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

Models:

Owner’s Manual

AWP-SE1 and AWP-SE2 Series

Water Conditioners

425 Clair Rd. W, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1L 1R1

t. (+1) 519.763.1032 • tf. 1.800.265.7246 (US and Canada only)

t. [phone] (Europe only) • f. (+1) 519.763.5069

e-mail: [e-mail]

www.viqua.com

520128_RevH

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

General Information 3

Installation 5

Operation 7

Troubleshooting 12

Replacement Parts 14

Specifications 26

Quick Reference Guide 27

Manufacturer’s Warranty 28

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 VIQUA Impression series water conditioners and backwashing filters 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.

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Section 1 General Information

1.1 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 12 days), and Time of Regeneration (preset to 2 a.m.,
refer to Section 3.2)

• Read Normal Operating Displays

• Set Time of Day

• Read Power Loss and Error Display

For the homeowner, refer to Section 3.2.

1.1.1 Impression Series Water Softeners

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

Days Remaining is an optional display but is not normally used. Each of these can be viewed by pressing
through them. When stepping through any programming, if there aren’t any buttons 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

2. Press and hold the

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

REGEN button for three seconds until a regeneration begins.

General Information

NEXT to scroll

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

1.2 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
lubricating EPDM to help prevent valve seizing after long periods of non-use. Internal O-rings can easily be replaced if
service is required.

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. 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. Refer to 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. Refer to Figure 2.

®

and the nuts and caps are glass filled polypropylene. All seals are self-

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General Information

Treated water
exits

Supply water
enters

Supply water
exits

Supply water
enters

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. Refer to 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. Refer to Figure 4. (i.e. a plumbing cross-connection somewhere in the building).

Supply water
exits

Figure 1 Normal Operation Position Figure 2 Bypass Position

No water
exits

Supply water
enters

Supply water is shut off
from the house and
the valve

4

Figure 3 Diagnostic Position Figure 4 Shut Off Position

Section 2 Installation

• Avoid inhalation of media dust or exposure to eyes and skin. Read Safety Data Sheets carefully. Safety Data Sheets are available at www.viqua.com.

Disposal of this product, its solutions and/or byproducts should at all times comply with the requirements of environmental protection and waste
disposal legislation and regional laws. This product has no known significant effects or critical hazards when used under normal operation.

• Always shut-off water flow and release water pressure before servicing.

• Changes or modifications made to this system without the consent of the manufacturer could render the system unsafe for operation and may void

the manufacturer's warranty.

• 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
connection at the control valve, and on the threads for the drain line connection. Teflon
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.

• If you are required to fill the media, refer to the media fill instruction sheet.

Site Requirements:

• Water pressure - 25-100 psi

• Water temperature - 0.5-37.7 ºC (33-100 ºF)

• Electrical - 115/120V, 60Hz uninterrupted outlet

• The tank should be on a firm level surface

• Current draw is 0.5 amperes

• The plug-in transformer is for dry locations only

WARNING

®

tape must be used on the threads of the 1” NPT inlet and outlet, the brine line

®

tape is not used on the nut connections or caps because O-

Installation

TIME OF DAY

PM

2:00

TIME OF DAY

PM

2:00

00

00

Figure 5 Well Water Installation Figure 6 Municipal Water Installation

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

2. As 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 ºC (33 ºF).

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Installation

5. Inlet/Outlet Plumbing: 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 in Section 5.10. 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. Drain Line: Make sure that the drain handles 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. Brine Tank Connection: Install the 3/8” O.D. polyethylene tube from the Refill Elbow to the Brine Valve in the brine
tank.

8. Overflow Line Connection: 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.

2.1 Conditioning of Media

To flush any remaining debris and air from the system again:

1. Fully open a cold water faucet, preferably at a laundry sink or bathtub without an aerator.

2. Wait two or three minutes or until water runs clear, then turn water off.

3. Turn on hot water and check for air, then turn water off after air is discharged.

2.2 Sanitizing of unit upon installation and after service

At this time, it is advised to sanitize the softener:

1. Open brine tank and remove brine well cover.

2. Pour 1 oz. of household bleach into the brine well.

Note: Avoid pouring bleach directly onto the safety float components in the brine well.

3. Replace brine well cover.

Unit sanitizing will be complete when the first cycle is run and the bleach is flushed from the unit.

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Section 3 Operation

1

• Press SET CLOCK.

2

• For Current Time (hour), set
the hour of the day using + or
– buttons. “AM/PM” toggles
after 12.

• Press

NEXT.

3

• For Current Time (minutes),

set the minutes using + or –
buttons. If it is desired to back
up to the previous step press

REGEN button once.

• Press

NEXT.

4

• For Current Day, set the day

of the week using + or –
buttons. If it is desired to back
up to the previous step press

REGEN button once.

• Pressing

NEXT will exit SET

CLOCK and return to the

general operating display.

1

• Press NEXT and +

simultaneously for 3 seconds.

2

WATER HARDNESS

SET

20

GR

• 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.

3

NEXT or press REGEN to return to the previous step.

Note: 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.

3.1 Programming Procedures

3.1.1 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.

Procedure:

Operation

RETURN TO
GENERAL
DISPLAY

3.1.2 Programming

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

Procedure:

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Operation

4

• Regeneration hours: Press NEXT or press REGEN to
return to the previous step.

Note: 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).

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• Set the regeneration minutes using + or – buttons.

• Press

NEXT.

• 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 re generation cycles by
pressing

REGEN.

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• Turn the alarm OFF or ON using + or - buttons.

• Press

NEXT to exit installer programming.

Note: 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.

Current “TIME OF DAY” and “GPM”

FLOW RATE is the current treated
water flow rate through the system
measured in GPM.

CAPACITY REMAINING is the
gallons that will be treated before the
system signals a regeneration cycle.

DAYS TO A REGEN is the number
of days left before the system goes
through a regeneration cycle, based
on the days override value.

3.2 Displays and Instructions

3.2.1 General Operation

When the system is operating, one of four following displays may be shown. Pressing NEXT will toggle between the
displays.

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.

3.2.2 Regeneration Mode

Typically a system is set to regenerate at a time of no water usage. If there is a demand for water when the system is
regenerating, untreated water will be delivered. When the system begins to regenerate, the display will change to include

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information about the step of the regeneration process and the time remaining for that step to be completed. The system
runs through the steps automatically and will reset itself to provide treated water when the regeneration has been
completed.

3.2.3 Manual Regeneration

Sometimes there is a need to regenerate before the control valve calls for it. This may be needed if a period of heavy
water use is anticipated or when the system has been operated without salt.

1. To initiate a manual regeneration at the next preset regeneration time, press and release
will flash on the display to indicate that the system will regenerate at the next regeneration time (set in Section 3.1.2,
steps 4 and 5). If

2. To initiate a manual regeneration immediately, press and hold the
begin to regenerate immediately. This command cannot be cancelled.

Note: “REGEN TODAY” and “TIME OF DAY” will flash alternately if a regeneration is expected tonight.

Once a manual regeneration is initiated, the unit will go into the “BACKWASH” position, followed by the steps listed in

Section 3.3. During this sequence the water softener will deliver water, but it will be untreated.

REGEN button is pressed by mistake, press the same button again to cancel the command.

3.2.4 Power Loss and Battery Replacement

The AC transformer comes with a 15 foot power cord and is designed for use with the control valve; the transformer
should only be used in a dry location.

Operation

REGEN. “REGEN TODAY”

REGEN button for three seconds. The system will

In the event of a power outage, the control valve will remember all settings and time of day. If an extended power outage
occurs, the control valve will keep time of day until the battery is depleted. When the battery becomes depleted, the only
item that needs to be reset is the time of day and will be indicated by the time of day flashing. All other settings are
permanently stored in the nonvolatile memory.

If a power loss occurs and the time of day flashes, this indicates that the battery is depleted. The time of day should be
reset and the non rechargeable battery should be replaced. The battery is a 3 Volt lithium coin cell type 2032 and is
readily available at most stores. To access battery location, remove front cover, refer to Section 5.1.

3.2.5 Check Salt Indicator and Audible Alarm

This control valve is equipped with a Low Salt Warning to alert homeowners that the system is operating in a low salt
condition. This usually indicates that the salt level in the brine tank is too low to operate properly. If “CHECK SALT”
appears on the screen, there will usually be an audible alarm that sounds also (if turned on), alerting you to these
conditions.

To turn o f f ala r m : If the audible alarm sounds due to a low salt condition, press any button on the face of the control
valve to turn off. If salt is not added to the brine tank before the next regeneration, the “CHECK SALT” indicator will alarm
again.

Note: If you feel that the salt level is adequate (at least 1/3 full) in the brine tank, please contact the dealer that installed
your system for service.

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