water softner help in chosing and is this true

RetiredMan_2

I have followed this debate with interest. Can anyone advise what happens with a meter controlled softener if it regenerates whilst a dishwasher or washing machine is requiring water? With a timed system you will know when it will happen but presumably with a metered system this could happen at any time? Will the appliances be damaged or the washing cycles interrupted?

Doc_N

RetiredMan wrote: »

I have followed this debate with interest. Can anyone advise what happens with a meter controlled softener if it regenerates whilst a dishwasher or washing machine is requiring water? With a timed system you will know when it will happen but presumably with a metered system this could happen at any time? Will the appliances be damaged or the washing cycles interrupted?

Don't worry. They combine (or at least the Tapworks/Ecowater ones do, and I imagine that's standard) the best of both worlds. The meter controls when the next recharge is to take place, but it won't happen until 2am (or whatever time you set it for) that night.

It won't happen in the day time, and even if you choose to override it to set it off in the daytime the worst that can happen is that hard water will flow through your appliances instead of soft for the time (about an hour and a half) that it's regenerating.

oneilly

Hi All,

Been offered a Mayfair twin softener, are they any good???

TravellingKiwi

Hi All,
Thanks for the great series of posts, very helpful indeed .... although its taken me a few nights to get through them all and now after reading so many everything is starting to blur.

So based on all the discussion and looking at many websites I am considering either the Tapworks AD15 or a Coral. I see a lot of comments that that Autotrol Logix 255 valve is very good but is there any opinions on the 255-760 versus 255-762. Also does anyone have any opinion on the HIGH FLOW 268-760 as I am looking at connecting to a megaflo and wondered if the higher flow rate would be required.

In short, I am trying to work out Tapworks v Coral and if the later, which of the metered valve types to go for. I can't post a link but if you google 'gapswater coral range' you can see a all the Corals with the different valves on one page.

Appreciate your help,
Dave

Miaou

Hi All,
Thanks for the great discussion. I recently discovered the forum and went through all the posts. I still have a question:
I have a new Keston boiler. Keston told me the warranty will be void if I install a water softener because it will damage the heat exchanger. Can I install the water softener for the cold water only, or after the boiler for the hot water too (I assume between boiler and hot water tank)? Is it something that is done regularly or should I forget about having a water softener?
Thanks

ihshaikh

TravellingKiwi wrote: »

Hi All,
Thanks for the great series of posts, very helpful indeed .... although its taken me a few nights to get through them all and now after reading so many everything is starting to blur.

So based on all the discussion and looking at many websites I am considering either the Tapworks AD15 or a Coral. I see a lot of comments that that Autotrol Logix 255 valve is very good but is there any opinions on the 255-760 versus 255-762. Also does anyone have any opinion on the HIGH FLOW 268-760 as I am looking at connecting to a megaflo and wondered if the higher flow rate would be required.

In short, I am trying to work out Tapworks v Coral and if the later, which of the metered valve types to go for. I can't post a link but if you google 'gapswater coral range' you can see a all the Corals with the different valves on one page.

Appreciate your help,
Dave

Hi Dave

I ended up going for the Coral due to the Autotrol Valves. mine has the 255-760 and this supplies a 4 bedroom house with a megaflo.

The internal piping in the house is not 22mm.

imi

sixedup

I've been lurking for a while, looking to buy a water softener when I refit the kitchen in a couple of months time. My requirements:
1) Ideally needs to fit into a standard kitchen cabinet that will already have the sink projecting down into it.
2) Needs to cope with an active family of 5 with access to two showers
3) We have a mains pressure hot water system driven by a heat store. Ie, there is no stored water; all the water we use will run through the softener as we use it. So flow rates will be important (see showers above!)
4) We're being put on a water meter any week now, so something that is reasonably economical in terms of recharging the resin would be useful.

It looks like a 15L Coral unit from Gaps Water Treatment might meet my needs; but do I need the high flow model (based on the 268 value, with the 260 controller) to cope with the inevitable two showers & a toilet flush all at once, or would I be OK with the 252 valve with the 262 controller for more efficient recharge cycles?

Ideally of course, I'd like the 268 valve with the 262 controller, but they don't seem to do that :-(

Thoughts?

ihshaikh

sixedup wrote: »

1) Ideally needs to fit into a standard kitchen cabinet that will already have the sink projecting down into it.

Id suggest checking the dimensions of the softener. in my case I went for a 10L version in order to get it to fit under the sink. you will struggle to get the 15L in the sink cabinet.

buy_twice_but_cheap

Hi, I have read most of the thread and read little about Harvey's Water Softeners other than they have been referred to as Double Glazing Salesmen, which seems less that complimentary.
I have just had a visit and a quote for £1,700 for a HV3 with filter water tap and garden tap left with hard water all plumbed in. This seems expensive to me although does include all fitting and parts.
Should they be avoided and go for a Tapworks or Coral?

Doc_N

buy_twice_but_cheap wrote: »

Hi, I have read most of the thread and read little about Harvey's Water Softeners other than they have been referred to as Double Glazing Salesmen, which seems less that complimentary.
I have just had a visit and a quote for £1,700 for a HV3 with filter water tap and garden tap left with hard water all plumbed in. This seems expensive to me although does include all fitting and parts.
Should they be avoided and go for a Tapworks or Coral?

Well........if you've read the thread you'll know I've been banging on about Tapworks for a very long time. Not with any direct experience, but because they appeared to be very similar indeed to Ecowater (of which I've had excellent experience) models - both come from the same company.

I now have a Tapworks AD11 (costing not much more than £400) and I can confirm that it's much the same as the Ecowater ESM11 (costing around £1200).

There are some minor differences, mainly in the electronic timer, but nothing that affects the operation of the softener, and certainly nothing that would warrant an extra £100 - let alone £800!

I'm more than delighted with mine, and I'd say it's a cracking bargain - an excellent softener at a fair price. The Ecowater equivalent models are, however, an absolute rip off. Good machines - stupid prices.