Found this interesting... under-sink twin tank water softeners in UK

Users who are viewing this thread

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,749
Reaction score
4,400
Points
113
Location
IL
I found this interesting... small twin tank water softeners... form factor popular in UK maybe?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaWXBOxrU7k

Some interesting features include using both tanks in parallel most of the time. Also interesting discussions of metering systems. I think some of the features would be useful on big softeners too.
 
Last edited:

ditttohead

Water systems designer, R&D
Messages
6,088
Reaction score
455
Points
83
Location
Ontario California
LOL, old news, and that system has many known problems. There are three large companies competing for that small market, and all three have nearly identically designed systems, and all three suffer from the same problems. This is a good example where bigger is better. These mini softeners feeding larger applications destroy the resin beds and suffer from flow issues constantly. I have consulted with one of the bigger companies on ways of resolving some of the known issues, and we always come back to the need to go with larger equipment or large pre-treatment, etc... no good solution yet.

The displacement meter is more accurate, but also requires more service, and is more expensive to manufacture than simple turbine meters. Fleck and Clack have done exceptional jobs making their meters more accurate at lower and higher flow rates and the Fleck valves can use any standard 3 wire meter from any manufacturer as long as you know the pulse per gallon count. Regardless, they miss the fundamental flaw in their design when they start trying to brag about how efficient their systems are, unless the water supply never changes in any way, then they have to be set with certain assumed variances that eliminate the potential for extreme efficiency. Only a sensor probe system can be truly as effieicient as these systems are trying to claim to be. And everybody on this site who has ever worked with sensor porbes for softeners knows how much fun those are...

And the regeneration style is nothing new, and it also gains very little over a twin alternating design. Look up Fleck system 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14. These have been around for decades. Series regeneration, twin alternating, etc.

4 - System #4 Single Unit/9000 Timeclock, Meter or Sensor Regeneration. (Single unit default setting, not viewed)The following types of systems may be selected:5 - System #5 Individual Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Interlocked Regeneration- 2 Or 3 Units6 - System #6 Single Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Series Regeneration- 2 Or 3 Units7 - System #7 Single Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Alternator Regeneration- 2 Or 3 Units8 - System #8 Single Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Delayed Alternator Regeneration With Immediate ServiceTransfer (No Reserve Required)9 - System #9 Individual Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Alternator Regeneration- 2 Or 3 Units10 - System #10 (System #6 / #4) 2 Unit Single Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Series Regeneration System With ASingle Unit Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor System.11 - System #11 (System #7 / #4) 2 Unit Single Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Alternator Regeneration System With ASingle Unit Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor System.12 - System #12 (System #8 / #4) 2 Unit Single Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Delayed Alternator Regeneration WithImmediate Service Transfer And A Single Unit Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor System.13 - System #13 (System #9 / #4) 2 Unit Individual Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor Alternator Regeneration System With​
A Single Unit Timeclock, Meter, or Sensor System.

Neat in a compact package, but no real market for it here in the US, we tend to have slightly larger houses that can accomodate something larger than a bread box for our water treatment needs. :)


 

Gary Slusser

That's all folks!
Messages
6,921
Reaction score
22
Points
38
Location
Wherever I park the motorhome.
Website
www.qualitywaterassociates.com
Yes Harvey water softeners have done a lot to improve on the Kinetico model and they have been around for a long time in the UK. Kinetico also has models that allow water through both tanks for service, but then both brands must stop the flow through the tank that goes into regeneration, plus the water used during regeneration reduces the flow rate out of the tank that is still in Service. Such small softeners are needed in their market because of the way houses are constructed there, many have no basements and with freezing temps outside installations are a problem, if they were to be allowed. Many softeners there are installed under a counter in the kitchen etc..
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks