GE GNSF48A01, GNSF39A01 User Manual

GNSF39A01 GNSF48A01
GE Appliances
215C1044P005-3 49-50020-3 04/00 JR 7221039
www.geappliances.com

Safety Information

Proper installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Installation Instructions

Drain connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Installation instructions . . . . . . . .4-6
Planning and location . . . . . . . . . . .5
Sanitizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Tools and materials required . . . . .5

Operating Instructions, Tips

Breaking a salt bridge . . . . . . . . . .13
Cleaning nozzle and
venturi assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Electronic diagnostics . . . . . . . . . .18
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-17
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Care and Cleaning

Salt storage level and refilling
. . . .22
Cleaning out iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . .23–25

Customer Service

Important phone
numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
Parts list/catalog . . . . . . . . . . . .26-29
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Water Softening
system
Owner’s Manual &
Installation Instructions
2
FOR YOUR RECORDS
Write the model and serial numbers here:
#
#
You can find them on the back of the control head.
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.
READ THIS MANUAL
IF YOU NEED SERVICE
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.
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.
OR
Visit our website at:
www.geappliances.com
.
IMPORTANT!
Fill out the Consumer Product Registration Card.
Two easy ways to register your appliance!
Through the internet at www.geappliances.com
Complete and mail the enclosed Product Registration Card
GE & You, A Service Partnership.
3
WARNING!
For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of electric shock, property damage or personal injury.
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.
SAVE 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.
The water softening system requires a minimum water flow of three 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 to reduce the flow if necessary.
Softener resins may degrade in the presence of chlorine above 1 ppm. If you have chlorine in excess of this amount, you may experience reduced resin life. In these conditions, you may wish to consider purchasing a GE point-of-entry household filtration system with a chlorine reducing filter. Contact the GE Answer Center at 1-800-626-2000 for more information.
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.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
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.
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Plumbing Code 248 CMR shall be adhered to. Consult with your licensed plumber.
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 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.
4
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

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
5
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.
Do not locate the brine tank more than 10 feet away from the resin tank.
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 fittings included with the softener are 1(nominal) copper sweat tubes. To maintain full valve
flow, 1pipes to and from the softener fittings are recommended. You should maintain the same, or larger,
pipe size as the water supply pipe, up to the softener inlet and outlet.
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. The in and out fittings referred to above connect to the bypass valve with the included nuts and washers.
Use copper, brass or galvanized pipe and fittings. Some codes may also allow CPVC plastic pipes.
If additional drain hose is needed for salt tank drains, it can be ordered from GE Parts at 800.626.2002.
Garden hose with female fitting is needed for valve drain (sufficiently long to reach suitable drain).
If a rigid valve drain is needed to comply with plumbing codes, you can buy the parts needed to connect a
1/2copper tubing or plastic drain.
Clean nugget or pellet water softener salt is needed to fill the brine tank, see
Step 8
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
Typical 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.
Plan How You Will Install the Softener
Installation instructions.
Typical Installation Illustration
Fig. 1
Optional 3-Valve Bypass Installation Illustration
Fig. 2
6
Soft water
Hard water to outside faucets
MAIN WATER PIPE
Hard water
NOTE:
See
Drain Hose
Connections
section.
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
24V transformer
120-volt outlet
Bypass valve
Hard water to outside faucets
Inlet valve
Outlet valve
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
Union (2) (not supplied)
Clips (2)
Copper tube, 1” (2)
O-rings (2)
INLET
Union (2) (not supplied)
Clips (2)
Copper tube, 1” (2)
O-rings (2)
INLET
Retainer (2)
Brine tank
Venturi nozzle
Brine tank
Venturi nozzle
Support inlet and outlet plumbing in some manner (use pipe hangers)
to keep the weight off of the valve fittings.
Connect and run the valve drain hose:
Take a length of garden hose with female fitting and attach
to the valve drain fitting, as shown in Fig. 4.
IMPORTANT:
Make sure the garden hose fitting fits
securely onto the threaded drain port.
Locate the other end of the hose at a suitable drain point (floor drain, sump, laundry tub, etc.) that terminates at the sewer drain.
Check and comply with local codes.
IMPORTANT:
Use a high quality, thick-walled hose that will not easily kink or collapse. 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.
4
Step-by-step installation instructions.
Turn off the gas or electric supply to the water heater, in
the possibility that the water heater may be drained while draining pipes.
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:
Remove plastic shipping plug and retainer from valve outlet.
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.
Push the bypass valve (lubricate o-ring seals with silicone
grease) into both ports of the valve as shown in Fig. 3.
IMPORTANT:
Snap the 2 large plastic clips in place, as shown in Fig. 3.
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:
CAUTION:
Secure the resin tank to a stable structure to prevent it
from falling over.
Locate the brine tank directly next to the resin tank.
Be sure the installation surface is level and smooth. Sharp
objects under the brine tank may puncture it. If needed,
place the brine tank on a section of 3/4thick (minimum)
plywood. Then, place shims under the plywood as needed to level the softener.
Connect the black brine valve tube from the brinewell to
the venturi assembly on the valve, using the plastic nut provided as shown in Fig. 5.
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.
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.
3
2
1
Fig. 3
Clips
Turbine
Valve outlet
Turbine support and shaft
7
Fig. 4
O-rings
Drain fitting on valve (Male garden hose fitting)
Valve drain hose (female garden hose fitting)
FLOOR DRAIN
Tie or wire hose in place
1
1
2air gap
STANDPIPE
SUMP
LAUNDRY TUB
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:
Using the instruction sheet provided with the electronic
control, connect the wires from the valve to the electronic control.
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.
The softener works on 24 volt-60 Hz electric power. The
included transformer changes standard 120 volt AC house power to 24 volts.
Plug the transformer into a 120 volt outlet
only.
Be sure the outlet is always live so it can not be switched
off by mistake.
Program the control:
See
Programming the Control
section.
10
9
Step-by-step installation instructions.
Install the brine tank overflow fittings and hose:
Insert the rubber grommet into the 3/4diameter 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.
Attach a length of hose to the hose adapter elbow.
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.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT TEE OVERFLOW HOSE TO 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.
A.
Fully open 2 cold soft water faucets nearby the softener.
B.
Place bypass valve in “bypass” position by pushing the stem inward.
C.
Fully open the house main water pipe shutoff valve. Observe a steady flow from both faucets opened in
Step A
above.
D.
Place bypass valve in the “service” position
EXACTLY
as
follows.
KEEP SOFT WATER FAUCETS OPEN.
SLOWLY
pull or slide the valve stem (OUT) toward “service”, pausing several times to allow the softener to pressurize slowly.
E.
After about 3 minutes, open a HOT water faucet for 1 minute, or until all air is expelled, then close.
NOTE:
If water appears cloudy or has salty taste,
allow to run for several more minutes or until clear.
F.
Close all water faucets.
G.
Check your plumbing work for leaks and fix right away if any are found.
BE SURE TO OBSERVE PREVIOUS CAUTIONS.
Add water and salt to the brine tank:
Lift the cabinet (brine tank) cover. Add about 3 gallons of
water into the tank.
Do not add into the brinewell.
Fill tank 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 full 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 or
salt with iron removing additives
(except for Diamond
Crystal® Red•Out® brand salt.)
8
7
6
5
Fig. 6
Clamp (2)
Ground wire
From valve outlet
To valve inlet
8
Fig. 5
To sewer drain
Hose clamp
Hose adapter
Grommet
Overflow drain hose
Brine tank
Venturi nozzle
Brine
well
SET
TIME HARDNESS
Excel
DATA
RECHARGE TONIGHT
RECHARGE NOW
TOUCH
HOLD
or
REMAINING CAPACITY FLOW RATE GPM GALLONS TODAY AVG. DAILY GALLONS

Programming the Control

Timer settings required—upon installation and after an extended power outage.
NOTE:
When the transformer is plugged into the electrical outlet,
12:00 AM
is flashing and the words
PRESENT TIME
show in the upper display area. Program the timer as instructed below. If,
A---
is flashing, see the
Setting Model Code
section.
A beep sounds while pressing buttons for timer
programming. One beep signals a change in the timer display. Repeated beeps means the timer will not accept a change from the button or arrow you have pressed and you should use another.
To program the timer, you will use the
SET, UP (+)
and
DOWN (-)
buttons.
Set present time of day
NOTE:
If the words
PRESENT TIME
do not show in the display,
press the
SET
button until they do.
Press the
UP (+)
or
DOWN (-)
b
utton to set. The
UP
b
utton
moves the display ahead; the
DOWN
b
utton moves the
time backward.
NOTE:
Each press of an
UP
or
DOWN
b
utton changes the time by 1 minute. Holding the buttons in changes the time 32 minutes each second.
If the present time is between noon and midnight, be sure
PM
shows.
If the present time is between midnight and noon,be sure
AM
shows.
When the present time shows, press
SET
to apply.
2
1
9
Down (–) button
Data button
Up (+) button
Display
Touch or Hold button
Set water hardness number
NOTE:
If
15
(factory default) and
HARDNESS
do not show in
the display, press the
SET
button until they do.
Press the
UP (+)
or
DOWN (-)
b
utton to set your water
hardness number in the display. The
DOWN
b
utton
moves the display down to 1. The
UP
b
utton moves the
display up to 110.
NOTE:
Each press of an
UP (+)
or
DOWN (-)
b
utton changes the display by 1 between 1 and 25. Above 25, the display changes 5 at a time (25, 30, 35, etc.). Holding a button in changes the numbers twice each second.
When your water hardness number shows, press
SET
to apply.
NOTE: If there is clear water iron in your water supply, you will
need to increase the hardness setting by 5 for each 1 ppm of clear water iron in your water supply.
You can get the grains per gallon (gpg) hardness of your water supply from a water analysis laboratory, or call and ask your local water department, if you are on a municipal supply, or call GE Answer Center®to request a water hardness test kit. If your report shows hardness in parts per million (ppm) simply divide by 17.1 to get the equivalent number of grains per gallon.
2
1
Set button
AM
PRESENT TIME
HARDNESS
Step-by-step installation instructions.
10
Sanitizing Procedures
To complete the installation, do the following sanitizing procedures.
Care is taken at the factory to keep your water 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 this reason, sanitizing as follows is suggested when installing.
NOTE: Sanitizing is recommended by the Water Quality Association for disinfecting.
Be sure to complete all installation steps, including timer programming.
Pour about 3/4 oz. of common 5.25% household bleach (Clorox, Linco, Bo Peep, White Sail, Eagle, etc.) into the
brinewell
. Refer to illustration on page 8.
IMPORTANT:
Press and hold for 3 seconds the faceplate
TOUCH/HOLD
button to start an immediate
regeneration.
Recharge Now
begins to flash in the display. The bleach is drawn into and through
the water softener
.
If after sanitization water from house faucet tastes salty or has a slight color, this is a preservative from the resin tank. Turn on the cold soft water faucets and drain for a few minutes or until clear.
4
3
2
1
NOTE:
When the above sanitizing regeneration is over, your house
COLD
water supply is fully soft immediately. However, your water heater is filled with hard water and as hot water is used, it will refill with soft water. When all the hard water is replaced in the water heater, hot only and mixed hot and cold water will be fully soft. If you want totally soft water immediately, after the above regeneration, drain the water heater until the water runs cold.
WARNING:
If you do drain the water heater, use extreme care as the hot water could cause burns.
Turn the water heater off prior to draining.
11
Specifications/Dimensions—
See rating decal, located on the Water Softening System.
Rated Capacity*
Amount of high capacity resin (lbs/cu. ft)
Resin tank nominal size (in., dia. x height)
Service flow rate (gpm) (see rating label on softener)
Water supply maximum hardness (gpg)
Water supply maximum clear water iron (ppm)**
Water pressure limits (min.-max. psi)
Pressure drop at rated service flow (psig)
Water temperature maximum (°F)
Water supply minimum flow rate (gpm)
Regeneration cycle flow rates (gpm)
Fill (flow to brine tank)
Brining
Brine Rinse
Backwash
Fast Rinse
GNSF39A
54.6/1.05
10x 35
12
110
8
20-125
15
120
3
.3
.16
.12
2.0
2.0
GNSF48A
67.6/1.30
10x 47
12
110
8
20-125
15
120
3
.3
.16
.12
2.0
2.0
This system conforms to WQA S-100-98 for specific capacity claims as verified and substantiated by test data.
* Testing was performed using pellet grade sodium chloride as the regenerant salt. ** Extent of iron removal may vary with conditions. Use of Diamond Crystal® Red•Out® or Super Iron Out®
will improve iron removal. Refer to
Cleaning iron out of the Water Softening System section
.
14
11
3
7
8
IN-OUT
38
18
47or 59
38
1
2or 50 1⁄2
{
(flow to drain)
Loading...
+ 25 hidden pages