WaterBoss Water Softener and Water Filter
Installation and Service Manual

Water Softeners: WaterBoss^® - cityBoss^® - BigBoss^®
Water Filters: Iron Filter - Carbon Filter - Acid Neutralizing Filter
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Congratulations on your decision to place your confidence in a superior WaterBoss^® water treatment appliance.

Recognized worldwide for built-in quality, dependability, and ease of service, WaterBoss^® appliances represent state-of-the-art in home water treatment. Important information is contained in this manual which will help you get the maximum benefit and enjoyment from your particular model.

We urge you to read this information carefully now and any time a malfunction may occur. In most cases, these reviews will uncover minor problems that you can correct yourself, thereby saving you time.

How To Get The Maximum Efficiency From Your Water Softener
CAUTION: If you have purchased the WaterBoss^® Iron Filter, (Model 97WB-IF) do not add salt to the cabinet as shown on page 9 of the full owner's manual. Follow the instructions for the iron filter on page 36 of this manual. If you have purchased the 97WB-CF or 97WB-ANF, these are “backwash only” appliances. Do not add water, salt or any other type of regenerant. Refer to start-up procedures for these models on pages 35 and 37. Click here to view the Full PDF Version of this owner's manual.

1. Fill salt cabinet when water level is above salt level. DO NOT MIX DIFFERENT TYPES OF SALT. If iron is present in your water, use a salt with an iron-cleaning additive to help keep resin clean. You may also use a resin cleaner on a monthly basis in place of salt with cleaning additives. If iron is not present in your water, a clean pellet, solar or cube type salt is recommended. The use of rock salt is not recommended because it contains impurities that can plug up the injector assembly.

2. You may use a salt substitute (such as potassium chloride) in place of water conditioner salt. If you start with water conditioner salt, you can switch to a salt substitute at any time - or vice versa. If potassium chloride is used in place of nugget or pellet salt, increase your hardness setting by 12% (multiply by 1.12). Do not use Potassium Chloride if there is iron in your water.

3. Should your electricity be turned off for any reason you must reset the time of day if you programmed your appliance for delayed regeneration.* (see page 16)

4. Protect your system from freezing, including drain line.

5. By-pass the appliance when servicing the well, plumbing, or pump. When work is completed, turn on the nearest cold water tap until water runs clear before putting appliance back in service. See figures 4 - 5 - 6.

* Excludes cityBoss^® model.

Checklist Before Installation of Your Water Softener or Water Filter
1. Water Pressure - Not less than 20 psi constant for WaterBoss^®, BigBoss^®, cityBoss^® water softeners. Not less than 30 psi for WaterBoss^® IRON, CARBON AND ACID NEUTRALIZING FILTERS.

2. Double check hardness - of water with test strips provided to verify that your WaterBoss^® is the right water softener or filter for the job.
cityBoss^® FOR MUNICIPALLY-SUPPLIED WATER is for water without iron and up to 25 grains of hardness per gallon.
WaterBoss^® for up to 70 grains hardness per gallon.
BigBoss^® for up to 90 grains hardness per gallon. (See specifications, page 40.)

3. Water Supply Flow Rate - 5 gallons per minute is recommended as minimum.

4. Drain - Drain appliance to floor drain or washer drain. To prevent back-siphoning, the installer must provide an adequate air gap or a siphon break. See figure 1.

5. Electricity - The transformer supplied is a standard 120 volt, 60 cycle A.C. for USA or 220 volt, 50 cycle A.C. for outside the USA. See figure 8.

6. Water Quality - If the water supply contains sulfur, bacteria, iron bacteria, tannins, algae, oil, acid or other unusual substances, then unless the system is represented as being capable of treating these contaminates in the specifications, other special treatment of the water supply must be used to remove these contaminates before they enter the water softener or filter.

Do’s And Don’ts
SOME DO'S
1. Do comply with all local plumbing and electrical codes.
2. Do install pressure-reducing valve if inlet pressure exceeds 90 psi.
3. Do install gravity drain on salt storage cabinet. See figure 7.
4. Do secure drain line on appliance and at drain outlet. See figure 3.
5. Do allow a minimum of 8 to 10 feet of 3/4” pipe from the outlet of the water conditioner to the inlet of the water heater. See figure 1.

SOME DON’TS
1. Do not install if checklist items are not satisfactory.
2. Do not install if incoming or outlet piping water temperature exceeds
120 degrees Fahrenheit; 80 degrees for Iron Filter. Please see specification on pages 40-41.
3. Do not allow soldering torch heat to be transferred to valve components or
plastic parts.
4. Do not overtighten plastic fittings.
5. Do not place appliance right up against a wall which would deny access to
plumbing. See figure 1.
6. Do not install the appliance backwards. Follow arrows on inlet/outlet. See figure 2.
7. Do not plug the transformer into an outlet that is activated by an on/off switch. See figure 8.
8. Do not connect the drain and the overflow (gravity drain) together.
See figure 1.

Reference Illustrations
Use this diagram as a location and installation guide for your WaterBoss^®, BigBoss^®, and cityBoss^®, water softeners. For additional information on water filter installations please refer to pages 35, 36, and 37 of the full manual. This diagram applies to all types of installations (i.e. basement, slab, crawl space, outside).

Bypass Valves. To simplify installation and servicing, a one-piece or a three way bypass valve system is recommended when installing your appliance. A bypass system also provides access to untreated water when required (i.e. for lawn and gardening purposes.) Also, see figures 4 through 6.

Caution: If less than 10 feet of pipe connect the water treatment appliance(s), to the water heater, then a Check Valve must be installed between the water treatment appliance and the water heater. Install the Check Valve as close to the water heater as possible.

	PLUMBING CONNECTIONS
	CONNECTING DRAIN LINE CAUTION! The drain line must not be kinked, crimped or restricted in any way. The drain line should be 1/2" inside diameter and cannot be reduced in size.

This part may be available through your local hardware store, plumber or call
our HelpLine to order.

PLUGGING IN TRANSFORMER
Do not plug transformer into an outlet
that is controlled by on/off switch.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 10

ADDING SALT TO THE BRINE CABINET
(WaterBoss, BigBoss, and
cityBoss water softeners only)
Refer to page 36 for Iron Filter start-up procedures.

 

 

 

 

Cycles
Water by-passes your water softener during regeneration to allow iron, sediment, hardness, etc. to be washed down the drain. After regeneration, WaterBoss^® returns to service, providing your home with treated water.

Regeneration cycles:
1. First up-flow backwash. A rapid up-flow of water flushes out the resin bed and
cleans the sediment filter.
2. Brine*. Brine is drawn out of the brine cabinet and up through the media tank, cleaning the resin bed and releasing accumulated hardness and iron.
3. Slow rinse*. A slow up-flow rinse process then flushes out the brine, hardness and iron.
4. Second up-flow backwash. This up-flow backwash flushes out any remaining brine solution and sediment from cycle 2.
5. Downflow soft water brine refill. Soft water is directed to the brine cabinet to prepare the brine for the next regeneration sequence.
6. Return to service. Regeneration is complete and the appliance is returned to normal operation.

* Does not include 97WB-CF and 97WB-ANF water filters. These filters backwash only and do not require any regenerant.


All Water Softeners and Filters Are Not Created Equal

Conventional Water Softener Exhaust Pattern.
Much of your resin could be wasted!

Directional Flow Screen Distribution System
Directs flow evenly through bed for most efficient use.

Installation And Start-Up Procedures
Each WaterBoss^® water softener and filter includes two connecting hoses and 8' of drain line.

1. Placement: Place your WaterBoss^® water softener or filter in desired location. Turn off electricity and water supply to water heater. Make sure inlet/outlet and drain connections meet the applicable local codes. Check arrows on valve to be sure water flows in proper direction. See figures 1, 2, & 3.
CAUTION: DO NOT PLUMB APPLIANCE IN BACKWARD.

2. Drain Line: must be a minimum of 1/2"-5/8” I.D. tubing and should make the shortest run to a suitable drain. The drain line may be elevated up to 8 feet from the discharge on the appliance as long as the water pressure in your system is 40 psi or more. If drain line is 25' or longer, increase drain line to 5/8" I.D. Also, the end of the drain line must be equal in height or lower than the control
valve. See figure 1. All overhead drains for filter installations must be 3/4” I.D.

3. Flushing: Before placing your WaterBoss^® appliance in service, it is very important to flush the cold water lines of any debris. Turn on water supply, open the nearest cold water tap and let the water run for 2 to 3 minutes until the water flows clear. Then put the by-pass in the Service position. See figures 4 through 6.

4. Check Leaks. Close faucet and check for leaks. If leaks are found, turn off main water supply and open the nearest cold water faucet to depressurize lines. Close faucet to eliminate siphoning action. Repair leaks. Turn on water supply and electricity to water heater. Place the bypass valve in the Service position. See figure 6.

5. Connect Overflow Line. The overflow line must end at a drain that is at least 3" lower than the bottom of the overflow fitting. It is a gravity line and cannot be run overhead. See figure 7.

6. Complete The Installation. Open a cold water tap and allow the appliance to flush for 20 minutes or until approximately 72 gallons has passed through the appliance per NSF requirements.

7. Plug In Transformer. See figure 8.

8. Setting Number. For WaterBoss^®, BigBoss^®, and cityBoss^® for municipally-supplied water, determine your controller setting number. Do not guess at the setting; continued water quality problems or damage to the unit could result.

Municipal water - call your local water company to determine your water hardness in grains per gallon. This will be your setting number. Or, follow the instructions on the hardness test strip provided with your cityBoss^® to determine your hardness reading. This will be your setting number.

Well water - follow the instructions on the pH and hardness test strips provided with your WaterBoss^® water softener to determine the pH and hardness of your water.
Iron adjustment: if pH is 7 or above and you know your water has iron, add 15 to your hardness reading in grains per gallon and enter the result as your setting #.

Example: hardness in grains per gallon from test strip is 20 + 15 = 35 = setting #. This is a temporary setting until you have an accurate water test.

If the result of your hardness test strip reaches the test maximum of 25 grains per gallon, mix 1 cup tap water with 1 cup distilled water, then retest for hardness. Multiply your reading x 2 and use this number as your setting number. If the test strip result is still 25 grains per gallon, call your HelpLine. Or, contact the company below to test for hardness, iron and pH.

WATERSCREEN
National Testing Laboratories, Inc.
1-800-458-3330 - 9 am - 5 pm EST

If you feel you have an abnormal amount of iron, push the powerClean® button for models WaterBoss^® and BigBoss^® only. Also, be sure to use salt with an iron-cleaning additive. Be aware that cityBoss^® for municipally-supplied water is not designed to treat water with iron. If pH is below 7, refer to acid neutralizing filters, page 41.

9. Adding Water & Salt. Be sure to remove any packaging or installation materials before adding salt. Next, add not more than 2 gallons of water to the brine cabinet. Then add salt to the brine cabinet, wait 2 hours then push the immediate recharge button and hold for 5 seconds. A regeneration cycle will begin and continue as follows: BigBoss^® , 37 minutes; cityBoss^® for municipally-supplied water, 26 minutes; and WaterBoss^®, 26 minutes. After the first regeneration, your softener will automatically refill the correct amount of water in the brine cabinet. See figure 10.

10. Refill Salt when the salt level drops below the water level in the brine cabinet. Always keep salt above water level. See figure 10

CAUTION! Failure to install, operate and maintain your water treatment
system as instructed will VOID the product limited warranty.
NOTE! Make sure the Owner's Limited warranty Card is filled in and mailed
within 30 days of installation. NO POSTAGE REQUIRED.

Setting The 3 Button Controller
DEMAND REGENERATION

You won’t have to worry about vacation settings or extra guests because the controller measures water usage and regenerates based on need. The appliance will regenerate using only the necessary amount of water and salt. If power has been turned off, your appliance will retain programmed settings indefinitely. See figure 9.

1) ENTERING YOUR HARDNESS SETTING
See page 14 for determining your setting number. The water hardness setting number shown in the digital readout will increase 1 grain each time you push the "SET" button. After 70 grains (90 grains for BigBoss^®) the read-out will return to 1, and continue to count up from 1 until the display number matches the hardness number. (See setting conversion chart on page 34 for cityBoss^®) After 5 seconds the display will change to show "gallons remaining (x 100)". To recheck the hardness, touch "SET."

2) GALLONS REMAINING
After setting water hardness, gallons remaining until the next automatic regeneration is shown by the read-out lights. NOTE: Gallons remaining are in hundreds. 12=1,200 gallons

3) RECHARGE/REGENERATION STATUS
Regeneration cycle numbers are shown during regeneration. The read-out will flash with the cycle number. The flashing regeneration numbers are:
(01) First Backwash
(02) Brine/Slow Rinse
(03) Second Backwash
(04) Brine Refill
(05) Service
See pages 11 and 12 for cycle descriptions and illustrations.
To quickly advance through the regeneration cycles, press and hold the Immediate Recharge button for 5 seconds. Wait for the cycle to begin, after 20 seconds press and hold the Immediate Recharge button until the cycle number changes (about 5 seconds.) Each cycle can be advanced in this manner.

4) CONTROLLER STATUS LIGHT
It is normal for the light to blink in the digital readout window. This indicates the controller is operating properly. See page 9.

5) waterMizer
The waterMizer® light will blink whenever water is being used. See figure 9. Does not apply to the WaterBoss^® Water Filters. See separate start up procedures. Pages 35, 36, and 37.

6) IMMEDIATE RECHARGE
To start an immediate regeneration, press The "IMMEDIATE RECHARGE" button and hold for 5 seconds. The Immediate Recharge button is used when starting your water conditioner, to start an immediate regeneration, or to restore capacity if you have run out of salt. If your WaterBoss^® has run out of salt, you may not have soft water available. Remove the salt lid and add salt. Wait two hours, then press the "IMMEDIATE RECHARGE" button and hold for 5 seconds. See figure 9.

7) POWERCLEAN™
The powerClean™ feature is a service/maintenance step for water supplies that have an excessive amount of iron. Activating this feature is a simple push of the powerClean™ button on the controller. A yellow light indicates that the powerClean™ feature is activated. The appliance will regenerate every other day with five pounds of salt. Leave the powerClean™ feature on for a minimum of two weeks. The frequent regeneration will eliminate iron buildup in the resin bed. The use of salt with an iron cleaning agent or iron out cleaner is recommended for continuous use as a preventive measure against iron fouling of the resin bed. To deactivate this feature, simply press the powerClean™ button. Use this feature every six months as a part of your routine maintenance procedure to insure a long service life for your water treatment appliance. See figure 9.

DELAYED REGENERATION*
. . . If you wish to regenerate at a specific time.
NOTE: time is set in military time (EXAMPLE: 2 am = 0200.)

1) Enter Setting Number as described in "Demand Regeneration" procedure.

2) Set current time of day in military time to nearest hour.
-Step A: Press "SET" button.
-Step B: Press Immediate Recharge button (status indicator light on; not blinking.)
-Step C: Press "SET" button until current time of day appears in the display.
Wait until display returns to "Gallons Remaining" - approximately 10 seconds.
Then proceed to set desired time of regeneration. (EXAMPLE: if current time of
day is 4:20 pm, set on 16 which represents 1600 military time.) NOTE: if more than 10 seconds lapse between any of the following steps, the display will return to the start point which is "Gallons Remaining."

3) Set desired time of regeneration in military time to nearest hour.
- Step A: Press "SET" button.
- Step B: Press Immediate Recharge button 2 times (status indicator light out.)
- Step C: Press "SET" button until desired time of regeneration appears in the display.
After Step C, the display will return to gallons remaining and it is ready for service.
(EXAMPLE: if desired regeneration time is 2:00 am, set on 2 which represents 0200 military time.)

NOTE: if display starts flashing, you have inadvertently held down the Immediate Recharge button for more than 5 seconds and placed the unit into Immediate Regeneration. Let the appliance finish the regeneration sequence, or advance through the cycles as previously described in paragraph 3, page 15.

NOTE: if you desire to return unit to Demand Regeneration when the controller is in Delayed Regeneration, simply set the time of regeneration to "88" (see Delayed Regeneration, Step 3.)

* cityBoss^® for municipally-supplied water operates on Demand Regeneration only.

Start-Up Procedure
Model 97WB-ANF Acid Neutralizing Filter
Your WaterBoss^® Acid Neutralizing filter will backwash every two days. This has been preprogrammed for you at the factory and is indicated by the yellow power clean light on the controller. It is important that this light be on at all times. If you notice that the power clean light is out, simply push the power clean button to activate the yellow light. All you will have to do is set the time of day and the desired time of regeneration by following the procedure outlined on page 16 of your installation and service manual. Caution: Set filter regeneration time 2 hours after the softener regeneration time.

IMPORTANT: Because the 97WB-ANF is capable of elevating a low pH condition in the water, it is important that the filter be applied within the operating limits outlined on page 41 of your installation and service manual. Failure to comply with these specifications will cause poor backwash results and possibly a malfunction of the control valve. Additionally, it will be necessary to add two to five pounds of the neutralizing media to the filter tank annually. The media slowly dissolves and thereby corrects the corrosive characteristic of the water. The hardness will increase by two to four grains per gallon. Check the total hardness of the water after start-up of the neutralizer and set your water
softener accordingly.

INSTALLATION TIP: Before placing this filter in service it will be necessary to backwash the filter to remove media fines in the filter bed. To backwash the filter, push and hold the immediate recharge button until the controller indicates cycle 01 (flashing). After 36 minutes, the controller will return to the service mode and display 03 or 04 (solid). Retest the hardness before the water enters the softener and reset the hardness setting of the softener. The pH value should be adjusted to at least 7.0 after installation.

NOTE: This filter should be installed after the pressure tank or water meter and before the WaterBoss^® water softener unless otherwise recommended. (See illustration). A minimum of ¾" pipe is required for proper function of the filter. It is important to examine the inlet piping to make sure the pipe is not plugged with iron. If the piping is plugged, it must be cleaned or replaced.

CAUTION: The calcite/corosex media in your unit gradually dissolves as it treats low pH water. Determine the amount of media in your unit by first depressurizing your unit. Next, remove the fill plug at the top of your unit. Move a dowel down the fill plug opening until it contacts the calcite/corosex media. Mark the dowel where it is level with the top of the fill plug opening. If the distance between the mark and the end of the dowel is less than 6", replace the fill plug and place your unit back in service. If it is more that 8", call your HelpLine for further instructions and to order new calcite/corosex media.

Start-Up Procedure
Model 97WB-IF Iron Filter
Your WaterBoss^® Iron filter will regenerate every three to four days. This has been preprogrammed for you at the factory. All you will have to do is set the time of day and the desired time of regeneration by following the procedure outlined on page 16 of your installation and service manual. Caution: Set filter
regeneration time 2 hours after the softener regeneration time.

IMPORTANT: Because the 97WB-IF is capable of treating a combination of undesirable constituents in the water (iron and/or hydrogen sulfide), it is important that the filter be applied within the operating limits outlined on page 41 of your installation and service manual. Failure to comply with these specifications will cause poor regeneration results and possibly a malfunction of the control valve.

INSTALLATION TIP: Before placing the filter in service, add three gallons of water to the cabinet. Make sure the Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) has been thoroughly mixed as indicated below. To start a regeneration, push and hold the immediate recharge button until the controller indicates cycle 01(flashing). After 33 minutes, the filter will return to service mode and display 03 or 04 (solid).

NOTE: This filter should be installed after the pressure tank or water meter and before the WaterBoss^® water softener unless otherwise recommended (See illustration). A minimum ¾" pipe is required for proper function of the filter. It is also important to examine the inlet piping to make sure the pipe is not plugged
with lime or iron. If the piping is plugged, it must be cleaned or replaced.

CAUTION: When adding the Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4), use care when opening the container and pouring it into the cabinet. Stir the Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) until the color is a dark walnut and stir every two weeks. Follow the safety precautions on the container. A three pound bottle of Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) will last approximately three months. Coarse
granular Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) is recommended for this filter appliance (P/N 97804). Fine granular potassium permanganate can be drawn into the filter as a solid rather than a liquid. For further operating and handling instructions, refer to the product label on the Potassium Permanganate bottle.

Start-Up Procedure
Model 97WB-CF Carbon Filter
Your WaterBoss^® Carbon filter will backwash every three to four days. This has been preprogrammed for you at the factory. All you will have to do is set the time of day and the desired time of regeneration by following the procedure outlined on page 16 of your installation and service manual. Caution: Set filter regeneration time 2 hours after the softener regeneration time.

IMPORTANT: Because the 97WB-CF is capable of treating a combination of undesirable constituents in the water (chlorine, taste and odor), it is important that the filter be applied within the operating limits outlined on page 41 of your installation and service manual. Failure to comply with these specifications will cause poor backwash results and possibly a malfunction of the control valve.

NOTE: This filter should be installed after the pressure tank or water meter and after the WaterBoss^® water softener unless otherwise recommended. (See illustration). A minimum ¾" pipe is required for proper function of the filter. It is also important to examine the inlet piping to make sure the pipe is not plugged with lime. If the piping is plugged, it must be cleaned or replaced.

The carbon media in this filter may need to be changed periodically. If you notice disagreeable tastes and odors returning to your water, call the HelpLine for further instructions and to order new carbon media.

For care, Maintenance and Parts, Troubleshooting, and Warranty information, View the Full PDF Version of this owner's manual.