, on red or clear

lip seals.

Do not use pipe dope or other sealants on threads. Teflon® tape must be used on the threads of the

1” NPT inlet and outlet, the brine line connection at the control valve, and on the threads for the drain line
connection. Teflon® tape is not used on the nut connections or caps because o-ring seals are used. The nuts
and caps are designed to be unscrewed or tightened by hand or with the special plastic Service Wrench,
#CV3193-01. If necessary pliers can be used to unscrew the nut or cap. Do not use a pipe wrench to tighten
nuts or caps. Do not place screwdriver in slots on caps and/or tap with a hammer.

SITE REQUIREMENTS:

• water pressure - 25-100 psi • current draw is 0.5 amperes

• water temperature - 0.5-37.7˚C (33-100˚F) • the plug-in transformer is for dry

• electrical - 115/120V, 60Hz uninterrupted outlet locations only

• the tank should be on a firm level surface

WELL WATER INSTALLATION MUNICIPAL WATER INSTALLATION

1. The distance between the drain and the water conditioner should be as short as possible.

2. Since salt must be periodically added to the brine tank, it should be located where it is easily accessible.

3. Do not install any water conditioner with less than 10 feet of piping between its outlet and the inlet
of a water heater.

4. Do not locate unit where it or its connections (including the drain and overflow lines) will ever be
subjected to room temperatures under 0.5˚ C (33° F).

3

5. Be sure to install Bypass Valve onto main control valve before beginning plumbing. Make provisions to
bypass outside hydrant and cold hard water lines at this time. Install an inlet shutoff valve and plumb to
the unit’s bypass valve inlet located at the right rear as you face the unit. There are a variety of installation
fittings available. They are listed under Installation Fitting Assemblies, page 21. When assembling the
installation fitting package (inlet and outlet), connect the fitting to the plumbing system first and then attach
the nut, split ring and o-ring. Heat from soldering or solvent cements may damage the nut, split ring or
o-ring. Solder joints should be cool and solvent cements should be set before installing the nut, split ring
and o-ring. Avoid getting solder flux, primer, and solvent cement on any part of the o-rings, split rings,
bypass valve or control valve. If the building’s electrical system is grounded to the plumbing, install a copper
grounding strap from the inlet to the outlet pipe. Plumbing must be done in accordance with all applicable
local codes.

6. First, be sure that the drain can handle the backwash rate of the system. Solder joints near the drain must
be done prior to connecting the drain line flow control fitting. Leave at least 6” between the drain line flow
control fitting and solder joints. Failure to do this could cause interior damage to the flow control. Install a
1/2” I.D. flexible plastic tube to the Drain Line Assembly or discard the tubing nut and use the 3/4” NPT
fitting for rigid pipe (recommended). If the backwash rate is greater than 7 gpm, use a 3/4” drain line.
Where the drain line is elevated but empties into a drain below the level of the control valve, form a 7”
loop at the discharge end of the line so that the bottom of the loop is level with the drain connection on
the control valve. This will provide an adequate anti-siphon trap. Piping the drain line overhead <10 ft is
normally not a problem. Be sure adequate pressure is available (40-60 psi is recommended). Where the
drain empties into an overhead sewer line, a sink-type trap must be used. Run drain tube to its discharge
point in accordance with plumbing codes. Pay special attention to codes for air gaps and anti-siphon
devices.

NOTE: Drain line nut will not be supplied for units having a backwash rate greater than 7 gpm.

7. Install the 3/8” O.D. polyethylene tube from the Refill Elbow to the Brine Valve in the brine tank.

8. An overflow drain line is recommended where a brine overflow could

damage furnishings or the building structure. Your softener is equipped with a brine tank safety float
which greatly reduces the chance of an accidental brine overflow. In the event of a malfunction, however,
an overflow line connection will direct the “overflow” to the drain instead of spilling on the floor where it
could cause considerable damage. This fitting is an elbow on the side of the brine tank. Attach a length
of 1/2” I.D. tubing to fitting and run to drain. Do not elevate overflow line higher than 3” below bottom of
overflow fitting. Do not “tie” this tube into the drain line of the control valve. Overflow line must be
a direct, separate line from overflow fitting to drain, sewer, or tub. Allow an air gap as per the drain line
instructions.

Caution: Never insert a drain line into a drain, sewer line, or trap.
Always allow an air gap between the drain line and the wastewater
to prevent the possibility of sewage being back-siphoned into the
conditioner.

4

Programming Procedures:

1. Set Time of Day:

Time of day should only need to be set after extended power outages or when daylight saving time begins or
ends. If an extended power outage occurs, the time of day will flash on and off indicating that the time should
be reset.

STEP 1 – Press set clock.
STEP 2 – Current Time (hour): Set the hour of the day using + or – buttons. “AM/PM” toggles
after 12. Press next to go to step 3.
STEP 3 – Current Time (minutes): Set the minutes using
up to the previous step press

regen button once. Press next to go to step 4.

STEP 4 – Current Day: Set the day of the week using + or – buttons. Pressing next will exit
set clock and return to the general operating display.

+ or – buttons. If it is desired to back

1

3

2

4

RETURN TO

GENERAL DISPLAY

2. Programming:

NOTE: The manufacturer has preset the unit so that the gallons between regenerations will be automatically
calculated after the hardness is entered.

STEP 1 – Press

next and + simultaneously for 3 seconds.

STEP 2 – Hardness: Set the amount of hardness in grains per gallon (default 20) using the + or –
buttons. The allowable range is from 1 to 150 in 1 grain increments.
STEP 3 – Days Between Regeneration (Day Override): The manufacturer has factory
set 6 DAYS as the default. This is the maximum number of days between regenerations.
If this is set to “OFF”, regeneration initiation is based solely on gallons used. If any number
is set (allowable range from 1 to 28), a regeneration initiation will be called for on that
day even if a sufficient number of gallons were not used to call for a regeneration.
Set Day Override using + or – buttons (6 is recommended):

• set number of days between regeneration (1 to 28); or

• set to “OFF”

Press next to go to step 4. Press regen if you need to return to the previous step.

1 2 3

WATER HARDNESS

SET

5

20

GR

STEP 4 – Regeneration Hour: The manufacturer has factory set 2:00 A.M. as the default. This
is the hour of day for regeneration and can be reset by using + or – buttons. “AM/PM”
toggles after 12. The default time is 2:00 a.m. (recommended for a normal household).
Press next to go to step 5. Press regen if you need to return to the previous step.
STEP 5 – Regeneration Minutes: Set the minutes using + or – buttons. Press next to
go to step 6. Press

regen to return to previous step. To initiate an immediate manual

regeneration, press and hold the regen button for three seconds. The system will begin
to regenerate immediately. The control may be manually stepped through the regeneration
cycles by pressing

regen.

STEP 6 – Alarm Buzzer: The manufacturer has factory set ON as the default. Alarm will sound
immediately after regeneration if there is no salt or if another error has occurred. Turn the
alarm OFF or ON using

+ or – buttons. Press next to exit installer programming.

4 5 6

RETURN TO

GENERAL DISPLAY

Operating Displays and Instructions:

1. General Operation: When the system is operating, one of four displays may be shown. Pressing next will

alternate between the displays.

1. Current “TIME OF DAY” and “GPM”

2. “FLOW RATE” which is the current treated water flow rate through the system measured in GPM

(gallons per minute).

3. “CAPACITY REMAINING” which is the gallons that will be treated before the system signals a

regeneration cycle.

4. “DAYS TO A REGEN” is the number of days left before the system goes through a regeneration

cycle, based on the days override value.
If the system has called for a regeneration that will occur at the preset time of regeneration, the words
“REGEN TODAY” will appear on the display.

If a water meter is installed, “GPM” flashes on the display when water is being treated, indicating gallons per
minute going through the system.

The user can scroll between the displays as desired:

1

2

3

4

6