GE PNSF39Z01 User Manual

PNSF39Z01
GE Appliances
www.geappliances.com
215C1044P012 49-50051 4-00 JR 7220978
Owner’s Manual &

Installation Instructions

Safety Instructions

Proper installation . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Drain connections . . . . . . . . . .7, 8
Important recommendations . .4
Installation instructions . . . . . .4-6
Planning and location . . . . . . . . .5
Programming the control . . . . . .9
Sanitizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Specifications and
dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Step-by-step instructions . . . .7-11
Tools and materials required . .5
Unpacking and inspection . . . . .4

Operating Instructions, Tips

Breaking a salt bridge . . . . . . . .13
Cleaning nozzle and
venturi assembly . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Electronic Diagnostics . . . . . . .18
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-17
Regenerating the system . .19, 20
Water softener system . . . . .12-21

Care and Cleaning

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

Customer Service

Appliance registration . . . .27, 28
Important phone
numbers . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
Parts list/catalog . . . . . . . . .29, 32
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Profile Performance Series
Water Softening
system
Congratulations! You are Now Part of the GE Family.
2
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 Installation and 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 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
3
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.
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 non-metallic 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 less life of the resin. 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.
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.
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 3/4(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 valve and salt tank drains, this can be ordered from
GE Parts at 800.626.2002.
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
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
Note:
Threads on the installation
adapters are 1male pipe. If 1 pipes are needed, do not use the copper tubes and nuts included. Buy 1” pipe thread female adapter and plumb directly to 1” threads on installation adapters.
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 1” pipe thread female adapter and plumb directly to 1” threads.
Brinewell
Nut (2)
Copper tube, 3/4(2)
Washer (2)
Installation adapter (2) (see above)
INLET
Union (2) (not supplied)
INLET
Optional 3-Valve Bypass Installation Illustration
Adapters for this installation are not supplied with the softener. To order these adapters, call GE Parts 800-626-2000. Ask for part number WS60X10006.
7
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.
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 3/4thick (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. See Fig. 1 or 2.
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. 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 1–1/2between 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 8above 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
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.
Drain fitting on valve
Valve drain hose
FLOOR DRAIN
Turbine
Valve outlet
Turbine shaft and support
IN
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
bypass valve are 1male pipe. If 1pipes are needed, do not use the copper tubes and nuts included. Buy 1 pipe thread female adapter, and plumb directly to 1 threads.
SIDE VIEW
Tie or wire hose in place
11⁄
2
air gap
STANDPIPE
LAUNDRY TUB
SUMP
Clamp
8
Step-by-step installation instructions.
4A. CONNECTING 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 (1/4female pipe thread x 1/2O.D. tube) and needed tubing from your
local hardware store.
5. 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 (use remaining hose from Step 4) 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 caution notes.
H. Turn on the gas or electric supply to the water heater. Light the pilot, if applicable.
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
1/4NPT threads
Barbs
1/2O.D. copper tube (not furnished)
Cut barbs from drain fitting
Compression fitting, 1/4 NPT X 1/2O.D. tube (not furnished)
Do not connect to valve drain hose.
8. 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 with NUGGET, PELLET or coarse SOLAR water softener salt with a purity of 99.5% or higher. Do not use rock, block,
granulated, and ice cream-making salts, or salt with iron-removing additives (except for Diamond Crystal® Red•Out® brand salt). Salt storage capacity is approximately 200 lbs. 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, family size and water softening system model.
9. 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.
The softener works on 24 volt-60Hz 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.
10. PROGRAM THE CONTROL:
See Programming the Control section.
Hose adapter
9
SET
TIME HARDNESS
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
PRESENT TIME
show in the
upper display area. Program the timer as instructed below. If
PL--
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 AMshows.
When the present time shows, press
SET
to apply.
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
2
1
TOUCH or HOLD button
UP (+) button
Set button
DOWN (-) button
DATA button
Display
PRESENT TIME
AM
HARDNESS
10
Step-by-step installation instructions.
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 6.
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.
Specifications/Dimensions
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
See rating decal, located on the softener
52/1.0
10x 35
10
110
6.6
20-125
15
120
3
.3
.19
.12
2.3
2.3
{
(flow to drain)
44”
36-1/4”
14”
35”
24”
3-3/8”
11-1/2”
INLET - OUTLET
INLET
OUT
Model GE Profile Performance PNSF39Z
11
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.
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