WS-55

Overview

The Hobart WS-55 is a compact commercial water softening system with two media tanks, a brine system, a salt alarm and a replaceable CB15K hollow carbon filter. Its duplex configuration allows one tank to supply treated water while the other regenerates. During regeneration, the tank in service supplies water to the equipment and to the regenerating tank.

The system filters water for particulate, chlorine, chloramine, taste and odor reduction using replaceable cartridge filtration. Hobart states that the softener reduces hardness to less than 1/2 grain per gallon when it is operated according to the operating instructions. The water meter measures processed volume, is adjustable, and initiates regeneration.

Key Features

• Duplex softening: Two tanks operate together so one can remain online during regeneration of the other.
• Meter-initiated regeneration: The adjustable meter tracks processed water volume and starts regeneration.
• Carbon filtration: The CB15K hollow carbon filter is NSF 42 and 53 certified for chloramine reduction up to 15,000 gallons. The broader system filtration is specified for particulate, chlorine, chloramine, taste and odor reduction to NSF 42 and 53 standards.
• Regeneration control: The top-mounted valve controls service and regeneration for both media tanks. It uses water pressure to operate and does not require an electrical hookup.
• Salt alarm: The alarm monitors brine concentration and provides an audible alert and a flashing red LED when concentration remains below the acceptable level for more than 15 minutes.
• Countercurrent regeneration: Service flow is down-flow; brine regeneration flow is up-flow, opposite the service direction.

Specifications

• Model: WS-55.
• System configuration: Duplex, with two media tanks.
• Hardness reduction: Less than 1/2 gpg when operated according to the operating instructions.
• Filter: CB15K hollow carbon filter.
• Filter capacity: 15,000 gallons for chloramine reduction; replace based on pressure or when capacity is reached.
• Filter maximum working pressure: 125 psi.
• Softener capacity: 4,818 grains, as listed in the WS-55 installation manual.
• Salt use per regeneration: 1.4 lb.
• Efficiency: 3,442 grains per pound.
• Dosing: 3.5 lb per cubic foot.
• Float cup setting: 6.5 in.
• Resin exchange capacity: Minimum 30,000 grains per cubic foot when regenerated with 15.0 lb per cubic foot.
• Meter-disc selection: Disc 1: compensated hardness 6 gpg, 591 gallons between regenerations; Disc 2: 13 gpg, 296 gallons; Disc 3: 25 gpg, 166 gallons; Disc 4: 27 gpg, 148 gallons; Disc 5: 30 gpg, 118 gallons; Disc 6: 35 gpg, 99 gallons; Disc 7: 37 gpg, 84 gallons; Disc 8: 40 gpg, 74 gallons.
• Regeneration flow: 5 gallons per minute at 15 psig for each meter-disc selection listed in the manual.
• Control valve minimum inlet pressure: 15 psi in the product specification. The installation manual states that dynamic inlet pressure must remain at or above 25 psi for proper operation during regeneration.
• Maximum system water pressure: 125 psi.
• Maximum average water temperature: 100°F.
• Media tanks: Engineered plastic, NSF approved, rated for a maximum working pressure of 125 psi and hydrostatically tested at 300 psi.
• Tank opening: 2.5 in. threaded top opening.
• Tank distributors: Upper slot design and lower flat-plate design.
• Salt alarm: Three AA batteries; audible alarm at 80 dB every 3 seconds and red LED flash every 7 seconds during an alarm condition. A 7 ft phone cord is supplied.
• Alarm cable reach: The manual states the controller can be mounted up to 100 ft from the salt alarm connector box using standard phone cable.

Installation & Requirements

The WS-55 operates from a cold water supply only. The installation manual says to comply with applicable state and local plumbing codes, confirm the system configuration and ordered components, and review facility operating conditions before installation. Do not use water pressure above 125 psi or water averaging above 100°F, and do not install where the system can freeze. If dynamic inlet pressure drops below 25 psi, the manual says the system may not operate properly during regeneration and a booster pump may be required.

The manual’s plumbing sequence connects the building water supply to the carbon block filter head, the filter outlet to the softener inlet, and the softener outlet to the water-using device. The inlet port is marked with an arrow pointing toward the softener controls; the outlet arrow points away from the controls. The connector hose female ends are threaded for 3/4 in. pipe thread. The manual also specifies that supply connections are made before the pressure reducing valve.

Connect the softener drain port to an appropriate drain, with an air gap between the tubing end and the top of the drain. The stated drain-line limit is 8 ft vertically and 30 ft horizontally from the softener. Route the cabinet overflow line to a drain lower than the cabinet connection so it can drain by gravity if the cabinet leaks. The manual cautions against soldering brass adapters while they are inserted in the plastic module base and against allowing solder or flux to contact plastic components or media tanks.

The control valve is pressure-operated; no electrical hookup is required for the valve. The salt alarm uses three AA batteries. For installation and service work, the manual instructs technicians to disconnect electrical power to the connected machine and follow lockout/tagout procedures.

Operation

In service, water flows down through the softening media. During regeneration, brine flows upward through the media for countercurrent regeneration. The control valve has four operating cycles: service, brine draw, slow rinse, and a combined fast rinse and brine refill. The valve’s fixed-orifice eductor nozzle and self-adjusting backwash flow control are part of the regeneration system. The valve prevents hard water from bypassing to service during regeneration.

The meter measures processed volume and is adjustable. Selecting the meter disc depends on compensated raw-water hardness. The manual’s formula is hardness in gpg plus three times ferrous iron in ppm. Test water for hardness and iron, calculate compensated hardness, then use the corresponding disc selection. The table lists the gallons between regenerations for each disc; the listed values range from 591 gallons for disc 1 to 74 gallons for disc 8.

At initial start-up, the manual instructs the installer to add clean-grade salt, open the inlet valve slowly, and allow water and air to discharge through the drain while the system pressurizes. It then directs a manual regeneration to purge air and color from the softening system, followed by a second regeneration 12 to 15 minutes later to flush the other resin tank. The manual recommends higher-grade pelletized salt for impurity control and solubility, and says not to use rock salt or solar salt.

The brine float cup setting for the WS-55 is 6.5 in., corresponding to the listed 1.4 lb salt setting. The salt alarm sensor is mounted internally on the grid plate and responds to the specific gravity of the brine. If brine concentration remains below an acceptable level for more than 15 minutes, the alarm sounds every 3 seconds and the red LED flashes every 7 seconds. The manual describes testing the alarm by pressing the recessed red button on the bottom of the alarm controller; a functioning controller flashes its indicator light and sounds an audible tone.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The product specification identifies the CB15K carbon filter as a replaceable cartridge. Replace it based on pressure or when its stated 15,000-gallon capacity for chloramine reduction is reached. The supplied sources do not give a filter cleaning procedure or a calendar-based replacement interval.

Keep the brine system supplied with clean-grade salt. The manual recommends higher-grade pelletized salt and specifically excludes rock salt and solar salt. The salt alarm provides a low-brine-concentration warning; its battery-powered controller uses three AA batteries. The sources do not specify a battery replacement interval.

The manual’s meter-disc replacement instructions are service procedures: remove the level-one cap cover and components to access the meter disc, install the correct disc, then reassemble. It cautions that all components must be installed correctly and that cap screws should be started by hand and tightened in an alternating crossing pattern. The manual states that it is intended for trained Hobart service technicians; work requiring tools or skills the operator does not have should be performed by a trained technician.

Troubleshooting

• Regeneration performance concerns: Check that dynamic inlet pressure does not fall below 25 psi. The installation manual says a booster pump may be required if pressure fluctuates below this level. The product specification separately lists 15 psi as the control valve’s minimum inlet pressure.
• Salt alarm sounds or flashes: The alarm indicates brine concentration has remained below the acceptable level for more than 15 minutes. Check the brine salt supply and confirm the alarm controller operates using its recessed test button.
• Water or air discharges during start-up: The manual states that water and air are expelled through the drain while the system pressurizes. It directs a manual regeneration to purge air and color, followed by a second regeneration 12 to 15 minutes later to flush the other resin tank.
• Plumbing leak: The manual’s start-up procedure directs the installer to check for plumbing leaks and verify proper operation after the initial flushes.

Applications

The WS-55 is a commercial water treatment option for foodservice operations using water-connected equipment. Its carbon filtration and hardness reduction address the water conditions identified in Hobart’s specifications. Confirm raw-water hardness and iron content before selecting a meter disc, since the disc choice determines the listed gallons between regenerations.