electronic water conditioners

geordie_joe

Anyone had any experience with electronic water conditioners? Or any thoughts on them?

Here is the description of one I am interested in. Apparently it takes 4-6 weeks to start working.

Actually fairly simple, though you do need an available power socket. You simply stick the unit to the wall (it is not a big unit 4.5" x 3" x 1.5" is what our one measures) near the mains inlet for the water (generally has the stop !!!! on it) and coil an aerial lead round the pipe, plug the aerial lead into the unit and power up the unit and away you go. It takes a while to work, but it is fantastic when it does, it even changed our drinking water into drinkable water!

moonrakerz

Complete and utter "snake oil" !

Does it receive "freeview" ? "coil an aerial lead round the pipe, plug the aerial lead into the unit"

"it even changed our drinking water into drinkable water!"
That is absolutely amazing ! If I put it in my car, would it change my petrol into petrol !!!!

If you are not happy with the state/taste of your tap water, either buy a filter jug (personally, I think a waste of money) or fit a proper ion-exchange water softener.

If these things actually DID work why aren't they fitted in every house ?

davehills

I agree, snake oil IMHO.

However, some people say the do work...maybe it'll work for you?

If you *really* want to try one of things head to the Maplin website and type N72AU in the search box.

They do a "decalcifier" for only £7. That way, you'll only have wasted £7 if it doesn't work!

(My Mum has one of the Maplin units and is convinced it works...I'm not so sure though!!)

geordie_joe

I don't actually want one, I just saw someone on another board claiming her husband designed one and it really works.

"Just wrap the aerial round a pipe and 4-6 weeks later your water goes soft".

moonrakerz

davehills wrote: »

However, some people say the do work...maybe it'll work for you?

(My Mum has one of the Maplin units and is convinced it works...I'm not so sure though!!)

The only people who claim that they work are:
1. Those selling them....
2. Those who have bought one and don't want to admit their mistake....

I am absolutely fascinated by the continuing references to an "aerial"............. does this receive or transmit ? - I think we should be told !
If you are in a very hard water area do you need an outside one ?

At least Snake Oil does say "snake oil" on the bottle !

geordie_joe

Well, I was going to give up on this, because I had lost the thrread where the person was trying to sell them. But I've found it again, so will continune to fight it.

I know we should be nice to all MSE members, but when they are selling "snake oil" to other MSE members .............................

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/35955377#Comment_35955377

geordie_joe

moonrakerz wrote: »

I am absolutely fascinated by the continuing references to an "aerial"............. does this receive or transmit ? - I think we should be told !

I think it transmits radio waves into the water in your pipes, and after 4-6 weeks it "conditions" the water.

At this point I should say that I have been told that the gadget is not a water softener, it is a water conditioner.

Not sure what the difference is, but I have asked.

Regardless of the answer I get, I suspect the reason it is marketed as a "water conditioner" and not a "water softener" is because someone could test your water and show it is not softer after using the gadget, but they can't test your water and show it is not conditioned.

moonrakerz

geordie_joe wrote: »

I think it transmits radio waves into the water in your pipes, and after 4-6 weeks it "conditions" the water.

Ah, I see now - it's like the underwater radar that they use to track submarines - yes ?

Cardew

geordie_joe wrote: »

I think it transmits radio waves into the water in your pipes, and after 4-6 weeks it "conditions" the water.

So you haven't to use any of the water in your pipes for 4 to 6 weeks?

Then when you have used a 'pipe's worth' you wait another 4 to 6 weeks?

Thats right up there with those magnets that strapped to fuel lines of car/oil CH line up the mollycuwles(sic) and reduce fuel consumption by approx 38.564%.

Ah, I see now - it's like the underwater radar that they use to track submarines - yes ?

You obviously are not taking this seriously! Submarines indeed!

geordie_joe

Cardew wrote: »

So you haven't to use any of the water in your pipes for 4 to 6 weeks?

Then when you have used a 'pipe's worth' you wait another 4 to 6 weeks?

I'm pretty sure you can use the water as normal after fitting this gadget. It just takes 4-6 weeks to start working, but if your husband switches if off for a few days, your hair goes greasy and you get dandruff.

Cardew wrote: »

Thats right up there with those magnets that strapped to fuel lines of car/oil CH line up the mollycuwles(sic) and reduce fuel consumption by approx 38.564%.

I agree, but there is a woman in here telling other women to buy one, and if they ever stop using it they will get greasy hair and dandruff.

geordie_joe

moonrakerz wrote: »

I am absolutely fascinated by the continuing references to an "aerial"............. does this receive or transmit ? - I think we should be told !

I asked, and I was told.........it transmits.

The ****** are Electronic Water Conditioners which use very powerful low frequency signals, which effectively treat all conditions of water and flow rates. The transmit these signals asynchronously via an aerial to create a strong magnetic field, which has the effect of altering the formation of calcium carbonate crystals (limescale), so that they remain in suspension in small particles and do not form hard crystalline deposits inside pipes, boilers and domestic appliances. This magnetic effect will gradually erode existing limescale deposits, thereby increasing the flow and efficiency of plumbing systems.