Kenmore 170 User Manual

INSTALLATION

MANUAL

MODEL NOS.

UltraSoft 170

625.388170

UltraSoft 180

625.388180

UltraSoft 275

625.388270

UltraSoft 280

625.388280

Caution:

Read and Follow

All Safety Guides

Before You Start To Install Your Softener.

If you have questions when installing, operating or main-

taining your softener, and

when setting the timer, call

this toll-free number...

1-800-426-9345

www.Ken moreWater.com

UltraSoft Water Softeners

With DELUXE valve

designed for plumbing up to 1 inch

_i, Safety Guides _i, Unpacking _i, Where To Install _i, How To Install

_i, Pressure Testing

Systems Tested and Certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSl Standard 44for softener performance.

-. Tt_ /

SAVE THIS MANUAL

I Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 USA I

PRINTED IN U.S.A. 7258997 (Rev. F 7/1/05)

Use the plastic bag and tie provided, to hang manuals

nearby the softener for future reference,

[ INTRODUCTION

I N T

This manual gives you the steps needed to install your new Kenmore Water Softener. To better understand how the water softener is installed, and to know what you will need, please read this entire manual before beginning.

After you have installed the water softener, the included owner's manual tells you how to start, program, operate and maintain it. The owners manual also has the product warranty,

and a listing of repair parts available from Sears.

Your Kenmore Water Softener will remove hardness minerals (measured in grains per gal- lon.., gpg) and some clear water iron (measured in parts per million.., ppm) from water. See

the specifications, in your owners manual, for the maximum limits of hardness and iron removal. A water softener will not improve other water problems such as acidity, tastes and odors, or iron other than clear water iron. It will not purify contaminated water, or make

other unsafe water safe to drink.

Sears sells a complete line of water treating equipment to correct various water problems. To be sure you have the proper type and size equipment, you must have your water tested.

Your Sears store can give you water test results for hardness, iron and acidity, and tell you what equipment you need. Simply take at least a 4 oz. sample of your water to Sears, and they will test it while you wait. If you need help to get your water tested, or if you have other questions about your water, ask at your Sears store, or call Sears Water Line

...1-800-426-9345.

Deluxe Valve

[ii:i_:iii:ii:i_:iii:ii:i_:iii:ii:i_:iii:ii:i_:iii:ii:i_:iii:ii:i_:iii:ii:i_:iiTABLE OF CONTENTS

N T

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BEFORE INSTALLING CHECKS & TESTS

A. Safety Guides B. Unpacking The Water Softener C. Water System Tests

PLAN YOUR INSTALLATION

A. Where To Install The Water Softener B. Tools, Pipe and Fittings, Other Materials Needed

C. Typical Soldered Copper (or CPVC) In and Out Pipes D. Typical Threaded In and Out Pipes To Softener-

STEP BY STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL

A. Assemble Inlet-Outlet Adaptors, or Plastic Bypass Valve .....

B. Installing 3-Valve Bypass C. Locate and Connect Water Softener

D. Connect Valve and Salt Tank Drain Hoses E. Pressure Test - Check for Leaks

F. Grounding - Connect to Electrical Power

PAGE NO.

1-1 1-2 1-3

2-1

2-2, 2-3

2-4 2-5

3-1, 3-2

3-3 3-4

3-5, 3-6

3-7

3-8, 3-9

RESTART THE WATER HEATER

Deluxe Valve

3-9

SECTION1 BEFORE INSTALLING CHECKS & TESTS

A. SAFETY GUIDES

• Read all steps, guides and rules carefully before

installing and using your new water softener. Follow

all steps exactly to correctly install. Failure to follow them could cause personal injury or property damage.

Reading this book will also help you to get all of the benefits from your water softener.

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• Your water softener will remove hardness minerals and "clear water" iron* from water, up to the limits

shown on the specifications page in your owner's

manual. It will not remove other types of iron, acids, tastes and odors, etc. It will not purify polluted water or make it safe to drink.

• Check with your local public works department for

plumbing, electric and sanitation codes. You must fol-

low their guides as you install your softener. Codes in the State of Massachusetts require installations by a

licensed plumber. For installation, use plumbing code 248-CMR of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

• Use only LEAD-FREE SOLDER AND FLUX, as re- quired by federal and state codes, when installing sol- dered copper plumbing.

• Protect the softener and piping from freezing. Dam- age from freezing voids the softener warranty. See

how to protect from freezing in your owner's manual.

[] CAUTIONS

PLEASE READ AND COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING GUIDES TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE SOFTENER

OR OTHER PROPERTY, PERSONAL INJURY, OR POS- SIBLE FATAL SHOCK.

• THIS SOFTENER WORKS ON 24 VOLTS ONLY. BE SURE TO USE ONLYTHE TRANSFORMER INCLUDED,

AND PLUG IT INTO A NOMINAL 120V, 60 CYCLE

HOUSEHOLD OUTLET THAT IS GROUNDED AND PROPERLY PROTECTED BY AN OVERCURRENT DE-

VICE SUCH AS A CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE. IF

TRANSFORMER IS REPLACED, USE ONLY THE AU- THORIZED SERVICE, CLASS II, 24 VOLT, 10 VA

TRANSFORMER.

• Unplug the transformer right away if the power cable should become damaged or frayed. Make re-

pairs, or replace the transformer, before plugging back into the power outlet.

• Always unplug the softener from electrical power before removing outer valve covers.

*The capacity to reduce clear water iron is substantiated

by WQA test data.

1-1

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SECTION1 BEFORE INSTALLING CHECKS & TESTS

B. UNPACKING THE WATER SOFTENER

Directions for unpacking the softener are on the top of the shipping carton. This manual, and the own-

er's manual, were on the small parts cardboard packing piece. You will need the small parts to install the softener. So you don't lose any parts, keep them on the cardboard piece until you are ready to use them. Remove all other cardboard pieces, foam

packings, tapes, etc. from the softener and discard. Check the softener for shipping damage. If you

find damage, report it to your Sears store.

PARTS DESCRIPTIONS SMALL PARTS

SALT HOLE

COVER (OPEN) N

NOZZLE VALVE

ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY

FACE

PLATE

Use care when handling the softener. DO NOT turn upside-down. DO NOT drop, or set on sharp objects

that could make a hole in the bottom. The water soft- ener is heavy and to avoid damage, or personal inju-

ry, do not try to lift it or move more than necessary. See page 3-4, when you are ready to move it into installation position.

bypass valve

(included with some models)

I installation manual

owner's manual

SALT

STORAGE

TANK

BRINEWELL

BRINE VALVE

(MAIN)

COVER

'ELL

ground clamp kit

o- ring seals (2)

drain elbow

tube

_/X_._ adaptor

grommet _ tube

clamp

1-2

Deluxe Valve

SECTION 1.................................... BEFORE INSTALLING CHECKS & TESTS

C. WATER SYSTEM TESTS

Has your water supply had a chemical analysis? Please see page A on the inside of the front cover.

CHECK YOUR WATER PRESSURE -- For your softener to work right, a water pressure of no lower

than 20 pounds per square inch (psi) is needed in the house water pipes. The highest pressure allowed in the water pipes is 125 psi. If pressure is over 125 psi,

buy and install a pressure reducing valve in the wa-

ter inlet pipe to the softener. Note:

If water pressure during the day is 100 psi or more, pressure during the night may go over 125 psi. Ad- ding a pressure reducing valve may reduce the flow.

If you have a well water system, look at the pressure gauge to find the water pressure. Call your local wa- ter department if you have city water. They will tell

you what the water pressure is where you live.

CHECK YOUR WATER FLOW RATE -- A water flow of at least 3 gallons per minute is needed. A

lower flow will keep your softener from working as well as it should. To make an easy check of your flow

rate, do the following. You will need a one gallon container (can, jar, pail, etc.).

_1_ Fully open two cold water faucets close to the

point water enters the house.

_J_ With both faucets open, fill the gallon container

at one faucet while looking at a watch or clock to see how many seconds it takes.

_ Empty the container and go to the second faucet

(be sure BOTH faucets are still on). Fill the gallon container at the second faucet and see how

many seconds it takes.

_Turn off both faucets. Now add the number of

seconds it took to fill the container at both fau- cets.

_JA total of 90 seconds, or less, means the system

flow rate is good.

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, ENTER RESULTS OF YOUR WATER SYSTEM TESTS IN THE

"FACTS AND FIGURES TO KEEP" TABLE IN YOUR OWNERS MANUAL.

1-3

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SECTION2 PLAN YOUR INSTALLATION

A. WHERE TO INSTALL THE WATER SOFTENER

Think of the following points as []. Do not installin a place where the softener could you choose a place to put your freeze. Damage caused by freezing voids the

softener. (see FIG. 2). warranty by Sears, Roebuck and Co.

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Place as close as possible to the pressure tank (well water) or

water meter (city water).

Place as close as possible to a water drain such as a floor

drain, laundry tub, sump or standpipe.

Connect to the house main wa-

ter pipe BEFORE THE WATER HEATER. Temperature of wa-

ter going through the softener must not be more than 120°F

(49°C). Hot water will damage inner softener parts. To reduce the risk of hot water backup, pip-

ing between the softener and water heater should be as long of a run as possible.

Keep outside faucets on hard water to save soft water and

salt.

Put the softener in a place water damage is least

likely to occur if it develops a leak. Sears or the manufacturer will not repair or pay for water

damage.

A grounded, 120V electrical outlet, to plug the

transformer into is needed within 10 feet of the softener (the softener has a 10 foot power cable).

Be sure the outlet and transformer are in an in- side place, to protect from wet weather. So the

softener always has electrical power, use a con- tinuously "live" outlet, that cannot be accidental- ly switched off.

When installing in an outside location, you must take the steps necessary to assure the softener, installation plumbing, and wiring, are as well protected from the elements, contamination,

vandalism, etc., as when installed indoors.

_. Keep the softener out of direct sunlight. The

sun's heat can melt plastic parts.

THE PROPER ORDER TO INSTALL WATER TREATING EQUIPMENT

(Shows sequence of equipment only, -- Seldom, if ever, would all items be needed*.)

Sediment or

Taste & Odor ,_

Cartridge Filter

cold, soft water

hot, so_wwat_

water

he_err [B._ "

*Always put an Iron Filter before the water softener, aTaste & Odor Filter after the softener, a Neutralizer

before an Iron Filter, etc,, as shown,

z::=_/ Phosphate Cartridge Filter _q

Taste & Water Iron Neutralizer Clarifying

Odor Filter Softener Filter Filter

kitchen or bathroom

cold faucet

2-1

Deluxe Valve

hard water to

outside faucets

I I_ city witer supply

!wewaL

pressure or Dispensing

captive air System J

tank

Solution I

well

water

SECTION2 PLAN YOUR INSTALLATION

B. TOOLS, PIPE AND FITTINGS, OTHER MATERIALS NEEDED

You must first decide how to run in and out pipes to the softener. Look at your house main water pipe at

the point you will connect the softener. Is the pipe soldered copper, glued plastic, or threaded galva- nized or brass? What is the pipe size? What kind of pipe and fittings is it easiest for you to work with, and what tools do you have?

Now look at the common plans for in and out piping on page 2-4 (soldered copper) and 2-5 (threaded).

Select the drawing best for you and use it as a guide to plan what materials you will need. As you plan your in and out piping, keep in mind the following

check list. Then get all the materials you will need

before you start.

Notes: Use page 2-3 to make a plan drawing for your spe-

cific installation. Some models include a plastic bypass valve, a

length of valve drain hose, and a length of overflow drain hose for the salt storage tank.

In and out fittings included with the softener are 1" NPT threaded adaptors. You should maintain the

same, or larger, pipe size as the water supply pipe, up to the softener inlet and outlet.

Use copper, brass, galvanized or PVC plastic

pipe and fittings for the in and out pipes. Be sure to check local codes.

ALWAYS install a bypass valve or valves. Either use the Sears special valve (included with some

models and available at your local Sears store), or 3 shut-off valves (see pages 2-4 and 3-3). Bypass valves let you turn off water to the softener if needed for repairs, but still have water in the house pipes.

Drain tubing (3/8 in. inside diameter), is needed for the valve and salt tank drains. See step 1 and 2 on page 3-5 and 3-6. Some models include a length of drain tubing, or you can buy tubing at

most Sears stores.

If a rigid valve drain is needed to comply with plumbing codes, you can buy the parts needed (see

page 3-5) to change the softener to a 1/2 in. mini- mum copper tubing drain.

TOOLS NEEDED:--Common and cross point

(Phillips) screw drivers, slip joint pliers and a tape measure or rule. ALSO...

...for SOLDERED COPPER -- tubing cutter, pro-

pane torch, solid-core LEAD-FREE solder, paste flux, emery cloth, sandpaper or steel wool.

...for THREADED PIPE -- hacksaw or pipe cutter,

pipe wrenches, pipe threading tool, pipe joint com- pound approved for use on potable water.

Copper and galvanized pipe corrode fast when connected together. Use pipe and fittings of the

same material.

Note: Codes in the State of Massachusetts require installations by a licensed plumber. For installation, use plumbing code 248- CMR of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

...for PVC PLASTIC -- hacksaw, adjustable

wrench, solvent cement approved for use on pota-

ble water, primer.

2-2

Deluxe Valve

SECTION2 PLAN YOUR INSTALLATION

B. PIPE AND FITTINGS, PLAN DRAWING

120V - 60HzI1_sII

Draw the plans for your In and OUT piping here. Be sure to follow the guides on page 2-2. Include all pipe, fittings and accesso-

ries you will use. Make a list of all materials you wilt need and buy them before you begin to install the water softener,

LEFT

ElectricalI1'"U

Outlet

YOUR HOUSE MAIN WATER PIPE *

* In what direction does the water flow? Be sure to plan

flow is to the softener valve

flow is from left to right.

VALVE

OUTLET SIDE

, VALVE

INLET

OUTLE_ '_

SOFTENER

RIGHT

IN and OUT piping so water inlet, Plan a crossover if

CROSS-OVER

sift

W_a-

INLET

WATER

2-3

Deluxe Valve

SECTION2 PLAN YOUR INSTALLATION

C. TYPICAL SOLDERED COPPER (OR PVC) IN AND OUT PIPES TO SOFTENER

DELUXE VALVE MODELS

OUT IN

* 1" NPT

sweat adaptor OUT IN

* 1" NPT sweat adaptor

_t-f _ la"d aNP_ch

VALVE included

INLET

c,!

*NOTE: For plumbing connection, buy 2 sweat adap-

tors and plumb directly to the inlet-outlet adap- tors or bypass valve. Threads on the inlet-outlet

adaptors 1" NPT. CAUTION:

DO ALL SOLDERING BEFORE CONNECT- ING SWEAT ADAPTOR TO INLET-OUTLET

ADAPTORS OR BYPASS VALVE.

"NPT J

adaptor _, 2 of each

clip]

Bypass Valve

(included with some models)

included

2-4

Deluxe Valve

SECTION2 PLAN YOUR INSTALLATION

D. TYPICAL THREADED IN AND OUT PIPES TO SOFTENER

If you are planning a threaded plumbing installation, with a 3-valve bypass, use the

drawing in Fig. 4 as a guide. Use union fittings, as needed, to connect the plumbing.

DELUXE VALVE MODELS

So ft ":!_':_'::" :"....

,o,e _ adaptori_c°,'o_:?

(Raw W _e

FITTINGS

REQUIRED NOT

L DENTIFIED

Union (2) 90oElbow (2/

Pipe (as reg,)

_ 1" NPT

ucetsOutside

ater In)

_o_V_o_o,_

*NOTE:

For 1 in. plumbing connection, use a 1 in, threaded straight connector.

2-5

Deluxe Valve

li!i! ::i:i ! ::i:i ! ::iSECTION 3 STEP BY STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL

A. ASSEMBLE INLET-OUTLET ADAPTORS, OR PLASTIC BYPASS VALVE

Close the shut-off valve on

ffi

the house main water pipe, near the water meter or pres-

sure tank, to turn off the wa- ter.

Shut off the gas or electric supply to the water heater.

Open the highest and lowest water faucets in your house to let water drain from the pipes.

Close faucets after water has drained.

ffi

If not already done, remove

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Remove the main cov- er...putl outward on 2

tabs to release. For the UltraSoft 100 remove

the salt hole cover first. For the UltraSoft 200 the salt hole cover remains attached to

the main cover when removed. So they will

not get scratched or broken, set both cov- ers aside.

ffi INSTALL SEARS BYPASS VALVE AND /

OR THE INLET OUTLET THREADED ADAPTORS (FIG. 4, 5 AND 6). All needed parts are on the small parts skin-pack.

Note: If you will not install the bypass valve because you

will have a 3- valve bypass, skip step b, but do steps a and c.

all cardboard or plastic pack- ing pieces from inside the

softener. Set the cardboard liner (with parts for installing

fastened to it) where you can easily see it, and get to parts as you need them.

Salt Hole

Cover

(M_n)

Shutoff

-_"" -_ " Water

Visually check and remove any foreign materi- als from the valve inlet and outlet ports (FIG. 6). Carefully remove the two large plastic clips (you

will use them). Check to be sure the turbine and turbine support are firmly in place. (Fig. 6)

BYPASS VALVE: If not already done, put a light coating of silicone grease on the o-ring seals and slide onto the bypass valve. Push the bypass valve into the softener valve as far as it will go.

Snap the two large holding clips into place, from the top down as shown. (Fig. 7)

[] CAUTION...Be sure the clips snap firmly

into place so the bypass valve will not pull out. (Fig. 7)

GO TO PAGE 3-4.

INLET AND OUTLET THREADED ADAP-

TORS: If not already done, put a light coating of silicone grease on the o-ring seals and slide onto

the threaded adaptors. Push the adaptors into the valve inlet and outlet ports, or bypass valve ports, as far as they will go. Both adaptors are the same and fit either port. Snap the two large

holding clips into place, as shown. (Fig. 7)

CAUTION...Be sure the clips snap firmly

into place so the tubes will not pull out. (Fig. 7)

GO TO PAGE 3-3.

Meter

Pump

Electrical

Panel

3-1

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+ 28 hidden pages