GE GNSF18Z01, GNSF23Z01, GNSF35Z01, PNSF31Z01 Installation Instructions

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.

GE & PROFILE

SmartWater™ Softener Systems

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

GE Models GNSF18Z01, GNSF23Z01, GNSF35Z01 & Profile Model PNSF31Z01

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Page #

Important Installation Recommendations 1
Plan How You Will Install the Softener 2
Where to Install the Softener 2
Tools and Materials Required for Installation 2
Step-by-Step Installation Instructions

— Bypass valve 4
— Softener assembly 4
— Plumb piping 4
— Brine tank overflow fittings 4
— Valve drain hose 4, 5
— Connecting brine tank overflow hose 5
— Grounding clamps and wires 5
— Testing for water leaks 5
— Programming the control 6, 7
— Specifications/Dimensions 7

Parts List 8–11

7193812 (1-98) 215C1001P001-2 For Use and Care questions call: GE Answer Center® 800.626.2000
Pub. No. 49-5806-2 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, Appliance Park, Louisville, KY 40225

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.

1

IMPORTANT INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS

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

• Follow the installation instructions carefully. Failure to properly install the softener voids the warranty.

• Before you begin installation, read these Installation Instructions completely. Then, obtain all the materials and tools you will need to

make the installation.

• 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 or AHEAD OF the water heater. DO NOT RUN HOT WATER

THROUGH THE SOFTENER. Temperature of water passing through the softener must be less than 100° F.

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

• The softener requires a minimum water flow of 3 gallons per minute at the inlet. 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.

PLAN HOW YOU WILL INSTALL THE SOFTENER

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.

Look at Fig. 1 for models GNSF18, GNSF23 and GNSF35 or Fig. 2 for model PNSF31. 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 IN and OUT. See
below to help you prepare.

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

2

•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 Figures 1 and 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.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION

•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

TYPICAL INSTALLATION ILLUSTRATION

3

Fig. 1

OPTIONAL 3-VALVE BYPASS INSTALLATION ILLUSTRATION

Adapters for this installation are not supplied with the softener.

Fig. 2

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, page 6.

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.

CROSS-OVER

Use if water supply flows from

the left. Include single or

3–valve bypass.

To softener
inlet

From softener
outlet

Hard water

Soft water

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)

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

3-valve bypass system

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

1. INSTALL BYPASS VALVE

•Remove plastic shipping plug and wire from valve outlet.

•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 Figures 3A and 3B.

Be sure they snap into place. Pull on the bypass valve to make sure it is held securely in
place.

2. 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.

3. PLUMB IN AND OUT PIPES TO AND FROM SOFTENER:

CAUTION: Observe all of the following cautions as you connect inlet and outlet

plumbing.

•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.

4. 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.

5. 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 can 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.

Fig. 3A.

Fig. 3B.

Fig. 3C.

Fig. 4.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

NOTE: Be sure the turbine

and support are firmly in
place in the valve outlet.
Blow into the valve port and
observe the turbine
for free rotation.

4

Drain
fitting
on
valve

Valve drain hose

To sewer drain

Turbine

Valve outlet

Turbine shaft
and support

IN

OUT

Turn bypass valve
up-side 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