WS-40

Overview

The Hobart WS-40 is a compact water softener for treating hard water supplied to commercial kitchen equipment. Hobart’s installation instructions cover the WS-40 and WS-80; the capacity and settings below are specifically for the WS-40. The manual cautions that the unit will not make potable water from a non-potable source. It also notes that potable water is not necessarily suitable for steam generation, so water quality should be assessed for the equipment using the treated supply.

The WS-40 is listed as a hard-water treatment option for combi oven equipment. The manual also describes connections to a hot water appliance, such as a commercial dishwasher. Water analysis and the appropriate meter disc are important to configuring the softener for the supply at the installation site.

Key Features

• Compact softener: The installation manual notes that the WS-40 wheel kit is already installed.
• Meter-disc selection: The WS-40 uses a selectable meter disc. The manual says a number 4 disc is installed at the factory, but it may need to be changed to suit compensated hardness.
• Salt alarm: Installation instructions describe a salt alarm controller and connector box, powered by three AA batteries. The alarm can be tested using its recessed red button; a working controller flashes its indicator light and sounds an audible tone.
• Water testing: The manual calls for testing hardness and iron content to determine compensated hardness and select the proper disc.

Specifications

• Model: Hobart WS-40.
• Product type: Compact water softener.
• Hard-water treatment capacity: 40 lb. capacity is stated for the WS-40 in the cited combi oven spec sheet.
• Capacity: 2,527 grains.
• Salt usage per regeneration: 1.0 lb.
• Efficiency: 2,527 grains per pound.
• Dosing: 5.5 lb. per cubic foot.
• Float cup setting: 6.25 inches.
• Factory meter disc: Number 4.
• Inlet and outlet connections: Connector hose female ends thread onto 3/4-inch pipe thread.
• Minimum dynamic inlet pressure: 25 psi; the manual says pressure below this level can prevent proper operation during regeneration.
• Maximum water pressure: 125 psi.
• Maximum average water temperature: 100°F.
• WS-40 disc compensated-hardness settings: Disc 1: 4 gpg; disc 2: 8 gpg; disc 3: 11 gpg; disc 4: 15 gpg; disc 5: 19 gpg; disc 6: 23 gpg; disc 7: 27 gpg; disc 8: 30 gpg.
• WS-40 gallons between regeneration by disc: Discs 1–4: 9.1 gallons; disc 5: 8.4 gallons; disc 6: 6.6 gallons; disc 7: 5.4 gallons; disc 8: 4.4 gallons.
• Regeneration gallons at 15 psig by disc: Disc 1: 583 gallons; disc 2: 282 gallons; disc 3: 194 gallons; disc 4: 146 gallons; disc 5: 117 gallons; disc 6: 97 gallons; disc 7: 83 gallons; disc 8: 73 gallons.

Installation & Requirements

The Hobart manual is intended for trained Hobart service technicians. It directs installers to follow applicable state and local plumbing codes and to confirm the system configuration and ordered components before beginning. Disconnect electrical power to the machine and follow lockout/tagout procedures. Installation by a qualified technician is appropriate; the manual warns that procedures requiring skills or tools the installer does not have should be performed by a trained Hobart service technician.

Water supply and placement

• Maintain dynamic inlet pressure of at least 25 psi for proper regeneration. The manual says a booster pump may be required if pressure drops below this level.
• Do not use the system above 125 psi water pressure or above 100°F average water temperature.
• Do not install where the unit could freeze; freezing can damage the system.
• Install bypass valving. The later manual recommends a Hobart high-temperature prefilter. For hot-water applications, it recommends a mixing valve and thermometer before the softener, and a check valve after the softener but before the hot-water appliance.

Connections and drains

The manual describes brass inlet/outlet adapters, O-rings, connector hoses, and silicone seal lubricant. Apply two to three wraps of Teflon tape to the male connector-hose threads, fit the adapters and O-rings, lubricate the O-rings, then secure the adapters in the softener ports with the supplied bracket and pin. The inlet port arrow points toward the softener controls; the outlet arrow points away. The connector hoses connect to 3/4-inch pipe thread.

Connect the drain tubing to an appropriate drain and provide an air gap between the tubing end and the top of the drain, following local and state plumbing codes. The manual gives a maximum drain-line route of 8 feet vertically and 30 feet horizontally from the softener. Connect the overflow port to a gravity drain lower than the cabinet connection. Where a brine-tank overflow could cause damage, the later manual specifies a 1/2-inch inside-diameter overflow line connected to a drain and says it must not be higher than the overflow fitting.

Water analysis and salt alarm setup

Use water analysis to choose the meter disc. The manual recommends testing raw water for hardness and ferrous iron. Calculate compensated hardness by adding the hardness in grains per gallon to three times the ferrous iron value in milligrams per litre (ppm). Match the result to the WS-40 disc selection information in Specifications. The manual says the float cup setting for the WS-40 is 6.25 inches and cautions installers not to drop the brine valve assembly, as this may lower the float cup.

For the salt alarm, install three AA batteries in the controller, secure its back cover, position the controller and connector box where the alarm can be seen and heard, and connect them with the phone cable. Test it with the recessed red button; the indicator should flash and an audible tone should sound.

Operation

Use a clean grade of salt. The manual recommends higher grades of pelletized salt and says not to use rock salt or solar salt. Once installation is complete, open the inlet valve slowly to pressurize the system. The manual says water and air will discharge through the drain until the system is pressurized.

Start a manual regeneration to purge air and colour from the softening system. The manual describes pushing down on the actuator with a Phillips screwdriver and rotating it clockwise slowly until resistance is felt, then continuing slowly until water flow can be heard at the softener valve. The softener then runs through a regeneration. Repeat the process after 12 to 15 minutes to flush the other resin tank. Check for plumbing leaks and confirm proper operation after the initial regeneration sequence.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The provided WS-40/80 manual does not give a routine cleaning procedure or a maintenance interval. It does instruct operators to keep the brine supply topped up with an appropriate clean grade of salt and to avoid rock and solar salt. For a change in the water supply or application, the manual’s selection procedure calls for water analysis and confirmation that the meter disc is appropriate for compensated hardness.

Troubleshooting

• Regeneration or performance concerns: Confirm that dynamic inlet pressure does not fall below 25 psi. The manual says a booster pump may be required if pressure fluctuates below that minimum.
• Salt alarm does not appear to work: Press the recessed red test button. Normal test feedback is a flashing indicator light and an audible tone. Check that the three AA batteries and the alarm connections have been installed as instructed.
• Water or air discharges during startup: The manual says this occurs through the drain while the system pressurizes. Perform the initial manual regeneration sequence and check for leaks.
• Water remains hard: Test the raw water for hardness and iron, calculate compensated hardness, and verify that the correct WS-40 meter disc is installed. The manual lists number 4 as the factory-installed disc, not a universal setting for every water supply.

Applications

The WS-40 is presented as hard-water treatment for commercial kitchen equipment. The cited combi oven spec sheet lists it as a water-softening option, and the Hobart installation manual gives a commercial dishwasher as an example of a hot-water appliance connected after the softener. For steam equipment, the supplied sources stress that potable water alone does not establish suitability for steam generation; water quality should be tested and considered for the application.