GE 6000A User Manual

GXSS17Z01

GE Appliances

Water Softening System

Part No. 215C1044P003–1 Pub. No. 49-50007–1

8–98 CG

7196674

Installation and Owner’s Manual

GE Answer Center ®800.626.2000

Congratulations! You are Now Part of the GE Family.

Safety Information

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Installation Instructions

. . . .4–11

Important Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Tools/Materials Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Step-by-Step Instructions . . . . . . . . . . .7–11

Drain Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Sanitize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Program the Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Specifications/Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . .11

Troubleshooting Tips

Before You Call For Service

. . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Operating Instructions

. . . .12–17

About the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Water Bypass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Breaking a Salt Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Cleaning the Nozzle

and Venturi Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Regeneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16, 17

Customer Service

Product Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19, 20

Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21–24

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Service Telephone Numbers . . . . . . . . . . .28

Welcome to the GE family. We’re proud of our quality products and we are committed to providing dependable service. You’ll see it in this easy-to-use Owner’s Manual and you’ll hear it in the friendly voices of our customer service department.

Best of all, you’ll experience these values each time you use the water system. That’s important, because your new system will be part of your family for many years. And we hope you will be part of ours for a long time to come.

We thank you for buying GE. We appreciate your purchase, and hope you will continue to rely on us whenever you need quality appliances for your home.

FOR YOUR RECORDS

Write the model and serial numbers here:

# #

You can find them on the sump bracket.

Staple sales slip or cancelled check here.

Proof of the original purchase date is needed to obtain service under the warranty.

Inside you will find many helpful hints on how to use and maintain your water system properly. Just a little preventive care on your part can save you a great deal of time and money over the life of your system. A video has been included with the product containing important use and care instructions.

You’ll find many answers to common problems in the

Before You Call

For Service

section. If you review our chart of

Troubleshooting Tips

first,

you may not need to call for service at all.

READ THIS MANUAL

IF YOU NEED SERVICE

If you do need service, you can relax knowing help is only a phone call away. A list of toll-free customer service numbers is included in the back section.

IMPORT ANT!

Fill out and return the Consumer Product Registration Card that is packed with this product. If you cannot find it, please send in the duplicate card printed in the back of this manual.

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions

Safety Instructions

Operating Instructions

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips Safety Instructions

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of electric shock, property damage or personal injury.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions

Safety Instructions

Operating Instructions

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

■ Check and comply with your state and local

codes. You must follow these guidelines.

■Use care when handling the water softening

system. Do not turn upside down, drop, drag, or set on sharp protrusions.

■Water softening systems using sodium chloride

(salt) for regeneration add sodium to the water.

Persons on sodium restricted diets should consider the added sodium as part of their overall intake. Potassium chloride can be used as an alternative to sodium chloride.

■

The water softening system works on 24 volt-60 Hz electrical power only.

Be sure to use only the

included transformer.

■Keep the salt hole cover in place on the softener

unless servicing the unit or refilling with salt.

WARNING:

Do not

use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system.

Read and follow this Safety Information carefully.

SA VE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

PROPER INSTALLATION

■Install or store where it will not be exposed to

temperatures below freezing or exposed to any type of weather. Water freezing in the system will break it. Do not attempt to treat water over 100°F.

■

Do not

install in direct sunlight. Excessive sun heat may cause distortion or other damage to nonmetallic parts.

■Properly ground to conform with all governing

codes and ordinances.

■Use only

lead-free solder and flux

for all sweatsolder connections, as required by state and federal codes.

■

Maximum allowable inlet water pressure is 125 psi. If daytime pressure is over 80 psi, nighttime pressure may exceed the maximum. Use a pressure reducing valve to reduce the flow if necessary.

WARNING:

Discard all unused parts and packaging material after installation. Small parts remaining after the installation could be a choke hazard.

This water softening system must be properly installed and located in accordance with the Installation Instructions before it is used.

Read entire manual. Failure to follow all guidelines and rules could cause personal injury or property damage.

•Before you begin installation, read these Installation Instructions completely. Then, obtain all the

materials and tools you will need to make the installation. Failure to properly install the softener voids the warranty.

•Check local codes. The installation must conform to them.

•Use only lead-free solder and flux for all sweat-solder connections, as required by state and federal

codes.

•Connect the softener to the main water supply pipe

before

ahead of the

water heater.

DO NOT RUN

HOT WATER THROUGH THE SOFTENER.

Temperature of water passing through the softener must be

less than 120° F.

•Use care when handling the softener. Do not turn upside down, drop, drag, or set on sharp

protrusions.

•Maximum allowable inlet water pressure is 125 psi. If daytime pressure is over 80 psi, nighttime

pressure may exceed the maximum. Use a pressure reducing valve if necessary. (Adding a pressure reducing valve may reduce the flow.)

•The softener works on 24 volt-60 Hz electrical power only. Be sure to use the included transformer.

Be sure the electric outlet and transformer are in an inside location to protect from wet weather.

•See

Where to Install the Softener

section for more details.

WARNING:

Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system. The water should be tested periodically to verify that the system is performing satisfactorily.

Small parts remaining after the installation could be a choke hazard. Discard safely.

Installation instructions.

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Operating Instructions

Safety Instructions

Operating Instructions

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Safety Instructions

Operating Instructions

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Safety Instructions

Installation Instructions

CAUTION:

Certain plumbing skills are needed for installation. If you are unsure about any part

of the installation of this product, consult a professional plumber.

Unpacking and Inspection

The softener is shipped in one master carton. The softener is completely assembled at the factory, except as required at installation.

Be sure to check the entire softener for any shipping damage or parts loss. Also note damage to the shipping cartons. Contact the transportation company for all damage and loss claims. The manufacturer is not responsible for damages in transit.

Small parts, needed to install the softener, are on a skin-packed cardboard piece. To avoid loss of the small parts, keep them on the skin-pack until you are ready to use them.

Important Installation Recommendations

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions

Safety Instructions

Operating Instructions

•Place the softener as close as possible to a sewer drain, or other acceptable drain point or standpipe.

•It is recommended to keep outside faucets on hard water to save soft water and salt.

•Do not install the softener in a place where it could freeze.

Freeze damage is not covered by the warranty.

•Do not install the softener where it would block access to the water heater or access to the main water

shutoff.

•Put the softener in a place where water damage is least likely to occur if a leak develops. The

manufacturer will not repair or pay for water damage.

•A 120 volt electric outlet is needed to plug in the included transformer. The softener has a 10 foot

power cable. If the outlet is remote (up to 100 feet), use 18 gauge wire to connect.

Be sure the

electric outlet and transformer are in an inside location, to protect from wet weather.

Be sure the outlet

is unswitched to prevent accidental shutoff.

•If installing in an outside location, you must take the steps necessary to assure the softener,

installation plumbing, wiring, etc., are as well protected from the elements (sunlight, rain, wind, heat, cold), contamination, vandalism, etc., as when installed indoors.

•

Keep the softener out of direct sunlight.

The sun’s heat may distort non-metallic parts and may damage

the electronics.

Where to Install the Softener

•In and out pipes to the softener must be at least 3/4″size. Some local codes require a minimum of

1″pipe size. To plumb with 1″pipes, buy adapters to fit the 1″pipe threads on the bypass valve (see

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

• Use copper, brass or galvanized pipe and fittings. Some codes may also allow CPVC plastic pipes.

• Use the included bypass valve to install the softener. The bypass valve allows you to turn off water to

the softener for servicing, but still have water in the house pipes.

• Drain hose is needed for valve and salt tank drains. A 20′length of drain tubing is included. If a

longer length is needed, it can be ordered from GE Parts at 800.626.2002.

• If a rigid valve drain is needed to comply with plumbing codes, you can buy the parts needed (Fig. 4A)

to connect a 1/2″copper tubing or plastic pipe drain.

• Clean nugget or pellet water softener salt is needed to fill the brine tank, see

Step 9.

in the

Step-by-

Step Installation Instructions.

Tools and Materials Required for Installation

You must first decide how to run in and out pipes to the softener. Look at the house main water pipe at the point where you will connect the softener. Is the pipe soldered copper, glued plastic, or threaded galvanized? What is the pipe size?

WARNING:

Use only lead-free solder and flux to prevent lead poisoning.

See

T ypical Installation Illustration,

Fig.1. Use this as a guide when planning your particular installation.

Be sure to direct the incoming hard water supply to the softener valve inlet fitting.

The valve

is marked INand

OUT.

See below to help you prepare.

NOTE:

The state of Massachusetts requires a licensed plumber to perform the installation.

Plan How You Will Install the Softener

Installation instructions.

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions

Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Operating Instructions

Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips Safety Instructions

Typical Installation Illustration

Fig 1.

Optional 3-Valve Bypass Installation Illustration

Fig 2.

Adapters for this installation are not supplied with the softener. To order these adapters, call GE Parts 800.626.2000.

Soft water

Hard water to outside faucets

MAIN WATER PIPE

Hard water

Installation nut (2)

Copper tube, 3/4″(2) Washer (2)

Bypass Valve

• Pull out for service

• Push in for bypass

NOTE:

Threads on the bypass valve are 1″ male pipe. If 1″ pipes are needed, do not use the copper tubes and nuts included. Buy adapters and plumb directly to the 1″ threads.

INLET

Brinewell

NOTE:

See

Drain Hose

Connections

section.

SALT GOES HERE

Salt hole cover removed

24V transformer

120-volt outlet

Hard water

Soft water

From softener outlet

To softener inlet

CROSS-OVER

Use if water supply flows from the left.

Include single or 3-valve bypass.

Hard water

Soft water

From softener outlet

To softener inlet

CROSS-OVER

Use if water supply flows from the left.

Include single or 3-valve bypass.

MAIN WATER PIPE

Soft water

Hard water

Copper tube, 3/4″ (2)

Washer (2)

Installation adapter (2)

INLET

NOTE:

Threads on the installation adapters are 1″ male pipe. If 1″ pipes are needed, do not use the copper tubes and nuts included. Buy adapters and plumb directly to the 1″ threads.

24V transformer

120-volt outlet

Bypass valve

Hard water to outside faucets

Inlet valve

Outlet valve

Nut (2)

3-valve bypass system For soft water service:

• Open the inlet and outlet valves

• Close the bypass valve For bypass hard water:

• Close the inlet and outlet valves

• Open the bypass valve

Step-by-step installation instructions.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions

Safety Instructions

Operating Instructions

Turn off the water supply to pipes to be cut and drain the house water pipes. Open both hot and cold faucets.

Install bypass valve:

•Push the bypass valve (lubricate o-ring seals with silicone

grease) into both ports of the valve as shown in Fig. 3A.

•Snap the 2 large plastic clips in place, from the top, down

as shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B. Be sure they snap into place. Pull on the bypass valve to make sure it is held securely in place.

Move the softener assembly into installation position:

•Be sure the installation surface is level and smooth. Sharp

objects under the tank may puncture it. If needed, place

the tank on a section of 3/4″thick (minimum) plywood.

Then, place shims under the plywood as needed to level the softener.

Plumb IN and OUT pipes to and from softener: CAUTION:

Observe all of the following cautions as you

connect inlet and outlet plumbing.

•Turn off the water heater.

•Be sure incoming hard water supply is directed to the

softener valve inlet port. If house water flow is from the left, use a plumbing cross-over as shown in Fig. 1.

•If making a soldered copper installation,

do all sweat

soldering before

connecting pipes to the bypass valve.

Torch

heat will damage plastic parts.

•When turning threaded pipe fittings onto plastic fittings,

use care not to cross-thread.

•Use pipe joint compound on all external pipe threads.

•Support inlet and outlet plumbing in some manner (use

pipe hangers) to keep the weight off of the valve fittings.

Install the brine tank overflow fittings:

•Insert the rubber grommet into the 3/4″diameter hole in

the brine tank sidewall as shown in Fig. 5.

•Push the end of the hose adapter elbow into the grommet

as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 3A.

Fig. 3B.

Fig. 3C.

Fig. 4.

Drain fitting on valve

Valve drain hose

To sewer drain

OUT

Turn bypass valve upside down to connect to floor level plumbing

Valve body inlet or outlet

Bypass valve (push all the way in)

Clip

END VIEW

Clip

Outlet

Inlet

O-ring seal goes into the outer groove only. The clip snaps into the inner groove (see below).

Bypass valve

NOTE:

Threads on the valve are 1″ male pipe. If 1″ pipe is needed, buy adapters and plumb to the 1″ threads.

SIDE VIEW

Step-by-step installation instructions.

Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions

Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Operating Instructions

Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips Safety Instructions

Connect and run the valve drain hose:

•Use the provided drain hose (20′length included) to attach

to the valve drain fitting. To keep water pressure from blowing the hose off, use a hose clamp to secure in place.

•Locate the other end of the hose at a suitable drain point

(floor drain, sump, laundry tub, etc.) that terminates at the sewer.

Check and comply with local codes.

IMPORTANT:

If more drain hose is needed, it should be

ordered from GE Parts at 800.626.2002.

The water softener will

not work if water cannot exit this hose during regenerations.

•Tie or wire the hose in place at the drain point. High water

pressure will cause it to whip during the back-wash and fast rinse cycles of regeneration.

Also provide an air gap of at least

1–1/2″between the end of the hose and the drain point.

An air gap prevents possible siphoning of sewer water into the softener, if the sewer should back-up.

•If raising the drain hose overhead is required to get to the

drain point,

do not raise higher than 8´above the floor.

Elevating the hose may cause a back-pressure that could reduce brine draw during regenerations.

Connect a rigid valve drain tube:

•To adapt a copper drain tube to the softener, use a hacksaw to

cut the barbed end from the drain fitting as shown in Fig. 4A. Rotate the drain fitting so the cutting blade clears the valve housing to prevent damage to valve. Buy a compression fitting

(1/4″female pipe thread x 1/2″O.D. tube) and needed

tubing from your local hardware store.

Connect and run the cabinet (brine tank) overflow hose

•

Attach a length of hose (use remaining hose from

Step 5

) to

the drain elbow installed in

Step 4.

Use a hose clamp to hold

it in place.

•

Locate the other end of the hose at the drain point.

DO NOT

ELEVATE

this hose higher than the elbow on the brine tank.

DO NOTTEE

this hose to the valve drain hose.

NOTE:

This drain is for safety only. If the cabinet (brine tank)

should over-fill with water, the excess is carried to the drain.

Install grounding clamps and wire:

DANGER:

Failure to properly attach ground wire could

result in electrical shock.

•If plumbing is metal, to

maintain electrical ground continuity

in the house cold water piping, install the included ground clamps as shown in Fig. 6. Be sure the pipes are clean under the clamps to assure good contact.

Flush pipes, expel air from softener, and test your installation for water leaks:

CAUTION: To avoid water or air pressure damage to softener

inner parts, be sure to do the following steps in exact order.

Fully open 2 cold soft water faucets nearby the softener.

Place bypass valve in bypass position by pushing the stem inward.

Fully open the house main water pipe shutoff valve. Observe a steady flow from both faucets opened in

Step A

above.

Fig. 4A

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Clamp (2)

Ground wire

From valve outlet

To valve inlet

To sewer drain

Overflow drain hose

Hose clamp

Grommet

Clip

1/4″ NPT threads

Barbs

1/2″ O.D. copper tube (not furnished)

Cut barbs from drain fitting

Compression fitting, 1/4″ NPT X 1/2″O.D. tube (not furnished)

Add water and salt to the brine tank:

•Remove the cabinet (brine tank) cover. Add about 3 gallons of water into the tank. Do not add

into the brinewell.

•Fill tank with

NUGGET, PELLET

or coarse

SOLAR

water softener salt with a purity of 99.5% or higher. Do not use rock, block, granulated, or ice cream-making salts. Salt storage capacity is approximately 200 lbs. for model GXSS17. Keep the salt hole cover in place on the softener unless servicing the unit or refilling with salt.

NOTE:

If the softener is installed in a humid basement or other damp area, it is better to fill the tank with less salt, more frequently. Eighty to 100 lbs. of salt will last for several months, depending on water hardness and family size.

Connect to electrical power:

•If transformer wiring is not visible at the back of the control head, remove control cover.

DO NOT

PULL ON OR DISCONNECT WIRING.

Locate the long wire with U shaped connectors on one end.

Route this wire through the rear of the control housing. Replace the control cover.

•Fasten the 2 power cable lugs (U shaped connectors) to the 2 screws on the transformer, and

tighten the screws. Then, plug the transformer into the electrical outlet.

Program the CONTROL.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions

Safety Instructions

Operating Instructions

Place bypass valve in the service position

EXACTLY

as follows.

KEEP SOFT WATER FAUCETS OPEN.

SLOWLY

pull or slide the valve stem toward service, pausing several times to allow the softener to pressurize slowly. This initial flow of water may be rusty colored. This is normal and will disappear quickly.

After about 3 minutes, open a

HOT

water faucet for 1 minute, or until all air is expelled, then close.

Close all water faucets.

Check your plumbing work for leaks and fix right away if any are found. Be sure to observe previous caution notes.

Turn on the gas or electric supply to the water heater. Light the pilot, if applicable.

Sanitize the softener.

Care is taken at the factory to keep your softener clean and sanitary. Materials used to make the softener will not infect or contaminate your water supply and will not cause bacteria to form or grow. However, during shipping, storage, installing and operating, bacteria could get into the softener. For is reason, sanitizing as follows is suggested when installing.

•Lift the salt hole cover and use a pail or hose to

fill the salt storage tank with at least 3 gallons of water.

•

Remove the brinewell cover, see Fig. 7 and pour about 3/4 ounce of common 5.25% household bleach (Clorox, Linco, BoPeep, White Sail, Eagle, etc.) in the softener brinewell.

•Press the

TOUCH/HOLD

button and hold for 3 seconds to start a recharge. This first recharge does

several things: fills the salt tank to the water

level needed,

gets all the air out of the resin tank,

makes the resin bed ready for service. See the

Recharging

section.

NOTE: This recharge takes about 2 hours.

Fig. 7

Salt hole cover removed

Hose

Brinewell

Brinewell cover (remove and add about 3/4 oz. bleach)

Water, about 3 gallons

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