Water softener „DVA“ LT8 (9V022), 3/8″ connection

„DVA“ LT8 — 8 L water softener with manual regeneration

A „De Vecchi“ softener with 5.6 L of ion-exchange resin, 3/8″ connections and a nominal flow rate of 1,000 L/h, for coffee machines, dishwashers, glasswashers, vending machines and steam ovens.

The „DVA“ LT8 (part number 9V022) is a water softener from the Italian company „De Vecchi“, with a stainless steel body. The cation-exchange resin inside removes the calcium and magnesium ions that make water hard and replaces them with sodium ions, so less limescale builds up in the equipment it supplies. When the resin is exhausted, it is regenerated by hand with cooking salt — the softener needs no electrical connection.

The body carries two brass three-way taps with levers, one on the water inlet and one on the outlet. The connections are 3/8″ G (BSP parallel thread).

Soft water per regeneration

How much soft water you get between regenerations depends on the hardness of the incoming water (°fH = French degrees, °dH = German degrees of hardness). According to „De Vecchi“, the LT8 delivers:

Its cyclic capacity is 33.6 m³·°fH. Measure your water hardness with a test strip or ask your water supplier, and regenerate the softener regularly according to the amount and hardness of the water used.

„DVA“ LT series at a glance

Installation

• Connect the softener to a drinking water supply only. The incoming water must be clear, at 6–25 °C and no harder than 90 °fH (50 °dH). The supply pressure must be 1–8 bar („De Vecchi“ recommends at least 3–4 bar); fit a pressure-reducing valve if it exceeds 8 bar.
• Do not install any other water treatment equipment upstream of the softener.
• Install it in a dry, easily accessible place where the temperature stays between 4 and 35 °C, close to a floor drain (gully) for the regeneration water. Leave an air gap: the end of the regeneration hose must hang above the drain, not in the water.
• Fit a shut-off tap between the water supply and the softener, and a non-return valve on the outlet side so that hot water cannot flow back into the softener. The supply hose must have an internal diameter of at least 7 mm.
• Before first use, rinse the resin: put the outlet hose in the drain, turn both tap levers to the left and open the shut-off tap. When the water runs clear, close the shut-off tap and connect the outlet hose to the machine.

Regeneration

1. Put the pressure-relief hose in a bucket, turn both tap levers to the right and wait for the pressure to drop.
2. Unscrew the knob, remove the lid and add 1 kg of salt.
3. Wipe any salt off the lid, the seal and the top of the body, then refit the lid and screw the knob down firmly.
4. Turn the inlet tap lever to the left and let the water run out through the regeneration hose until it is no longer salty (about 40 minutes).
5. Turn the outlet tap lever to the left — the softener is back in service.

Regenerate with cooking salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) only, and never put any other substance in the tank. The machine connected to the softener receives no water while regeneration is in progress. Do not leave salt residue on the body, as it can cause corrosion.

Maintenance and safety

The resin loses a little of its softening capacity with every regeneration, so „De Vecchi“ recommends replacing it after 5–7 years, depending on the water quality and the amount of water softened. „De Vecchi“ requires original parts to be used for repairs and maintenance.

The softener has been tested by ICIM, the Italian certification body: the materials in contact with water comply with Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and Italian Ministry of Health Decree No 174/2004.

In the box: the softener, pressure-relief and regeneration hoses, and an instruction manual.

Technical specifications