This document describes the Penguin Drop Smart WiFi Controlled Water Softener, a system designed to reduce water hardness in residential applications. The water softener utilizes an ion exchange process to remove calcium and magnesium minerals from water, replacing them with sodium ions. This process is automatically managed by a control valve on the mineral tank and involves five basic cycles: Backwash, Brine & Rinse, Rapid Rinse, Brine Refill, and Service.
Function Description:
The Penguin Drop Smart WiFi Controlled Water Softener treats incoming water by passing it through a mineral tank containing special resin beads. These beads exchange hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) for sodium ions, thereby softening the water. The system is equipped with a WiFi-controlled valve that allows for remote monitoring and programming via the DROP app. It can also shut off water to the house and bypass water around the treatment tank. During regeneration cycles, hard water is automatically bypassed for household use, though hot water usage should be minimized to prevent hard water from filling the water heater. The system is designed for continuous operation, but flow rates exceeding the service flow rate may affect capacity and efficiency.
Important Technical Specifications:
The softener is available in four models: PWD-075, PWD-100, PWD-150, and PWD-200, with varying tank sizes and capacities.
- Tank Sizes:
- PWD-075: 8" x 44"
- PWD-100: 9" x 48"
- PWD-150: 10" x 54"
- PWD-200: 12" x 52"
- Capacities (cu/ft): 0.75 (PWD-075), 1 (PWD-100), 1.5 (PWD-150), 2 (PWD-200).
- Maximum Capacities: 27,000 Grains (PWD-075) to 70,000 Grains (PWD-200).
- High Efficiency Settings: Salt settings range from 2 lbs (PWD-075) to 6 lbs (PWD-200), with corresponding water usage from 30 Gallons to 62 Gallons.
- Optimal Settings: Salt settings range from 4.5 lbs (PWD-075) to 12 lbs (PWD-200), with corresponding water usage from 51 Gallons to 104 Gallons.
- Maximum Settings: Salt settings range from 11 lbs (PWD-075) to 30 lbs (PWD-200), with corresponding water usage from 53 Gallons to 120 Gallons.
- Backwash Flow Control (GPM): Ranges from 1.5 (PWD-075) to 3.5 (PWD-200).
- Brine Flow Control (GPM): 0.5 for all models.
- Service Flow Rates: 7 GPM (PWD-075) to 20 GPM (PWD-200).
- Peak Flow Rates: 10 GPM (PWD-075) to 22 GPM (PWD-200).
- Pressure Drop @ Service Flow: 5-7 PSI.
- Pressure Drop @ Peak Flow: 15-20 PSI.
- Water Pressure: 20 PSI Min / 100 PSI Max. A pressure reducing valve (PRV) is recommended if daytime pressure exceeds 80 psi.
- Water Temperature: 39°F Min / 100°F Max. Do not treat water over 100°F or expose the unit to freezing temperatures.
- Plumbing Connections: 1" or 3/4" MPT.
- Electrical Requirements: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 0.3 A / Output 12V, 500mA. Uses included transformers only.
- Brine Tank Size: 15" x 17" x 36".
- Salt Storage Capacity: 275 lbs.
- Resin Grains Capacity: PWD-075 (18,000), PWD-100 (24,000), PWD-150 (36,000), PWD-200 (48,000).
- Regeneration Step Times: Backwash (10 mins, 8 mins for -075 Systems), Brine Draw/Slow Rinse (60 mins, 50 mins for -075 Systems), Second Backwash (0 mins), Rapid Rinse (10 mins, 8 mins for -075 Systems). Brine Refill times vary by model (3-8 mins).
Usage Features:
- WiFi Control: The system is controlled via the DROP app, allowing users to monitor and program settings remotely.
- Regeneration Time: Users can set the time of day for regeneration to minimize disruption to water usage. Multiple treatment stages will regenerate sequentially.
- System Water Source: Configurable for Private Well or Municipal Supply to optimize response to power outages.
- Valve Programming: Hardness and reserve capacity settings need to be reviewed and adjusted based on installation location and water test results. Hardness (ppm or mg/L) should be converted to GPG (grains per gallon) by dividing by 17.1, then adding 5 GPG.
- Regeneration Override: Adjustable to every 14 days (or 10 days if the system will be down for more than two weeks).
- Reserve Capacity: Adjustable to 10% for 1-3 people, and 25% for 4+ people.
- Scheduled Treatment Bypass: Allows users to schedule periods when the system will bypass the softener, either "Bypass Once" or "Bypass Every Day."
- Visual Indicators: DROP lights on the valve communicate system status. Green for softener in service, blue for filter valve in service. Purple flashes indicate wireless communication. Alternating front lights indicate water flow. Orange lights indicate water is off, bright yellow indicates bypass mode. Lights change color during regeneration cycles (e.g., purple for backwash, light pink for brine draw, light blue for rapid rinse, spring green for brine fill).
- Manual Bypass: A bypass valve allows users to isolate the softener from the water supply in emergencies (e.g., overflowing brine tank) or for service, providing hard water to the house.
- Safety Float: The brine tank includes a safety float to prevent overfilling due to malfunctions.
Maintenance Features:
- Salt Management: Use only Extra Course Grade or Crystal Solar Salt (99.8% pure). Check salt level monthly and ensure it is above the water level. It is recommended to completely fill the tank (2” below the top of the white safety float tube), use all salt until water is visible, then refill. Avoid "topping off" salt.
- Salt Bridging: If salt bridging (a cavity between water and salt) is suspected, gently pound on the outside of the brine tank or pour warm water over the salt to break it up. Follow this by allowing the unit to use remaining salt, thoroughly cleaning the brine tank, allowing two hours for brine solution production, and then manually regenerating the softener.
- Running Out of Salt: If the system runs out of salt, refill the system, pour 5 gallons of warm water into the white brine safety tube, allow 4 hours for the water to sit, then manually regenerate. Repeat this process, allowing 4 hours between regenerations, to fully recharge the resin.
- Sanitizing Procedure: Recommended during installation and periodically. Pour one 0.25 fl. Oz. package of Sani-System Liquid Sanitizer Concentrate into the brine well, then initiate an immediate regeneration. The sanitizing regeneration takes about two hours, after which soft water is available. This procedure is recommended by the Water Quality Association for disinfecting.
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