Kenmore 625340700, 625340500, 625340400 Owner’s Manual

K@n ore

-- HOW TO INSTALL-

- HOW IT WORKS --

-- CARE OF --

-- SPECIFICATIONS --

-- REPAIR PARTS --

_RINTED IN U S A

OF CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

Safety Guides ................................... 3

Before You Install ......................... 3-5

Tools and Materials Needed .................. 4

Plans to Install Your Softener ............... 5-8

Sweat Soldering Tips ........................... 7

Step by Step Guides to lnstall Softener ._ 9-14

I WARRANTY

SEARS RESIDENTIAL AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER

For one year from the date of purchase, when this water softener is installed and maintained in accordance with our instructions, Sears will repair, free of charg.e, defects

in material or workmanship in this water softener

FULL TEN YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST LEAKS

For ten years from the date of purchase, Sears will furnish and instal! a new current model water softener tank or salt storage drum, free of charge, if either the tank or drum

develop a leak

TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE, SIMPLY CONTACT THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. THIS WAR-

RANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS IN USE IN THE UNITED

STATE&

PAGE NO.

Setting the Timer ,...................... 14

How Your Softener Works ............... 15-17

"Fine-Tuning" Your Softener ............. 18-22

Care of Your Softener ...................... 23-25

Dimensions and Specifications ................... 26

Repair Parts .............................. 27-31

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights

which vary from state to state.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 698/731A, Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60684

If you want your water softener professionally installed, talk to your Sears Salesperson who will ar- range a prompt, quality installation by Sears Authorized Installers.

SEARS INSTALLATION POLICY

All installation labor arranged by Sears shall be performed in a neat, workmanlike manner in accordance with generally accepted trade prac-

tices Further,all installations shall comply withall local laws, codes, regulations and ordinances

Customer shall also be protected, during installa* tion, by insurance relating to Property Damage, Workman's Compensation and Public Liability

SEARS INSTALLATION WARRANTY

In addition to any warranty extended to you on the Sears merchandise involved, which warran-

ty becomes effective the date the merchandise is installed, should the workmanship of any

Sears arranged irrstallation prove faulty within one year, Sears will, upon notice from you,

cause such faults to be corrected at no addi- tional cost to you.

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. Read- ing this book will also help you to get all of the

benefits from your water softener.

A Your water softener will remove hardness

minerals and "clear water" iron from water, up to the limits shown on page 26. 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.

When you see this sign in the book,

is not followed exactly.

A something could be damaged, or someone hurt, if the guide

HELPFUL INFORMATION

If you know little about plumbing skills, we sug-

gest you get a book on the subject There are

many good books for do-it-yourselfers on the basics of plumbing. You can get a low cost book from Sears Plumbing and Heating departments

that will help you Some basic sweat soldering tips are on page 7 of this manual

WATER SYSTEM TESTS

HAS YOUR WATER SUPPLY HAD A CHEMICAL ANALYSIS? Sears has many kinds

of water treating units (see page 4) to correct different water problems. To know the kind and size of unit you need, you must first know

what elements are in your house water supply.

A chemical analysis shows the type and

amounts of elements in water. If your water needs analysis, call or write your nearest

Sears store for help.

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 120 psi If pressure is over 120 psi, buy and install a pres- sure reducing valve in the water inlet pipe to the

softener. NOTE: If water pressure during the day is 100 psi or more, pressure during the

night may go over 120 psi.

A Check with your local public works depart-

ment for plumbing, electric and sanitation codes. You must follow their guides as you install your softener.

A Protect the softener and piping from freez-

ing. Damage from freezing voids the softener warranty.

,_ Be sure the electric outlet for the softener

is grounded the right way to protect the user from injury or possibly fatal shock.

A THIS SOFTENER WORKS ON 24 VOLTS

ONLY. BE SURE TO USE THE TRANS- FORMER INCLUDED, AND PLUG IT INTO A

120V OUTLET.

If you have a well water system, look at the pressure gauge to find the water pressure. Call

your local water 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 work- ing as well as it should° To make an easy check of your flow rate, do the following. You will need a 1 gallon container (can, jar, pail,

etc.).

Fully open 2 cold water faucets close to the

point water enters the house.

With both faucets open, fill the gallon con-

tainer at 1 faucet while looking at awatch or clock to see how many seconds it takes.

3. Empty the container and go 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.

4. Turn off both faucets. Now add the number of seconds it took to fill the container at

both faucets.

A total of 90 seconds, or less, means the system flow rate is good.

FACTS AND FIGURES TO KEEP

Fill in the blanks below and keep this book in a

safe place so you always have these facts

Water Softener Model Not

Keep your outside faucets on hard water to save soft water and salt.

DO NOT install in a place where the

softener could freeze. Freeze damage voids the warranty by Sears, Roebuck and

Co. (See page 24..)

Serial Number

Date Installed

Water Hardness

Iron Content

*pH

Water Pressure

Water Flow Rate Gallons Per Minute

_-Get from the rating decal on the softener. *The acidity or alkalinity measure of water

WHERE TO PUT THE SOFTENER

Think of the following points as you choose a place to put your softener (See Fig 1)

• Place as close as possible to the pressure tank (well water) or water meter (city water).

e Place as close as possible to a water drain

such as a floor cfrain, laundry tub, sump or standpipe.

Ao Connect to the house main water pipe BEFORE

THE WATER HEATER Temperature of water

going through the softener must not be more than 120 F (49 C)

Taste And/Or Odor

__ Pounds/Square Inch

Grains Per Gallon

Parts Per Million

• A 120V electric 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 inside place, to pro- tect from wet weather.

• Keep the softener out of direct sunlight. The sun's heat can melt plastic parts.

• 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

TOOLS, PIPE, FITTINGS

AND OTHER MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED

To know what tools and materials you will need, 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 con nect the softener Is the pipe soldered copper, glued plastic, or threaded

galvanized or brass? What is the pipe size?

Now look at the common plans for in and out piping on pages 6 and 8. 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.

THE PROPER ORDER TO INSTALL WATER TREATING EQUIPMENT

(Shows sequence of equipment on_y -- seldom, if ever would all items be needed)

_ki_ru_'oem-- ---_____ _ Always put the Iron Filter before the

Sediment" or _ _ so ene he Tas e & Odor. Filter aftern ha_dwaterto _ city............watersupply

Taste & Odor_ _ the softener, the Neutralizer before a ..... _ _---- c_cyw_e_supply

Cartridge I I li _/ 8glSl_e fa_ce[s Ill II A

_.. _ _ Ill Iron F ter etc _x \/ II II T

U L.°,00,u00,,,-- r. .

- = I I II g i 1 --pu_,

=,,I I1[-I | [ |Sod,me.tL4__J'TX'

..... -J -, "terZ,.

/ Softener \ _ location) _ _ w'[tu

Taste & Auto. Neutral- Auto. Solution

Odor Iron Izlng Clarifying Dispensing System Tank Removal Tank Tank

Filter Tank Filter Filter

Filter

I BEFORE YOU START 3=0

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

X/ In and out pipes to the softener must be at

least 3/4 in size Some local codes may tell you to use_no less than 1 in. pipe size

For electric hook-up you may need a length of copper wire (See page 13).

_/ Use copper, brass, or galvanized pipe and

fittings. Some codes may also allow CPVC plastic pipe_

_/ Copper and galvanized pipe corrode fast

when connected together.

x/ You can buy adaptors to go from a copper or

threaded main water pipe to CPVC in and out pipe.

x/ Sears has kits and bypass valves you can buy

to help make installing your softener easier

x/ ALWAYS install a bypass valve or valves.

Either use 3 shut-off valves, or 1 of Sears special valves Bypass valves let you turn off

water to the softener, but still have water in the house pipes.

x/ Drain hose (7/16 in. inside diameter) is

needed for valve and salt tank drains. See

steps 9 and 10 on page 11. You can buy

flexible hose at most Sears stores or through

Sears catalog.

TOOLS NEEDED: -common and cross

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

for SOLDERED COPPER- tubing cutter,

propane torch, solid-core solder, paste flux,

emery cloth, sandpaper or steel wool

for THREADED PIPE - hacksaw or pipe

cutter, pipe wrenches, pipe threading tool,

pipe joint compound.

• _. for CPVC PLASTIC- hacksaw, adjustable wrench, solvent cement, fine emery cloth

If a rigid valve drain is needed to comply with plumbing codes, Sears has a copper drain kit (See page 11) to change the softener to a 1/2 in copper tubing drain.

IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING

A 3 VALVE BYPASS

Tee (2) Outside

, Faucet

Water 1

_ _ .... Waterln)

IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING

A 3 VALVE BYPASS AND SEARS

SPECIAL FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR KIT

90_ Elbow (2) Outside Faucets

_ (F{aw er Pipe

[

! ./.Tee (2)

a_er In)

IN AND OUT PLUMBING

USING SEARS SPECIAL PLASTIC

BYPASS VALVE

sof_ _ ,-____2o°E_bow(2)

I I|1 I ,.alnw_

/ Itl _ (Raw'lva'_rt'lpe

Faucet

ili i!_i

OUT

Outlet )._^;_ _.--90 ° Elbow (4)

..J_ ,_:___°u,

SOFTENER _, = softener

_ FLEXIBLE CONNECTORS

Allows easy hook up even if pipes are not exactly aligned.

IN AND OUT PLUMBING

USING SEARS SPECIAL FLEXIBLE

CONNECTOR KIT AND PLASTIC

_nasket fwith _lnlet

SEARS KITS AND VALVES TO

BYPASS VALVE ,cote 90° Elbow (2) ts'_&e_:au

i i'_ _ Shut-_f f Valves

i tlIN Outside

S.aight---._I_J_

OU]_ _ IT

our\

MAKE INSTALLING YOUR SOFTENER EASIER

BYPASS VALVE (Plastic) _ BYPASS VALVE (Brass) Sears Stock No. 42-3437 Sears Stock No, 42-3436

One, easy working valve takes the place of 3 separate valves,

IN AND OUT PLUMBING

USING SEARS SPECIAL BRASS

BYPASS VALVE

90° Elbow (4) Oets'_6e

/ ,_aoGetS

Connector (2) ,_l_..fnut -_ included

r_j_]- _ "_ with

FL.,_ tuee _ softener

out_et ._u _as,et

SOFTENER Inlet

CROSS-OVER

Use if water supply flows from the left

Include single or 3 valve bypass

Main Water Pipe

o4U;"

Out,or _'_) VA,VE

%let []

I } (Raw Water In)

OUT ; IN

OUT _tN

Plumb to softener

using fittings shown

in 3 valve bypass

: r Pipe

VALVE

Outlet

""i['OFT _E_E_inlet

SWEAT SOLDERING TIPS

]

MEASURING PIPE LENGTHS: Always be sure to include the length of pipe that goes inside the fitting, On 3/4 in pipe, this length is about 3/4 in

about 3/_.,

engagement NO YES

(J/.'"pipe)

CUTTING PIPE: Turn the pipe cutter back and

forth around the outside of the pipe Tighten the

pipe cutter slowly with each turn until all the way through the pipe To keep from crushing or dis- torting the pipe, do not tighten the cutter too

much atatime File burrs from cutends_

CLEAN PIPE AND FITTING SOLDERING SUR-

FACES: With emery cloth, fine sandpaper or

steel wool, clean the end of the pipe and inside of the fitting Clean surfaces until they shine Do

not grind off too much material, making the fit

too loose

Let soldered joints cool slowly Sudden cooling

can crack or weaken the solder

SOLDERING: Light the torch and set to a

moderate flame. Move the flame over and around the joint to heat pipe and fitting. In a

short time, touch the end of the solder wire to the lip of the fitting. DO NOT PLACE SOLDER

IN THE FLAME. The solder will melt and draw into the connection when the pipe and fitting

are at the right temperature. Run the solder around the lip until the joint is full, Do not over_

fill as solder will run into and harden inside the fitting. Being careful not to touch the pipe with

your hands, make a quick swipe around the

joint with a cloth to take off excess solder.

clean surfaces

thoroughly

CHECK THE FIT: Push the pipeintothefitting as far as it will go Use-some force to slip together,

but do not hammer or pound If too tight, clean

surfaces until fit is good_

PUT ON PASTE FLUX: Freely apply paste flux on both cleaned surfaces Place pipe into the fitting

and turn to spread the paste around, BEFORE SOLDERING, READ THESE SAFETY

GUIDES A Keep torch flame away from walls, the water

softener, and other materials that will burn

A Do not touch newly soldered pipe with your

hands

Wrap nearby, already soldered joints with a wet

cloth so solder does not melt

Fora good sweat solder joint, the pipe and fitting

must not have any water inside them Water, when heated by the torch, weakens the solder and often the joint will leak If you can not keep the inside of the pipe dry, wad upa piece of bread

intoa ball After putting paste flux on both the

pipe and fitting, place the bread wad into the pipe and poke in several inches, Put the pipe and

fitting together and solder The bread absorbs

moisture while you are soldering When the

water is turned on, the bread dissolves and is

flushed out an open faucet

LEAKING CONNECTIONS: You can try to

reheat and resolder a leaking joint, but it's usu- ally best to start over Turn off the water, reheat and take the pipe and fitting apart Take off all old solder, cleaning down to the copper surface Apply new paste flux and solder again

IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING

A 3 VALVE BYPASS

Union

Faucets

(2)

IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING

A 3 VALVE BYPASS AND SEARS

SPECIAL FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR KIT

Tee (2) Union Faucets

Shut-off

Valves

Outside

IN AND OUT PLUMBING

JSING SEARS

BYPASS VALVE

90° Elbow(2)

Shut'off

Valves

OUTLET

SOFTENER

"_---nipple

INLET

Unions

3/4reducer

Elbow (6)

OUT

SOFTENER

SEARS KITS AND VALVES TO MAKE INSTALLING YOUR SOFTENER EASIER

FLEXIBLE CONNECTORS

Allows easy hook up, even if pipes are not exactly aligned.

IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING SEARS

SPECIAL FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR KIT

AND PLASTI, BYPASS VALVE

_.-z_,:-_ ''_-_--_ _Outside

,_,'er .._. i-aucets

'_ IN

OUT

, []

One, easy working valve takes the place of 3 separate valves.

unions offset for

clearance

OUT

KIT

[] BYPASS VALVE

Sears Stock No. 42-3437

CROSS-OVER

Use if water supply flows from the left

Include single or 3 valve bypass

9o°E bowl21It;

OUT H N

OUTLET _]]

SOFTENER _INLE]

_"_ _ iNLET

Close the shut-off valve on the house main

A], water pipe, near the water meter or pres-

sure tank, to turn off the water.

Shut off the gas or electric supply to the

A 2. water heater.

INSTALLING INLET SCREEN, AND THE INLET AND OUTLET

ADAPTORS

Open the highest and lowest water faucets

AO. in your house to let water drain from the

pipes. Close faucets after water has drained.

If not already done, remove all cardboard or

4. plastic packing pieces from inside the softener. Take the bag with small parts.

Remove parts and lay out neatly so you can

_ind them when needed.

_Screen

INSTALL THE INLET SCREEN, AND THE

_. INLET AND OUTLET ADAPTORS OR

SEARS BYPASS VALVE, STOCK NO. 42-3437.

a. INLET SCREEN -The inlet screen (Fig. 4 or 5) is with the small parts bag items. This screen, put in the softener valve inlet, stops dirt and other sediments from getting inside the softener. To install it, put it into the valve inlet with the pointed end facing outward, toward in coming water. IN

Stock No 42-3437

Adaptors

INSTALLING INLET SCREEN

AND BYPASS VALVE

OUTLET

Remove Inner

O-Ring Seals

BYPASS VALVE TURNED DOWNWARD

TURN BYPASS VALVE

UPSIDE DOWN TO

CONNECT TO FLOOR

LEVEL PLUMBING

OUT

b. INLET AND OUTLET ADAPTORS (Do not use if you will install the bypass valve) - Push the

adaptors into the valve inlet and outlet ports (Fig. 4) as far as they will go. Both adaptors are

the same and fit either valve port. SNAP THE 2 LARGE HOLDING CLIPS INTO PLACE, FROM

THE TOP DOWN AS SHOWN. BE SURE THEY SNAP FIRMLY INTO PLACE SO THE ADAP- TORS CAN NOT PULL OUT,

o. BYPASS VALVE, STOCK NO. 42-3437 - If the

bypass valve has 4 o-ring seals on it, remove

the inner one on both sides (Fig. 5). Push the

bypass valve into the softener valve as far as it

will go (Fig. 5 or 6). SNAP THE 2 LARGE

HOLDING CLIPS INTO PLACE, FROM THE

TOP DOWN AS SHOWN. BE SURE THEY

SNAP FIRMLY IN PLACE SO THE BYPASS VALVE CAN NOT PULL OUT.

IF YOU DO NOT USE SEARS BYPASS VALVE, STOCK NO. 42-3437, DO STEP 6. IF YOU DID INSTALL THIS BYPASS VALVE, SKIP STEP 6 AND GO TO STEP 7.

INSTALLING3VALVEBYPASS,ORSEARS

6. BYPASS VALVE, STOCK NO. 42-3436, AND

PIPES (FIG. 7)

Cut the house main water pipe where you will connect the softener. Loosely put together pipe, fittings, and the 3 valves or Sears special bypass valve. Place valve(s) within easy reach.

Look at your plan drawing on page 5.

IMPORTANT: WHEN LOOKING ATTHE FRONT OF THE SOFTENER, THE INLET IS ON THE

RIGHTSIDE IFWATER IN YOUR HOUSEMAIN WATER PiPE RUNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, BE

SURE TO USE A "CROSS-OVER" AS SHOWN IN FIG, 2 AND 3

If all pipe, fittings and valves fit together good, tighten,all threaded joints (use pipe dope on out- side threads), or solder following tips on page 7

MOVE SOFTENER INTO PLACE

[, Move the softener into place Be sure the

surface it sets on is level and smooth If

needed, put a piece of 3/4" plywood, at least t8" square, under the tank Then put a spacer under the plywood to level the softener

BYPASSVALVES

SINGLE VALVE BYPASS

tl Stock NO

_ _ 42-3436

Softener

Inlet

INLET-OUTLET FITTINGS

Gasket

Inlet and Outlet Valve

Adaptors

3_VALVE BYPASS

_To

Softener

Inlet

CONNECT THE SOFTENER -- SOLDER

8. COPPER OR CPVC PIPE

(Refertoyourplandrawingonpage5, andto

page6)

• Read the important note above. Then put the gaskets, tubes arrd nuts shown in FIG. 8, or the flexible corrnectors (Sears kit), onto the softener or bypass valve.

o Measure, cut and put all pipe and fittings

together up to the main water pipe, or to the

bypass valve (s) you installed in step 6 above. o When all piping fits together good, solder (or

glue CPVC) all joints following tips on page 7

,_. CAUTION: BEFORE SOLDERING, DISCON- NECT NUTS (FIG 8) AT THE SOFTENER OR

BYPASS VALVE THIS WILL STOP THE HEAT, CAUSED BY THE SOLDERING, FROM GOING

INTO THE SOFTENER VALVE AND MELTING PLASTIC PARTS After plumbing cools, put nuts

back on and tighten

CONNECT THE SOFTENER -- THREADED

8, PIPE.

(Refer to your plan drawing on page 5, and to

page 8) e Read the important note above, left. Then mea-

sure, cut, thread and put together pipe and fit- tings from the softener (or bypass valve) up to the main water pipe, or to the bypass valves installed in step 6.

o Include union fittings or flexible connectors (Sears kit).

o Cut pipe lengths exact for correct aligning, and to prevent putting weight on the valve Use

pipe dope or teflon tape on all outside threads, ,& CAUTION: BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN PUT-

TING PIPE FITTINGS ONTO THE PLASTIC ( THREADS OF THE SOFTENER ADAPTORS OR

THE BYPASS VALVE. DO NOT CROSS-THREAD

DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN

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